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East County | Schools

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
Braden River Middle School rising seventh graders Ehab Bakhet, Kyle Page and Peyton Lyn eat lunch in the cafeteria. The district is considering different options for food services for next year. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2020
Learning plan unveiled for Manatee County schools

School District of Manatee County recommends full return for elementary students and hybrid classes for middle and high school students.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County is planning to have elementary students fully return to school in the fall while middle and high schools will have hybrid classes.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 25, 2020
Manatee school district lays out recommended reopening plan

Elementary students to return fully to school while middle and high schools will have hybrid classes.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School will be open for people to provide public comment about reopening in the fall during the School Board of Manatee County's June 25 workshop. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 18, 2020
Lakewood Ranch High among sites where public can go June 25 to give opinions on reopening schools.

Participants must sign up before the June 25 meeting and follow the district's guidelines.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River's Natalie Valentine smiles while performing at the state competition. Braden River's Marching Band of Pirates hopes to defend its state title, but it depends on whether school will reopen fully in the fall. File photo
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 17, 2020
East Bradenton marching bands play waiting game

Until decisions are made about reopening school, local bands are planning for different scenarios.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee Technical College students, like former student William Kennedy, have been learning remotely since March 30. MTC is receiving federal funding to provide students who have been impacted by COVID-19 financial aid. File photo
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 17, 2020
MTC receives $1 million in government aid

Funding will provide financial aid to at least 508 students and cover costs of moving to remote learning.

  • East County
  • News
Scott Cooper, the new principal at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, settles into his new office. He hopes to expand the performing arts and career and technical education programs at the school in the future.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 17, 2020
New principal thrilled to lead Nolan Middle

Scott Cooper, the new principal of R. Dan Nolan Middle School, is confident he'll transition smoothly to his new role.

  • East County
  • News
Eric Holt, a seventh grader at Braden River Middle School, participates in an experiment. Students like Holt could be back in the classroom come fall or at home with virtual learning or both. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 17, 2020
School District of Manatee County seeks reopening input

Share your thoughts on reopening schools during a June 25 School Board of Manatee County workshop.

  • East County
  • News
Thomas Desmond, a music teacher at Braden River High School, has been selected for a Congressional Teacher Award.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 16, 2020
Braden River High School teacher receives Congressional Teacher Award

East County teacher is one of eight in Manatee, Sarasota and Hillsborough counties to receive the award from Congressman Vern Buchanan.

  • East County
  • News
Fernando Azcona-Meza, a math teacher at Out-of-Door Academy's upper school, congratulates seniors during the parade. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 10, 2020
Thunderous sendoff for ODA seniors

ODA surprises seniors with fireworks after parade.

  • East County
  • News
Rebecca Aguilera, a Braden Woods resident and graduate of Palmetto Charter School, is the 10th recipient of the Taylor Emmons Scholarship. She volunteers at her church and plays tennis and basketball.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 10, 2020
Student's volunteerism leads to ODA scholarship

Rebecca Aguilera is 10th recipient of the Taylor Emmons Scholarship

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 10, 2020
Last lap for teachers in Manatee County

School District of Manatee County celebrates last day of school with county-wide parade.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, says the district has already spent $1.2 million due to COVID-19 and could spend $4.7 million next school year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 10, 2020
School Board of Manatee County approves funding for COVID-19 measures

The School Board of Manatee County approves funding for masks, hotspots and Chromebooks

  • East County
  • News
Laura Rowe, Lisa Sheedy, Lisa Andrews and Ashley Dodd, members of Tara Elementary School's cafeteria staff, wear pajamas while distributing meals. Dodd says the theme days give students something to look forward to every day.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 10, 2020
Student meals delivered in style in east Bradenton

Tara Elementary cafeteria staff dresses in different themes each day during Summer BreakSpot food program.

  • East County
  • News
School District of Manatee County is assigning students to buses to control capacities. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 4, 2020
Students must register to ride School District of Manatee County buses

To control bus capacities, Manatee County students must be assigned to a bus for next school year.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2020
Graduation ride bubbles over at Gene Witt Elementary

Gene Witt Elementary teachers encourage students to visit after graduation

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2020
Off to the next step for Willis students

Willis Elementary School celebrates the end of the school year with parade.

  • East County
  • News
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