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East County | Schools

Maya Lander, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, creates a relax room for students to use when they're under a lot of stress or feeling anxious. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 26, 2021
Lakewood Ranch Girl Scout creates relax room for students

Lakewood Ranch High School senior creates a relaxation room for students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Carlos E. Haile Middle School students and teachers can opt out of wearing masks in the classroom.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 25, 2021
Lakewood Ranch-area parents uncertain of how the school year will progress

With COVID-19 spike in the School District of Manatee, parents clash on proper direction.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 25, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High School cheerleaders ready to raise spirits

Mustangs hold the crowd in the pompons of their hand.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School Board of Manatee County votes 3-2 to extend its mask mandate with opt out option until Oct. 29.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 24, 2021
School Board of Manatee County extends mask mandate

A mask mandate with opt-out option will be in place for the School District of Manatee County until Oct. 29.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy is one step closer to opening in August 2022 with the approval of its contract with the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 18, 2021
Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy one step closer to becoming a reality

With contract approval, Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy focuses on a location.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gina Messenger, a member of the School Board of Manatee County, says there isn't a difference between an optional mask policy and a mask mandate with an opt out option.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 16, 2021
School Board of Manatee County approves a mask mandate with opt out option

All students and employees will have the option to opt out of the School District of Manatee County's mask mandate.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kristen Cunningham, an assistant principal at Braden River Middle School, checks Normalinda Faudoa's temperature. Temperature checks will be taken daily for employees and randomly for students. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2021
COVID-19 protocols increasing in Manatee schools

Manatee County schools will implement several protocols that were in place last year while masks remain optional.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 10, 2021
Lakewood Ranch area schools back in session as School District of Manatee County opens

Bittersweet beginnings for Lakewood Ranch area parents as the new school year begins for the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School Board of Manatee County discusses COVID-19 protocols during a special meeting.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 9, 2021
School District of Manatee County sets new quarantine protocols

As the School District of Manatee County school year begins, families will have new quarantine rules.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County has a new board member in Wesley "Chad" Choate.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 7, 2021
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints new member to School Board of Manatee County

Chad Choate will replace Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes on the School District of Manatee County board.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cliff Dawson, the new director of bands at Braden River High School, makes a few jokes during Marching Band of Pirates rehearsal. Students say Dawson is outgoing, entertaining and serious.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 6, 2021
Braden River High School welcomes familiar face as new director of bands

New Director of Bands Cliff Dawson hopes to continue the success the Pirates had under Jeramiah Bowman.

  • East County
  • Schools
Nicolas Juliano celebrates his first day of first grade at Braden River Elementary while his sister, Isabella Juliano, celebrates her first day of pre-K. The Julianos take a picture on the first day every year. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2021
Lakewood Ranch families make the first day of school memorable

Whether it's breakfast-in-bed or a special getaway, traditions mark the opening day of school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Benny the dog is a secret weapon when it comes to getting 5-year-old Mya Medford out of bed for school. He licks her face until she gets up.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2021
Waking up for school isn't always easy for some Lakewood Ranch families

Opening day of school is an eye-opener for area students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, works with Ted Lindenberg, the director of Books for Kids, to ensure volunteers can go into classes to read and distribute books. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 29, 2021
Lakewood Ranch rotarian receives award for Books for Kids program

Country Club's Ted Lindenberg receives Local Impact Award for promoting literacy.

  • East County
  • Schools
Melanie Bevan, the chief of the Bradenton Police Department, Jennifer Gilray, the assistant director of MTC's east campus, and Jay Romine, the law enforcement program director at MTC, work to open a firing range and driving course
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 28, 2021
MTC to have new firing range and driving pad in Myakka

MTC joins with the Bradenton Police Department to build a new shooting range and driving pad in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • Schools
John Schindler is the new director of bands at Lakewood Ranch High School. He looks forward to continuing the successes and traditions of the band programs.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 27, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High School has new director of bands

New band director John Schindler wants to maintain the Marching Mustangs' success and traditions.

  • 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
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Latest in East County

1
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
2
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork
3
Sisterhood for Good members Nikki Pelier-Simon, Samina Morrow and Allison Adams show off some fashions that will be in the spotlight at Tropical Escape July 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • February 4, 2026
Lakewood Ranch fundraiser is a hula for moolah
4
Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres
5
Village Idiots Cycling Club member Patrick Franklin Sr. (center) was killed riding his bicycle Jan. 22 when hit by a truck pulling a trailer on Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.
  • February 4, 2026
Building safer roads for cyclists worth a discussion in Manatee County

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