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East County | Schools

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
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
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1
Rising senior quarterback Louisen Desinor will start under center for Braden River High football in the fall. This spring was his opportunity to strengthen bonds with the playmakers around him.
  • May 25, 2026
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Though Florida Power & Light employs a variety of advanced technology to avoid power failures, often the basic work of tree trimming goes a long way toward heading off trouble.
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3
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4
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5
Leighton Paul (right), pictured here during the FHSAA Class 5A-Region 3 final May 14 against Gulf Coast, was Braden River's leadoff hitter this season. She went 0-for-3 in the state semifinals against Niceville.
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Late rally not enough for Braden River High softball in state semifinals

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