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East County | Schools

Laura Campbell, principal at Tara Elementary School, works with Averyanna Rivera on constructing a tower during STEAM class. Much like these towers, Tara Elementary will undergo construction during a renovation of the school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 12, 2020
School Board of Manatee County considers revising capital plan

School Board of Manatee County considers reworking capital plan

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Rene Salazar reviews his findings during School Advisory Council meeting at Gene Witt Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 12, 2020
Expert finds no mold threat at Gene Witt

Expert finds no mold threat at Gene Witt

  • East County
  • News
Abby Simpson delivers 61 goodie bags at the East Manatee Fire Rescue. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 12, 2020
McNeal student spreads happiness to children in Lakewood Ranch

Abby's Love spread happiness to children

  • East County
  • News
Faith Bench, a math teacher at Braden River Middle School, and her husband, Matthew, is in disbelief of her being named Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 12, 2020
Simple math: She's No. 1 in Manatee County

Braden River Middle School math teacher named Educator of the Year in Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
Author Latoya Desamour talks about bullying with students at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 12, 2020
Author teaches McNeal students about bullying

Author uses personal experiences to connect with students at McNeal Elementary

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 7, 2020
A rootin' tootin' good time at Gene Witt

A rootin' tootin' good time at Gene Witt father-daughter dance

  • East County
  • News
Faith Bench, a math teacher at Braden River Middle School, received an award and check for being Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 5, 2020
Braden River Middle teacher wins Educator of the Year

Braden River Middle School teacher wins Schools District of Manatee County's Educator of the Year

  • East County
  • News
Senior Colin Castro dressed in 1980s fashion while junior Kaylen Rivers represented the 1970s. Castro was going for a "Miami Vice" look.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 5, 2020
95 and counting for ODA

Out-of-Door Academy's campus in Lakewood Ranch celebrates 95th year on 95th day of school

  • East County
  • News
Freshmen CJ Tufano and Nicholas Harlin, senior Alex Kraus, sophomores Aldan Rossnagel and Aaron Lourie and senior Gabby Macogay will have the audience laughing during a beach scene.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 5, 2020
'Here we go again' at Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch High School theater department performs "Mamma Mia!"

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 4, 2020
McNeal's Grandparents Day a first for some but last for others

McNeal's Grandparents Day a first for some but last for others

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 31, 2020
Hockey lessons are electric at Tara Elementary School

The Lightning's Build the Thunder program returned to Tara Elementary School in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 30, 2020
Myakka City Elementary's literacy night one for the books

Myakka City Elementary's literacy night one for the books

  • East County
  • News
Braden Jacobsen, a second grader at Freedom Elementary School, carefully cuts the eyes for his paper mouse sculpture. Jacobsen says he likes the mouse sculpture because it's something he can put in his room.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 29, 2020
Picture of generosity in East County

East County teachers overwhelmed by donation for art programs

  • East County
  • News
Martha Stroup, senior school secretary at Freedom Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 29, 2020
East County school employees earn support honors

East County school employees finalists for Support Employee of the Year

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior forward Jacob Jordan (8) goes for a header against Manatee High. He had two goals in the game.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 29, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Mustangs appear poised for playoff run

Lakewood Ranch boys soccer is a threat yet again.

  • East County
  • Sports
Krista Francies, assistant principal, calls out students' names as their parents arrive to pick students up after school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 29, 2020
Law causes change to student pick-up at Braden River Elementary

New law causes Braden River Elementary to adjust dismissal procedures.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 24, 2020
Night of memories at Freedom Elementary

Night of memories at Freedom Elementary School

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 24, 2020
Gene Witt kindergartners celebrate 100th day of school

Gene Witt Elementary kindergartners celebrate 100th day of school

  • East County
  • News
Dani Butler, a member of Hope Assemblies, tells the girls at Braden River Middle School they have a voice and should be empowered to use it after sharing her story of how she got out of a bad relationship.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 24, 2020
Love can't hurt in East County

Braden River Middle School students are challenged to carry the love on campus.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 22, 2020
Showcase of talent at Braden River High School

Showcase of talent at Braden River High School

  • East County
  • News
Faith Bench, a math teacher at Braden River Middle School, reviews a math problem with her class.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 22, 2020
East County educator's teaching style leads to honor

Braden River Middle educator's unique teaching style leads to 'Educator of the Year' nomination

  • East County
  • News
Braxton McClelland, a fifth grader at Robert E. Willis Elementary School, shows the book he's reading to Lenny Gutmann, the guardian at the school, after school has been dismissed.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 22, 2020
Guardians remain a less expensive choice in Manatee County

Guardians remain a less expensive choice in Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 17, 2020
Winter wonderland

Imagine Schools at Lakewood Ranch hosts annual Winter Wonderland

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, the School District of Manatee County superintendent, said the district's attorney, Mitchell Teitelbaum created a situation that compromised the integrity of his work.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 17, 2020
School District of Manatee County's general counsel required to undergo sensitivity training

School District of Manatee County's general counsel required to undergo sensitivity training

  • East County
  • News
Jennifer Santora, a third grade teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, helps Caley Ochoa with a math problem.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 15, 2020
East County teacher's passion rewarded

Gullett Elementary teacher finalist for Manatee County's Educator of the Year

  • East County
  • News
Thomas Gallen, a fourth grader at Braden River Elementary School, jumps with excitement to see he's been placed in the Reveur house.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 15, 2020
East County schools make room for house system

House program strengthens school community at Tara and Braden River elementary schools.

  • East County
  • News
East County's Dan and Rebecca Powers are excited to perpetuate the memory of their late son, Matthew Powers, with a new scholarship focused on children who participate in the band program at Lakewood Ranch High School.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 15, 2020
Scholarship to honor student who died in accident

New scholarship in Manatee County honors legacy of band student Matthew Powers.

  • East County
  • News
Issy Monroe, an eighth grader at Carlos E. Haile Middle School, loves spending time with Napoleon. Monroe will show Napoleon at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 15, 2020
No fear of steer for East County student at Manatee County Fair

East County Future Farmers of America students prepare to show their animals at the fair.

  • East County
  • News
Juan Moreno, a fifth grader, looks into a pocket of a hydroponic stacker.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 8, 2020
Hydroponic garden leads to student growth

Myakka City Elementary students learn to grow plants using hydroponics

  • East County
  • News
Jennifer Santora, a third grade teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, helps Caley Ochoa with a math problem.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 20, 2019
Two Bradenton teachers named finalists for 'Educator of the Year' in Manatee County

Two East County teachers named finalists for Educator of the Year

  • East County
  • News
Carl Santos, a third grader, plays "12 Days of Christmas" with fourth graders Sheldon Wilkinson, Aiden tenHaaf and Ben Tomczuk-Ross during the winter concert at Gene Witt Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 18, 2019
Gene Witt renovation back on track

Gene Witt Elementary renovation and addition to move forward

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 10, 2019
Sarasota School Board approves land purchases in Lakewood Ranch and along Clark Road

The combined purchases would not exceed $14 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 5, 2019
Braden River Middle School hosts its Snowcoming Dance in Bradenton

Snow much fun at Braden River Middle School dance

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 5, 2019
Sarasota Schools consider land purchases east of I-75

Due to growth, the school district is considering land purchases in Lakewood Ranch and near Clark Road.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Tiffany Rock, a seventh grader, works through a few measures with sixth graders Kiera Woefel and Coltin Cramer. "It’s pretty cool to imagine I was them last year," Rock said.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 27, 2019
Light shines on job shadowing at Haile Middle

Haile Middle School students learn what it takes to be a teacher by shadowing their teachers

  • East County
  • News
Beth Grogan, a Lakewood Ranch resident who started Magic of Mittens, works with Stefani Heidenthal, Nolan's FBLA adviser, to collect items for families in need.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 27, 2019
Nolan Middle School students warm hearts with mittens project

Nolan Middle FBLA students warm hearts with Magic of Mittens project in Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
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Work has either started or will begin soon on four roundabouts on University Parkway, east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. University Parkway also is being widened from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard.
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Deborah Callahan-Stratton, Joy Stone, Barbara Najmy and Jennifer Alokeh are collecting sneakers for the fifth annual Sneakin Back to School Sneaker Drive to benefit The Twig.
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The Manatee County Property Appraiser is located at 915 4th Ave. W. in downtown Bradenton.
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