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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
Mills says the district will close out the fiscal year with at least $8 million in reserves — a number that could shrink based on how much the district loses as a consequence of two state audits.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 10, 2014
Superintendent meets with state education commissioner

Manatee County School District Superintendent Rick Mills is in Tallahassee today to meet with Pam Stewart, Florida Department of Education commissioner, in his bid to reduce costs owed to the state.

  • East County
  • News
Sandy Russell with her 2-year-old son, Everett
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 8, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Gene Witt Elementary Winter Carnival

Gene Witt Elementary School students experienced a day of fun and games at the school's annual Winter Carnival Feb. 8.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brooke Price, Aly Wilson and Samantha Dautorio
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Father/Daughter Dance

Fathers and daughters enjoyed a dance Feb. 7 at Bashaw Elementary School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Madison Hartwig and Christian Mark join a conga line.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Fairy Tale Ball

Fathers and daughters at Braden River Elementary School danced the night away at a Fairy Tale Ball Feb. 7.

  • East County
  • News
Kevin Berkenbusch, Alec Puhalovich, Ashlyn Falahee and Bryan Dexter found a seat on the back of a pickup truck.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: LRHS Sadie Hawkins

Lakewood Ranch High School's Student Government Association hosted its first Sadie Hawkins dance Feb. 7.

  • East County
  • News
Students of USF's College of Hospitality and Technology Leadership, hosted an event to celebrate the school's newest addition — a culinary lab on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 6, 2014
USF culinary lab officially opens to the public

Faculty and students of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, and the Lakewood Ranch community, officially cut the ribbon on the school's new Culinary Innovation Lab Feb. 5.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seven-year-old Dylan McClintock enjoys eggs with his grandfather Don Gilmore.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 5, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Grandparents' Breakfast at Freedom Elementary

Freedom Elementary students brought their grandparents to school to socialize and munch on an early morning meal, for the Grandparents' Breakfast event Feb. 5.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chinese exchange students  Jeffrey Qiu, Cheyenne Zhang, Liz Zhuo, Frank Liao and Tina Shibano  visited students at the academy's lower school. They are pictured with Claire Maag, Luca Marino and Johnny Robinson, front row.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 5, 2014
Chinese students glean lessons from visit

Five teenagers from Beijing contrast the teaching style at ODA with schools back home.

  • East County
  • Schools
Christopher, Luciana and Matthew Silva prepare to eat.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Principal Breakfast

Tara Elementary School celebrated 96 students who earned straight A's, during a principal's breakfast Jan. 31.

  • East County
  • News
Tyler Shanahan with his mom, Katina, joins Martha Hall and her children, Valeria and Alejandro Marquez.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Pirate Run

East County residents sported their pirate cheer Feb. 1, during the second annual Pirate 5K/10K Walk Run.

  • East County
  • Sports
Monica, Ty, 7, and Kevin Moore feast on a pancake breakfast at Tara Elementary School. The event awarded Tara's 90 students who earned straight A's. Principal Steve Royce even cooked the pancakes.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 31, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Pancake Prize

PHOTO GALLERY: Pancake Prize

  • East County
  • Schools
Representatives from every public school and charter school in Manatee County will be at the fair to discuss educational programs, academies and opportunities.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 27, 2014
Information fair signals start of School Choice

Manatee County Public School District's School Choice enrollment period officially begins Jan. 28, but parents can also sign up their students at a School Information Fair Monday night.

  • East County
  • Schools
Zaid Harakat, 10, shows off his battle skills.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 26, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Winter Carnival

Families at Tara Elementary School enjoyed an evening of food, inflatables and carnival-style games Jan. 24, during the school's winter carnival event. Families even had a chance to play in the snow.

  • East County
  • Schools
Eunice Garcia, a senior at Manatee School for the Arts, enjoys photography as a hobby, but wants to pursue a medical career.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 25, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Heart & Soul Gala

The Manatee Education Foundation hosted the seventh annual 2014 Heart & Soul Gala and Live Art Auction Jan. 25 at Polo Grill. Student artists were recognized for their work and received scholarships ranging from $150 to $1,500 and other gifts.

  • East County
  • News
Fourth-grader Lizett Hernandez read under the light.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 23, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Literacy Wonderland

Braden River Elementary School offered a warm reading place at its first Literacy Wonderland event, Jan. 23.

  • East County
  • News
The forums, new this school year, are a way for the district to promote transparency.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 22, 2014
District hosts community engagement forum

The Manatee County School District rolls out its second community engagement forum tonight, in a meeting of district staff and the public.

  • East County
  • News
Amanda Sebastiano Nine-year-old Zoey Lipton cares for fruits and vegetables located inside EarthBoxes at B.D. Gullett Elementary School.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 22, 2014
Students use green thumbs

Gullett students learn to care for plants using EarthBoxes.

  • East County
  • Schools
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