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East County | Schools

Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Paul Sharff, the CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, talk about the new Mobile Learning Lab. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2020
School Board of Manatee County to determine superintendent's future

School Board of Manatee County to make decision on superintendent contract.

  • East County
  • News
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 for winter break on Dec. 21 and Dec. 28. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2020
Manatee County schools offer free meals during winter break

Manatee County families can pick up free meals at Haile Middle and Myakka Elementary in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Samantha Sokolis, an Advanced Manufacturing student, adjusts a robot.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 9, 2020
Project offers rapid-fire job training in east Bradenton

Manatee Technical College receives grant to help the unemployed train for new opportunities.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County will discuss the contract of Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, during a special meeting Dec. 17. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 8, 2020
School Board of Manatee County to host meeting on superintendent's contract

The School Board of Manatee County voted 3-2 to schedule a special meeting to discuss the superintendent's contract Dec. 17.

  • East County
  • News
Four Braden River High School students win the 16th Congressional District App Challenge with their medical dosage calculator app. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 7, 2020
Braden River High students win Congressional District App Challenge

Four Braden River High students create an app to save lives and win the Congressional District App Challenge.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent for the School District of Manatee County, has been named Consortium of Florida Education Foundations' 2020 Star Superintendent of the Year. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2020
School District of Manatee County superintendent receives statewide award

Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent for the School District of Manatee County, was named 2020 State Superintendent of the Year.

  • East County
  • News
Mike Newhams, a science teacher, explains how to separate the layers of an onion to his students. Newhams loves having his class outdoors and at the center of campus so he can connect with other students and staff members.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 2, 2020
Sky's the limit in outdoor classes in Lakewood Ranch

ODA allows teachers to host their classes in outdoor spaces during pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School sophomore Christian Bell, freshman Nathan Walmsley and seniors Alex Bustillo and Phil Staffiles practice for their rifle competition. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 2, 2020
Lessons in leadership in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high schools' JROTC programs adjust to the pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
File photos USF has several connections to Manatee County schools including Dr. Mona Jain, who received a doctorate from USF. Superintendent Cynthia Saunders, however, went to UCF and Nova Southeastern. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 24, 2020
Teacher shortages soar in Manatee County

Fate of USF's College of Education could disrupt recruitment for the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Laura Campbell, principal at Tara Elementary School, works with Averyanna Rivera on constructing a tower. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 24, 2020
School choice enrollment to open for Manatee County

Families in the School District of Manatee County will have more time to decide school choice.

  • East County
  • News
Just like around the main building of Robert E. Willis Elementary School, Julie Santello, a second grade teacher, wants to add plants by the new addition to provide a scenic view as well as hands-on opportunities for students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 18, 2020
Grant leads to Willis Elementary's plants in Lakewood Ranch

Willis Elementary teacher receives Splash! grant to grow a garden by the school's new addition.

  • East County
  • News
James Archibald, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, gets ready to play Rocket League from home.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 18, 2020
Esports league rockets forward in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch High School 's esports club sees success in its first year.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County has decided to reopen Friday.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 12, 2020
Manatee County schools reverse course on closing

After moving to e-learning for a day due to Tropical Storm Eta, the School District of Manatee County is reopening Friday.

  • East County
  • News
Austin, Barbara and Noah Siffermann are excited for the Veterans Day assembly.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 11, 2020
A Tara Elementary salute

An east Bradenton school celebrates Veterans Day with annual performance.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 11, 2020
Strange season ends for Lakewood Ranch Mustangs' band

Lakewood Ranch High School's marching band students grateful to keep the program going through pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
Cari Whiddon, voluntary pre-K manager for the School District of Manatee County, Catherine Schutte, the pre-K teacher, and Brooke Rypel, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, can't wait for the Mini Mustangs program to return.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 11, 2020
Mini Mustangs back in session in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch High School pre-K program to be offered again in January.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 10, 2020
An election with Grace in Lakewood Ranch

Students at the Lakewood Ranch elementary school vote in their own election.

  • East County
  • News
Aubrey Bakar, an eighth grader at Carlos E. Haile Middle School, is excited to show at the Manatee County Fair for a second year. This year she's showing her pig, Gunner.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 4, 2020
This little piggy heads to the Manatee County Fair

East Bradenton FFA members thankful they can still show their livestock at the Manatee County Fair.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 4, 2020
Final performance for Braden River High band

Members of Braden River's Marching Band of Pirates reflect on unusual season.

  • East County
  • News
Tara Elementary School's Maya Taggert works on an assignment during class. Students and staff will see upgraded buildings with the renovation planned at Tara Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 4, 2020
Haile Middle, Tara Elementary projects moved up

School Board of Manatee County approves resolution to borrow up to $100 million to accelerate capital projects.

  • East County
  • News
Olivia D'Orazio, a member of Lakewood Leaders, wraps a Barbie and other gifts for Magic of Mittens.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 4, 2020
Volunteer hours hard for east Bradenton students to find

Lakewood Ranch-area students search for chances to volunteer in midst of the pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
Robert E. Willis Elementary School second graders Aubri Darpino and Ella Baas wear masks while at their desks.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 3, 2020
Manatee school district creates poll on face masks

School District of Manatee County wants to hear from parents and employees about the mask policy.

  • East County
  • News
Gene Witt Elementary School third grader Camryn Killingsworth makes her way across the monkey bars. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 28, 2020
School playgrounds no longer barred in Manatee County

School District of Manatee County allows elementary students to use playground equipment again.

  • East County
  • News
Ethan Spasciani, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, volunteers at South West Florida Therapy Animals during an event through the Student Government Association. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 28, 2020
East Bradenton students receive humanitarian award

One Braden River High senior and one from Lakewood Ranch High named Anne Frank Humanitarian Award recipients.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County unanimously approves a resolution to issue Certificates of Participation to accelerate capital projects within the district.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 27, 2020
School Board of Manatee County approves funding for capital projects

The School District of Manatee County can now borrow up to $100 million to accelerate capital projects, including two in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
East County football roundup: 10.23.20
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 23, 2020
East County football roundup: 10.23.20

East County football roundup: 10.23.20

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee Technical College will host a virtual open house of the Main Campus in Bradenton on Nov. 5.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2020
Manatee Technical College to host virtual open houses in Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch

Open houses will give potential students an opportunity to see its campuses.

  • East County
  • News
Robert E. Willis Elementary School second graders Aubri Darpino and Ella Baas are socially distant while working on assignments. More students will be on campus after families were able to switch learning modalities.Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 21, 2020
More parents sending kids back to campus in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch-area elementary and middle schools will no longer offer hybrid option as more students return full time.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, says families will be able to switch their learning modalities for the second quarter.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 14, 2020
School District of Manatee County allows parents to change on-campus, hybrid or e-learning choices in November.

Families in the Lakewood Ranch area will have the opportunity to change their learning modalities.

  • East County
  • News
B.D. Gullett Elementary students Aubrey Balderama and her sisters, Mattison and Harper, wear pink shirts in honor of their grandmother, who is a cancer survivor. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 14, 2020
Pink Out gets personal in Lakewood Ranch

Gullett Elementary brings awareness about breast cancer with Pink Out Day.

  • East County
  • News
Laura Campbell, principal at Tara Elementary School, works with Averyanna Rivera on constructing a tower. Much like these towers, Tara Elementary will undergo construction during a renovation of the school. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 14, 2020
Lakewood Ranch-area school capital projects might accelerate

School District of Manatee County wants to take advantage of lower interest rates.

  • East County
  • News
The Out-of-Door Academy's Reece Whatmore, a senior, and Harper Campbell, a sophomore, are EarthEcho Water Challenge Ambassadors committed to educating people on how to protect local water resources. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 14, 2020
Ambassadors of change in east Bradenton

Two ODA students work to educate others on how to protect water resources.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 7, 2020
Heart of gold at McNeal

The Lakewood Ranch elementary school shows support of kids facing cancer during Go Gold Day.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School seniors Owen Catlett, Ella Grogan and Adam Vansant celebrate winning first, second and third place respectively in the essay contest with Dave Miner, a member of the School Board of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 7, 2020
Lakewood Ranch-area students honored for Constitution essays

Lakewood Ranch High School seniors take top three prizes in Constitution Day essay contest.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 30, 2020
Peace prevails at McNeal Elementary in Lakewood Ranch

McNeal Elementary School celebrates Peace Day by making projects for essential workers in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Kaylen Rivers, a senior at The Out-of-Door Academy, is honored to be a part of the inaugural class of Brain Health Scholars.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 30, 2020
Lakewood Ranch research project requires student scholars from east Bradenton

Lakewood Ranch-area students are honored with their selection to the Brain Health Initiative's Scholars program.

  • 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
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  • February 4, 2026
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3
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  • February 4, 2026
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5
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  • February 4, 2026
Building safer roads for cyclists worth a discussion in Manatee County

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