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East County | Schools

Karen Nikla’s fourth-grade class members at Robert E. Willis Elementary School explored their creativity.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • February 20, 2019
A place for poetry

Fourth-grade teacher Karen Nikla spent a month of class time exploring poetry, reading the likes of Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky and teaching her students the magic of weaving words.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders was hired as superintendent of the School District of Manatee County Tuesday night.
    By
  • Andrew Atkins
  • February 12, 2019
School Board of Manatee County hires Saunders

In a 3-2 vote, the board approved a contract for interim superintendent Cynthia Saunders.

  • East County
  • News
Educators pose with William H. Bashaw, in front. He served as Manatee County Schools Superintendent for from 1970 to 1983. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 11, 2019
Bradenton school namesake dies

Former Manatee Schools Superintendent William H. Bashaw leaves legacy.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2019
It's time for sweethearts at Willis Elementary in Lakewood Ranch

Valentine's ball features music, dancing and doughnuts.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 1, 2019
Lakewood Ranch area school fans flames of fun

Braden River Elementary hosts annual bonfire fundraiser.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mustangs senior forward Josh Young barrels into a Pirates defender on a drive to the basket.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 16, 2019
Mustangs extend culture of winning — and fun

The Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball program has had a consistent culture despite the typical turnover of high school rosters.

  • East County
  • Sports
Fifth-grader Kiran Kalia plays the xylophone.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2018
Witt Orffestra rings in holiday season

Children sing of snowmen and holidays in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 13, 2018
'Snowcoming' dance brightens scene at Braden River Middle

Middle-schoolers dance night away with friends.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 13, 2018
Students celebrate Veterans Day

Annual ceremony celebrates military, first responders at Freedom Elementary.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tara Elementary School third-grade teacher Katelyn Fulghum got to snuggle with her 5-year-old daughter Ella, a kindergartner, during the show.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 9, 2018
Tara Elementary celebrates veterans, first responders

Fourth-graders give patriotic performance in honor of Veterans Day.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 10, 2018
Students walk in wonder

Braden River Elementary families participate in Walk and Bike to School Day.

  • East County
  • Schools
Knowledge McDaniel is now eligible to play in the Pirates' final six regular season games.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 20, 2018
Braden River wide receiver ruled eligible for rest of regular season

The senior will still be ineligible for the postseason should Braden River qualify

  • East County
  • Sports
Cindy Rhategan uses her elbow to smash a board during her fifth-degree dan physical test. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 27, 2018
Lakewood Ranch woman officially a taekwondo 'master'

Lakewood Ranch resident Cindy Rhategan received her fifth-degree dan (black belt) at a ceremony at Lakewood Ranch Taekwondo on June 21.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 21, 2018
Campers are feelin' peachy in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch acting camp serves James his giant peach.

  • East County
  • Schools
Haile TSA students Reese Jones, Ryan Gustafson, Sidney Buice, Isabella Pasquale, Grace Kelley and Justin Tong hope their project will help the environment.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 20, 2018
Manatee County students to compete in national TSA competition

Haile TSA students promote environment with construction project.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 15, 2018
Woodland camp offers fantastical fun

Woodland Fine Arts Academy campers present 'Alice in Wonderland Jr."

  • East County
  • News
MTC Board of Governors member Dr. Richard Conard, Priscilla Haflich's son Rick Farmer and Manatee County School's Executive Director of Adult, Career and Technical Education Doug Wagner unveil a portrait of Haflich.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 14, 2018
MTC dedicates auditorium for late administrator

MTC East in Lakewood Ranch now has the Priscilla Haflich Auditorium.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 14, 2018
Lakewood Ranch area students explore healthcare careers at camp

LECOM students teach science camp.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 10, 2018
Land swap a go in Lakewood Ranch

School District, SMR move forward with deal.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 6, 2018
Manatee schools offer open enrollment

School choice for elementary schools runs through March 16.

  • East County
  • News
Rendering of the new middle school.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 2, 2018
Nominees announced for Lakewood Ranch middle school name

The School District of Manatee County school board will decide on the name March 13.

  • East County
  • News
Art Vetter from J.H. Williams Oil Company, Nolan asst. principal Lori Jones, owners Jose Rodriguez and Mike Hass, McNeal asst. principal Carol Ricks, County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh and owner Nick Salen presenting the checks.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • February 27, 2018
Fundraiser pumps funds into schools

Local convenience store efforts will benefit Manatee County schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 22, 2018
Bashaw sons, moms dance night away

Mothers, sons celebrate season of love.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • February 21, 2018
Braden River Elementary students connect with pen pals in China

East County fifth-graders corresponded with students a world away.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lacey Anderson listening to her coach, Bill Culver, read the clue for the trivia question.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • February 12, 2018
Local graduates compete in Brain Bowl

East County college students head for Brain Bowl.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 9, 2018
Willis Elementary dance is flurry of fun

The Snowflake Ball celebrated the love between fathers and their daughters.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River Elementary School third-grade teacher Kristen Collins assists student Trayon Goff, 8, with sounding out prefixes.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • February 7, 2018
School district makes its case for revenue increase

Superintendent Diana Greene talked to the public about the need for a 1 mill increase in property taxes.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 31, 2018
Pride is king of Nolan play

Nearly 50 students participate in "Lion King Kids."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 26, 2018
ODA's middle school students bring "High School Musical" to life

Students performed at Out-of-Door Academy's Black Box Theater.

  • East County
  • News
Josylyn Chapman, 12, completes math homework at her GreyHawk Landing home. She likely will be redistricted to attend the North River High School when it opens.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 17, 2018
Manatee School District prepares to move attendance lines

East County residents voice concerns about new Parrish high school.

  • East County
  • News
School officials are asking for suggestions on a name for the new school.
    By
  • Ryan Butler
  • January 17, 2018
School District asks public input for new middle school's name

The new school in Lakewood Ranch is set to open next to B.D. Gullett Elementary in 2019.

  • East County
  • Schools
Florida Gov. Rick Scott, center, cuts a ceremonial ribbon to celebrate a historic grant presented to MTC.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 10, 2018
Governor delivers historic grant to Manatee Technical College in Bradenton

MTC receives $200,000 from the first Florida Job Growth Grant Fund.

  • East County
  • News
Porter Osuch, a third-grader, colors on the first day of school in August at Willis Elementary. Willis is one of several East County schools at which the School District plans to add more classrooms. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 3, 2018
Growth fuels need for more teachers in Manatee County

Superintendent says district needs more money to lengthen school day, increase teacher pay.

  • East County
  • News
The new East County middle school will have "indoor circulation," meaning students will not have to go outside when switching classes.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 20, 2017
New Manatee County school will offer temporary relief

East County parents thankful overcrowding will ease in the short run for families living in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
School Choice sessions start Jan. 8.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2017
Manatee schools announce open enrollment requirements

The first wave of open choice enrollment starts Jan. 8.

  • East County
  • Schools
Samuel Lynch. Photo by Berkley Mason.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 13, 2017
Braden River Elementary goes 'NUTs' for PJ's

The Kiwanis Club gave students a memorable day in comfortable digs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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1
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.
  • July 8, 2026
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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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Avery Banfill (left) and Phoenix Scanlan (right) grew up on the same junior golf circuit. Their respective journeys converged at Parrish Community High and will converge once again at Memphis next fall.
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