The Mustang Messenger
2026-2027 Season
A Message from Dr. Di Nicola
Good evening, JLS Mustang Students, Staff, and Families!
🐎 What an Extraordinary Opening Week, Mustangs! 💙💛
In my thirty-one years as an educator and school leader, I have never witnessed a greater opening to a school year—especially one that began with five consecutive school days—than what we experienced this past week at J.L. Simpson Middle School!
From the very first bell, our Mustangs across all grade levels demonstrated an incredible willingness to dive into learning, arrive to class on time while mastering new schedules, and get to know their teachers and one another.
Even more inspiring were the countless acts of Mustang leadership happening throughout our halls: students helping one another open lockers, find classrooms, get organized for success, and—perhaps most importantly—helping our newest Mustangs make friends and feel genuinely welcomed into our school community. 🌟
Our Mustang Professional Staff matched that energy every step of the way, from the moment students entered our doors until they departed Friday for a very well-deserved, restful weekend! Their enthusiasm, care, and leadership shined brightly as they facilitated activities designed to build meaningful connections, developed classroom norms incorporating student voice, and began teaching our students how to Lead Like a Mustang! through our shared expectations as a school.
To our families, congratulations and thank you for the extraordinary courtesy, kindness, patience, and understanding you demonstrated throughout this opening week. Your focused and caring support of both our staff and your Mustangs helped make this exceptional start possible. 💙
👏 We also extend tremendous appreciation to our Parent-Teacher Organization, beautifully led by President Blaire Ring and Vice President Rachel Marvin, along with Treasurer Tammy Strobeck, Secretary Melissa Mitchell, and Members at Large Zach Cummings, Laura Karwoski, and Heather Gast. Their relentless efforts to welcome students, families, and staff with such kindness have already made a wonderful impact—and our August 20 PTO meeting was the most highly attended PTO meeting we have seen in recent years! We look forward to engaging even more families in PTO-sponsored activities and school events throughout the year because, ultimately, we are one united Mustang front! 🐎💪
And now, onward to Week Two! Expect to see academic engagement increase as our Mustangs dig deeper into their learning, while Advisory and Resource provide opportunities for students to further develop meaningful Quarter 1 Goals.
We will also complete our MAP Growth Assessments, with Reading on Thursday, August 27, and Mathematics on Friday, August 28. Let’s carry the tremendous energy, kindness, leadership, and Mustang pride of our opening week forward into everything we do.
Have a beautiful week ahead, Mustangs—let’s make it another GREAT one! 📚🎯🚀 #SimpsonStrong #MustangPride #OneUnitedFront
Frank G. "Tripp" Di Nicola, III, Ed.D.
Principal
J. Lupton Simpson Middle School
Our doors open for student entry at 8:10 AM each morning.
For everyone’s safety, we respectfully ask that students do not wait outside the main entrance before 8:10 AM, as there is no adult supervision outside the building prior to that time.
We kindly ask parents and guardians to plan their morning arrival so that their Mustang’s departure from the car line is timed as closely as possible with the opening of our entrance doors. We ask our walkers and bike riders to please plan their arrival accordingly as well.
We truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and partnership in helping us provide a safe and welcoming start to each school day. Your cooperation makes such a meaningful difference in helping us care for all of our students.
Thank you so very much for your understanding, support, and continued commitment to keeping our Mustangs safe! 😊💙
Monday, August 24 - Friday, August 28, 2026
🟡Monday, August 24, 2026 - B Day
- 8:30 AM: All go to Block 1/2 B by 8:30 AM!
- Fall Application Cycle Opens to Grade 8 Students Applying to Academies of Loudoun for the 2027-2028 School Year
🔵Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - A Day
- 8:30 AM: All go to Block 1/2 A by 8:30 AM!
🟡Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - B Day
- 8:30 AM: All go to Block 1/2 B by 8:30 AM!
- New Student Lunch with Unified Mental Health Team During All Lunch Shifts - Room M6
🔵Thursday, August 27, 2026 - A Day
- 8:30 AM: All go to Advisory by 8:30 AM for MAP Testing!
🟡Friday, August 28, 2026 - B Day
- 8:30 AM: All go to Advisory by 8:30 AM for MAP Testing!
- Math MAP Growth Assessment - Fall Window - Testing Bell Schedule
Quarter 1 Important Dates and Events
August 31: Activity Buses Begin on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays - 4:50-5:00 PM Departure
August 31: Grade 6 Student Expectations Meeting During All Resource Blocks
September 1: Grade 7 Student Expectations Meeting During All Resource Blocks
September 1: Intramural Flag Football Team Creation Meeting in the Gym - During Advisory - Mr. Carpenter
September 2: Grade 8 Student Expectations Meeting During All Resource Blocks
September 2: Empowered Girls Club Meeting in Room B12 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Herrin and Ms. Ashley
September 3: Student Council Association Meeting in Cafeteria - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Suttie and Ms. Terrett
September 3: Odyssey of the Mind Interest Meeting Google Meet - 6:30 PM - Ms. Maulfair
September 4: Student Holiday
September 7: Labor Day Holiday - JL Simpson MS Official 50th Anniversary - We opened on Tuesday, September 7, 1976
September 8: First Monty's Cafe of the School Year in the front entrance - 8:10 AM - 8:30 AM
September 9: Select Choir Auditions in Room M4 - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
September 9: Empowered Girls Club Meeting in Room B12 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Herrin and Ms. Ashley
September 10: Intramural Flag Football and Cross Country Begin in the Gym - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Mr. Carpenter
September 10: Select Choir Auditions in Room M4 - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
September 10: Student Council Association Meeting in Cafeteria - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Suttie and Ms. Terrett
September 10: PTO Spirit Night at GoGo's Italian Gelato in Leesburg - 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
September 11: Select Choir Auditions in Room M4 - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Ms. Hoey-Johnson - Special Activity Bus Available
September 14: Grade 7 Hearing and Vision Student Screening in Room Art 1 - 8:30 AM - 3:18 PM (All Day)
September 14: Color Guard Club in Room C9 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Mr. Focer
September 14: Needlework Club in Room A1 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Hronik and Ms. Suttie
September 15: Grade 7 Hearing and Vision Student Screening in Room Art 1 - 8:30 AM - 3:18 PM (All Day)
September 16: New Student Advisory Check-In in Room M6 - 10:00 AM - 10:29 AM - Unified Mental Health Team
September 16: Select Choir in Room M4 - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
September 16: Empowered Girls Club Meeting in Room B12 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Herrin and Ms. Ashley
September 17: Intramural Flag Football and Cross Country in the Gym - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Mr. Carpenter
September 17: Sense of Belonging Team Meeting in Room B12/A17 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Herrin and Ms. Ashley
September 17: Student Council Association Meeting in Cafeteria - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Suttie and Ms. Terrett
September 18: Jersey Spirit Day - Loudoun County HS Home Football Game vs. Park View HS @ Sonny Pearson Stadium Field - 7:00 PM
September 19: Junior Regional Orchestra Auditions @ Farmwell Station MS
September 21: Student and Staff Holiday - Yom Kippur
September 23: Select Choir in Room M4 - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
September 23: Empowered Girls Club Meeting in Room B12 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Herrin and Ms. Ashley
September 23: PTO Spirit Night @ Brusters Ice Cream in Compass Creek with Dr. Di Nicola + Guest Scoopers!
September 24: Intramural Flag Football and Cross Country in the Gym - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Mr. Carpenter
September 24: Student Council Association Meeting in Cafeteria - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Suttie and Ms. Terrett
September 24: Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) Meeting in Cafeteria - 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM - Ms. Castro and Ms. Chisholm
September 28: Color Guard Club in Room C9 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Mr. Focer
September 28: Needlework Club in Room A1 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Hronik and Ms. Suttie
September 29: Grade 8 Special Programs Visit in Auditorium - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Mr. Filsinger, Ms. Jeane, and Ms. Castro + LCPS Special Programs Team
September 30: Select Choir in Room M4 - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
September 30: Empowered Girls Club Meeting in Room B12 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Herrin and Ms. Ashley
September 30: Loudoun County HS Homecoming Parade - Starts @ Safeway on King Street - 6:30 PM
October 1: Intramural Flag Football and Cross Country in the Gym - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Mr. Carpenter & Ms. Rogers
October 1: Student Council Association Meeting in Cafeteria - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Suttie and Ms. Terrett
October 2: Gold Out! Spirit Day - Loudoun County HS Home Football Game vs. Broad Run HS @ Sonny Pearson Stadium Field - 7:00 PM
October 5: Color Guard Club in Room C9 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Mr. Focer
October 5: Needlework Club in Room A1 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Hronik and Ms. Suttie
October 7: Select Choir in Room M4 - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
October 7: Empowered Girls Club Meeting in Room B12 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Herrin and Ms. Ashley
October 8: Intramural Flag Football and Cross Country in the Gym - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Mr. Carpenter and Ms. Rogers
October 8: Student Council Association Meeting in Cafeteria - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Suttie and Ms. Terrett
October 9: Hispanic Heritage Month Spirit Day
October 12: Student and Staff Holiday -Indigenous Peoples' Day 2026
October 14: Select Choir in Room M4 - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
October 14: Empowered Girls Club Meeting in Room B12 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Herrin and Ms. Ashley
October 15: Intramural Flag Football and Cross Country in the Gym - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Mr. Carpenter
October 15: Sense of Belonging Team Meeting in Room B12/A17 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Herrin and Ms. Ashley
October 15: Student Council Association Meeting in Cafeteria - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Suttie and Ms. Terrett
October 15: National Junior Honor Society Meeting in Cafeteria - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. White and Ms. Hamilton
October 16: Pink Out! Spirit Day - Loudoun County HS Home Football Game vs. John Handley HS @ Sonny Pearson Stadium Field - 7:00 PM / Future Captain Night - 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM @ LCHS
October 19 - October 23: Bullying Prevention Week - Sources of Strength Team Leadership
October 19: Color Guard Club in Room C9 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Mr. Focer
October 19: Needlework Club in Room A1 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Hronik and Ms. Suttie
October 21: Unity Day (Spirit Day) - Wear ORANGE!
October 21: Combined Rehearsal for Grade 8 SPOOKTACULAR! Concert in Auditorium - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Hoey-Johnson, Mr. Pazanowski, Ms. Kanakry, and Dr. Moore
October 21: Empowered Girls Club Meeting in Room B12 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Herrin and Ms. Ashley
October 22: Grade 6 Science Field Trip to National Air & Space Museum (Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center)
October 22: Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) Meeting in Cafeteria - 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM - Ms. Castro and Ms. Chisholm
October 22: Student Council Association Meeting Tailgate @ Loudoun County HS - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Suttie and Ms. Terrett
October 22: Select Choir in Room M4 - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
October 23: Grade 6 Science Field Trip to National Air & Space Museum (Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center)
October 24: LCPS Intramural Flag Football Championship at Heritage HS
October 26: Color Guard Club in Room C9 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Mr. Focer
October 26: Needlework Club in Room A1 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Hronik and Ms. Suttie
October 26: Grade 8 Spooktacular! Concert in Auditorium - 7:00 PM
October 27: Intramural Volleyball Team Creation Meeting in the Gym - During Advisory
October 28: End of Quarter 1
October 28: Select Choir in Room M4 - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
October 28: Empowered Girls Club Meeting in Room B12 - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Ms. Herrin and Ms. Ashley
October 29: Middle School All District Choir Auditions - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
October 29-30: Student Holidays
November 1: Daylight Savings Time Begins - Clocks turn back one (1) hour!
November 2-3: Student Holidays
November 3: Election Day
November 4: Quarter 2 Begins
Our students will be participating in the Fall MAP Growth Assessment in all grade levels on August 27 and August 28. The Reading MAP test will be completed at the start of the day on Thursday, August 27 and the Math MAP test will be completed at the start of the day on Friday, August 28.
After departing their morning welcoming areas, students will report to their Advisory class at 8:30 AM for MAP Testing. We will be operating on an adjusted bell schedule during testing days.
Please ensure that your student brings their fully charged Chromebook to school for testing. Thank you for helping our Mustangs be prepared for a successful testing day!
The MAP Growth Assessment serves as a pre-test in supporting student progress and achievement on their end-of-year Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments. This assessment also allows our educators to review current student performance to design appropriate authentic learning experiences where our learners can apply skills in areas of interest.
The resources linked below in the NWEA MAP Family Tool Kit are helpful in providing more information about the MAP Growth Assessment and its purpose in determing current student performance level in a variety of subjects, namely English and Mathematics in our school division.
If you have any questions about the NWEA MAP Growth Assessment in English / Mathematics, please feel free to connect with your child's teacher or Laura.Bolyard@lcps.org (School-Based Instructional Facilitator), Jennifer.Burns@lcps.org (Instructional Facilitator, Technology) or Jarrod.Dungan@lcps.org (School Testing Coordinator / Assistant Principal).
If your student(s) need an early dismissal, please remember that you must come to the main entrance to show your photo ID to sign your student(s) out. For your convenience, we recommend that you avoid early dismissals during lunch times and close to regular dismissal time. Our parking lot tends to become quite congested starting around 2:45pm. Lunch time is busy with students moving throughout the building, cafeteria, or our outdoor space. It may take longer for your student to be dismissed during these extra busy times.
Bus passes (for transportation on a bus other than the student assigned bus) will not be permitted for the first several weeks of school as our students and bus drivers adjust to their new routine. Be sure to watch out for bus pass start date and procedures in an upcoming newsletter.
6th Grade Administrative Professional - Stephanie.DeWan@lcps.org
7th Grade Administrative Professional - Laura.Ridings@lcps.org
8th Grade Administrative Professional - Molly.Steinbach@lcps.org
The Academies of Loudoun 2026 Fall Admission Cycle opens on Monday, August 24, 2026, and will remain open until Thursday, October 15, 2026 at Noon. The fall admissions cycle is for any eighth-grade student enrolled in Algebra I or higher who is interested in applying to the Academies of Loudoun for ninth-grade entry into the Academy of Engineering & Technology (AET) program and/or the Academy of Science (AOS) program for the 2027-2028 school year.
The admissions office will conduct four (4) fall admissions information sessions for Loudoun County students in eighth grade and their parents or guardians. These sessions will provide details about the Academies.
2026 Fall Admissions Information Session and Special Program Fairs Schedule:
- Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Rock Ridge High School, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM *
- Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Heritage High School, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM**
- Saturday, October 3, 2026 at Park View High School, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM**
- Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Heritage High School, 6:30 PM-7:30 PM*
*Information about only the Academies of Loudoun programs will be provided
**Information about all LCPS Special Programs will be provided
The LCPS Office of Special Programs will visit JLS 8th grade students on Tuesday, September 29 during Advisory, to review all admissions related information.
For more information, you can visit the Academies of Loudoun Admissions Website, email AcademiesAdmissions@lcps.org or call 571-252-1992.
Students should see Ms. Sabrina Jeane, 8th Grade Counselor, with any questions.
Please provide Feedback on the FY28 Budget!
Parents/Guardians/Staff:
We know our community wants to have a say in how LCPS allocates its budget to best support student learning and achievement. We are asking our community for your thoughts on what the School Board might consider as they develop the FY28 budget. Our teachers, counselors, principals, school nutrition workers, and bus drivers work to support students throughout the year and are part of the budget that funds school programs and classroom instruction from early childhood through graduation. Our budget also supports facilities and maintenance, staff benefits, technology, and overall operations that make our division thrive.
We need our staff and community’s input to learn what is most important to everyone and help inform our next steps. To do that, we are asking everyone to participate in a ThoughtExchange to share their ideas and let us know how they feel about other ideas the community suggests. We are using ThoughtExchange so everyone has a chance to share their perspectives and understand what’s most important to the group.
Beginning August 24, you can participate in the ThoughtExchange and return anytime before September 15 to rate new ideas. You can also find it on www.lcps.org/thoughtexchange.
Your input is valued and appreciated.
🛴 Important Safety Update: E-Bikes, Scooters & Other Motorized Devices
To help keep all Mustangs, staff, and visitors safe, LCPS is reinforcing expectations for motorized and electric-powered personal transportation devices on school property.
The most important thing to know:
Students may use an e-bike, e-scooter, or other permitted personal mobility device to travel to and from school, but they may NOT ride or operate it on school property.
When arriving at Simpson: Students must get off and walk their device once they reach school property and take it directly to the designated parking area.
When leaving Simpson: Students must walk their device to the school property line before getting on, starting, or riding it.
🚲 What devices are included?
The prohibition on use while on school grounds includes:
- Personal transportation devices: e-bikes, e-scooters, mopeds, motorized skateboards, golf carts, go-karts, low-speed vehicles, surreys, and battery-operated ride-on vehicles.
- Motorized/electronic toys: drones, model airplanes, helicopters, hovercraft, and similar remote-controlled or electronic devices.
⛑️ Safety First
Helmets should be worn at all times when riding. Families are encouraged to review safe riding practices with students, including following traffic laws and being especially cautious around pedestrians, vehicles, buses, and school arrival/dismissal areas.
What happens if a student rides on school property?
Our first priority is helping students understand and follow the new expectation. Students who ride a personal mobility device on school property will first receive verbal reminders. Continued concerns will result in parent/guardian contact before disciplinary action is considered. Repeated violations may result in the student losing the privilege of bringing the device onto school property.
📘 Student Rights & Responsibilities
The LCPS Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) has been updated to clarify that School Board policies and school rules apply while students are traveling to and from school, including when they are “using a personal mobility device, such as an e-bike or scooter.”
Please help us keep Simpson safe by reminding your Mustang:
Ride to campus → Walk on campus → Park your device
Walk off campus → Then ride
Thank you for partnering with us to promote a safe arrival and dismissal for everyone in our Simpson community!
Our first Monty's Cafe of the new school year is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8th!
What is Monty's Cafe?
On the second Tuesday of each month, the PTO hosts Monty’s Cafe! It’s a fun opportunity for students to grab a treat, catch up with friends, and start the school day with a little something special—all while supporting the PTO!
Monty’s Cafe is open from 8:10 AM – 8:25 AM, before the school day begins. Students may pay with cash or use a prepaid Monty’s Cafe Card.
Students can purchase:
- 🥤 A drink — $1.00 (Lemonade) / $2.00 (Hot Cocoa) (Lemonade during the warmer months and hot chocolate when the temperatures cool down.)
- 🍩 A donut — $2.00
You may order your Health and PE shirt starting on Monday, August 10!
- Health and PE shirts in the form of a gray school-issued t-shirt or a gray one that your Mustang prefers from home are expected for all students this year.
- Students will begin wearing their PE t-shirts starting the week of Monday, August 24.
- Returning Mustangs who have their shirts from last year are not required to purchase a new one if the shirt is in appropriate condition.
- Students are to write their last name on the top back of the t-shirt, preferably in black permanent marker. Click here for more about our Health and Physical Education expectations and support from our staff at JLS.
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THE LCPS GRAY T-SHIRT?
You can purchase the HPE LCPS gray t-shirt for your student at the Payment Portal linked below.
Once you have completed your purchase, please send a copy of the receipt you receive electronically in your e-mail to school with your student to show their PE teacher. We will distribute their purchased t-shirts starting Monday, August 24th during their Health and PE block.
You can purchase the LCPS Health and PE T-Shirt using the link below:
Looking forward to a great year with your marvelous Mustang!
Maggie Darby, Health and PE Department Chair/SALT
Sam Carpenter
Justin Grantham, Health and PE Department Chair/SALT
Angela Rogers
JLS Health and PE Department
📲 Mustangs, Families, and Staff—Don't Miss Out!
The NEW LCPS App is the BEST way to stay connected to everything happening at JLS!
Want important school updates delivered directly to your phone instead of getting lost in your email inbox?
The updated LCPS App makes it easier than ever to stay informed with timely notifications about school events, news, reminders, and announcements—all in one convenient place.
HOW DO I DOWNLOAD THE LCPS APP?📱
1. Search "Loudoun County Public Schools" in the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).
2. Download the app.
3. Click on More in the bottom right corner of your screen.
4. Click on the Settings icon in the upper right corner. It's to the left of the bell.
5. Click on Language preference to choose your preferred language.
6. Click on My schools and select J. Lupton Simpson MS from the list. You can also select the general Loudoun County Public Schools option for division-level information...and any other schools your former or future Mustangs are attending now to follow their school sites!
7. Click on Notification preferences:
a) Click Add phone number so that you can receive text messages from the LCPS App and our JLS Mustang Professional Staff!
b) Set the correct time zone (Eastern Time US & Canada).
c) Click on Messages and choose your frequency: Instrant Delivery / Hourly Digest / Daily Digest. You can also choose the time frames during which you would like to receive notifications.
d) Click on Announcements to be sure you have turned on text (SMS) / e-mail notifications.
8. Note that if you have already subscribed to the LCPS App when we announced it this past spring...you may already be set to go with your notifications!
All JL Simpson MS staff will be using the LCPS App and a feature called Rooms to connect with students and families throughout the year. Remind is no longer supported by LCPS...so this is your only way to ensure you are obtaining the most up to date communication possible outside of our Mustang Messenger!
By downloading the app and following JL Simpson Middle School, you'll have instant access to:
- 📅 School calendars and upcoming events
- 🍎 Lunch menus
- 💳 School payment information
- 📰 Important news and announcements
- 🔔 Real-time notifications delivered straight to your phone
- 🫶 Direct access to LCPS/JLS Events, Menus, ParentVue, Stopfinder, and more!
Do not rely on email alone! Stay connected the way that works best — with quick, meaningful text-style notifications that keep you informed when it matters most.
Stay informed, engaged, and connected—download the LCPS App today!
