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East County | Schools

Riverwalk's Richard Tatem shakes hands with Steve Vernon, the chair of the Manatee County Republican Party, as Vernon congratulates him on his win. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 23, 2022
Lakewood Ranch's Richard Tatem elected to Manatee School Board District 5

Every vote counted for Richard Tatem as his 50.5% makes him the District 5 representative without the need for a run-off.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River Middle Principal Kimberlain Zenon-Richardson hopes the new school uniforms will boost school spirit, including eighth graders Donovan Plakyda, Bradyn Bobbitt, Esmeralda Pena and Camryn Kolbe. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 20, 2022
Braden River Middle searches for unity in uniforms

The Bradenton school switches for the first time to a uniform policy, with general approval from parents.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ethan Conner, a Freedom Elementary School fourth grader, works with Melanie Stern, a Project TEACH volunteer. More Freedom Elementary students will be able to participate in Project TEACH once an addition is built. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 16, 2022
Manatee School Board considers borrowing more money for capital projects

Inflation leads the School District of Manatee County to plot a borrow-and-build-now strategy.

  • East County
  • Schools
School administrators Bradley Warren and Cheryl Cendan spent a lot of time inside the Starbucks and Panera cafes meeting with hundreds of Lakewood Ranch parents. Cendan shows the school’s mascot — an eagle. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 14, 2022
New charter school opens for Lakewood Ranch students

Enthusiasm soars for Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, a charter school built on the WISH model, which stands for wellness, innovation, science and health.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, looks forward to ensuring the safety of students, expanding programming and addressing growth in the county. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2022
Manatee superintendent focuses on progress in the new school year

From academics to programming and construction, Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders says she looks forward to a new school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 10, 2022
Lakewood Ranch-area families say hello to a new school year

Braden River and Gilbert W. McNeal elementary schools are among those celebrating their opening days on Aug. 10.

  • East County
  • Schools
Maggie Sharrer, the wellness coordinator and Hope teacher, is thrilled to share with students how to be happy and healthy people. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 10, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy ready to open for its first year

The newest school in Lakewood Ranch promises to offer education amplified.

  • East County
  • Schools
GreyHawk Landing's Kristen Barnhardt looks forward to a new school year for her sons Mason Barnhardt, who is a kindergartner, and Parker Barnhardt, who is a second grader, with Principal Chuck Fradley. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 9, 2022
Rowlett Academy families look forward to a new school year

East County is among the parents who get an introduction to the 2022-23 school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Debra Otey starts as the new head of school at Out-of-Door Academy. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 8, 2022
ODA welcomes new head of school

Debra Otey says she looks forward to her 30th year in education at ODA.

  • East County
  • Schools
Carlos E. Haile Middle School received a B rating in the 2021-2022 school year. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 2, 2022
Bradenton's Freedom Elementary celebrates its 'A' performance

Braden River Middle School falls to a C grade while the district maintains its B rating.

  • East County
  • Schools
If elected, James Golden says literacy, employee compensation and continuity of education will be a focus of his. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 1, 2022
School Board of Manatee County, District 5: James Golden

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
If elected, Richard Tatem says he'll focus on employee compensation, curriculum transparency and increasing school board members' interaction with the public. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 1, 2022
School Board of Manatee County, District 5: Richard Tatem

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
If elected, Chantal Wilford says she'll focus on literacy, recruiting and retaining teachers and expanding programming for students. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 1, 2022
School Board of Manatee County, District 5: Chantal Wilford

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
The 20 acres for a new elementary school is about 1.25 miles east of Bourneside Boulevard and adjacent to the extension of 44th Avenue East in east Bradenton. (Courtesy map)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 1, 2022
Manatee School District reaches land deal with SMR Taylor Ranch for new school

The new elementary school will help address population growth in East County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students at schools like Carlos E. Haile Middle School will be tested three times per year to monitor their progress throughout the year. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 30, 2022
Changes coming to standardized testing in Sarasota and Manatee counties

With the new Florida Assessment of Student Thinking, students will be tested three times per year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River high senior JT Wright, junior Ty Moore, junior Jackie Sanchez and senior Liam Tvenstrup plan a bootcamp to bring Technology Student Association members together. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 29, 2022
High school survival tips from those who know

Current students offer tips on avoiding high school pitfalls.

  • East County
  • Schools
If parents prepare a base meal for the week in advance, they can throw in different sides each day to add variety, like carrots and celery stick with hummus, a container of yogurt, or strawberries. (Photo via Ello)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 29, 2022
Early preparation key in getting students to eat healthy

Here are some tips for low-stress meal preparation as your child heads to school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Scholarship Committee Chair Peggy Lammers with recipient Grace Lucas, recipient Samantha McLeod, Jeffrey Nunes and recipient Jessica Burdette (Photos by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 25, 2022
Longboat Island Chapel awards 10 scholarships to local students

The students each received $1,500 for tuition, boarding and books.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Indigo's Donald Karn always has a smile on his face. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 22, 2022
Crossing guard safeguards Lakewood Ranch's most precious commodity: Children

Indigo's Donald Karn has been a crossing guard for three years and loves interacting with the students and parents.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kevin Young and MaryAnne Young with the New College Foundation are thrilled to receive a $159,000 grant from Adell Erozer, Robert Blalock and Burdette Parent with the Bishop Parker Foundation. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 21, 2022
Scholarship program sends more Manatee students to New College

Bishop Parker Foundations provides $159,000 for scholarships for Manatee County students headed for New College of Florida.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seth Shamrock. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 19, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Seth Shamrock

The Lakewood Ranch High rising senior is rated by Kohl's Snapping as a four-star long snapper.

  • East County
  • Sports
Arizona College of Nursing students practice their skills in the simulation lab, which provides hands-on learning opportunities for students. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 17, 2022
Arizona College of Nursing to open campus in Manatee in August

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center will be among regional hospitals to benefit from new college of nursing.

  • East County
  • Schools
Work continues on the cafeteria and multipurpose room of Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 13, 2022
Construction on charter school's first phase nears completion

With an Aug. 10 opening day approaching, construction crews have the coming Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy on schedule.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School graduates Fiorella Recchioni and Sara Diaz and rising senior Nico Curci place second in fashion design and technology for their version of a theme park uniform. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 11, 2022
Braden River High claims national TSA title

Three division titles lead Braden River High to national TSA team championship.

  • East County
  • Schools
Toquya Jones and Margaret Laughlin, food service workers at Braden River High, prepare lunch for students. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 7, 2022
Free lunches no longer an option for most Lakewood Ranch students

Most East County schools will require parents to apply for free lunches based on need.

  • East County
  • Schools
Valerie Viands, the director of Manatee Technical College, hands Sarasota's Jasmine Redding her diploma. Redding has a job with Nurse Core and plans to work part time for HCA Florida Blake Hospital or First Physicians Group.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2022
Manatee Technical College fast-tracks grads into the workforce in Bradenton and Sarasota region

Many Manatee Technical College students secured a job before they even graduate.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 28, 2022
Manatee School District considers how to use vacant land to address growth

The district has three parcels totaling 186 acres in the Lakewood Ranch area on which to build new schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jennifer Santora, a former third grade teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, helps Caley Ochoa with a math problem. Teachers will go through trainings to learn more ways of supporting students. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 22, 2022
Manatee School District implements new project to improve school climate

Thirty-three percent of students surveyed say the actions of fellow students hurt their performance, so the school district hopes Project Spark leads to better learning environment.

  • East County
  • Schools
The administration area of the school has been reconfigured to have a single point of entry. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 17, 2022
Braden River Middle renovations near completion

The School District of Manatee County takes advantage of summer months to continue renovations, which include a newly configured administration area and a cafeteria expansion.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sheila Waid feels like she's returning home as the new principal at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School. Waid served as a student support specialist at McNeal Elementary from 2015 to 2018.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 14, 2022
East Bradenton educator returns to McNeal Elementary as principal

Sheila Waid lands her first principal role after three decades in education.

  • East County
  • Schools
An Aviation Maintenance Technician School is coming to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 8, 2022
Aviation maintenance school coming to SRQ

Manatee Technical partners with Suncoast Technical to provide training at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cheryl McGrew, who has retired as the principal of McNeal Elementary School, was integral to starting STEM labs in elementary schools throughout the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 7, 2022
McNeal Elementary principal retires after 34 years in education

River Club's Cheryl McGrew has enjoyed seeing her visions for education become reality for students in the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 6, 2022
Little ranchers bond through agriculture lessons in Lakewood Ranch

Little Ranchers gives students opportunities to learn about animals, plants and the environment while building friendships.

  • East County
  • Schools
Parrish Community High School already is in need of an addition only three years after opening. The school is about 300 students shy of reaching capacity. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 5, 2022
Population explosion forces expansion of Parrish Community High earlier than expected

Parrish Community High School, which draws East County students, gets $15 million addition ahead of schedule.

  • East County
  • Schools
ODA seniors Aaliyaa Genat and Anthony Gaukhman make hearts with their hands as they enjoy their graduation ceremony.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 4, 2022
Out of Door Academy graduates celebrate on the Lakewood Ranch campus

ODA seniors already looking forward to their future college life.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Melodie Marchena and her husband, Sanddy Marchena, are excited to make an impact on children as the new owners of Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2022
Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch undergoes new ownership

Lakewood Ranch's Melodie and Sanddy Marchena are ready to make impact at Kiddie Academy.

  • East County
  • Schools
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