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East County | Schools

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
Steven Zickafoose, Mona Jain's assistant principal, and Angela Lindsey, the school's principal, honor the school's eighth graders with a drive-thru parade. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2020
Mona Jain Middle caps 'amazing' first year

Mona Jain Middle students, teachers and administrators celebrate a successful first year

  • East County
  • News
Mega Morph towers over the car loop at Myakka City Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2020
Last school day transforms into special event in Myakka

Myakka family brings transforming robot to celebrate the last day of school.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Mona Jain Middle School sixth grader Emery Houston does an online quiz in class. The School District of Manatee County is developing a model for school that will be a mixture of students being in class and doing e-learning,
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2020
School District of Manatee County might try e-learning blend

Superintendent envisions blended model of being in the classroom and e-learning for students next year.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 2, 2020
Teachers, staff surprise graduating Pirates with celebration

Braden River High School congratulate seniors picking up caps and gowns.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 28, 2020
East County students enjoy a special goodbye at Rowlett Middle Academy

Rowlett Middle Academy celebrates eighth graders with "Driving On" parade.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 27, 2020
Cheers to the Lakewood Ranch graduates

Parents, teachers and staff members celebrate seniors as they pick up caps and gowns for July graduation

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 27, 2020
Bittersweet farewells for Lakewood Ranch-area students

Mona Jain Middle and Freedom Elementary have parades to celebrate students as they move onto new schools.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School nurse Dayna Grella, receptionist Avis Boldin and school counselor Kirsten Lawlor wave and cheer for seniors as they drive by to pick up their caps and gowns.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 26, 2020
Braden River High celebrates Class of 2020

Braden River High School honors seniors with a parade of teachers, staff members and families.

  • East County
  • News
Stacey Gadeken and Alison Denboggende cheer for seniors as they drive by the school to pick up their caps and gowns. Their sons, Andrew Denboggende and Brandon Gadeken, are graduating this year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 21, 2020
Cheers for Lakewood Ranch graduates

Parents, teachers and staff members celebrate seniors as they pick up caps and gowns for July graduation

  • East County
  • News
Jacquie McLaurin, a fifth grade teacher at Robert E. Willis Elementary, is disappointed her career ends with e-learning as she retires this year, but she has enjoyed the time with her students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
New lesson in retirement for Lakewood Ranch-area teachers

Retiring teachers and staff members disappointed with the ending but happy for the memories.

  • East County
  • News
Pre-kindergartners like Brayden Hackman, a pre-kindergartner at Gene Witt Elementary School, could be a part of the VPK summer program, which will be done online this year. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
Summer school attendance could drop in Manatee County

District could see fewer students in summer programs as result of move to online learning.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 13, 2020
Sign of appreciation in Lakewood Ranch

Families and students find new ways to show appreciation during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School's Jake Whiddon is a 2020 National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winner.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 13, 2020
Braden River High School senior named National Merit Scholarship winner

Jake Whiddon one of two School District of Manatee County seniors to be named a Merit Scholar.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high schools will turn on their stadium lights to honor their graduating seniors.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 8, 2020
Light shines on Lakewood Ranch-area high school seniors

Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools to turn on stadium lights to honor seniors.

  • East County
  • News
Gene Witt Elementary School's addition and renovation project is being expedited while students are off campus. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 6, 2020
School projects ahead of schedule in east Bradenton

Several east Bradenton schools to undergo capital projects while students are unable to return to campus

  • East County
  • News
Bella Pasquale, a freshman at Braden River High School, edits the video her class created to inspire the school community. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 6, 2020
East County students create brave message

Braden River High School students work virtually to create video for school community

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County equipped buses with Wi-Fi to send to at least 24 locations throughout the county to assist with e-learning. The Manatee Education Foundation started a relief fund to help with emergency costs.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Manatee Education Foundation starts COVID-19 relief fund

Manatee Education Foundation starts COVID-19 relief fund

  • East County
  • News
Dustin Dahlquist, principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, looks forward to celebrating the school's seniors' successes at the graduation ceremony July 29. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Bradenton area seniors can commence making plans

Bradenton area seniors grateful for new graduation dates

  • East County
  • News
R. Dan Nolan Middle School yearbook co-advisor Sarah Steckling is dedicated to finishing the school's yearbook even if it means working on it from home. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Pandemic one for the books in Lakewood Ranch

East County schools are including online learning memories in yearbooks.

  • East County
  • News
John Frank, digital photography teacher at Braden River High School, creates videos to show examples and expectations for assignments. Communication is key for him and his students. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Manatee County teachers hone online skills

Online learning educational for Manatee County teachers too

  • East County
  • News
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