• 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
    • Red Tide Map
    • 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
    • Red Tide Map
    • 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

Braden River Elementary School students stuck on learning

As a reward for their summer learning, students tape the principal and assistant principal to a wall.


  • By Liz Ramos
  • | 10:30 a.m. September 18, 2019
  • East County
  • News
  • Share

After placing a strip of duct tape across Braden River Elementary School Principal Joshua Bennett's feet and onto a stool, second-grader Maliek Burchell had a message for him.

"You're never getting down," said Burchell, who is 7.

Taping Bennett and Assistant Principal Krista Francies to a wall in the school's cafeteria was a reward for the 252 students who completed their summer learning program. 

"It was a good reward for students' hard work during the summer," Bennett said. 

Burchell wasn't the only student to go for the legs when taping Bennett and Francies to the wall.

Fifth-grader Logan Santiago, 10, pounded the tape to the wall after placing a strip across Bennett so he "can't move his legs and can't try to get out."

As the new principal at Braden River Elementary, many students said they were excited to see Bennett's reaction.

"It was fun," said Cole Kubitz, a 10-year-old fifth-grader. "We got to see how terrified they were, and it was hilarious."

Braden River Elementary School fourth-grader Caitlin Motherway, 9, right, is one of the about 252 students who were able to tape Assistant Principal Krista Francies to a wall as a reward for completing their summer learning.
Braden River Elementary School fourth-grader Caitlin Motherway, 9, right, is one of the about 252 students who were able to tape Assistant Principal Krista Francies to a wall as a reward for completing their summer learning.
Braden River Elementary School third-grader Lillian Chandler, 8, places a piece of tape onto Assistant Principal Krista Francies.
Braden River Elementary School third-grader Lillian Chandler, 8, places a piece of tape onto Assistant Principal Krista Francies.
Braden River Elementary School third-grader Elias Nehme, 8, tapes Assistant Principal Krista Francies ankles together.
Braden River Elementary School third-grader Elias Nehme, 8, tapes Assistant Principal Krista Francies ankles together.
Braden River Elementary School paraprofessional Salvatrice Rizzo, left, helps second-grader Rosemary Aronin, 7, attach a piece of tape to Principal Joshua Bennett's shoulders.
Braden River Elementary School paraprofessional Salvatrice Rizzo, left, helps second-grader Rosemary Aronin, 7, attach a piece of tape to Principal Joshua Bennett's shoulders.
Braden River Elementary School fourth-grader Kylee Francies, 9, right, tapes her mom, Assistant Principal Krista Francies, to a wall. Kylee Francies said it was
Braden River Elementary School fourth-grader Kylee Francies, 9, right, tapes her mom, Assistant Principal Krista Francies, to a wall. Kylee Francies said it was "weird" to be taping her mom.
Braden River Elementary School first-grader Faith Dawson, 6, attaches tape to Assistant Principal Krista Francies.
Braden River Elementary School first-grader Faith Dawson, 6, attaches tape to Assistant Principal Krista Francies.
Braden River Elementary School fifth-grader Logan Santiago, 10, pounds tape to the wall to make sure it's secure.
Braden River Elementary School fifth-grader Logan Santiago, 10, pounds tape to the wall to make sure it's secure.
Braden River Elementary School fifth-grader Jonathan Lopez, 10, left, goes to tape Principal Joshua Bennett, center, to the wall while ESOL paraprofessional Barbara Grimes, right, rips off more tape to hand to students.
Braden River Elementary School fifth-grader Jonathan Lopez, 10, left, goes to tape Principal Joshua Bennett, center, to the wall while ESOL paraprofessional Barbara Grimes, right, rips off more tape to hand to students.
Braden River Elementary School fourth-grader Roshan Leonardo, 9, stretches out his piece of tape before placing it on Assistant Principal Krista Francies.
Braden River Elementary School fourth-grader Roshan Leonardo, 9, stretches out his piece of tape before placing it on Assistant Principal Krista Francies.
Braden River Elementary School fourth-grader Roshan Leonardo, 9, right, places a strip of tape across Assistant Principal Krista Francies.
Braden River Elementary School fourth-grader Roshan Leonardo, 9, right, places a strip of tape across Assistant Principal Krista Francies.
Braden River Elementary School fifth-grader Emma Donnelly, 10, focuses on securing a piece of tape to the wall to ensure Principal Joshua Bennett won't come off the wall.
Braden River Elementary School fifth-grader Emma Donnelly, 10, focuses on securing a piece of tape to the wall to ensure Principal Joshua Bennett won't come off the wall.
Braden River Elementary School office clerk Kelly Withers works to cut off a piece of tape to hand to students so they can tape it to Principal Joshua Bennett.
Braden River Elementary School office clerk Kelly Withers works to cut off a piece of tape to hand to students so they can tape it to Principal Joshua Bennett.
Braden River Elementary School second-grader Maliek Burchell, 7, tapes Principal Joshua Bennett's feet to a stool. Burchell then said,
Braden River Elementary School second-grader Maliek Burchell, 7, tapes Principal Joshua Bennett's feet to a stool. Burchell then said, "You're never getting down," while waving his finger no at Bennett.
Braden River Elementary School student support specialist Michele Jones starts to peel Principal Joshua Bennett off the wall after about 252 students taped him to it.
Braden River Elementary School student support specialist Michele Jones starts to peel Principal Joshua Bennett off the wall after about 252 students taped him to it.
Braden River Elementary School Principal Joshua Bennett smiles as student support specialist Michele Jones works to peel him off the wall and free him from more than 252 pieces of duct tape students placed on him.
Braden River Elementary School Principal Joshua Bennett smiles as student support specialist Michele Jones works to peel him off the wall and free him from more than 252 pieces of duct tape students placed on him.
More than 252 pieces of duct tape are peeled off Braden River Elementary School Principal Joshua Bennett. Friday was Bennett's first time being taped to a wall, which was a reward for students who completed their summer learning.
More than 252 pieces of duct tape are peeled off Braden River Elementary School Principal Joshua Bennett. Friday was Bennett's first time being taped to a wall, which was a reward for students who completed their summer learning.
Braden River Elementary School kindergarten teacher Frances Vila, left, reaches out to Principal Joshua Bennett, center, as he starts to fall while student support specialist Michele Jones, right, peels the tape off Bennett.
Braden River Elementary School kindergarten teacher Frances Vila, left, reaches out to Principal Joshua Bennett, center, as he starts to fall while student support specialist Michele Jones, right, peels the tape off Bennett.

 

Latest News

The the site of the proposed 1899 Fruitville apartment development is outlined in red.
  • March 19, 2026
Proposed apartments would replace Breakfast House and more on Fruitville
The Well Sarasota would include 28 condominiums and 72 hotel/condo units.
  • March 19, 2026
Is the hotel/condo trend coming to Sarasota?
Beachgoers set up near and rest on one of two concrete permeable adjustable groins on the north end of Longboat Key.
  • March 18, 2026
Town eyes Gulfside Road for next beach groin project
Condos and single-family homes for sale dot the map of downtown Sarasota and its adjacent neighborhoods.
  • March 18, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee real estate market a mixed bag

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 News

Condos and single-family homes for sale dot the map of downtown Sarasota and its adjacent neighborhoods.
  • March 18, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee real estate market a mixed bag
Savanna at Lakewood Ranch's John Calovich is running for the District 6 at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission.
  • March 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch resident enters competitive District 6 election
Life Time, an athletic country club, is slated to open in Lakewood Ranch in late 2026. This is the outdoor pool and waterslide at the Life Time in Winter Park.
  • March 17, 2026
Entertainment district expands in Lakewood Ranch
Dementia affects more than 6 million Americans.
  • March 16, 2026
Manatee County partners with nonprofit to help residents with dementia
Several attendees of Budget 101 are surprised to learn how little money the Manatee County Commission controls.
  • March 16, 2026
Manatee County delivers budget primer in Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center COO Philip Reber, who has overseen the $120 million tower expansion, has been named the hospital's interim CEO.
  • March 12, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO resigns

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.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now