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 Erika Williams, the new principal of Dumfries Elementary. Williams has been an educator in Prince William County Schools (PWCS) since 2015.
Why Prince William County, and why Dumfries Elementary?
I came to PWCS in 2015 as a military spouse. I started as a fourth-grade teacher at Elizabeth Vaughan Elementary School and later taught at Kyle Wilson Elementary School. Following that, I stepped into the role of assistant principal at Yorkshire Elementary School. I became my best in PWCS, thanks to the leadership opportunities, professional development and peer support I was given. I can officially call this place home, as it’s the longest my family has settled anywhere during my husband’s military career, the second being Fort Cavazos, Texas.
Dumfries Elementary School piqued my interest because I see it as a place where I can really connect with the surrounding community. One of my Gallup strengths is connectedness. When I reviewed Dumfries Elementary's mission and vision, it resonated with one of my core beliefs: help, don’t hinder. The focus on goals, positive choices and collaboration aligned perfectly with my values. The staff and community were incredibly welcoming, offering support not just to students and families, but to each other as well. In times of need, they are all-hands, hearts and minds on deck.
How will you bring your experience as to your new role as principal in PWCS?I have a diverse background. These experiences enable me to lead empathy, innovation, and a strong commitment to the community, ensuring that Dumfries is a place where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed. My time as an assistant principal has equipped me with a deep understanding of school operations, staff management, and student needs. I plan to leverage this experience to create a supportive and efficient school environment, ensuring that both teachers and students thrive.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
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 Chris McManus, the new principal of Antietam Elementary in Lake Ridge. He's a Prince William County native and an educator for nearly 20 years.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Deputies investigated a complaint about gunfire in the 2100 block of Mountain View Road in Stafford County, prompting temporary secure status at Mountain View High School and Margaret Brent Elementary School. The status was lifted without issues at the schools, and deputies remain on the scene. Further updates are pending.
Press release:
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Occoquan Elementary is set to become the first net-zero school in Prince William County Schools and will be located in Woodbridge. The new 120,000-square-foot, three-level building will replace the oldest school in PWCS.
"The new Occoquan Elementary School will be a beacon of progress, embodying our dedication to providing an exceptional learning environment while respecting and preserving our planet,” Babur B. Lateef, chairman of the PWCS School Board, said at the ceremony. "This school will be a place where innovation thrives, where students are inspired to think critically and creatively and where they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to become the leaders of tomorrow. By harnessing the power of the sun and the earth, we are setting a precedent for future generations, teaching them the importance of sustainability and the impact of their choices on the world around them."
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
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 Milagros "Milly" Polanco, the new principal of Unity Reed High in Manassas. Polanco started her teaching career with Prince William County Schools in 2015, and most recently served as assistant principal of Gar-Field High School.
Why Prince William County, and why Unity Reed HS?
I first joined Prince William County Public Schools as a math teacher at Woodbridge High School in 2015, while my family was stationed in Quantico. Of the four states and school divisions I had the opportunity to serve in, Prince William felt the most like home to me. So, upon my husband's military retirement, our family chose to move back and make Prince William County our forever home.
I’ve dedicated my career to serving diverse communities of students and families with unique learning, social and economic needs. What excited me most about Unity Reed High School was the chance to be part of such an incredible school community that is wholeheartedly dedicated to serving our students and their families, and to lead and serve in an outstanding community rich in diverse cultures and traditions.
How will you bring your experience as [specific experiences here] to your new role as principal in PWCS?
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
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 Abigail Martinez, the new principal of Lake Ridge Elementary in Woodbridge. Martinez has been an educator for nearly 20 years and recently served as The Nokesville School's assistant principal for two years.
Why Prince William County, and why Lake Ridge Elementary?Â
How will you bring your experience as [specific experiences here] to your new role as principal in PWCS?ÂPrince William County Public Schools has an excellent Strategic Plan, and the mission, vision, and core values resonate with me and motivate me as an educator. I am proud to be joining the wonderful community of Lake Ridge Elementary with amazing students, a dedicated staff and engaged families. We believe in each other and cheer each other on at Lake Ridge Elementary. Everyone I have met has been so welcoming, not just to me, but to all the new staff members joining us this year.
I have proudly served as a school administrator for 11 years, including time in another division, and most recently as an assistant principal at The Nokesville School in PWCS. I am also a speech-language pathologist who has served students with disabilities, while collaborating with their classroom teachers. I believe every child deserves a champion, and I love leading and working with a team of educators who feel the same way. We are all here to help kids reach their thriving futures!Are there any initiatives you hope to implement in your first year?
My leadership vision for Lake Ridge Elementary this year is: We will serve children, faculty, staff, families and the community by leading a safe and high-achieving school. We will bring a passion for serving in education, strong positive leadership, vision, strong relationships, work ethic, clear communication, humor and compassion. We will foster a strong sense of team and belonging in our school, and we won’t forget to have fun together!
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 Erin Sikes-Thurston, Ed.D., the new principal of Unity Braxton Middle in Manassas. Sikes-Thurston has been an educator for nearly 20 years and has spent the majority of her career in Northern Virginia.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
The new elementary school will serve 1,070 students in a 130,000-square-foot building. The $46.1 million project is expected to be completed by June 2026, with substantial completion for temporary occupancy by April 2026.
The groundbreaking comes just days after the Stafford County School Board awarded a $44 million contract for constructing Elementary School 19. During its September 10, 2024, meeting, the board unanimously approved the contract with Branch Builds, Inc., to build the new school next to Brooke Point High School at 80 Black Hawk Lane. Similar in size to Elementary School 18, the 131,000-square-foot facility will also accommodate 1,070 students and is scheduled to open in 2026.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Traffic congestion and school bus delays dominated discussions at the Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting on September 17, 2024, as board members tackled the county's growing transportation issues. The conversation comes on the heels of a recent transportation crisis in Stafford County Public Schools, where over 3,000 students were left without bus service at the start of the school year, sparking calls for an independent investigation.
The school division blamed a software glitch for the chaos and noted it was unlike transportation school bus transportation issues in 2022 when the county schools suffered a lack of school bus drivers. Despite that fact, supervisors blamed traffic congestion.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
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 Amanda Johnson, the new principal of The Nokesville School. Johnson has been a Prince William County Schools educator since the start of her career.
Why Prince William County, and why The Nokesville School?
How will you bring your experience as [specific experiences here] to your new role as principal in PWCS?I originally came to PWCS when I graduated college at Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a degree in elementary education. At that time, teaching jobs in Pennsylvania were hard to come by. I grew up visiting family in Remington and had always thought Virginia was beautiful. So, when I found a position at Nokesville Elementary School, I knew I had to take it and move down here. It felt so much like home 20 years ago, and it still does today as I return to Nokesville to begin my first year as principal of The Nokesville School.
I spent the first 11 years of my educational career in four schools across the division, first as a teacher and then as an assistant principal. Each school was unique and contained its own lessons that I learned as I moved through the experiences. I then served for seven years as the principal of Pennington Traditional School, giving me the opportunity to lead across two levels in a small, stable community. All of the roles I held in these schools have given me the foundation needed to lead a school that contains nine grade levels, 1,100+ students and an ever-growing community. Each school taught me the value of caring for the community you serve, which is exactly what I plan to do as the principal of The Nokesville School.
Are there any initiatives you hope to implement in your first year?Although we will not necessarily be implementing any new initiatives this school year beyond those being implemented divisionwide, we have recommitted ourselves to the foundation of The Nokesville School - Vision, Community, Excellence. This year, we are focusing on our vision, ensuring we take the time to notice our people and our community, and outlining our vision for the future that will connect us with our community and build on our excellence.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
