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East County | Schools

One week after hinting at an administrative shake-up Manatee County Schools Superintendent Rick Mills proposed a new organizational chart.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 4, 2013
Manatee Schools to create new positions, eliminate assistant superintendents

New Superintendent Rick Mills proposed a new organizational chart that will replace assistant superintendent positions held by Bob Gagnon and Scott Martin with two deputy superintendent positions.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 4, 2013
Gullett students help plant garden at White House

East County residents can watch them live this afternoon through videostreaming.

  • East County
  • News
Interim Superintendent David Gayler says he accomplished the first two goals — stabilizing the budget to find out what led to the 2011-2012 budget deficit of $3.4 million and putting in the repairs so it never happens again. File photo
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 3, 2013
'Short-timer' has regrets but feels proud

Interim Superintendent David Gayler used his trademark calm to stabilize a broken budget and heal shattered trust for Manatee County Schools.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 3, 2013
Update: Manatee Schools will cut 188 jobs

Members of the Manatee County School Board hope the cuts, designed to meet state class-size requirements, are absorbed through attrition.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ten-year-old Ethan Pino was determined to master his jump-roping skills.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 29, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Jump for Fun

Children at Bashaw Elementary School raised more than $4,000 for the school March 28, during Bashaw's annual Jump for Fun event.

  • East County
  • News
Ila Afruizi, 4, made sure to see the Easter Bunny.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 28, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Easter Egg Hunt

Children at Kiddie Academy today enjoyed an Easter-themed day as they hunted for eggs on the playground, visited with the Easter Bunny and participated in other activities.

  • East County
  • News
Davis Moeckel reads the book he co-wrote, "David's Magical Bicycle Adventure," to first-grade children at Bashaw Elementary.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 27, 2013
School partnership puts spotlight on reading

Lakewood Ranch High School seniors shared self-written children's books with students at Bashaw Elementary School March 22.

  • East County
  • News
The plan also adds 22 technology assistants in elementary and middle schools, Vogel said.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • March 26, 2013
Manatee County Schools to cut 150 staff positions

According to Bill Vogel, the leader of new Superintendent Rick Mills' transition team, the cuts would save $11 million.

  • East County
  • News
Tracy Turnblad and her best friend Penny Pingleton, played by Gabby Maraia and Julia Bellanger, watch television.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 22, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Hairspray

Students at The Out-of-Door Academy are performing the Broadway musical " Hairspray" this weekend. The last performance is 7 p.m. March 23.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bryce Gill joined his mom, Ashley, and brother, Clayton, 6, for his first game of bingo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 22, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Bingo

A cafeteria full of mothers and sons itched in their seats to shout "Bingo" March 22, during Braden River Elementary School's Mother/Son Bingo Night.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Wendy Suarez joined Jessie P. Miller Elementary School in January 2011.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • March 18, 2013
Creekwood woman dies in traffic incident

Wendy Suarez, the assistant principal at Jessie P. Miller Elementary School, died in a traffic accident Friday night.

  • East County
  • Schools
The 24-member team, which competed in 33 events, broke all Florida TSA state records and secured 35 trophies.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 18, 2013
Braden River TSA students break records

BRHS Technology Student Association students earned 18 first-place finishes at the Florida TSA competition awards ceremony March 16.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sixth-graders Ashley Cole and Karagan Murfin used chairs as props in their routine.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 10, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Haile Dance Off

Haile Middle School students kicked off their Spring Break with a special "So You Think You Can Dance" competition March 8, at the end of school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jackson Wolfe, Jeremiah Parker and James Ganey all are in second grade.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 9, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Walk-a-Thon

Children at Gullett Elementary School walked for a cause March 8, helping the school's Parent Teacher Organization raise more than $17,000.

  • East County
  • News
The 7 p.m. ceremony was held at Manatee Technical Institute's new State Road 70 campus.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 7, 2013
Manatee Schools honor educators, support staff

The Manatee County School District hosted its annual EdVantage Education Awards event March 6.

  • East County
  • Schools
The event begins at 7 p.m. at the new Manatee Technical Institute located on State Road 70 East.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • March 5, 2013
Manatee Schools names its Educator of the Year tomorrow

The Manatee County Schools Educator of the Year and Support Employee of the Year will be named tomorrow night when the district hosts the EdVantage Education Awards.

  • East County
  • News
Sister Lucia Haas with The Rev. Fausto Stampiglia
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Cardinal Mooney Gala

More than 200 guests gathered March 2, at the Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School "Luck of the Irish" themed gala.

  • East County
  • News
Ally Adamo reeled in her target.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • March 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Carnival

Families of McNeal Elementary School gathered March 2 in the school's courtyard for a carnival. Guests played carnival-style games, slid down slides and won prizes.

  • East County
  • News
Brad, Bernice and Luca Bozman
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • March 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Family Bonfire Night

Students and families huddled on blankets and chairs and endured the cold at Braden River Elementary School's Family Bonfire Night March 1. Attendees played by the school's playground and ate S'mores and Chick-fil-A among other activities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Danielle Buncik painted a yellow butterfly on the face of 4-year-old Abygail Jimenez.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 2, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Faith Kid's Carnival

Families of Faith Preschool and Faith United Church of Christ gathered March 2, at the church for the preschool's annual Kid's Carnival fundraiser.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Michael Cole, Addison Weimann and Vedant Singh like wearing the hats they created.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 1, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Children at Kiddie Academy today celebrated the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, with activities inspired by the author's children's books

  • East County
  • Schools
The Out-of-Door Academy students Gabriella Costa, Alex Ruschau, Melanie Mason, Kevin Moody and Payton Hensonn each earned a perfect score on a section of the SAT. Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 27, 2013
ODA students ink perfect scores

Five students at The Out-of-Door Academy earned perfect scores on portions of the SAT college entrance exam.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Michael Bennett ran with his parents, Trey and Arlene Bennett.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 24, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Pirate 5K

East County residents and students at Braden River High School headed Feb. 23 to the school's track area, for the Pirate 5K Run/Walk.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Olivia Harrison, Jillian Mazure and Kaitlin Yawn all are in the fifth grade.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 23, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Freedom Elementary Dance

Fathers and daughters at Freedom Elementary School hit the dance floor Feb. 22, during a "Winter Wonderland" themed dance.

  • East County
  • News
Erica Cantu, Emily Williams and Briana Twenty visited the U.S. Army and University of South Florida tables.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 22, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch High School Career Fair

Lakewood Ranch High School hosted its fifth annual College and Career Fair Feb. 22. Students were able to talk with local business professionals about their respective fields, as well as with representatives from colleges.

  • East County
  • Schools
Justin Matthews showed off an iguana to students.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 22, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Elementary Animal Demo

Justin Matthews, owner of Matthews Wildlife Rescue, showed off a 14-foot python, a Great Horned Owl and more animals to Gullett Elementary School students Feb. 21. Matthews, a master falconer and wildlife rehabilitator, talked about the animal's habitats and biology, relating it to what students are learning in science class.

  • East County
  • Schools
Keyla Silva, Julia Price and Jayden Cray
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 22, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw's Save a Heart Week

Bashaw Elementary raised roughly $1,350 at its third annual Save a Heart Week to benefit the Larry King Cardiac Foundation Feb. 11-15.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 21, 2013
Rick Mills selected superintendent of Manatee County Schools

The Manatee County School Board chose Rick Mills, a former military man and chief executive officer of Minneapolis Public Schools, as its superintendent Wednesday night.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 19, 2013
Gettel honors Manatee County school teachers

An appreciation awards ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m. today, at Toyota of Lakewood.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ron, Dominic, Yoanna and Ryan Javante
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 9, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Willis Movie Night

More than 300 people sat under the stars outside Willis Elementary School to watch 'Despicable Me' at the school's movie night Feb. 8. The school's fifth grade parent committee ran the food stands at its second Willis Movie Night this school year.

  • East County
  • News
Lizzy Ebury, Anmarie Jeter and Jordan Cangro beat their fathers to the dance floor.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 9, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Sweetheart Dance

Braden River Elementary School female students gave their fathers and grandfathers a pre-Valentines Day treat at the school's Sweetheart Dance Feb. 8. Formerly called the Father/Daughter Dance, the event featured dancing, fancy dresses and dessert.

  • East County
  • Schools
Levi Waxler performed sign language to Justin Bieber songs. Waxler has also performed the national anthem at local events, including polo games in Lakewood Ranch and a Tampa Bay Rays game at Tropicana Field.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: BRMS Talent & Fashion Extravaganza

Braden River Middle School students and teachers showed off their skills at the school's 3rd Annual Talent and Fashion Extravaganza Feb. 1. Hosted by Braden River Elementary and emceed by Kim Zenon, assistant principal at BRMS, the show featured singing, dancing, rapping, ballet, sign language and more.

  • East County
  • News
Austin Bruce, 6, couldn’t get enough of the slide.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 2, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Witt Winter Carnival

Families at Gene Witt Elementary School enjoyed an afternoon of sunshine Feb. 2, as the school hosted its Winter Wonderland Carnival.

  • East County
  • News
Michael Bajjaly plays the record of "The Drowsy Chaperone" for the audience and begins telling about the show’s history.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 1, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: 'The Drowsy Chaperone'

Lakewood Ranch High School theater students are performing "The Drowsy Chaperone" at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 and Feb. 2. at the school.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 31, 2013
Six Manatee County Schools superintendent finalists selected for interviews

The Manatee County School board approved a list six finalists for the district's superintendent post in a special workshop today.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 30, 2013
Manatee County Schools seeking input on 2013-14 proposed school calendar

A proposed school calendar for the 2013-2014 school year in Manatee County Schools would include a start date of Aug. 19, 2013, and an end date of June 9, 2014.

  • East County
  • News
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