Welcome (or welcome back) to a new Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.” With nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County this school year, it’s important to get to know the folks in their new roles.
Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.
Today, get to know Michael Kelchlin, the new principal of Pennington Traditional School in Manassas. Kelchlin was previously the principal of Gravely Elementary School, an assistant principal and teacher.
Why Prince William County, and why [Pennington]?Â
How will you bring your experience as [specific experiences here] to your new role as principal in PWCS?ÂI chose to come to Pennington Traditional School because of its reputation for academic excellence, strong values, parent involvement, and being a great environment for teaching and learning. I previously served as the principal of Gravely Elementary School for the last eight years.
I served as the principal of Gravely Elementary for the past eight years, assistant principal of Newington Forest Elementary School in Fairfax for five years and spent another six years teaching in both Fairfax and Charlotte, N.C. Throughout my time at PWCS, I provided district leadership by serving on various committees, including the Superintendent Principal Advisory Council, PWCS Return to Learning Planning and Logistics Committee, and PWCS Standards Based Teaching and Learning Committee. I was also a nominee for Elementary Principal of the Year in the 2022-2023 school year.
Throughout my years of leadership, I have consistently demonstrated high levels of student achievement, engaged the community through events and volunteer opportunities, and collaboratively created a great school experience for students.                  Â
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On August 28, 2024, the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office charged the Spotswood Elementary Assistant Principal with misdemeanor assault and battery after a 5-year-old student said he was assaulted, according to a police report.
Press release:
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Welcome (or welcome back) to a new Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.” With nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County this school year, it’s important to get to know the folks in their new roles. Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.
Today, get to know Kisha Trammell, Ed.D., the new principal of Gravely Elementary in Haymarket. She's taught kindergarten at Gravely, and has served as the assistant principal at the school for the last six years.
Why Prince William County, and why Gravely Elementary?
How will you bring your experience to your new role as principal in PWCS?I am thrilled to serve as the principal of Gravely Elementary School. I have a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a focus on technology, and a doctoral degree in professional studies in education. I am certified in teaching kindergarten through third grade and in educational leadership and administration.
In 2010, my family moved to Gainesville. I knew I wanted to teach in Prince William County Public Schools where I could make a positive impact on students' lives by guiding them academically and supporting essential life skills. I've had the pleasure of teaching kindergarten at Gravely Elementary for five years (2013-2018) and served as the assistant principal at Gravely for the past six years (2018-2024).
Are there any initiatives you hope to implement in your first year?My vision as principal is that all students will excel academically and have equal opportunities to learn. My goal is to build upon and continue the existing culture of excellence and achievement at Gravely Elementary. I am committed to empowering teachers and fostering student success, which is essential to building a thriving educational community. I will build a positive culture and climate, where students feel safe and enjoy coming to school. I aim to create a community that exudes positivity and inclusivity.
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Welcome (or welcome back) to a new Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.” With nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County this school year, it’s important to get to know the folks in their new roles. The series launched on Monday with Gainesville Middle's, Edward Schultz and continued on Wednesday with Rockledge Elementary's Catherine Dennis.
Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.
Today, get to know Kathleen Poe, the new principal of King Elementary School in Dale City. Poe is a Prince William county native, PWCS graduate and has been teaching in the district since 2012. Most recently, she's served as assistant principal at Covington-Harper Elementary.
Why Prince William County, and why King Elementary?
I am a PWCS graduate! I attended Lake Ridge Elementary, Lake Ridge Middle School, Marstellar Middle School and Brentsville High School. After graduating from Radford University, I came back home to PWCS and haven't looked back! I have taught second through fifth grade at Leesylvania Elementary and Covington Harper Elementary. Most recently, I was the assistant principal at Covington Harper Elementary.King Elementary has felt like home for me since day one. The community and staff have been so welcoming. King is a hidden gem in PWCS. I love that it is a neighborhood school with a diverse population. We have over 26 home languages spoken at home
How will you bring your experience as a teacher and assistant principal to your new role as principal in PWCS?
I am a lifelong learner. I have always been passionate about education and believe that as a principal, I can make a significant impact on both students and teachers.
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At the Aug. 27 regular meeting, the Manassas City School Board unanimously adopted a draft budget schedule for fiscal year 2026, which would start on July 1, 2025.
The first budget work session will take place on Oct. 1 in the Manassas City Public School's central office and they will discuss MCPS' capital improvement plan. The expected adoption date is to be determined, but the Board will present the budget to City Council in a joint meeting on April 2, 2025, at the Public Safety Facility (9608 Grant Ave.).
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Stafford County is exploring new boundary scenarios for its high schools to address capacity and improve learning environments.
As work on the county’s sixth high school continues just off Route 17 in south Stafford, with a planned opening in August 2026, the school board reviewed three initial scenarios during a work session on August 27, 2024, aimed at redistributing students across the district's schools to optimize utilization and minimize disruption.
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Welcome to a new Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.” With nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County this school year, it’s important to get to know the folks in their new roles. The series launched on Monday with Gainesville Middle School's new principal, Edward Schultz.
Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Area police have a message for the public: Slow down in school zones because school is back in session. Prince William County Police officers were out in force this week to encourage motorists to slow down in the posted school zones.
Lt. Jonathan Perok said, “School zone safety is a serious concern that impacts students, school staff, parents, and the broader community. Enforcement in these areas is one-way police can assist in ensuring the speed through these zones during critical times is followed. Drivers and pedestrians alike are urged to follow posted signs, avoid distractions, and plan extra time in their commute, especially during this transitional back-to-school period.”
In the hour Prince William motor officers conducted traffic enforcement, Perok noted that 10 traffic citations were issued.
Prince William County motorcycle Officers Shawn Gallagher and Anthony Lynch did their due diligence by driving by all the school zone signs in the zone near Piney Branch Elementary School in Nokesville to ensure signs in all directions were visible and illuminated before beginning enforcement actions.
Potomac Local News interviewed two alleged school zone speeders as they left their traffic stops. Both said they weren’t paying attention but were distracted by construction on the road even though the school zone signs were visible and flashing.
Neither driver was willing to identify themselves, but one accepted that the charges were valid, saying he was on his way to the gym just past the school and simply wasn’t paying attention to the sign on a road he travels daily. The other driver, a woman, was forced to walk away from the traffic stop due to her expired registration and police seizing her license plates. Officers did not tow her car but advised her to fix the registration and other deficiencies before driving.
At Penn Elementary School in Dale City, a parent handbook advises parents wishing to avoid the drop-off lines that it’s better to wait in line than drop off students because the crosswalk is a “significant safety concern.” However, acknowledging the school has “many walkers,” it is crucial for parents to follow proper drop-off procedures to ensure student safety.
The vigilance by Prince William police in enforcing traffic safety laws in school zones is underscored by tragic incidents in recent years. In 2019, a 16-year-old driver struck and killed a 67-year-old woman in front of Graham Park Middle School in Dumfries on a Friday morning.
In 2021, two separate instances resulted in the deaths of two 13-year-olds who were killed while crossing James Madison Highway in front of Battlefield High School.
Drivers who violate the school zone law face stiff penalties. In addition to the average cost of the speeding ticket, violators are assessed an additional $250 fine because the speeding took place in a school zone. A 2020 Virginia law allows jurisdictions to install automated speed cameras in school zones, although the penalties for automated devices are governed separately from speed enforcement by sworn officers.
Many schools have electronic school zone signs that flash yellow lights to warn drivers 30 minutes before school starts for one full hour. They turn on again in the afternoon when schools release and remain on 30 minutes after.
As students throughout the area return to school, Prince William County Police remind the community that school zone safety is a shared responsibility. By following posted speed limits, avoiding distractions, and allowing extra time for commutes, drivers can help protect the lives of students and other members of the community. The police will continue their enforcement efforts throughout the school year to ensure that these critical safety measures are observed.
It feels so good to be back! pic.twitter.com/gpslX0cO9a
— PWCS (@PWCSNews) August 20, 2024
Superintendent Dr. McDade has been around the division visiting schools to kick off the first week! pic.twitter.com/WlVbqvfpJe
— PWCS (@PWCSNews) August 21, 2024
?Class of 2025 Senior Sunrise! What a great way to start the day!#WeAreColgan ??@PWCSNews pic.twitter.com/Gsb6RI5igQ
— Colgan High School (@colganhs) August 23, 2024
?Class of 2025 Senior Sunrise! What a great way to start the day!#WeAreColgan ??@PWCSNews pic.twitter.com/Gsb6RI5igQ
— Colgan High School (@colganhs) August 23, 2024
First Week Rewind: Superintendent Dr. McDade visited schools around the division last week! pic.twitter.com/hPN7cmNDGq
— PWCS (@PWCSNews) August 26, 2024
Welcome to a new Potomac Local News series, "Meet the Principal." With nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County this school year, it's important to get to know the folks in their new roles.
Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.
Today, get to know Edward Schultz, the principal of Gainesville Middle School. Schultz has spent more than 20 years in the classroom and was assistant principal before his promotion to principal at GMS. He's been with PWCS since 2012.
Why Prince William County, and why Gainesville Middle School?
Schultz: I've been a part of Prince William County Public Schools since 2012, serving as a teacher, football coach, assistant principal and now principal. Moving from New York, where I previously taught, I was drawn to PWCS by the Gainesville community and the high achievement of the schools. Over the years, the division's commitment to growing and supporting its staff has kept me here. As a parent with children in Prince William County Public Schools, I’ve seen firsthand the quality of education and the positive impact our division has on our students.Gainesville Middle School is especially meaningful to me, as it’s not just where I work: it’s my community. I live in Gainesville, and my children will one day walk these halls with me. Having served as assistant principal here before becoming principal in March, I’ve had the privilege of seeing the school’s strengths and potential up close. It’s an honor to lead this school community, which is truly home for me and my family.
How will you bring your experience to your new role as principal in PWCS?
Throughout my career, I’ve always been driven by the belief that no student should ever fall through the cracks. My years as a teacher taught me the importance of meeting each student where they are, keeping the bar raised high for all of our students, and ensuring they have the support they need to succeed. With more than 20 years in the classroom, I’ve seen the challenges and triumphs that both students and teachers face daily. These experiences have shaped my approach to leadership — one that is rooted in empathy, understanding, and a relentless focus on student success. Being at Gainesville Middle School as assistant principal before stepping into the principal role has also given me a deep understanding of our school community and its unique needs and strengths, which I’m committed to working through in partnership with our families, students, staff, and division leaders.
