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East County | Schools

Blake Bennett, Pine View School senior, tries to put intensity into his sound during a master class session.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 16, 2015
Fiati Five holds master class for local high school students

Braden River High School hosted the internationally-recognized wind quintet.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Susan Myers, a McNeal parent, writes down notes about each candidate.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • June 4, 2015
McNeal Elementary School community questions potential principals

Three candidates are poised to replace Norma Scott. The new administrator will be announced Friday, June 5.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • May 30, 2015
Out-of-Door Academy celebrates 61 graduates

The Out-of-Door Academy held its 17th commencement on May 30.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students walk to their seats in the convention center.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 28, 2015
Lakewood Ranch seniors say goodbye to high school

The class of 2015's 490 students walked to receive their diplomas Thursday, May 28.

  • East County
  • Schools
Christina Mohr leads the graduates into the classroom for the ceremony.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 27, 2015
Lakewood Ranch Mini-Mustangs gallop to graduation

Fifteen students graduated from the Lakewood Ranch High School preschool program in which high school students assist kids in learning and interacting.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 27, 2015
Bashaw Elementary explores America for art and music festival

Artwork and music filled the halls during the festival Thursday, May 21.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brandon Stoddart, fourth grade, gives Serendipity the llama some bunny ears.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 22, 2015
Bashaw Elementary celebrates North America at Art and Music Festival

Each year, students perform and display artwork that represents the culture they learned about during the year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students circled up to dance in the Polo Grill ballroom.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 17, 2015
Braden River High School celebrates prom on Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Students danced at Polo Grill.

  • East County
  • Schools
Janet Williams, Bunni Roberts, Tina Backhus, Marcy Davidson, Linda Haluska and Mary Searing are all teachers who have been at Tara Elementary School since it opened 23 years ago.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 16, 2015
Marcy Davidson retires from Tara Elementary School

Davidson's colleagues threw her a party to celebrate her 23 years at Tara.

  • East County
  • Schools
Basia Kuehn plays in the chamber orchestra.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 16, 2015
Nolan Middle fills Lakewood Ranch Main Street for annual fundraiser

Parents, teachers and students put on Nolan Night on Main Street Saturday, May 16.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River Middle School dancers perform a routine to Love Runs Out.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 14, 2015
Tara Elementary, Braden River Middle School dancers team up for recital

Elementary and middle school dance students presented 14 routines to friends and family.

  • East County
  • Schools
Peyton Gray, a kindergartener, dances back to his seat after winning the All-Pro Dad Breakfast raffle for a t-shirt.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 12, 2015
Willis Elementary students and dads bond at final All Pro Dad Breakfast

Students said why they thought their dads were cool, and fathers described their proudest moments.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • May 7, 2015
How is your mom special?

Students at Phillippi Shores Elementary School and B.D. Gullett Elementary School wish their mothers' a happy Mother's Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Dawson Young and Nick Petruccelli listen to a presentation by Robert Rehmer.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 5, 2015
Lakewood Ranch Imagine Schools students prepare for Washington D.C. trip

Retired Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sentinel presented to eighth-graders yesterday.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bella Guzman and Lentz Laurent
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 2, 2015
Lakewood Ranch High School students dance amid 007-theme

Around 570 students filled the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Schools
Julia Price holds up the Florida State flag while another student explains the symbolism behind it.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • May 1, 2015
Bashaw Elementary fourth grade students perform Sunshine State history

It was the first year the fourth grade transformed a core topic of study into a program.

  • East County
  • Schools
Zak Barnes, Sarah Davis, Christian Berendes, Marianna Haluska and Zach Berendes
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 25, 2015
Cardinal Mooney hosts masquerade prom

Elegance was the key for the masquerade theme for the Cardinal Mooney Catholic School prom Saturday night at the Lakewood Ranch Polo Grill.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
'The Wiz'
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 1, 2015
Emerald City shines at ODA

Theater students at The Out-of-Door Academy brought the sights and sounds of “The Wizard of Oz” to life.

  • East County
  • Schools
As a lifelong lover of dressing up and helping others, Samantha Hyatt realized creating a dress donation program at Lakewood Ranch High School was the perfect project. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 1, 2015
Lakewood Ranch student helps classmates primp for prom

As prom approaches at Lakewood Ranch High, one students seeks to make it accessible for others.

  • East County
  • News
Dorothy Rodriguez and Jamie Newby test their fine motor skills at an occupational therapy booth.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 19, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: LRHS College and Career Fair

Students at Lakewood Ranch High School today explored their college and occupational options during the school's annual College and Career Fair.

  • East County
  • News
Lou Gagliardi answer's Sam Deangelo's questions about the engine in his 2014 Ford.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 14, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: MTC Car and Bike Show

The parking lot of Manatee Technical College turned into a showcase for vintage acars, hot rods and motorcycles Feb. 25, during the school's annual Car and Bike Show.

  • East County
  • News
Last year, the Manatee County School District's total revenue increased $15.50 million from 2013.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 9, 2015
Manatee County School Board to review 2014 financial statements

At its meeting at 5:45 p.m. Feb. 10, the Manatee County School District will discuss its financial standings, through Dec. 31, 2014.

  • East County
  • Schools
Melanie Murphy and Julia Patten love spending time with each other and their dads.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 6, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Witt Father/Daughter Dance

Girls at Gene Witt Elementary School danced the night away with their friends and fathers Feb. 9, during the school's 'Under the Sea' themed father/daughter dance.

  • East County
  • News
Brad Gemme twirls his daughters, Madilyn, let, and Chelsea, right.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 6, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Fairy Tale Ball

Girls at Braden River Elementary School enjoyed a magical evening with their fathers Feb. 6, during the school's annual Fairy Tale Ball.

  • East County
  • News
Ryan Guendjoian and Brennan Maguire, as the March Hare and the Mad Hatter,  celebrate a non-birthday together.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 5, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: 'Alice in Wonderland Jr.'

Students at Nolan Middle School bring to life the tale of Alice in Wonderland with performances of "Alice in Wonderland Jr." tonight and Saturday. Tickets cost $5.

  • East County
  • News
Abbey Widmer enjoys muffins with her son, Tyson, 7.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 4, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Muffins with Mom

The Willis Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization carved out some special mother-child time Feb. 5, during its Muffins with Mom event before school.

  • East County
  • News
Pajama factory workers hold a rally.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 4, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: "The Pajama Game"

The Lakewood Ranch High School theater department opened "The Pajama Game" tonight. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. through Feb. 7, and at 2 p.m. Feb. 8, at Lakewood Ranch High.

  • East County
  • News
Former Superintendent Gene Witt, 85, died Feb. 5.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 4, 2015
Gene Witt namesake dies

Former Superintendent Gene Witt died Feb. 5. He was 85 years old.

  • East County
  • Schools
Naara Silva, Savannah Roberts and T.J. Besterman are in first grade.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 29, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Football Frenzy

Children at the Tabernacle Christian School dressed in their favorite team's garb and headed to a grassy field Jan. 30 for the school's annual Football Frenzy and Bible Trivia event.

  • East County
  • News
Of the 17 county students advancing to the 60th annual State Science and Engineering Fair in March, nine are form East County.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 28, 2015
After big wins regionally, East County students head to state science competition

Nine East County students won first-place at the Lockheed Martin Manatee Regional Science and Engineering Fair recently. The troupe will advance to the 60th annual State Science and Engineering Fair, held March 31 through April 2, in Lakeland.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 25, 2015
East County student's short film wins at Miami film festival

A short film written and directed by Braden River High student Carrie Dutting, "Alike" won first place at the Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival shorts competition, held Jan. 23 and Jan. 24. Dutting also won the Young Prodigy Award.

  • East County
  • Schools
Elvin Karimov, 9, unlocks a door to win a prize.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 23, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Winter Carnival

Families at McNeal Elementary School enjoyed a day of carnival-style games, pizza and hot dogs, a silent auction and other festivities during the school's Winter Carnival Jan. 24, at the school.

  • East County
  • News
Michelle Fegan, Cemia Gough and Lexi Tibbets-Black are in fifth grade.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 22, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Freedom Father-Daughter Dance

Freedom Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization hosted a special winter wonderland-themed Father/Daughter Dance Jan. 23.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
in 2015 i resolve to ...

In the new year, East County students pledge to play outside, read more, help the elderly, be nicer to their siblings and maybe even buy a pet goat.

  • East County
  • Schools
Annie
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Dear Santa:

Students from East County schools share their holiday wishes.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools earned “A” grades for the third consecutive year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
East County high schools excel in graduation rates, school grades

Two East County high schools received "A" grades and had high graduation rates in the 2013-2014 school year, a Florida Department of Education report shows.

  • East County
  • News
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