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East County | Schools

Danielle Wilkins, Amber Aikman, Faith Martel and Jaquez Fisher, at the Homecoming Dance.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Homecoming

Students at Lakewood Ranch High School celebrated Homecoming Oct. 22 through Oct. 27. Weeklong celebrations included spirit days, a bonfire, the Homecoming game and a dance.

  • East County
  • News
Leila Parks and Abigail Widunas passed out candy during the trunk-or-treat.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Harvest Moon Bash

Families at Braden River Elementary School on Oct. 27 enjoyed an evening of trunk-or-treating, carnival-style games, food and fellowship during the school's annual Harvest Moon Bash

  • East County
  • News
Melissa Johnson, No. 2, hits the ball over the net at Haley Preininger, No. 2, and Emily Greenwood, No. 7.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 26, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA v. St. Stephen's

The Out-of-Door Academy played St. Stephen's Thursday, Oct. 25, in the finals out at Bradenton Christian. St. Stephen's won the Class 3A-District 10 championship in three sets beating ODA 25-20, 25-13, 25-17.

  • East County
  • Schools
Celia Miller, Caty Castro and Adelaide Mahler watched the game intently Oct. 19.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 21, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Homecoming

Students at The Out-of-Door Academy enjoyed their Homecoming football game Oct. 19 and dance Oct. 20

  • East County
  • Schools
Ethan Holley, 7, loaded up on breakfast with his dad, Andrew , and brother, Hudson, both not pictured.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 16, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Donuts with Dads

Children at Gene Witt Elementary School feasted on doughnuts Oct. 15 and Oct. 16, as the school's Parent Teacher Organization hosted its annual Donuts with Dads event.

  • East County
  • News
Steve Anderson with his daughter Angelina
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • October 15, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Elementary Fall Frolic

Gullett Elementary invited students and their families to enjoy an evening of fall festivities Thursday, Oct. 11. Families gathered in the cafeteria to play games, sing karaoke and enjoy some food with their friends.

  • East County
  • Schools
Maya Griffin, 4, was prepared for the rain.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE 'kids walk and roll'

Families at Braden River Elementary School joined Oct. 3 with Safe Kids WORLDWIDE by participating in the International Walk to School Day. Children and parents walked or rode their bikes to school, despite early morning rain showers.

  • East County
  • News
Parent volunteers Amy Goodman and Denise Radenmacher help student Micah Radenmacher, center, get all the sea creatures from his net.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 3, 2012
Aquatic 'ed-venture'

Fifth-grade students from McNeal Elementary learned about marine life during field trips Sept. 27 and Sept. 28, at Coquina Beach.

  • East County
  • News
Maya Huynh
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • October 1, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Primrose Celebration of Culture

Primrose students donned homemade mustaches, hats and other multicultural garb to celebrate different cultures of the world Friday, Sept. 28. Students split into groups and dressed according to the country they represented. Each group then held hands and sang, 'It's a Small World,' in unison.

  • East County
  • Schools
Heather Fellows and Natalie Fellows
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • October 1, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Gene Witt Sock Hop

Cuffed jeans, poodle skirts and hair grease a plenty filled the cafeteria at Gene Witt Elementary School Friday, Sept. 28, for a 1950s-themed sock hop. Students and parents dressed in clothes from the decade, enjoyed food and drink, danced and played games.

  • East County
  • Schools
Billy Lehman and Carlos Fuentes made sure to bring props to the Homecoming Dance Sept. 27.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRHS Homecoming Events

Students at Braden River High School brandished their school spirit Sept. 24 to Sept. 29, as they celebrated Homecoming Week.

  • East County
  • News
Jen McGloin with Jay Coy were eager to start playing.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 24, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Golf Challenge

Parents and teachers at Gullett Elementary School teed off for education Sept. 22, as they participated in the Fourth Annual Neal Communities Golf Challenge, at the University Park Country Club.

  • East County
  • News
Richie James, No. 2, gets past the Braden River defense during the Braden River versus Riverview game at Braden River.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 22, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River vs. Riverview

The Rams played the Pirates Friday, Sept. 21 at Braden River. Riverview won the game 29-6.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Braden River's Sean Murray and his grandfather Walter Walmsley ate McDonald's.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Grandparents Day Lunch

Children at Braden River Elementary School hosted their grandparents for a special lunch Sept. 7, with the help of the school's Parent Teacher Organization.

  • East County
  • News
Dillon Forbes, center, enjoyed ice cream with his dad, Lee, and friend Gianna Caso, right.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Ice Cream Social

Families at Tara Elementary School welcomed the new school year Sept. 7, with a special Ice Cream Social hosted by the school's Parent Teacher Organization

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Patti and Ron Nelson ate with their grandson, Blake Nelson.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 7, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Goodies with Grandparents

Children at Kiddie Academy celebrated their grandparents Sept. 7, with a special Goodies with Grandparents event in honor of Grandparent's Day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tim McGonegal has served as superintendent of Manatee County Public Schools since January 2009.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 5, 2012
Manatee superintendent announces retirement

Tim McGonegal will retire Feb. 28 for personal reasons.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sixteen-year-old Sarah Schoeffel says she loves learning about other cultures.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 22, 2012
Extraordinary Exchange: China

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Schoeffel spent approximately seven weeks in China this summer. The teen was one of 30 students nationwide to earn the scholarship opportunity with the NSLI-Y Scholarship program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 17, 2012
Bradenton Gladiators to give away free school supplies

The Bradenton Gladiators will give away Gladiators School Packs to elementary and middle school children at 12 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Police Athletic League front office, 202 13th Ave. E., Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Alyssa Mercado, Cameron Holding and Eloy Serrata eagerly watched the competitions.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Olympic adventures at camp

Children participating in Kiddie Academy's Camp Adventure donned their Olympic spirit this week, participating in Olympic themed competitions, including relay races, long jump, three-legged races and more.

  • East County
  • News
Four-year-old Jordyn Kruse proudly waved her patriotic flag.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 4, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Primrose Red, White and Blue Parade

Nearly 100 children showed their patriotic pride during Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch Town Center's Red, White and Blue Parade July 3.

  • East County
  • News
Olivia LaFemina, 12, and Jackson Helwege, 13, performed the duet “A Whole New World.”
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 29, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Acting Up Performing Arts Camp

Some of the East County's most talented young actors took the stage in the musical production Disney's Aladdin Jr. June 28-29, as part of the Lakewood Ranch High's 11th annual Acting Up Performing Arts Camp. Participants enjoyed exploring all aspects of the performing arts, including drama, dance, voice and art, during the two-week camp, which ran June 18-29.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Isabella Roca, 5, enjoyed getting ready with her classmates.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 10, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiddie Academy Graduation

Nearly 50 voluntary prekindergarten students donned their caps and gowns and prepared to embark on the next journey in their education during Kiddie Academy's graduation ceremony June 8. Students sang songs, performed skits and received their diplomas before enjoying cake with their family and friends.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nick Breitwieser's lone experience sailing did not leave him with fond memories, but he is eager to test out the sailboat.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 6, 2012
Braden River Pirates ready to set sail

Graduate Nick Breitwieser and fellow students have constructed two sailboats, dubbed The Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman.

  • East County
  • News
Freedom Principal Jim Mennes and fourth-grade teacher Amanda Hirst got drenched with slime.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 6, 2012
Freedom family 'slimes 'em for soldiers'

Administrators and teachers at Freedom Elementary School couldn't escape being doused in green slime Wednesday, May 30, as they showed their support for U.S. military members serving overseas.

  • East County
  • Schools
Eleven-year-old Cesar Sandelis put extra time and effort into building his model rocket. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 6, 2012
McNeal students blast off with year-end project

The project, which has become an annual project at McNeal, served not only as a fun way to close out the school year, but also as a way to prepare the students for their class trip to NASA June 4.

  • East County
  • News
Ten-year-old Dylan Welch couldn’t contain his excitement as he snuck up on one of his teachers with a water bottle.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Elementary Water Day

Fifth-graders at Gullett Elementary enjoyed a cool and refreshing end to the school year during their Water Day June 4. Students enjoyed water slides, a dunk take, a balloon toss and other games and more. Integrated voluntary prekindergarten students also spent the morning playing outside on bounce houses.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kaylah Gunst didn't stop smiling as she went down the inflatable slide.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Inflatables Day

Overcast skies and drizzles of rain didn't keep students s at Braden River Elementary School from beaming with delight June 5, during the school's "Movin' and Grovin'" Inflatables Day.

  • East County
  • News
Ryan Agabani led the senior processional.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Graduation

Fifty-six seniors bid farewell to The Out-of-Door Academy during the school's Fourteenth Commencement Ceremony June 2 at the Petrik Thunderdome.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch students enjoyed watching a class video as part of opening ceremonies for commencement.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: LRHS Graduation

Seniors at Lakewood Ranch High School enjoyed commencement ceremonies today, at the Manatee Civic Center.

  • East County
  • Schools
Angela Baldino, Catherine Kaiser, Montana Hicks and Jamie Loring
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 2, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Witt Music All-Nighter

Music students at Gene Witt Elementary School enjoyed a "Cinematic Adventure" of music June 1 during Witt's annual All-Nighter.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seventeen-year-old Garrett Vincent enjoyed watching his family and friends file into the Manatee Civic Center.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 31, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRHS Graduation

Three hundred and twenty Braden River High seniors celebrated the culmination of four years of hard work during the school's 2012 Commencement Ceremony May 31 at the Manatee Civic Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Freedom Principal Jim Mennes and fourth-grade teacher Amanda Hirst got drenched with slime.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 31, 2012
VIDEO & PHOTOGALLERY: Freedom students slime faculty

In a show of support for U.S. troops serving overseas, administrators, teachers and soldiers were slimed May 30, at Freedom Elementary School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Imagine dancers Brooke Depasquale with Hannah Tisone performed the final routine together.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Imagine, Gullett Dance Recital

Students at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch and Gullett Elementary School on May 23 showed off their dancing talents during a special dance team recital, at Gullett Elementary.

  • East County
  • News
Paulina Medrzycki and Kirsten McGlaun earned about a dozen honks with their signs.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Walk-a-thon

Fifth-grade students at Braden River Elementary School walked throughout the River Club community May 25 for a walk-a-thon fundraiser benefiting Southeastern Guide Dogs

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood's Amanda Baar pushed hard through Braden River's defense.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Powder Puff

Girls from Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools battled on the gridiron for the first time May 23, during a Powder Puff football game.

  • East County
  • Schools
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