New Podcast Episode: Honoring the Legacy of Jenny Dean and the Future of Manassas City Public Schools
Our latest Potomac Local News Podcast episode features an inspiring conversation with Almeta Radford, spokeswoman for Manassas City Public Schools. We dive into the details of the $47 million groundbreaking project for the new Jennie Dean Elementary School, set to open in 2026.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
1. The Significance of Jenny Dean’s Legacy
- Discover how Jennie Dean, born into slavery, became a trailblazer by founding the Manassas Industrial School for African American Children and how her contributions shaped the community.
2. A Community-Centered Design
- Hear how architects and community leaders worked together to design a building that honors Dean’s legacy while incorporating modern educational needs, including outdoor learning spaces, energy-efficient features, and state-of-the-art security.
3. Behind the Budget
- Learn how strategic timing and innovative procurement processes brought the project in under the $62 million budget originally estimated.
4. What’s Next for Manassas City Schools
- Get insight into future challenges and priorities for the school division as the city grows.
This episode captures the excitement and importance of a project that’s not just about a building but about celebrating history, serving the present, and shaping the future.
Tune in to hear Almeta’s reflections, the passion behind the project, and what this milestone means for the Manassas community.
Listen now and join us in celebrating this major step forward for our schools and students.
What are your thoughts on the new Jennie Dean Elementary School project? Please share them in the comments below.
Recent Stories
Two men are dead following separate but deadly incidents in Stafford County within just a few hours of each other—a fatal shooting late Tuesday night and a fatal crash early Wednesday morning.
A new walkable community featuring more than 1,000 homes, restaurants, and Prince William County’s first Whole Foods Market is moving closer to reality at one of the region’s busiest intersections.
About 50 drivers gathered outside Genesis Logistics in Stafford County on Wednesday afternoon to demand better pay, safer working conditions, and progress on a long-awaited union contract.
Police carried out a major multi-agency operation today tied to a violent gang-related shooting outside a popular hookah lounge earlier this year.
The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is your destination for all arts and culture activities in Northern Virginia. Find a concert, play, poetry reading, or exhibition in your neighborhood—many events are free and family-friendly!
Are you part of a performing arts group, school, or cultural organization? You can add your events and classes, too. The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is free and easy to use.
Your attendance at local arts events supports small businesses in our community and the art makers who help make Fairfax and its surrounding region so vibrant. With the ArtsFairfax Events Calendar, you can stay curious and stay local to plan your next arts adventure!
Go Ape, America’s leading aerial adventure park provider, is proud to unveil a revitalized experience across its iconic Zipline & Adventure Parks. This refresh goes beyond physical upgrades; it reflects a renewed mission to foster meaningful connections between people, nature, and self.
“Go Ape has always been about thrilling treetop adventures,” says Chrissy Very, Senior Director of Marketing. “Now, we’re redefining what it means to truly connect: through purpose-driven outdoor experiences that inspire courage, reflection, and joy.”
As access to public outdoor spaces becomes more limited, Go Ape steps in to bridge the gap with immersive, inclusive, and wellness-focused adventures for individuals, families, and groups.
Christmas in July
Volunteer Prince William will be holding a fun-filled Christmas in July event at Heritage Brewing Co on July 26th from 12pm until 6pm with all proceeds going to support the 2025 Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket Program. Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket
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
