The newest elementary school in Prince William County is named for its longest-serving supervisor.
The new school at 4060 Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge bears the name John D. Jenkins Elementary. He represented Dale City as the Neabsco District Supervisor between 1982 and his death in February of this year.
The new school was one of 99 Prince William County Public Schools opened on the first day of classes Aug. 26. A ribbon-cutting celebration was held inside the school, where school officials and politicians spoke to a packed house of attendees.
“John Jenkins was always very verbal,” said School Superintendent Dr. Steven Walts. “When I saw him he would say ‘let me know if you need anything, let me know if the kids need anything.”
Naming other county schools in recent years has sparked controversy, like the renaming of Godwin Middle School to George M. Hampton Middle. However, there was no debate over naming the school for Jenkins, added Walts.
Marlene Coleman is the school’s principal. She moved from Dumfries Elementary School, where she also served as the school principal.
Jenkins is survived by his wife, Earnestine, and his children. A reading room was dedicated to Earnestine, and her portrait hung outside the room.
A photo of John Jenkins hangs in the foyer. Family photos and mementos from the Jenkins family were also on display.
The land on which the $33 million school sits was purchased by the county, in a growing trend of the county government purchasing land for new schools. Prior to a 2016 proffer law change, the county relied on developers to donate land to the county as part of housing development.
Jenkins Elementary sits in the Occoquan Magisterial District, on the borderline of the Neabsco District where Jenkins served for 37 years. It is the first new elementary school to open in the district 25 years, after the opening of Old Bridge Elementary School.
Recent Stories
Once on the edge of selling to a private owner, a beloved community pool has a new board working to rejuvenate the facility and keep the neighborhood pool tradition alive.
In “They’re Playing Our Song,” Carson Eubank and Ashlee Waldbauer command the stage with a dynamic energy that transports the audience into the heart of the comedic journey.
Police were called to a fatal hit-and-run incident on April 24 at 10:19 p.m., near Route 1 Pine Bluff Drive near Dumfries.
Potomac Mills mall is set to welcome Vineyard Vines this fall.
To celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week (May 6-10, 2024), Clean Air Partners is working with A Few Cool Hardware Stores to exchange DC, Maryland and Virginia residents’ gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers at select Ace Hardware locations in the region. DMV residents who turn in their gas-powered lawn tools will receive a FREE Ego Power+ replacement including batteries and chargers, while supplies last.
Compared to gas, electric lawn equipment can reduce emissions, noise pollution, health risks and maintenance costs and time. The program aims to remove about a hundred gas-powered polluting tools from yards in the greater Baltimore-Washington region.
The exchanges will take place the weekends of May 17-19, 2024, and May 31-June 2, 2024, at A Few Cool Hardware Stores network of employee-owned Ace Hardware stores in the DC and Baltimore metro areas. To participate and get your free Ego Power+ lawn tool, sign up at https://qrco.de/CAPExchange to reserve your tool and select your trade-in date and location.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges? Do stress and anxiety seem to dominate your thoughts? At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand that navigating mental health can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our team of compassionate therapists is here to guide you on your journey toward inner peace and emotional well-being. With a client-centered approach, we tailor our therapy sessions to meet your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re struggling with depression, coping with trauma, or simply seeking personal growth, we provide a safe and supportive space for healing and growth.
Embark on a path of self-discovery with our comprehensive range of therapy services, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and holistic approaches. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to helping you cultivate resilience, develop coping skills, and foster a greater sense of self-awareness.
Free Irish Music Concert
Welcoming Spring with music from the Emerald Isle, the New Dominion Choraliers offer a FREE concert on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City.
Joined by Legacy Brass and members of Old
Spring Ceili: An Irish Music Festival
The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County and McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance invite you to join them at our Ceili, a grand celebration of Irish music and dance.
A gathering of performance groups throughout Prince William County
