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East County | Schools

Seventh grader Marisa Easto cries as she hugs her dad, Capt. Josh Easto, who surprised her at school during lunch. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 26, 2019
A tearful homecoming at Nolan Middle School in Lakewood Ranch

U.S. Army captain surprises daughter at Nolan Middle School, sons at Out-of-Door Academy

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 25, 2019
Halloween inspires reading at Freedom Elementary

Halloween inspires reading at Freedom Elementary

  • East County
  • News
The Free family is excited about the installation of a playground at Risen Savior Lutheran. It marks the start of a preschool program. Pictured are Kristin and Pastor Caleb Free with their children, JoJo, Clay and Aaron.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 23, 2019
Lakewood Ranch church aims to open preschool

Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Lakewood Ranch preps for preschool opening.

  • East County
  • News
Brooke McDerment looks at her third grade daughter Celia's zootopia she made in class during a student-led conference. Celia McDerment dedicated the zootopia to her mother.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2019
Bashaw Elementary students take the lead in conferences

Bashaw Elementary School student-led conferences allow students to take ownership of their work

  • East County
  • News
Juniors Mikayla Stokes and Brianna Noon and seniors Lucy Crank and Angelina Ortiz practice playing together as a quartet. With different schedules, finding times to practice can be difficult.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2019
Lakewood Ranch High School quartet sets tone for orchestra

Quartet performs in East County to promote Lakewood Ranch High School orchestra program

  • East County
  • News
Gene Witt Elementary Principal David Marshall
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2019
Gene Witt Elementary renovation put on pause

Gene Witt Elementary School renovations on hold as School Board of Manatee County member approaches state about replacement.

  • East County
  • News
Aqila Patel, a Braden River High School senior, plays xylophone as part of the pit in the band.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 16, 2019
Braden River, Lakewood Ranch high school bands march with meaning

Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high school bands compete with shows personal to them

  • East County
  • News
School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 16, 2019
Education Practices Commission rejects DOE's settlement with Superintendent Cynthia Saunders

School District of Manatee County superintendent to remain focused after settlement rejection

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 13, 2019
Pirates carry on homecoming bonfire in Bradenton

Braden River High School's homecoming bonfire a tradition of fun

  • East County
  • News
School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 9, 2019
State's settlement with School District of Manatee County superintendent rejected

Education Practices Commission rejects settlement with School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders

  • East County
  • News
Eighth-grader Gianna Silipo attempts to brush Libby, left, and Lennon, right, at the same time. Silipo said she enjoys taking care of the pigs because they're loving.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 9, 2019
Haile Middle School pigs get new pen

New swine facility at Haile Middle School causes students to never want to leave

  • East County
  • News
From left, Lakewood Ranch High School senior Mariette Tomlinson, Braden River High School senior Madigan Wilford and Lakewood Ranch High School senior Joey Robertson beam with pride claiming the top prizes in the essay contest.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2019
Constitution's blessings praised in essays from East County seniors

Three East County seniors claim top prizes in School District of Manatee County's Constitution Day essay contest

  • East County
  • News
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School second grade teacher Martha Ferra, left, is teaching with her daughter, third grade teacher Xiomara Cappiello, for the first time.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2019
Teaching together at McNeal Elementary School

Teaching runs in the family at McNeal Elementary School

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School senior Claire Davidson is a 2020 National Merit Scholar semifinalist. She earned a score of 1470 on the PSAT.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2019
East County students score big on PSAT

Three East County seniors qualify as National Merit Scholar semifinalists

  • East County
  • News
Wyatt Hossenlopp, runs after the ball while Jake Morales and Aidan Levine fight for it during a scrimmage game of hockey.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2019
Nolan Middle School students hooked on hockey

Tampa Bay Lightning Street Team introduces hockey at Nolan Middle School

  • East County
  • News
Fourth-grade teachers Lee Anne Durkee, Sarah Body and Danielle Herrmann join Chompy, the mascot,. Body was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2018.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 1, 2019
Gullett Gators take up the fight in Lakewood Ranch

B.D. Gullett Elementary School in Lakewood Ranch has pink out to support teacher fighting breast cancer

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 27, 2019
Students walk miles for education in Lakewood Ranch

Willis Elementary in Lakewood Ranch hosts its annual walk-a-thon.

  • East County
  • News
Robert Willis Elementary School fifth-grader and Safety Patrol member Jordyn Milburn goes to open a car door to assist a student as they exit the car to go to school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 26, 2019
A simple 'Hello' may save the day in Lakewood Ranch schools

Sandy Hook Promise, other initiatives help students feel more included at Lakewood Ranch schools

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 25, 2019
Bashaw Elementary celebrates Hispanic Heritage Night in Bradenton

Bashaw Elementary families embrace Hispanic Heritage Night in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 20, 2019
McNeal Elementary School students learn to "bee the change" in Lakewood Ranch

McNeal Elementary students learn to "bee the change" during International Peace Day activities in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 18, 2019
Braden River Elementary School students stuck on learning

Braden River Elementary School students tape principal, assistant principal to wall

  • East County
  • News
From front left, Braden River Middle School teachers and staff Jill Bergeron, Lannette Gillen, Heidi Enneking and Patty Sisson dance with other teachers and staff during the school's first Renaissance assembly of the year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 18, 2019
Braden River Middle School teachers connect through dance

Braden River Middle School teachers, staff perform during Renaissance assembly

  • East County
  • News
From left, Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fifth-graders Bakari Simmons, Harrison Phillips and Isaiah Buckson, work on an essay during class while sitting on exercise balls.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2019
More wiggle room for Lakewood Ranch students

Lakewood Ranch elementary school teachers transform classrooms to include flexible seating options

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2019
Tasty time for grandparents in Lakewood Ranch

Braden River Elementary School students relish eating with grandparents during luncheon

  • East County
  • News
Former B.D. Gullett Elementary School principal Shirin Gibson will take on a new role as the executive director of curriculum and professional learning for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2019
Former Gullett Elementary principal earns new role with School District of Manatee County

Former Gullett Elementary principal takes on new position for School District of Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
From left, Braden River Middle School sixth-graders Ehab Bakhet, 11, Kyle Page, 11, and Peyton Lyn, 11, eat lunch in the cafeteria. Enlarging the cafeteria is one of the proposed renovations for the middle school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 4, 2019
Board considers Braden River Middle renovations

School Board of Manatee County to consider renovations at Braden River Middle

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 2, 2019
Manatee, Sarasota leaders confirm classes open on Tuesday

Weather likely to be similar to typical summertime.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Spectators to football games and other sporting events must use clear bags now for their belongings. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 29, 2019
Manatee County School District imposes 'clear bag' policy

Spectators at athletic events must carry belongings in clear bags starting tonight.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School senior Jacob Sowards, 17, left, helps senior Ryan Stroup, 17, with a design for Captain's Cargo social media.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 28, 2019
Marketing students pick the right cargo

Braden River High School students see record-breaking sales with Captain's Cargo

  • East County
  • News
The cast and crew of Lakewood Ranch High School's "Adventures of a Comic Book Artist" take photos to commemorate their trip to Scotland for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 28, 2019
Students take their act to the Fringe

Lakewood Ranch High School drama students perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

  • East County
  • News
The event will be held at State College of Florida's Lakewood Ranch campus. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 27, 2019
State College of Florida offers leadership course in Lakewood Ranch

Leadership Boot Camp on agenda for State College of Florida, Leadership Simplified in Sarasota-Manatee area.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 23, 2019
Back-to-school moves

Back to School Dance benefits PTO projects at R. Dan Nolan Middle School.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee student Justin Pelletier helps Freedom Elementary School fifth-graders prepare for a science experiment during his final internship to complete the elementary education program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 21, 2019
District strikes deal to land teachers

USFSM students guaranteed jobs with School District of Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
Mona Jain Middle School sixth-grader Emery Houston, 11, anxiously waits to enter the answer to an online quiz on a new laptop.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 21, 2019
Technology brings class to the future

New opportunities with new technology

  • East County
  • News
Mona Jain's grandson, Anant Agarwal, sprinkles rose petals on University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee senior Lauren Targaszewski as a symbol of good luck.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2019
Opening bell for new schools

Opening bells for new schools

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2019
Bye mom ... hello learning

Some parents struggle to say goodbye on first day

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
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  • December 3, 2025
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2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
  • December 3, 2025
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3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
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  • December 3, 2025
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