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East County | Schools

(Front) Nicholas Colacci, Dylan Bennett and Cade Saalmann felt the music.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Middle School SnowComing

Braden River Middle School held a SnowComing dance Dec. 19. Students danced the night away in the school cafeteria.

  • East County
  • Schools
This year, five school districts of more than 400 applicants were awarded funds.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 19, 2013
School district fails to win money for STEM grant

For the second year in a row, the Manatee County School District fell just short to win federal funding for a grant to fund a plan to implement science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) labs in elementary schools.

  • East County
  • News
Calista Hidalgo as Snow White
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 18, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Elementary's 'A Snow White Christmas'

B.D. Gullett Elementary School fifth grade students performed their version of "A Snow White Christmas", Dec. 17. Student actors and actresses performed seven scenes, and choir members sang songs.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River and Lakewood Ranch High Schools both received an “A” for the second year in a row.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 18, 2013
East County high schools get 'A' grades

Braden River and Lakewood Ranch High Schools earned 'A' grades from the state in the 2013 High School Accountability Grades released today by the Florida Department of Education.

  • East County
  • Schools
After the workshop, Superintendent Rick Mills will post his action plan to the district’s website for public viewing, based on his staff’s findings.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 18, 2013
School board to discuss response to audits

The Manatee County School Board will discuss corrective actions related to two state audits from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. today, during a special workshop.

  • East County
  • Schools
Hannah Van Hise plays the part of Mrs. Claus.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 13, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Willis' 'December in Our Town'

Third-grade students at Willis Elementary School welcomed the holiday season with a special musical show, "December in Our Town," Dec. 12 and Dec. 13.

  • East County
  • News
The student, who was allegedly dragged from a classroom by the arm and shoulder, was not injured.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 13, 2013
Substitute teacher charged with child abuse

A Nolan Middle School substitute teacher was arrested Thursday for allegedly abusing a 13-year-old student at the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
The $1.9 figure from the new report consists primarily of questioned costs from the 2012-13 year.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 12, 2013
Second state audit brings more costs to school district

A second report from the state's Auditor General's Office released this morning - this one on federal, grant-funded programs - revealed the Manatee County School District could see a $1.9 million reduction in its general fund balance.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gabby Alfonso, Alison Volpe, Halee Prater and Kieu Nguyen welcome guests and provide nametags.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Empty Bowls

Students in Braden River Middle School's Junior National Honor Society program welcomed guests to reflect on poverty, during the organization's annual Empty Bowls event Dec. 12.

  • East County
  • News
At today’s 3 p.m. workshop, 215 Manatee Avenue W., Manatee County School District staff will present the report’s findings to the board.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 10, 2013
School board hosts workshop on state audit report

The Manatee County School Board hosts a workshop today to talk about a report from the state's Auditor General's Office that found misuse of funds and lack of controls during the 2012-13 school year.

  • East County
  • News
Marie Tannus, of Pampered Chef, shares about her products with Carolyn Talbot.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Willis Carnival

Willis Elementary School today hosted a winter carnival for its families and the public.

  • East County
  • News
Principal Selenia Quinones has been on paid administrative leave from Imagine School since Nov. 4.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 4, 2013
UPDATED: Imagine School principal on paid leave

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has recommended to the state that Selenia Quinones be charged with failure to report child abuse.

  • East County
  • Schools
The state audit began in March and concluded with the release of the report November 25.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 4, 2013
State report threatens school district recovery

The Manatee County School District could see as much as a $7.2 million reduction in its general fund balance as a consequence of a report from the state Auditor General's Office.

  • East County
  • Schools
If the Manatee County School District was awarded the grant, it would fund a plan to implement STEM labs in elementary schools.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • November 25, 2013
School District finalist for grant

The Manatee County School District is a finalist for a 'Race to the Top' grant, the U.S. Department of Education announced Friday.

  • East County
  • News
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
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