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East County | Schools

Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Doug Wagner, the deputy superintendent of operations, congratulate Kelly Smith-Williams (center), a Lakewood Ranch High School teacher, on being a finalist for Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High instructor earns Manatee's top teacher award

Kelly Smith-Williams, an anatomy and physiology teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, is named the School District of Manatee County's Teacher of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy sixth grader Ely Chappell conducts observational data collection with Stephanie Peabody, the founder of the Brain Health Initiative, and sixth grader Cadence Clay.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2023
Brain Health Initiative develops program with Lakewood Ranch Prep

The new program Schools for Brain Health teaches students the importance of brain health and the impacts of a brain healthy lifestyle.

  • East County
  • Schools
Third grader Kaylee Casablanca loves dancing with her sister Briana Casablanca and third grader Aubrielle Deaugustinis.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 11, 2023
Tara Elementary hosts its annual Sweetheart Dance

The annual dance gives students and their families a chance to show off their moves.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Doug Wagner, the deputy superintendent of operations, congratulate Kelly Smith-Williams (center), a Lakewood Ranch High School teacher, on being a finalist for Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 9, 2023
Manatee schools names Lakewood Ranch High teacher as Teacher of the Year

Kelly Smith Williams, an anatomy and physiology teacher, is the School District of Manatee County's 2023 Teacher of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office arrested a Parrish Community High student for making a video threat against the school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 9, 2023
Students arrested for making mass shooting threats at Parrish Community High

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested two Parrish Community High students for posting a video simulating a shooting on campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
School District of Manatee County board members Richard Tatem, Mary Foreman, Chad Choate, Cindy Spray and Gina Messenger are seeking input on the superintendent search.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 9, 2023
Public's feedback sought on hiring of next Manatee district superintendent

The School Board of Manatee County is looking for input on what qualities and characteristics the community wants to see in the next leader of the district.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County has announced a press conference Tuesday to address the bomb threat at Parrish Community High School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 7, 2023
Manatee school district to address threat at Parrish Community

Parrish Community High students were evacuated Tuesday in response to a bomb threat.

  • East County
  • News
Fifth graders Kaitlyn Do, R.J. Griffis, Kinley Chupp and Micah French celebrate their first place win. They'll move on to compete against winners from seven other elementary schools in the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 4, 2023
Tara Elementary students harvest ideas at Fruits and Veggies Day

The elementary school in Bradenton showcases the ingenuity of fourth and fifth graders.

  • East County
  • Schools
Parrish Community High School resumes classes after two lockdowns inadvertently initiated by medical emergencies on campus two days in a row.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 2, 2023
Parrish Community High resumes classes after two lockdowns

The School District of Manatee County says that the lockdowns were triggered by "medical emergencies."

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School senior Christian Bell is nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy, and senior Terrence Tysall is nominated to the U.S. Naval and Air Force academies.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 1, 2023
Two Manatee students receive military service academy nominations

Braden River High seniors Christian Bell and Terrence Tysall hope to attend the U.S. Naval Academy with their nominations from U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan.

  • East County
  • Schools
The media center in R. Dan Nolan Middle School, along with every other media center in the School District of Manatee County, has had its books vetted and approved. Now schools are working on vetting books in classroom libraries.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 31, 2023
Manatee schools continue book-vetting for state compliance

Some books brought into Manatee County classrooms by teachers face the possibility of being deemed inappropriate after a new Florida law has increased the scrutiny on reading material.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tammy Sawmelle, the dean of nursing for the State College of Florida, shows how a simulation works. Nursing students are able to go through simulations in SCF's neonatal unit, birthing suite, pediatric ICU, medical ICU, trauma ICU, surgical ICU, neuro ICU and cardiovascular ICU.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 24, 2023
SCF Manatee-Sarasota grows nursing program

State College of Florida will be able to accept 350 students into its programs as a result of $1.1 million raised through community partnerships and matched by the state legislature.

  • East County
  • Schools
Freedom Elementary School's Jenessa Bunker, Jakob Flemming, Camila Aviles-Pagan and Mya Barrett lead the Autrey All Stars onto the track.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 20, 2023
Olympian visits east Bradenton elementary during Fun Run

Richard Thompson, a four-time Olympian shares a message of encouragement, with students before they begin their run.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bucky demonstrates how Newton's Laws work in Circus Arts Conservatory's Circus Machine.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 20, 2023
Sailor Circus mixes science and whimsy

Sarasota and Manatee students learned while laughing at the Circus Arts Conservatory’s Education Outreach show.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The upper school at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy is expected to be open by the fall 2023 semester.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 18, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Prep's upper school begins to take shape

As enrollment opens for kindergarten through seventh grades and ninth and 10th grades, construction continues on the upper school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Risen Savior Lutheran Church Pastor Caleb Free and Jodi Batsch, an elementary administrator for Risen Savior Academy, are excited to welcome kindergartners to the academy's new elementary school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 17, 2023
Risen Savior Lutheran Church to add kindergarten in 2023-24

The addition of kindergarten is the first step in the expansion of Lakewood Ranch's Risen Savior Academy to include an elementary school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, will retire June 30. The School Board of Manatee County is in the beginning stages of the search for a new superintendent.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 12, 2023
Manatee School Board clashes on preference for new superintendent

Some board members say they would prefer a Florida resident while others say they are open to all candidates.

  • East County
  • Schools
Victoria Short, right, has been a teacher at William H. Bashaw Elementary School for 33 years. No matter the changes in education, she still loves teaching her students and building relationships with them.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 10, 2023
Veteran teachers talk about changes in education over three decades

From technology expectations to school culture, teachers have had to adjust the way they teach.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students like seventh graders Jayden Lavalle and Kiley Nowaczyk have fun creating items and determining what to sell in the vending machine.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 9, 2023
New school supplies vending machine meets Haile Middle students' needs

The students stock some items in the machine and learn basic business lessons about cost of production and return.

  • East County
  • Schools
Rachel Sellers is named the School District of Manatee County's deputy superintendent of business services.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 7, 2023
Manatee School District introduces new deputy superintendent of business services

Rachel Sellers will start her new post Jan. 9 after previously working for the Florida auditor general.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School's Jasmine Burden, Bryce Brielmann and Amme Cook lead the Marching Mustangs in the parade. The marching band performed in the Sugar Bowl parade and half time show.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 3, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High marching band makes sweet memories at Sugar Bowl

From a riverboat ride to walking Jackson Square to performing at the Sugar Bowl, the Marching Mustangs won't forget their New Orleans trip.

  • East County
  • Schools
Victoria Staszak and Ashlyn Meyers are grateful to Cameron Dakin Dairy for allowing them to show Josie at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 3, 2023
Local farms support Manatee County Fair participants from FFA, 4-H

Cameron Dakin Dairy and Bunyak Club Calves lead the way providing animals to show at the annual fair in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cars are driving south on Rye Road nonstop in the morning by Gene Witt Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 21, 2022
Gene Witt Elementary parents push for a signal light

With homes being built across the street, Gene Witt administrators and parents say a traffic signal is needed in front of the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 20, 2022
East Bradenton students share their Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

From pets to hoverboards, scooters and more, Braden River, Tara and McNeal elementary first graders and kindergartners share what they want Santa to deliver.

  • East County
  • Schools
Two calls alleging a threat involving Braden River High School were reported Wednesday.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2022
Braden River High, Manatee Sheriff's Office investigate threat

Two calls alleging a threat involving Braden River High were reported Wednesday.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lourdes Capote-Dishaw, a Braden River High School junior, will continue to work with Bobbert during winter break to prepare for the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2022
Barn doors stay open during FFA students' winter break

Future Farmers of America students return to campus during winter break to care for their animals and prepare for the Manatee County Fair.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School's Audrey Weeks, Karen Tinoco, Skylar Cox and Samantha Rees compete in the rope bridge at the Raiders state championship. The team placed third.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 14, 2022
Lakewood Ranch, Braden River high schools win Raiders state championships

With more freshmen on the teams, Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high school JROTC Raiders members had to act as participants and coaches.

  • East County
  • Schools
Myakka City Elementary teacher named Manatee County's Principal of the Year
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 13, 2022
Myakka City Elementary teacher named Manatee County's Principal of the Year

Principal Carol Ricks was honored for her dedication to students, teachers, staff and the Myakka City community.

  • East County
  • Schools
Javier Torres, a fifth grader dressed as Santa, wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 8, 2022
Tara Elementary School fifth graders perform 'Snow Jubilee!'

Fifth graders perform an interpretation of "Snow, What Fun!" using music teacher's original compositions.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School seniors Nathan Zapote and Grace Pino are happy to be at the school, which is open for school choice in the 2023-2024 school year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 8, 2022
Parents have more school choice options in Manatee County

More schools in the Lakewood Ranch area are open to school choice as enrollment at elementary and middle schools decreases.

  • East County
  • Schools
Riverwalk's Richard Tatem has been sworn in as the District 5 representative on the School Board of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 6, 2022
Retired Air Force colonel ready to begin new duty as school board member

Lakewood Ranch's Richard Tatem, the new District 5 representative, says the search for a new School District of Manatee County superintendent is a top priority.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tiffany Barrett-Greer, a second grade teacher at Braden River Elementary School, is a finalist for the School District of Manatee County's Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 5, 2022
East Bradenton school employees honored for dedication to education

Two East County teachers and two East County support staff were named finalists for Educator of the Year and Support Employee of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Third grader Raelynn Wilson is surprised to see how much can fit in a tiny house if space is used wisely.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 30, 2022
Tiny house brings unique challenges for Braden River Elementary students

Tiny House Siesta provides inspiration for third graders as they design and create 3D models of tiny houses.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County names Tiffany Barrett-Greer, a second grade teacher at Braden River Elementary, Kendall Carrier, the director of bands at Parrish Community High School, Michelle Bowell, a biomedical science teacher at Palmetto High School, and Kelly Smith-Williams, an anatomy and physiology teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, as finalists for the district's Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 29, 2022
Two Lakewood Ranch teachers named Manatee's Educator of the Year finalists

A Braden River Elementary teacher and Lakewood Ranch High School teacher will be honored at the district's Excellence in Education Awards in February.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kindergartner Jay Dan Roux uses his finger to keep track of where he is in his reading. Kindergartners like Roux will be tested on their literacy skills using the EarlyBird screener.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 29, 2022
Manatee School District pilots literacy screener in three elementary schools

The EarlyBird screener will identify literacy strengths and weaknesses and characteristics of dyslexia for students in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade at three schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
P.E. teacher Bet Tracy and sixth grader Leah Lazarde watch students as they play gator ball. (Photos by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 28, 2022
Haile Middle Teacher Shadow Day shows there's more to gym class than playing sports

A P.E. teacher shares lessons on sportsmanship, encouragement and organization with a sixth grade shadow.

  • East County
  • Schools
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  • December 3, 2025
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2
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  • December 3, 2025
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3
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  • December 3, 2025
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  • December 3, 2025
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