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East County | Schools

The butterfly on Chiana Webber’s carnation munches on the sugar-covered carnation before flying away.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: All God's Children Preschool butterfly release day

A frenzy of children, who sported pipe cleaner antennae on their heads and paper wings on their backs, filled the playground of All God's Children Preschool April 23. The 11 students in Carol Beatty's VPK class said goodbye to their new friends - the butterflies they have had in their classroom and for which they have cared since the insects were caterpillars - during butterfly release day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Students in Marti Bhame's second-grade class at Braden River Elementary take a bow.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: 'The Three F's...Fables, Folktales and Fairy Tales'

Students in Marti Bhame's second-grade class, at Braden River Elementary, embodied fictional characters and brought their stories to life during their production of "The Three F's...Fables, Folktales and Fairy Tales," April 17. The students performed three bite-sized renditions of "The Grasshopper and the Ant," "Dinerella" - "Cinderella" with dinosaurs - and "Stone Soup." Each mini play represented a different type of story to coincide with fairy tale and other story-themed curriculum Bhame has been teaching.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jorgin Palacios' 4-year-old class poses with the Easter Bunny.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiddie Academy Egg Hunt

Children at Kiddie Academy enjoyed visits with the Easter Bunny, as well as an Easter egg hunt April 17, on the school's playground.

  • East County
  • News
Haile Middle School Principal Janet Kerley announced her retirement April 8.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 14, 2014
Janet Kerley will retire from Haile Middle School

After 12 years at Haile Middle School, Principal Janet Kerley will retire at the end of the school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Barbara and Courtney Bradley enjoy playing dress up.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 11, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Elementary Spring Luau

For $2, Tara Elementary students and their families enjoyed face painting, pizza, performances by the school's dance team and other activities at the annual Spring Luau. The proceeds from the seventh fundraiser of its type, which transformed the field behind the East County school into a Hawaiian destination, will go toward supplies for the teachers' classrooms.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
CONTRIBUTED  Braden River High senior Sam Woolf moved on in the "American Idol" competition April 10, and will compete among the show's top seven contestants.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 11, 2014
UPDATE: Sam Woolf sails into top seven on "American Idol"

Sam Woolf wins a spot in the top seven on "American Idol" April 10.

  • East County
  • News
Madeline Naylor, Bianca Guidotti and Sarah Karp dance to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 28, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: 'Back to the '80s'

Performances of 'Back to the '80s..The Totally Awesome Musical' run at 7 p.m. tonight through March 29 at The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • East County
  • News
Daniel Clark, in white, jumps with friends.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 21, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Jump for Fun

Children at Bashaw Elementary School jumped ropes Friday for the school's Jump for Fun fundraiser.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kaidi Gullion, Maya Almand, Mazey Driscoll, Molly Aldrich and Hope Panagiotu race a 50 yard dash.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 21, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tabernacle School Olympics

Children at the Tabernacle Christian School competed for bragging rights March 20 and March 21 as the school hosted its annual Olympics event.

  • East County
  • News
Nesselhauf has served as Lakewood Ranch High School's principal for about six years.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 19, 2014
Lakewood principal announces retirement

Linda Nesselhauf today announced her pending retirement.

  • East County
  • Schools
Regardless of how far Sam Woolf makes it on "American Idol" now, he will tour the country this summer.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 18, 2014
Q&A: Sam Woolf

Braden River High senior Sam Woolf talks "American Idol."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ten-year-old Austin Parcels jumps during the school’s obstacle course.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: B.D. Gullett Elementary Walk-a-thon

B.D. Gullett Elementary students ran for more than just spending an hour outside of the classroom March 14. The walkers, joggers and runners raised dollars for their school's technology and other resource needs. Their two-weeks worth of efforts commenced with the schools Walk-a-thon. Incentives for the students to raise as much money as possible, included an Amazon Kindle Fire, bounce house parties for classes, and the grand prize - watching school faculty members ride around on scooters, with dyed hair.

  • East County
  • Schools
Puppets Boris and Bobolika were created by students Will McBride and Alicia Hebert. Boris and Bobolika are a Russian couple who long for a child.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Puppet Show

Gifted students at Braden River Elementary performed puppet shows for fellow students March 13 and March 14.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 14, 2014
UPDATE: Sam Woolf sings his way to the top 10 on 'American Idol'

Braden River High senior Sam Woolf makes it into the top 10 on 'American Idol.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 13, 2014
McNeal Elementary students 'Feed the Frog' for charity

McNeal Elementary students have raised $2,095 so far to benefit The Payton Wright Foundation.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seventeen-year-olds Megan Reynolds and Emily Sisk sport their Girl Scout vests.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 12, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Girl Scouts Luncheon

Women of varying affiliations with the Girl Scout Gulfcoast Florida chapter met March 12 at Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom, from ladies who work for partnering companies that let troops sell cookies outside of their doors, to the actual scouts and other corporate faces of the program. Guest speaker and Girl Scout alum Blair Bloomston spoke to attendees about bullying and the importance of leadership during the Girl Scouts Luncheon.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Head Curator of Sarasota Jungle Gardens’ Animal Department Jeremiah Nichol shows students a Pacman frog.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 12, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Jungle Gardens visits Love Comes First Preschool and Child Care Center

Students at Love Comes First Preschool and Child Care Center had their eyes glued to the Head Curator of Sarasota Jungle Gardens' Animal Department, Jeremiah Nichol, as he gently removed a snake, a frog, a baby alligator and a lizard from their carriers March 12. As part of the school's reptiles and amphibians unit, preschool owners Colleen Nicolini and Daleace Burrus annually arrange for a Jungle Garden's representative to give the children, ages 2-5, an up close look at Florida's wildlife.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 12, 2014
Braden River High students gather to support Sam Woolf on 'American Idol'

Students at Braden River High School will meet tonight for an "American Idol" watch party to support classmate Sam Woolf.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 12, 2014
Students act as school leaders

Gene Witt students receive on-the-job training from teachers and administrators.

  • East County
  • Schools
Emily Weott and Kaitlyn Scirica dance to "She’s in love."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 8, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: 'Little Mermaid' splashes at Haile

Students at Haile Middle School brought Disney's "The Little Mermaid" to life during performance March 7 and March 8. The final performance is today at 3 p.m.

  • East County
  • News
Nathan Abate, 8, Bridget Coppens, 8, Haley McKitterick, 7, and Ella East, 7.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 7, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Elementary Walk-a-thon

After raising $18,000 for their Wacky Wildcat Walk-a-thon March 7, McNeal Elementary students enjoyed time outside after their hard work. About 90% of the children raised at least $1 to go toward new laptops and Tablets for the school. Students in each grade level walked, jogged and sprinted as they competed to win gold, silver and bronze medals for the fastest times, per grade.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 5, 2014
Nolan Middle School students hold mock trial

Nolan's gifted civics students act as Supreme Court justices as they decide constitutionality of a recent case.

  • East County
  • News
Lily Russ, 1, and Brenlyn Madison, 1, play Thing One and Thing Two.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • March 3, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiddie Academy's Dr. Seuss Party

In honor of Theodor Seuss Geisel, known as Dr. Seuss, recent birthday, students and faculty at the Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch sported construction paper hats and T-shirts with Seuss' signature symbols, such as "The Cat in the Hat," for their Dr. Seuss Party March 3. For lunch, the children munched on green eggs and ham, and later listened to their teachers read various stories by the author throughout the day.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jake Nolin, Nathan Inverso, Janie Inverso and Kerry and Hunter Walsh all run for Rowlett Elementary School.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 3, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Take Stock in Children 5K

Supporters of education in Manatee County laced up their tennis shoes March 2 and headed to Lakewood Ranch Main Street for the fifth annual Take Stock in Children 10K/5K/Fun Run.

  • East County
  • News
Jay Bell and his son, Jayden, 6, feast on popcorn.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 28, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Freedom Family Social

Families at Freedom Elementary School gathered Feb. 28 for a family social night. Attendees enjoyed popcorn and ice cream and games such as bingo.

  • East County
  • News
Anyssia Cotto, 10, says "cheese" in the shade.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 28, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Elementary Walk-a-thon

Tara Elementary students of all grade levels took turns walking, jogging and running for their annual Walk-a-thon event Feb. 28. The event, designed to get students outdoors and exercising,was hosted on a field nestled in the back corner of the school, which also featured a water and popsicle station for students to retrieve refreshments after working up a sweat. While fundraising for the event was optional, and all students participated in the walk, those who raised money during the door-to-door fundraising effort turned over the donations to go toward the school's future technology needs.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 27, 2014
UPDATE: Viewers have new ways to vote for Sam Woolf on 'American Idol'

Sam Woolf competes as part of the top 13 on 'American Idol.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Two-year-old Kellan Jones plays around on an inflatable obstacle course.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 22, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: B.D. Gullett Elementary's Winter Carnival

B.D. Gullett Elementary students and their families gathered for games and socializing Feb. 22, on the lawn of the East County school, for the annual Winter Carnival.

  • East County
  • News
Cousins and 3-year-olds Haven Wood and Madeline Barett try to empty toys out of the pool.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 22, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Faith Preschool's Kid's Carnival

Children with painted faces sprinted through the grass during the annual Kid's Carnival Feb. 22 at Faith Preschool, in Bradenton. The family-friendly event featured games, a face-painting booth and a silent auction for patrons. Proceeds benefited the East County preschool.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fifteen-year-old Brian Long focuses on the music.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 22, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River High Band Booster's Association's Winter Carnival

The sound of trumpets, drums and other instruments filled the air of the parking lot in front of Braden River High Feb. 22, for the Braden River High Band Booster's Association's Winter Carnival. Proceeds from the event benefit band programs at the East County school.

  • East County
  • News
Isaiah Carpenter with Christian and Nicholas Gesualdi
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 22, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Lego-tastic Mother-Son Fun Night

Bashaw Elementary School held a Lego-tastic Mother-Son Fun Night Feb. 21. Male students at the school, with their mother, sister, aunt or grandma, built Lego creations, listened to music and ate pizza.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 21, 2014
Students explore career options

Lakewood Ranch High School hosted a career fair today.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 20, 2014
UPDATE: Sam Woolf survives another day on 'American Idol'

East County's Sam Woolf made it through to be one of the top 10 men in the 13th season of "American Idol."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Haile Middle VEX Robotic Team: Lincoln Benedicto, Brantley Deines, Michael Kisada and Patrick Downing.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 14, 2014
Haile robotics team earns admission to state competition

Haile Middle School's VEX Robotic Team won the 'Tampa Prep Throwdown' this month, qualifying the squad for the Florida VEX Robotics State Championship.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 12, 2014
School board approves Braden River HS land sale

The Manatee County School Board agreed on a contract to sell undeveloped property at Braden River High School.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County School District finance staff said it needs to sell the Braden River High School property to balance its budget.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 11, 2014
School board votes on contract to sell Braden River HS property

The Manatee County School Board will decide today if it wants to enter a contract to sell an undeveloped parcel of land at Braden River High School.

  • East County
  • News
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