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East County | Schools

Second graders Ella Baas and Aubri Darpino spend time reading in second grade teacher Laurie Rahn's nautical themed classroom. The seafoam color of the classroom adds to Rahn's theme, Rahn says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 30, 2020
Willis Elementary teachers love new space

Addition provides six new classrooms for Lakewood Ranch elementary school.

  • East County
  • News
Amy Jones, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, is a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 23, 2020
Lakewood Ranch High senior earns academic award

Amy Jones is one of three School District of Manatee County students to be named a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High FFA members Brooke O’Neill, Madeline Fields, Maddy Hartwig and Nathan Sundberg promote the importance of animal agriculture and hands-on projects. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 16, 2020
Lakewood Ranch-area FFA reputation grows

Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high school FFA chapters receive special recognitions.

  • East County
  • News
Students at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School make their way to class. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 16, 2020
Healthy start to school year in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch-area parents pleased with district's efforts to provide a safe environment.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School seniors Trey deCarle, Jackson Galvin and Griffin Hudson work on a Technology Student Association project. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 16, 2020
East County TSA clubs turn to technology

Virtual meetings are key to keeping Technology Student Associations alive during pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County wants to know how school is going for your students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 15, 2020
School District of Manatee County creates "Family Back-to-School Opinion Poll"

The School District of Manatee County wants to know how its doing in terms of providing a safe learning environment during the pandemic.

  • 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. All students can receive free breakfast and lunch no matter their modality. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 10, 2020
East County students can get free meals through Manatee County schools

Manatee County students 18 years old and younger can receive free breakfast and lunch every day through Dec. 31.

  • East County
  • News
Woodland's Dewayne McFarland and Jennifer Passmore say the new building meets demands both for Dunn Prep Elementary, as well as church administration.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 9, 2020
Church, school grow together in Lakewood Ranch area

Woodland Community Church also expands educational opportunities.

  • East County
  • News
Megan Silvestri and Rebecca Cronander, school counselors at Gene Witt Elementary School, are always available to help the school's students and teachers, especially as they adjust to the new normal at school. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 9, 2020
New state of mind for East County counselors

School counselors face more challenges as a result of COVID-19.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 8, 2020
ODA celebrates opening of new middle school facility

Eighth graders return to Lakewood Ranch campus and get a first look at new facility.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee Country has created a dashboard to inform the public how many COVID-19 cases have been confirmed at individual schools and support sites.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 3, 2020
School District of Manatee County creates COVID-19 dashboard

Six East County schools have reported at least one confirmed case of COVID-19 since first day of school.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County is looking for a resident to serve on the Audit Committee.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 3, 2020
School Board of Manatee County seeks resident to join committee

Audit Committee is in need of Manatee County resident.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 2, 2020
Paint with purpose in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch's Let's Create Art gives homeschoolers and e-learners opportunities to learn while safely socializing.

  • East County
  • News
File photo
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 2, 2020
East County PTOs adjust to new normal

Lakewood Ranch-area Parent-Teacher Organizations are coming up with ways to host fundraisers and events.

  • East County
  • News
David Marshall, principal at Gene Witt Elementary School, says the renovations allowed for more storage space for teachers and students to use. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 2, 2020
Gene Witt upgrades thrill administrators

Renovations of two buildings were completed for the new school year while construction on an addition continues.

  • East County
  • News
Katie Kandel, a fourth grade teacher at Freedom Elementary School, is shocked to receive so many donations. She received 11 packages just two days after posting her list to the Adopt a Manatee County Teacher page. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 26, 2020
Lakewood Ranch community donates supplies to teachers

Community shows support for teachers with donations of classroom and cleaning supplies.

  • East County
  • News
Hope Tudor, a freshman, uses the Bitmoji app to create an illustration showing the different hobbies she enjoys and things she loves like her three dogs, Belle, Rocket and Minnie.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 26, 2020
Braden River High School students share a bit of their lives

Students create animated environments to introduce themselves.

  • East County
  • News
Brilliant Harvest installs 705 solar panels on the arts center, new middle school building and Fox Field House at The Out-of-Door Academy. The school is expected to save $100,000 annually. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 26, 2020
ODA explores the solar system

Lakewood Ranch school installs its first round of solar panels.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2020
Beat goes on in East County

Braden River High School's Marching Band of Pirates resume practice.

  • East County
  • News
Parrish's Gina Messenger looks forward helping the School District of Manatee County move from a B district to an A district. "I'm excited to continue the good work that Manatee County is doing," she says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 18, 2020
Parrish's Messenger retains Manatee County school board seat

Gina Messenger will focus on early childhood education and grade level reading in next four years.

  • East County
  • News
Amy Lowrance drops off her daughter Sophie at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School for her first day of third grade.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 17, 2020
Students return to school in Lakewood Ranch area

School District of Manatee County opens its campuses to students for the start of a new school year.

  • East County
  • News
Steven Zickafoose, an assistant principal at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, and Angela Lindsey, principal of the school, wear masks while on campus. All students and employees will be required to wear masks at school. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2020
School District of Manatee County provides clarity on mask policy

Cloth masks will be required on school property with exceptions.

  • East County
  • News
Science teacher Jennifer Hall cracks open an egg to see if it's cooked during an experiment. The science labs will be reconfigured for new technology during the renovation. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2020
Braden River Middle expansion moves forward

The $26 million renovation and addition will include a cafeteria expansion, remodeled administration area and a six-classroom addition.

  • East County
  • News
Faith Bench, a math teacher at Braden River Middle School, has removed some of the desks in her classroom to ensure the desks will be spaced out six feet to practice social distancing. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2020
Learning to adapt in Lakewood Ranch-area schools

School District of Manatee County hopes to maintain standards while students concentrate on health guidelines.

  • East County
  • News
Maya Dean-Elois, a rising senior at Braden River High School, learns several lessons while participating in the Bank of America's Student Leaders program. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2020
East County student leads the way

Braden River High School rising senior participates in Bank of America's Student Leader program and nonprofits.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 29, 2020
Ready to move on from Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch High School seniors celebrate a bittersweet graduation.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 28, 2020
Braden River High graduates celebrate end of final chapter

Braden River High School seniors finally conclude their high school careers with graduation at LECOM Park.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 25, 2020
Grateful for graduation

Out-of-Door Academy seniors celebrate graduation with individual ceremonies.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee Technical College will welcome students back on campus with hybrid classes. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 23, 2020
Manatee Technical College to welcome students back on campus

Hybrid classes will allow for hands-on learning while limiting capacity on campus.

  • East County
  • News
Out-of-Door Academy rising seniors Reece Whatmore and Supawadee Surattanont explain their work to address red tide with Joaquim Goes, a Columbia University professor. Students will return for in-person classes Aug. 25. File photo
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 22, 2020
Back to campus for ODA students

Out-of-Door Academy's new middle school facility provides enough space for students to be social distanced.

  • East County
  • News
Isabella Macias, a graduating senior at Braden River High School, will sprinkle space references into her speech because of her love for space. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 22, 2020
Message of resilience to East County graduates

East County high school graduation speakers will remind classmates of their resilience through pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
The Dienna family (Maria, Denise, Michael, Ava, Nicki and Matt) advocate for school to start with complete e-learning.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 22, 2020
Virtual woes confound School District of Manatee County

Students' needs must be assessed before being able to move completely online.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School Class of 2019 graduates watch a slideshow during graduation. Members of Braden River and Lakewood Ranch High School's Class of 2019 had advice to share with this year's graduates. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 20, 2020
Dear Class of 2020...

Lakewood Ranch-area 2019 graduates share advice on how to succeed after high school.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, adjusts her recommendation for opening schools to allow all grade levels to return full time in person, participate in a hybrid schedule or do e-learning.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 14, 2020
School Board of Manatee County approves new start date

First day to now be Aug. 17, and all students can choose to return full time, participate in a hybrid schedule or do e-learning.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, shares the recommendation to offer e-learning, a hybrid schedule for middle and high school students or have students return five days per week.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 9, 2020
School District of Manatee County adjusts reopening recommendation

Students will have the option to return to school full time, participate in a hybrid schedule for middle and high school or continue e-learning.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School seniors Juan Brito, Daniel Sipes, Jeremy Rinehart and Cameron Ostenson look forward to their July 28 graduation at LECOM Park.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 2, 2020
Lakewood Ranch, Braden River high school graduations moved to LECOM Park

Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high schools' graduations are being moved to provide more social distancing.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

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