WOODBRIDGE — A new elementary school in Woodbridge will be named for a long-serving member of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.
Currently known as “Parkway Elementary School,” the new campus near Chinn Park Regional Library will be permanently named John D. Jenkins Elementary School.
Jenkins, 79, passed away February 6 after complications from knee surgery in October 2018. First elected to the Prince William County Board of Supervisors in 1982, Jenkins held the job as Neabsco District Supervisor and was the Board’s longest-serving incumbent.
A memorial service and funeral will be held for him at the Hylton Memorial Chapel, at 14640 Potomac Mills Road in Dale City at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 13.
Sources tell Potomac Local that multiple members of the School Board support the idea. It began holding meetings about the naming of the new school on January 24, where the public was invited to give naming suggestions to the School Board.
The Board is expected to approve the new name at its next meeting on Wednesday, February 20.
Jenkins’ name was one of more than 10 names on the list of names the school’s naming committee had been considering prior to his death. Other suggested names include “Barack and Michelle Obama Elementary School,” “Bethel Elementary School” named after the old Bethel Church that once stood nearby, and the name of a current sitting Prince William County School Board member — Occoquan District representative Lilly Jessie.
The majority of the suggestions, however, are for Ashely Guindon, the 28-year-old Prince William County Police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty, during her first full day on the job on Feb. 27, 2016.
The $32 million school is slated to open this fall. It will house more than 900 students. The school is located just outside the Neabsco District in the Occoquan District but will welcome students who live in Neabsco (Dale City).
“What better to name school?” asked Prince William County School Board Chairman At-large Babur Lateef. “There’s a lot of county buildings they could name, but why not a school in one of the most heavily trafficked areas of the county?”
Photo credit: Prince William County Government
Recent Stories
In loving memory of Timothy Brian Noone, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 67.
WOODBRIDGE, Va. – The Prince William County Police Department has announced the completion of the criminal investigation into the fatal officer-involved shooting that happened on December 5, 2024, outside Fire & Rescue Station 26 on Davis Ford Road in Woodbridge.
WOODBRIDGE, Va. – The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for much of Northern Virginia, in effect until 10 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2025.
SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. – Hundreds of community members, business leaders, and state officials packed into the Village at Spotsylvania Towne Centre today to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting for Success Space, a new co-working hub offering workspace, business coaching, and a café.
Calling all WSHS Class of 1975 graduates! Our class has planned our 50-Year Class Reunion to be held September 26-28, 2025 in Woodbridge, Virginia. Reunion details and registration information are available to be sent to you.
To find out more, please email our reunion committee at [email protected]
POTOMAC, MD – A local credit union is receiving national recognition for offering some of the highest certificate rates in the country. Lafayette Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Rockville and serving the greater Washington, D.C. region, has been named by financial outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger, Investopedia, DepositAccounts, and GoBankingRates for its top-ranked share certificate products.
According to these sources, Lafayette Federal currently holds the #1 national ranking for its 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year certificate terms. The institution is offering fixed annual percentage yields (APYs) up to 4.28%, with a minimum deposit requirement of $500.
Share certificates, also known as certificates of deposit (CDs) at traditional banks, have grown in popularity as a low-risk savings option during a period of economic uncertainty. With interest rates rising and market volatility continuing, many savers are seeking fixed returns on their funds without taking on additional risk.
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
