• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Ashton Elementary celebrates reaching for the stars for 40 years

Students and alumni mark the 40th anniversary for Ashton Elementary School.


  • By Amanda Morales
  • | 10:43 a.m. January 29, 2016
  • Sarasota
  • Schools
  • Share

Ashton Elementary School marked the 40th anniversary with songs of celebration and familiar faces. 

The Friday morning breakfast program was an opportunity for former faculty and students to reflect on the past at Ashton Elementary.  Music teacher Joan Tracey led students in several songs and performances for guests. 

It was followed by a look into the future with a tour of the newly dedicated Shooting Star technology lab. Equipped with a 3-D printer and tablets that were made possible through the Ashton PTO and Gulf Coast Pet Supplies. 

Old friends Bennie Hansen and Pam Monson greet each other.
Old friends Bennie Hansen and Pam Monson greet each other.
Sarasota County Schools Elementary Education Executive Director Laura Kingsley and Ashton Elementary Principal Christopher Renouf.
Sarasota County Schools Elementary Education Executive Director Laura Kingsley and Ashton Elementary Principal Christopher Renouf.
Former administrative staff and teacher Kathy Houghton and Pam Monson
Former administrative staff and teacher Kathy Houghton and Pam Monson
Sarasota County School Board Member Jane Goodwin and Chair Shirley Brown
Sarasota County School Board Member Jane Goodwin and Chair Shirley Brown
Students performed for alumni and former faculty members.
Students performed for alumni and former faculty members.
Copies of the first Ashton Elementary newsletters.
Copies of the first Ashton Elementary newsletters.
Second-grade students Vivian Setiano and Chloe Haga perform the song
Second-grade students Vivian Setiano and Chloe Haga perform the song "All-Star."
Yearbooks traced back to 1976 when Ashton Elementary School opened.
Yearbooks traced back to 1976 when Ashton Elementary School opened.
Ashton Elementary alumnus Brooks Tracey with his mother and school music teacher Joan Tracey.
Ashton Elementary alumnus Brooks Tracey with his mother and school music teacher Joan Tracey.
Guests were invited for a morning breakfast program at Ashton Elementary.
Guests were invited for a morning breakfast program at Ashton Elementary.
Alyssa Baker sings along with classmates.
Alyssa Baker sings along with classmates.
Ashton Elementary School Principal Christopher Renouf addresses guests.
Ashton Elementary School Principal Christopher Renouf addresses guests.
Staff and students wore commemorative T-shirts.
Staff and students wore commemorative T-shirts.
Students contributed to a collage for the Ashton Elementary School 40th anniversary.
Students contributed to a collage for the Ashton Elementary School 40th anniversary.
Frank Billiteri plays on a tablet in the newly dedicated Shooting Star Lab at Ashton Elementary School.
Frank Billiteri plays on a tablet in the newly dedicated Shooting Star Lab at Ashton Elementary School.
A tree frog was printed using the new 3D printer in the Shooting Star Lab.
A tree frog was printed using the new 3D printer in the Shooting Star Lab.

 

Latest News

A May 2024 rendering of the Sarasota County library on Longboat Key.
  • June 22, 2026
Property tax overhaul may put Longboat Key library in jeopardy
Manatee County staff and key stakeholders toss ceremonial dirt to kick off construction on a half-mile trail segment that will span from the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant to Rye Preserver.
  • June 22, 2026
Trail system breaks ground near Lake Manatee
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Schools

Jimmy Glover, Teresa DeWitt, Heidi Brandt speak at the forum, beside moderator Kevin Cooper.
  • June 15, 2026
School Board District 1 candidates share their plans at Tiger Bay Club forum
New College was founded in 1960.
  • May 27, 2026
Finalized deal shifts USF Sarasota-Manatee to New College
Stacy Lenz, a teacher at Gulf Gate Elementary, was surprised by the honor during a ceremony at school, alongside principal Michelle Miller, who nominated her.
  • May 27, 2026
Six Sarasota teachers honored for making a difference
Emerson Lepper greets Principal Ben Hopper.
  • May 23, 2026
Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School celebrates graduates' new horizons
School safety patrol supervisor Justine Holcomb, Noah Moise and Principal Patti Folino stand together.
  • May 22, 2026
Tuttle Elementary fifth grader named AAA School Safety Patroller of the Year
It's high school graduation season again in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
  • May 19, 2026
It's high school graduation season again in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free