Welcome to the 2025–2026 School Year!
We’re excited to begin another incredible year of learning and growth with your family. Our dedicated staff is committed to nurturing lifelong learners who are prepared to be responsible, engaged citizens. Each day, we focus on the priorities of the Prince William County Strategic Plan:
- · Learning and Achievement for All
- · Positive Climate and Culture
- · Family and Community Engagement
We warmly invite you to become an active part of our school community by joining our PTO and Advisory Committee. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM, and everyone is welcome! Throughout the year, we’ll host guest speakers from various school division departments to share valuable information and provide opportunities for you to ask questions and share your thoughts.
In addition, we’ll be offering monthly family engagement events with our administrative team. Keep an eye out for our year-long calendar featuring all upcoming events and opportunities to connect.
If you have any questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our school office by phone or email any of our administrators. We’re here to support you and your child every step of the way.
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Dr. Elliot Bolles, Principal |
Christy Parthenakis, |
Aprale Gonsalves, Assistant Principal |
Administrative Professional Biographies
Dr. Elliot Bolles
Elliot F. Bolles, Ed.D.
I have been the Principal of PENN since 2014. As a bit of background, I was born in Rhode Island and am a true Baby Boomer. My father was a Navy Chaplain, and we moved quite a bit as I grew up thus giving me a real understanding of our Purple Star families. I graduated from Portsmouth High School and then attended the University of Rochester in New York on a NROTC scholarship. I was commissioned an officer in the United States Marine Corps in 1978 and was sent to Pensacola Florida for training as a Helicopter Pilot. I was stationed in California, Okinawa Japan, New Orleans, Hawaii, and Washington D.C. I retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1999.
I received my Master of Science in Education from ODU in 1998 and was a middle school math teacher at H.H. Poole, Middle School in Stafford from 1998-2003. I earned my Principal Certificate from VCU and became the assistant principal at Hampton Oaks Elementary from 2003-2006. In 2006 I was appointed the principal of Winding Creek Elementary in Stafford and served in that role until 2014.
In 2014 I was hired as the principal of Penn Elementary and have been here for the past 11 years. During that time, we have improved our academics to where we met all the requirements and were nominated for the Blue-Ribbon Award in 2018-19. We have consistently continued to grow academically and are always striving to fulfill our school’s vision: Penn embraces every student and believes each will achieve academic success. Our Motto is Believe, Achieve, Succeed.
I earned my doctorate from Virginia Tech in October 2014. I have been an adjunct professor at Virginia Tech and James Madison University since 2016. I currently teach Foundations of Leadership and School Community for JMU since 2017. Our students are teachers who are working towards their administrative degree. We are building the next generation of administrators.
As a lifelong learner, I recently completed a nine-month course by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) for my National Mentor Certification. I continue to mentor new principals in PWCS.
I am married to Rebecca A. Bolles, the principal of Sudley Elementary School. We have a blended family with five grown children. We currently reside in Stafford County with our two dogs, Mack and Jalen.
Ms. Christy Parthenakis
Mrs. Christy Parthenakis is proud to begin her fifth year as a member of the Penn Elementary leadership team. Before joining Penn, she served as a middle school diagnostician and special education department chair in Stafford County. Her teaching career spans 12 years, during which she taught both fifth grade and special education in Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties.
Mrs. Parthenakis also brings a specialized skill set in supporting students with diverse learning needs, developed during her 10-year tenure as Director of Learning Enhancement Centers in Fredericksburg.
She holds a dual undergraduate degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Clarion University in Pennsylvania, a Master’s in Education focused on Diverse Student Populations from the University of Mary Washington, and a Certificate in Educational Leadership from Longwood University.
Mrs. Parthenakis is deeply committed to working collaboratively with Penn students and families to foster academic success and personal growth. She is excited to continue building strong partnerships throughout the school community. Believe, Achieve, Succeed!
Ms. Aprale Gonsalves
I’m Aprale Davis-Gonsalves, a dedicated and passionate Assistant Principal with over 20 years of experience in education. I’m a proud graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and Longwood University, and I bring a deep commitment to student success and lifelong learning.
Certified in Language Arts and History, I’m a strong advocate for literacy across all curriculums. I believe that reading and writing are the foundation of every subject and essential to every student’s growth. I find joy in helping students fall in love with learning and strive to create environments where curiosity is nurtured and achievement is celebrated.
I live by the belief that “Leadership is the capacity to translate a vision into reality” — Warren Bennis. For me, excellence and achievement are not just goals—they are top priorities that guide every decision I make and every initiative I lead.
It is a pleasure to serve you, and I am honored to support the growth and success of every student, teacher, and family in our school community.