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East County | Schools

    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • November 25, 2015
Lakewood Ranch kids talk about Thanksgiving

Students at Kiddie Academy list their favorite feast foods.

  • East County
  • Schools
Doug Kovatch, a parent, volunteered to help Kristi Dyer, third-grade teacher, make the cotton candy. Kovatch said he used to work at a baseball stadium, so he was familiar with the proper cotton-candy-making technique.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • November 14, 2015
McNeal Elementary PTO hosts fall festival

The proceeds raise money for classrooms.

  • East County
  • Schools
Louis Jackson, a teacher's aide at Haile, was the MC for assembly. Jackson is a Navy veteran.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • November 11, 2015
Haile students listen to local veteran

The school held a special program for Veteran's Day.

  • East County
  • Schools
Alexandria Williams talks about the meaning of patriotism during the assembly.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • November 10, 2015
Tara students honor veterans

Tara Elementary School held its first program for Veteran's Day.

  • East County
  • Schools
Carrie Dutting and Laura Rodriguez dressed up as pirates. Dutting even has a book of piratology, which she incorporated into her costume.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • November 6, 2015
Pirates commandeer Braden River High School for spirit day

Every day of the week featured a different theme.

  • East County
  • Schools
Thais Fernandes applies fake blood to her fake cut.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 28, 2015
How to have a horrific Halloween

Lakewood Ranch High School’s Mustang Players get dead-on tips for scary makeup.

  • East County
  • Schools
Coy Mahan, Jayden Vilayvong, Nathan Parker and Dylan Martorano sport orange Oct. 21 to offer visible support for the stand against bullying.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 28, 2015
Braden River Middle School takes stand against bullying

October is National Bullying Prevention Month.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dana Towell, Brooklyn McCutchan and Matt Stamos
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 24, 2015
Tara Elementary holds annual fall festival

The festival helps raise money for classroom budgets.

  • East County
  • Schools
Third-grade teacher Kim Hoy directs students to start the walk.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 23, 2015
Gene Witt students walk for animal wellbeing

The elementary school raised $505 for the humane society.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River Middle School students dance in the courtyard before class Oct. 21 in celebration of anti-bullying efforts.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 21, 2015
Braden River dances against bullying

Students wore orange as part of the festivities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Alexa Gettel, third-grader, gets some air in the bounce house.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 16, 2015
ODA celebrates homecoming

The weekend events started with a family picnic Friday night.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mary Grace Epps and Jackson Helwege as Fiona and Shrek
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 11, 2015
Lakewood Ranch High School students perform Shrek the Musical, Jr.

The play is an on-stage musical adaptation of the animated movie.

  • East County
  • Schools
William Pope, 8 bicycled two miles with his brother, Andrew, and dad, Robert.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2015
Families use pedal power to promote safety

Braden River Elementary School families participated in the national Walk and Bike to School Day today.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 4, 2015
Dads, doughnuts hit at Freedom Elementary School

The PTO hosted its annual Donuts with Dads event Oct. 2.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ashley and Mitch Teitelbaum take a photo of themselves to remember the moment.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • September 30, 2015
Haile Middle celebrates Dads Take Your Child to School Day

For the inaugural countywide event, the East County school offered breakfast for fathers and their children.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kalli Johnson, Jalyn Thompson, Cienna Davis and Mackenzie Brielmann sport similar knee-length dark dresses.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • September 26, 2015
Lakewood Ranch High celebrates homecoming

Lakewood Ranch High celebrates homecoming

  • East County
  • Schools
Scarlett and Hunter Handley share jokes during snack time.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • September 26, 2015
Freedom Elementary hosts Mother-Son Night

During the annual event, mothers and their sons competed against other families in rounds of Hungry Hippo, Tug of War and a three-legged race.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 25, 2015
Mustangs edge past Blazers and Thunder in Tri-Match

The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team shot a combined 153 to win its Tri-Match Sept. 24.

  • East County
  • Sports
Fifth-graders Lauren Costello, Â Alexis Suter and Daniel Rumbo take a lap around the new track while learning about how to run at a steady pace.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 23, 2015
New Tara Elementary track jogs students' enthusiasm

The school's track was upgraded from grass to clay, thanks to some extra dollars from a district project.

  • East County
  • News
Students wave their Picasso doves during the Monday morning assembly.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 21, 2015
Gullett Elementary celebrates International Day of Peace

Students delivered a program to their classmates for their annual peace pole dedication.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 16, 2015
And the survey says ...

Manatee County School Board members got a mixed review of the district from two surveys in August.

  • East County
  • News
Teachers Susan Hagerman, first-grade, Pat Knowlton, art, and Deb Peterson, kindergarten, supervise the scoop station.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 12, 2015
Tara Elementary parents, students socialize over scoops

The Parent Teacher Organization hosted the annual Ice Cream Social Friday.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kyle Davenport shows off his eccentric costume for the photo booth.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 10, 2015
Braden River Middle School students glow up the gym

The school held a special dance for participants of an academic program.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District had anticipated about 1,000 more students.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 4, 2015
Manatee schools release 10-day count

Overall, enrollment is up 635 students compared with last school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Robert Zhang thows his sponges at the principal.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 4, 2015
Braden River Elementary administrators soak up summer learning success

Students who finished summertime packets got to throw sponges at the principal and assistant principal.

  • East County
  • Schools
Christa Briener, the voluntary pre-kindergarten teacher, reads a bok to Nolan Lee, 4.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 31, 2015
Kiddie Academy promotes literacy with help from Curious George

The Lakewood Ranch early learning center held its annual Story Time Alive event Saturday.

  • East County
  • Schools
Shaneki Bradley and Dr. Laura Swaim analyze the anatomy of the spine.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 26, 2015
Keiser University offers job options

Keiser University, an East County institution, Aug. 25 hosted its annual Career Fair.

  • East County
  • Schools
Laura Sherry gives her son, Luke, 8, one last hug before he starts his third-grade class.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 24, 2015
McNeal Elementary welcomes students for first day of school

Parents snapped photos and walked children to class.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 21, 2015
Manatee County School District releases district facts

About 48,000 students will be enrolled for the 2015-2016 year.

  • East County
  • Schools
ODA upper school students ail utilize a range of equipment, such as telescopes and a 3-D printer.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 19, 2015
Lakewood Ranch ODA opens new facility

Lakewood Ranch Out-of-Door Academy students' first day back to school started with the unveiling of a $4.5 million facility, which houses The Dick Vitale Family Student Center and the Dart Foundation STEM Center.

  • East County
  • Schools
School starts Aug. 24 for Manatee County public school students.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 18, 2015
Manatee County schools open for registration, schedule open house events

Manatee County schools open for registration, schedule open house events

  • East County
  • News
Aaron Harshman finds his perfect pitch.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 14, 2015
Lakewood Ranch High band plays on

Lakewood Ranch High band plays on during two-week band camp

  • East County
  • Schools
Megan Labrecque waits for formation instructions.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 13, 2015
Braden River High band marches through summer

A two-week band camp at Braden River High School offers lessons on marching fundamentals and band basics before school starts Aug. 24.

  • East County
  • Schools
Principal Joshua Bennett and Assistant Principal Beth Marshall in the Bashaw Peace Garden
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 12, 2015
Building up from the foundation

William H. Bashaw Elementary School celebrates 30 years

  • East County
  • News
Bashaw Elementary Principal Josh Bennett hopes the renovation and implementation of STEAM curriculum will bring the East County school up to speed with other area schools.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 22, 2015
Bashaw Elementary prepares for first-class makeover

An expanded cafeteria and a possible building addition that would house 10 classrooms are part of a $10 million renovation.

  • East County
  • News
The Manatee County School District is in need of a fifth school board member.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 17, 2015
Manatee County school board seeks fifth member

After District 5 representative Mary Cantrell died, the Manatee County school board is one member short. Who will fill the seat?

  • East County
  • News
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Three comedians including Bradenton's Tim Boyd will perform at the “Hearts of Hope: A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser to benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry on Feb. 13.
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Nonprofits to host Valentine's comedy fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch
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The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
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Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
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Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
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Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
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