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East County | Schools

Kayla Gardner, Donovan Cinilli, Kayten Brinn and Emily Townsend
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • November 20, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw American Education Week Musical

As part of American Education Week, Bashaw Elementary School third-graders performed a patriotic musical Nov. 19. The show was dedicated to third grade student Alexia Wolf and her father, Sgt. Troy Wood, who is serving the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

  • East County
  • Schools
Aranibar says her priority is to get the board to set a stronger set of policies and procedures for itself that are transparent and easy to follow.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • November 20, 2013
Aranibar elected school board chair

The Manatee County School Board voted 4-1 to make Julie Aranibar, the district 5 representative, chairwoman.

  • East County
  • Schools
With their parents by their side, Lakewood Ranch High seniors Ramsey Touchberry and Danny Walker make their college choices official during a signing ceremony Nov. 13.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 20, 2013
Mustang golf standouts ink college scholarships

Seniors Ramsey Touchberry and Danny Walker both signed national letters of intent Nov. 13.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sam Woolf sang and played a self-written song, “The Same.”
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • November 15, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River's Got Talent

Singers, dancers and performers showed their skills at the Braden River's Got Talent Showcase at Braden River High School Nov. 14.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brian Hersh came out with his family: Lillian, Lauren and Gideon.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 9, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Thunder Fun Day

Families at The Out-of-Door Academy enjoyed a morning of school spirit and fun, as ODA hosted its annual Thunder Fun Day event Nov. 9.

  • East County
  • Schools
Allie Daniel, an eighth grader, played the violin.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • November 8, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Nolan's Got Talent!

Nolan Middle School celebrated its 10-year anniversary with its ninth annual Nolan's Got Talent! show Nov. 7. The talent show's former two-time winner, Daniel Shelvin, returned as a guest judge and performer.

  • East County
  • News
Veterans of all military branches attended the event.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River salutes veterans

Students at Braden River Middle School celebrated U.S. military veterans, during a special courtyard ceremony Nov. 6.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tim and Lisa Holler with Melissa and Matt Rixon; Melissa Rixon is co-vice president of the McNeal Parent Teacher Organization.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • November 1, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Elementary 10-year Anniversary Gala

Supporters came out to McNeal Elementary School's 10-year Anniversary Celebration Gala Nov. 1. The event, at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, featured a Texas Hold 'Em tournament, dancing, cocktails and food.

  • East County
  • Schools
Marissa Veith, Ilona Van Sprundel and Lexi Bruneman were eager to see their teacher get wet in the dunk tank.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 1, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Witt Walk-a-thon

Children at Gene Witt Elementary School helped raise money for their special-education classes, including music and physical education, Nov. 1, during Witt's annual walk-a-thon fundraiser.

  • East County
  • Schools
Beckett Smith, 4, "honked" at the crowd, during a Halloween-themed parade at The Goddard School.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 31, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Goddard Halloween Parade

Children at The Goddard School at Lakewood Ranch marched around the playground, during a Halloween-inspired parade Oct. 30.

  • East County
  • News
Dan Stephens, pictured with his daughter, Summer, decorated his tailgate with an ocean theme.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 31, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Little Ranchers Trunk or Treat

Children in Lakewood Ranch Baptist's Little Ranchers program enjoyed a trunk-or-treating event Oct. 30.

  • East County
  • News
Lisa Brooks' and Craig Jordan's class made sure to gather for a group photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 31, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Sprouts Trunk or Treat

Sprouts Child Development Center at Harvest United Methodist Church hosted a Trunk or Treat event for students Oct. 30.

  • East County
  • Schools
Unanticipated costs include $489,000 to hire 27 ESE paraprofessionals, $317,000 for seven gifted teachers, $407,000 for nine voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) teachers and $200,000 for nine VPK teacher aides.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 29, 2013
School district must make up $3.9 million

The Manatee County School District announced new, unanticipated costs that came after the school board adopted its budget in September.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Saint Stephen's football team played its first game on its new field Oct. 25.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 29, 2013
Falcons open new athletic center

Saint Stephen's Episcopal School officially opened its new $5 million state-of-the-art athletic facility during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 23.

  • East County
  • Schools
Chase Polivchak, 6, passed out candy with his sister, Zoe, 9.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 26, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Harvest Moon Bash

Families at Braden River Elementary School celebrated the fall season Oct. 26, during the school's Harvest Moon Bash event.

  • East County
  • News
Assistant superintendent Bob Gagnon, an East County resident who formerly served as assistant principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, was one of three administrators suspended without pay.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 15, 2013
Two school administrators depart; three suspended without pay

Two Manatee County School District administrators stepped down and three others were suspended without pay based on findings from a misconduct investigation of a former Manatee High School assistant football coach. '¨

  • East County
  • Schools
Bruyonna Graneum, a sophomore, freshmen Duraia Cox-Gibson and Precious Mitchell and sophomore Emaya Austin
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 13, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Homecoming Dance

Braden River High School held its homecoming dance Oct. 12. At the 'Comic Book' themed dance, held in the school's gym, students could watch clips of super hero movies on a projector screen as they grooved.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sophia Albrecht, 6, encountered a patient simulator. In SCF’s simulation center, aspiring nurses and physicians train on these computerized mannequins.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 9, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: SCF Lakewood Ranch Open House

State College of Florida's Lakewood Ranch campus celebrated 10 years in business at an open house Oct. 8. Prospective students and their families toured the school's Medical Technology and Simulation Center and learned about SCF programs and services.

  • East County
  • Schools
Maxime Provost and his teammates rush out for Friday night football.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : ODA v Bishop Verot

The Out-of-Door Academy lost Friday, Oct. 4, to Bishop Verot 56 - 0.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophomore Nick Bartoszek, 15, and freshman Brad Herring, 14, play the clarinet in the band together.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Lakwood Ranch High School Homecoming continued

Freshmen Katie Stincer and Nate Strawderman, sophomores Julie Castanzo and Gabriel Overton juniors John Merritt and Katie Molinari and seniors Brianna Adams and Chris Pearcey were crowned princes and princesses.

  • East County
  • Sports
Amy Bulfin, 16, plays Thrift Shop by Macklemore on the clarinet.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Lakewood Ranch High School Homecoming

Lakewood Ranch High School students experienced a sweet homecoming Friday, Oct. 4, when they beat North Port High School 35 to 21. Seniors Wyatt Mcleod and Marina Masterson were crowned homecoming king and queen.

  • East County
  • Sports
Superintendent Rick Mills said the budget process, his first, was challenging because the district had to create a line-item budget from scratch.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • September 18, 2013
School board adopts budget

The Manatee County School Board unanimously adopted a $568.3 million budget Tuesday night.

  • East County
  • Schools
Community Haven Chairman Ted Bogusz, President and CEO Marla Doss and Tom Rees help cut the ribbon.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • September 18, 2013
Our town: Community Haven celebrates new school

ommunity Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities Inc. celebrated the reopening of the remodeled Selby Day School with a ribbon cutting Monday, Sept. 16.

  • East County
  • News
Middle hitter Madison Jaco has been playing on Braden River’s varsity volleyball team since she was a sophomore.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 11, 2013
Volleyball: Court General

Senior Madison Jaco has spent the past two years developing into one of the vocal leaders for the Lady Pirates team.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team improved to 16-0 after winning the Lakewood Ranch Invitational Sept. 7.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 11, 2013
5 High Moments of the Week

Lakewood Ranch High and Cardinal Mooney athletes make this week's 5 High Moments.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • September 9, 2013
School board votes to adopt budget tonight

The Manatee County School Board will vote to adopt the district's $566.9 million budget tonight.

  • East County
  • Schools
  • By Carley Engelberger, Alyssa Dienes and Mary Stagger
  • August 31, 2013
Pirates notch first win of the season

Braden River Pirates top North Fort Myers in their first game of the season.

  • East County
  • Schools
Austin Hoppe, 21
  • By Kimmy Comito and Sarah Karp
  • August 31, 2013
ODA falls to Bradenton Christian

The ODA crowd dressed out in all white for their first home game of the season last night against Bradenton Christian School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jenelle and Xavier Omatseye hung out with Curious George.
  • By Josh Siegel and Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 24, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiddie Academy Storytime LIVE!

Families gathered Aug. 24 at Kiddie Academy in Lakewood Ranch for the preschool's Storytime LIVE! event. Children got to meet Curious George and play on the playground. They also listened to a reading of the book, Curious George.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 21, 2013
Summer fun ends for 'Little Ranchers'

Lakewood Ranch Baptist Church's Little Ranchers Learning Center recently ended its summer camp series for its preschool program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Manatee County School District released a schedule to refund internal school accounts.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • August 21, 2013
District releases schedule to pay back schools

The repayment plan released by the Manatee County School District Tuesday promises to return 100% of the funds borrowed from individual school internal accounts by 2015.

  • East County
  • Schools
Katie Ciemniecki
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 21, 2013
Lakewood senior honored at 4-H event

Katie Ciemniecki, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, recently attended the Florida 4-H State Congress, at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gullett Elementary kindergarten student Bradley Brewer, 5, was eager to get to his new classroom.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Back to School

The Manatee County School District welcomed students back to class today.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee County School District Superintendent Rick Mills welcomed more than 45,000 students and roughly 2,450 teachers back to school today for the first day of class.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • August 19, 2013
Superintendent welcomes students back to school

Manatee County School District Superintendent Rick Mills visited nine district schools today to welcome students to school for the first day of class.

  • East County
  • News
Melissa and Kevin Redman with their son, Karson a fourth grader at Tara Elementary
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • August 16, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Manatee County Schools Open House

Manatee County Schools held open houses Aug. 15 and 16. Students met their teachers, toured their classrooms and reunited with friends before the start of a new school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Micaela Castro, 7, dances as a puppy named Nugget.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 16, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: 101 Dalmatians

East County children brought to life the adventures of Walt Disney's "One Hundred and One Dalmatians" Aug. 16, with a special dance performance, at Jump Dance Co.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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