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East County | Schools

Mark, Elyse and Aaron Gordon on the first day of Kindergarten at Willis Elementary School in August, 2013
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 23, 2021
Bus(ted) the first day

The first day of school is full of joyous rituals and anxieties — for parents, of course.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 21, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High School mini cheerleaders show big spirit during camp

Campers learn new cheers, stunts and dance moves at Lakewood Ranch High School's Mini Cheer Camp.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch women help stuff backpacks for Stillpoint Mission to donate to children. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 20, 2021
Lakewood Ranch volunteers help Stillpoint Mission distribute backpacks in Bradenton

Lakewood Ranch volunteers stuff 700 backpacks to be distributed to children in need.

  • East County
  • Schools
A six-classroom addition is being built at Braden River Middle School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 14, 2021
East Bradenton schools to see new and updated facilities

Several East County schools will see renovations and additions to ease overcrowding and update facilities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ailani Maximo, a rising eighth grader at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, is one of the 60 students selected to be a scholar in the Take Stock in Children Manatee program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 14, 2021
Take Stock brings out Myakka City student's wealth of talent

Take Stock in Children Manatee invests its resources into Myakka City student.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 12, 2021
ODA's Camp Banyan participants get a view under the sea in Lakewood Ranch

Campers make coral reefs as one activity during the camp's under the sea week.

  • East County
  • Schools
Selia Rodriguez, a rising eighth grader, and Miriam Castrejon, a rising freshman, demonstrate how their ferris wheel works. Castrejon says building the ferris wheel was more fun than she expected.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 7, 2021
Lakewood Ranch students rise to STEM camp challenges

Summer STEM camp brings new experiences for migrant students at Nolan Middle School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jim Connor looks forward to developing relationships with students as the new interim head of schools at the Out-of-Door Academy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 7, 2021
Out-of-Door Academy hires new interim head of school.

New ODA interim head of school uses lessons he's learned from books as inspiration for his educational career.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ron Lambert, the director of bands, expresses his gratitude to students and families during a band picnic to honor seniors in the band programs. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 6, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High bands director Ron Lambert will retire in August.

Lakewood Ranch High's longtime director of bands will retire

  • East County
  • Schools
Mason Amyx and Cayla Fulkerson use the groceries they bought to make their lunches.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 30, 2021
Beyond the Spectrum expands facility in Sarasota

The nonprofit will add 2,500 square feet of space to address its growing waitlist of students. AND Beyond the Spectrum adds space to handle demand..

  • East County
  • Schools
Ryder Wahlsmith, a rising senior at Lakewood Ranch High School and a Manatee Technical College student, wipes down the plane as he continues to work on it. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 23, 2021
MTC students have plane fun in east Bradenton

MTC automotive technology students on board for new challenge.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 16, 2021
Big lessons for little ranchers in Lakewood Ranch

Eleven children participate in Lakewood Ranch High Future Farmers of America's first summer camp.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River Elementary School first grader Jordan McCarte listens intently as her reading buddy, Gia Giangrante, who is a fifth grader, reads "The Invisible Boy." Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 16, 2021
Manatee County schools' millage special election set for November

The School District of Manatee County will use after-school care fees to fund the special election.

  • East County
  • Schools
From left; Michael Taylor Shaklik, Katherine Ward, Congressman Buchanan, Elizabeth Jendrysik, and Andrew Fischer.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 7, 2021
Four Sarasota-area students appointed to U.S. service academies

Sarasota-area graduates among 11 put forward by Buchanan and Steube.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Seniors Hailee Toepel and Sabiné Timol are ready to graduate. "I've been here since third grade so it's sad to see everyone go but exciting to see where they go in life," Timol says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 5, 2021
ODA graduates say bittersweet farewell in Lakewood Ranch

Seventy-one seniors celebrate graduation in ODA of Lakewood Ranch's stadium.

  • East County
  • Schools
Eileen Parker with the School District of Manatee County's Food and Nutrition Services hands out lunches during the summer food program. Students will be able to pick up meals at Carlos E. Haile Middle School. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2021
Free summer meals for Manatee County students

School District of Manatee County families with children 18 and younger can pick meals up at Haile Middle.

  • East County
  • News
School District of Manatee County families and Manatee County residents protest the school district's mask mandate before the School Board of Manatee County's meeting.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 2, 2021
School District of Manatee County drops mask mandate

School District of Manatee County drops mask mandate

  • East County
  • News
Faust DeLazzer, a science teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, asks his students if they're prepared for their exam.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 2, 2021
The final bell for Lakewood Ranch High couple

Two Lakewood Ranch High teachers retire from education after 46 years.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kaylen Rivers, a senior at The Out-of-Door Academy, is Harvard bound.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 2, 2021
ODA grad bound for Ivy League

Taylor Emmons Scholarship recipient headed to Harvard after ODA career.

  • East County
  • News
First grader Jordan McCarte listens intently as her reading buddy, Gia Giangrante, who is a fifth grader, reads "The Invisible Boy." Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 2, 2021
Manatee County Commissioners irked by proposed school property tax referendum

School Board of Manatee County and Manatee County Commissioners disagree on election date for 1-mill property tax vote.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 1, 2021
Last days of school a circus in Myakka

Myakka City Elementary School fifth graders celebrate graduation with circus performance.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County unanimously voted to remove the School District of Manatee County's mask mandate.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 28, 2021
School Board of Manatee County removes mask mandate

School District of Manatee County students and staff no longer will have to wear masks.

  • East County
  • News
Although Justin Alderman, a senior at Braden River High School, had his doubts about graduating high school, he will receive his diploma June 2.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 26, 2021
Degree of resolve for east Bradenton senior

Braden River High senior doesn't let challenges keep him from graduating.

  • East County
  • News
Ava Olivero, a kindergartner at Tara Elementary School, picks strawberries. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 26, 2021
Gardens sprout at east Bradenton schools

Freedom and Tara elementary schools receive grant to develop gardens in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Fifth graders Judah Casal and Colt Smith share the class' leadership project board they made to explain their project.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 26, 2021
A project with honor in Lakewood Ranch

McNeal Elementary fifth graders raise more than $3,000 to donate to Honor Flight.

  • East County
  • News
School District of Manatee County families protest to have the mask mandate removed.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 25, 2021
School Board of Manatee County expected to remove mask mandate

The School Board of Manatee County, which voiced unanimous support to remove the mask policty, will vote Friday to make its decision official.xt school year.

  • East County
  • News
Three administrators from Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools will be moving onto other Manatee County schools.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 25, 2021
Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools to see administrative changes

Three administrators from Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools will be moving onto other Manatee County schools.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 24, 2021
Ranchers put pop into lesson in east Bradenton

Gene Witt Elementary students learn from Myakka City ranchers about life on the ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Palmetto High School's Principal Carl Auckerman will take the lead of Braden River High School next year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 19, 2021
History buff Braden River High's future

Carl Auckerman wants to establish relationships before taking over as principal at Braden River High in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Jennifer Campos, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, wants to set an example for her brothers and nephews as she becomes the first in her family to graduate high school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 18, 2021
New horizons for Lakewood Ranch student

Lakewood Ranch High's Jennifer Campos becomes the first in her migrant family to graduate.

  • East County
  • News
Palm View K-8 School Principal Kaththea Johnson gives a tablet to a student alongside Assistant Principal James Dougherty. Dougherty says it's important for schools to celebrate student successes. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 18, 2021
Learning Bashaw first priority for new east Bradenton principal

James Dougherty now meeting with teachers, staff and families to prepare for new school year in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
A student from Blanche H. Daughtrey Elementary School reads a book in Spanish. When students are in Spanish class, they will do everything in Spanish. When in English class, they'll read, speak and write in English. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 18, 2021
Twice the learning in Lakewood Ranch

Braden River Elementary School adds a dual language program in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Roberto Ortega and Margo Valenzuela give their daughter Athzira Ortega flowers and balloons to celebrate her graduation from Lakewood Ranch High School last year. More guests will be allowed to attend this year's ceremonies.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 17, 2021
Attendance expands for Manatee County high school graduations

School District of Manatee County doubles attendance for graduation ceremonies at LECOM Park.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 17, 2021
Prom prevails for Lakewood Ranch seniors

After the Lakewood Ranch High prom was cancelled, a private one was organized to replace it.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The School Board of Manatee County will start meeting at 10 a.m. for its first meeting of the month and at 5 p.m. for its second meeting of the month.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 12, 2021
School Board of Manatee County changes meeting times

The School Board of Manatee County has changed its meeting times in hopes of accommodating district staff and the community.

  • East County
  • News
Jackie Llamas, a parent of a Lakewood Ranch High School senior, is happy she's able to coordinate a prom for seniors like Nick Lenchinsky with his mother, Angie Lenchinsky Scarpa.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 5, 2021
Private prom excites Lakewood Ranch High students

Lakewood Ranch High School seniors ready to have prom memories.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience
3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
4
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
  • December 3, 2025
Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move
5
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

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