• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • April Fools
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • April Fools
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County | Schools

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
Samantha North, a third grade teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, writes "Happy birthday Nathaniel" as part of a birthday message for Nathaniel Molinar.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2020
Chalk up a surprise in Bradenton area

Gullett Elementary teacher surprises students with birthday message

  • East County
  • News
Chris Robinson turned his son's nursery into his studio for his YouTube channel lessons. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 23, 2020
Modern take on history for Lakewood Ranch students

YouTube channel helps Nolan Middle School teacher bring lessons to life for his class.

  • East County
  • News
Evan Bates loves participating in his weekly virtual playdates with his kindergarten class. "It's really fun," he says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 22, 2020
Time to play the virtual game in Lakewood Ranch

Gullett Elementary teachers host virtual playdates for their classes

  • East County
  • News
Blake and Hailey Richards are excited to make homemade ice cream. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 22, 2020
Scientific method for fun in Lakewood Ranch

East County science teachers share experiments that can be done at home.

  • East County
  • News
Marcie Hackman helps her Gene Witt pre-kindergartner, Brayden, with a vowel sound art project.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 15, 2020
Lakewood Ranch area parents take on new role as teachers

Lakewood Ranch area homeschool families provide tips for those adjusting to online learning.

  • East County
  • News
Brad Moyer and his niece Julia Devecchio, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, have a quarantine-style prom since Devecchio's actual prom was canceled. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 15, 2020
Lakewood Ranch area seniors miss final important high school moments

Lakewood Ranch area high school seniors share disappointment over school event cancellations.

  • East County
  • News
Scott Cooper will be the new principal at R. Dan Nolan Middle School starting July 1. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 14, 2020
Nolan Middle School to have new principal next year

East County schools to see some administrative changes in 2020-2021 school year.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County has wired buses with WiFi to send out to community centers and churches throughout the county to provide internet access to students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 8, 2020
Buses bring hotspots to students in Manatee County

School District of Manatee County buses to provide WiFi for students

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School horticulture students Paytton Yancey, Hannah Yancey and Madison Hartwig work on an assignment. Agriculture teacher Janyel Taylor will have her students work with plants at home. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 8, 2020
East County teachers note e-learning challenges

East County teachers find ways to engage their students through hands-on online learning

  • East County
  • News
Superintendent Cynthia Saunders announced The School District of Manatee County will extend school closures through May 1.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 31, 2020
School District of Manatee County extends closures through May 1

Manatee County schools closed until May 1

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 27, 2020
Sending positive messages to students in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch schools celebrate kickoff of e-learning with parades

  • East County
  • News
Alex Colbath, a second grader, has a method to building his tower: use longer blocks to help support smaller blocks as the tower grows.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 25, 2020
Together in spirit at Tara Elementary School

Tara Elementary PTO hosts virtual spirit week

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, is confident the district will be able to launch e-learning for its more than 50,000 students March 30.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 25, 2020
E-learning access concerns East County families

Lakewood Ranch-area parents have concerns over e-learning

  • East County
  • News
Jo-Ann Yermak (center) is worried about providing childcare for her two children, Mikenna and Hayden, who are students at Braden River Elementary School, while she works full time and they start e-learning.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 25, 2020
E-learning poses child-care difficulties in Lakewood Ranch area

Challenges in childcare concern Lakewood Ranch parents during e-learning

  • East County
  • News
Seniors Sabrina Herrera, Benjamin French, Justin Feroze, Tess Zambella, Nicolas Wiggington, Marina Herrera and Marribel Contreras enjoy their final JROTC regional championship. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 18, 2020
Pirates build on winning legacy

Braden River High's JROTC drill team wins fourth consecutive regional championship

  • East County
  • News
Braden River Elementary School nurse Nicole Wells and her daughter Penny, a kindergartner, sing a hand washing song to the tune of "Wheels on the Bus" while washing their hands. The Wells will not return to school until April 15.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 18, 2020
Lakewood Ranch area will get education in the online world due to the coronavirus

Coronavirus sends schools, businesses, social events to the online world.

  • East County
  • News
William H. Bashaw Elementary School third graders Evan Michel, Tyson Kelsey and Margaret Westlake pet Dorothy the heifer.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 18, 2020
FFA members butter up students in East County

Bashaw Elementary students receive agriculture lessons from Braden River High's FFA

  • East County
  • News
Girl Scouts Reese Gurski, Talia Giangrante, Riley Duncan, Kylee Francies and Alice Barr worked with others in their troop on a beautification project at Braden River Elementary School to earn their Bronze Award.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 18, 2020
Girl Scout project brightens school in Lakewood Ranch

Girl Scout Troop 701 to earn Bronze Award for beautification project at Braden River Elementary

  • East County
  • News
During spring break, Mike Clark, a custodian at Ida M. Stewart Elementary School, helps clean the school. Students won't return to school until April 15.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 17, 2020
School District of Manatee County to close until April 15

School District of Manatee County to close until April 15

  • East County
  • News
As the School District of Manatee County closes schools to students until March 30, Malea Sauer, a custodian at Ida M. Stewart Elementary School, conducts a deep clean throughout the school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 13, 2020
School District of Manatee County and Out-of-Door Academy closed to students

School District of Manatee County closed to students until end of March

  • East County
  • News
Laila Ward, an eighth grader, and Mason Engelsberg show off the trophy they received for placing first in Challenging Technology Issues during the Technology Student Association state competition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 11, 2020
Big effort for Mona Jain TSA in debut

Mona Jain's TSA club surpasses expectations in first year

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 10, 2020
All STEAMed up at McNeal Elementary

Families enjoy Earth and Space STEAM Night at McNeal Elementary

  • East County
  • News
Second graders Hayden Laning, Charlotte Eldridge and Jullian Riley play different characters in their group's readers' theater about presidents.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 4, 2020
Students play historic roles in Lakewood Ranch

McNeal Elementary teacher uses readers' theater to teach students about historic figures.

  • East County
  • News
Lynita Chupps, a fourth grader, works with her sister, Lisa Chupp, a second grader, on their stop-motion movie. The pair are working on the storyline as they go.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 4, 2020
Lights, Lego, action in East County

Tara Elementary Students make their own stop-motion Lego movie

  • East County
  • News
Julie Bianchi, the head of the middle school, talks about the garden feature and virtual reality studio in the new building.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 26, 2020
Out-of-Door Academy building for a better future in Lakewood Ranch

Out-of-Door Academy expands middle school with new facility and quad

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Ted Lindenberg, director of the Books for Kids program, celebrate the program's success.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 26, 2020
A success story in Manatee County

Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch celebrates growth of Books for Kids program

  • East County
  • News
« 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in East County

1
Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race
2
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager
3
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff
4
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research
5
Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
  • April 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League expands to improve accessibility

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now