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East County | Schools

Eight-year-old Arianna Romano enjoyed a special Valentine’s Day donut and milkshake with her mom Cindy.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Elementary Valentine's Day Lunch

Students at McNeal Elementary School spent lunch with the ones they love during a special Valentine's Day lunch Feb. 14.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sixth-graders Sydney Blocker, Vivian Lu and Tali Leckie made sure to get their free Icees.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 13, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Middle School Renaissance

Students at Braden River Middle School were recognized for their scholastic achievements during the school's Renaissance event Feb. 10. Those in attendance enjoyed bounce houses, a rock wall, music and Icees.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Christian Mark, Danielle and Ryann Vogel and Skylar Cox couldn't resist a sweet treat.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 10, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Father/Daughter Dance

Fathers and daughters at Braden River Elementary School danced the night away Feb. 10 during the school's Father/Daughter Dance.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pat Summers spent the morning with her grandchildren: Natalie, Kayla, Josh and Jere Keane.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 10, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY:Freedom Grandparents Breakfast

Students at Freedom Elementary School spent a special morning with their grandparents during the school's Grandparents Breakfast Feb. 10. Following breakfast, students made sure to stop by the book fair with their grandparents before heading off to class.

  • East County
  • Schools
Four-year-old Lilly Mencinsky will start kindergarten at Gene Witt in the fall.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY:Gene Witt Elementary Winter Carnival

Gene Witt Elementary students enjoyed a day of fun and games during the school's Winter Carnival Feb. 4. Students enjoyed bounce houses, face painting, games and activities, raffles, food and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tristen Woods, Dev Patel, Jayden Vilayvong and Alex Schroeder enjoyed a healthy snack in between activities.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Jump Rope for Heart

Children at Braden River Elementary School are jumping toward their goal of raising $3,000 for the American Heart Association during the school's Jump Rope for Heart event, which runs through Feb. 8.

  • East County
  • News
Allie Castro, 7, enjoyed the day's festivities.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Winter Wonderland

Children at the Tabernacle Christian School celebrated the winter season with sledding, snow cones and other festivities during the school's Winter Wonderland event today.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fifth-graders Dylan Simmons and Anthony Jedrzejewski couldn’t wait to wash the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office vehicle that came through.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 22, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Elementary Student Council Car Wash

Twenty fourth-and fifth-graders at Tara Elementary School spent the afternoon making cars sparkle during the school's Student Council Car Wash Jan. 21. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Humane Society.

  • East County
  • Schools
Technology students Stephen Husbands and Holden Scarbrough demonstrated how to make and test a balsa wood bridge.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Haile Open House

Haile Middle School showed off its students' talents Jan. 10 during the school's Open House Showcase.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Out-of-Door Academy's Josh Simon and St. Stephen's Episcopal School’s Tori Biach and Savannah Glasgo welcomed guests.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Private School Fair

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosted its annual Private School Fair Jan. 10, at the Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom. Attendees had the chance to meet with representatives of more than 20 private schools in the Sarasota/Manatee area.

  • East County
  • News
The Incredible Reindeer, played by William Terrell, Cameron Boyer, John Smith and Connor Shilling, helped save Christmas.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Gene Witt Elementary Christmas Musical

First-grade students at Gene Witt Elementary School showed off their talents during the school's musical production of The Incredible Reindeer Dec. 15-16. The musical told the story of how the Incredible Reindeer saved Christmas after foggy weather, Rudolph's cold and an asteroid nearly kept Santa Claus from taking flight. The Gene Witt 'Orff' estra entertained students and guests before the start of the show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bayside Community Church's band performed at this year's Rock Out for a Cause.
  • By Johana De la Cruz
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Rock Out for a Cause

Fundraising went to 11 as Lakewood Ranch High School's Key Club hosted Rock Out for a Cause Dec. 9 at Bayside Community Church. The concert benefited several non-profit organizations, including Taking Back Lives and Eliminate.

  • East County
  • Schools
Devan Rojas, left, Hayley Dragon, Chris Maddiesquivel and Keaton Bruder enjoyed making s'mores.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Rock Star Party

Move over Steven Tyler. More than 100 Braden River Elementary School students partied like rock stars Dec. 13, as a reward for positive behavior. Throughout the year, students in kindergarten through fifth grades earned BRE Bucks for exemplifying good citizenship. They traded that currency in to enjoy s'mores, hot chocolate, games, and holiday caroling with Principal Hayley Rio.

  • East County
  • Schools
Five-year-old Kristen Rice performed with the Gullett Elementary School dance team.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 13, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Elementary Winter Performance

Fifth-graders at Gullett Elementary School welcomed the holiday season with their winter performance of Toy Storage Dec. 13. Students acted, sang and danced throughout the production, which told the story of a bunch of toys getting cleaned up and coming out of storage just in time for Christmas. Those in attendance also enjoyed a performance by the Gullett dance team prior to the start of the show.

  • East County
  • Schools
Precious Modupe, 14, Amelia Rupan, 13, and Abrielle Leeder, 12, served bowls of soup to guests.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 11, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Middle School's Empty Bowls Luncheon

Braden River Middle School and the community showed their support for the fight against hunger during the school's 12th annual Empty Bowls Luncheon Dec. 8. During the event, which the school's National Junior Honor Society hosted, enjoyed a bowl of soup, bread and dessert while listening to members of the school's orchestra perform. Guests received a handcrafted bowl to take home and proceeds from the event will benefit Our Daily Bread.

  • East County
  • Schools
Julianna Cunningham, right, stayed focused on singing, even as her classmates turned to catch falling snow.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Willis 'Christmas Around the World'

Third-grade students at Willis Elementary shared the sounds and history of holiday season with fellow students and family members during their "Christmas Around the World" show Dec. 8-9.

  • East County
  • News
...
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 'Back to the 80s' Musical

Theater students at Lakewood Ranch High School brought back the music and style of a decade past during performances of 'Back to the 80's - The Totally Awesome Musical" Thursday night. Shows continue through Dec. 10.

  • East County
  • News
Caroline Pope enjoyed dinner with her mom, Denise, and brothers, Wiliam and Andrew, not pictured, while her dad took Santa pictures.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Supper with Santa

Families at Braden River Elementary School celebrated the holiday season with a special Supper with Santa event and musical performance Dec. 8.

  • East County
  • News
Mason Bryant, 6, loved having the chance to meet with Santa one-on-one.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 6, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Dinner with Santa

The Big Man made a pre-Christmas stop at Tara Elementary School for the school's annual Dinner with Santa event Dec. 2. Students and families enjoyed pizza and pasta before meeting Santa on the cafetorium stage.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Evan Keever, 8. Could not resist an elf photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Holiday Festival

Families gathered at Bashaw Elementary School Dec. 3 for the school's Holiday Festival & Bobcat Bazaar. Festivities included carnival-style games, performances by choir students, a cakewalk and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School JROTC student Sarely Gutierrez helped Kristina Tripoli, 9, with a rope challenge.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 5, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Imagine Fall Festival

Families at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch enjoyed carnival-style games, bounce houses, food and more during the school's annual Fall Festival Dec. 3.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This year's bonfire featured a live band performing on the black top.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • November 28, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Freedom Bonfire

Freedom Elementary Principal Jim Mennes calls it 'The Bonfire That Never Was.' Although high winds eliminated the possibility of the school's annual bonfire, there was plenty of fun to be had at the event Nov. 18. Guests enjoyed food, live music and plenty of time with family and friends.

  • East County
  • Schools
Renee Pitts, Nancy Harrison and Robin Storm put on quite a performance at the video game theater.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 27, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Thunder Fun Day

The Out-of-Door Academy students, their families and the community enjoyed an afternoon of fun and games during the school's annual Thunder Fun Day Nov. 19 at the Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch. During the festival, guests enjoyed food, games, arts and crafts, a rock wall, bounce houses, a video game theater, a cake walk and hamster ball, among other activities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Children were excited to pick out food for the homeless. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 24, 2011
Primrose gives thanks with giving

Children at Primrose School in Lakewood Ranch celebrated the Thanksgiving spirit by buying food for the homeless.

  • East County
  • News
Jacob Rego and Abby Clark faced off.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 18, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY & VIDEO: Football Frenzy

The Tabernacle Christian School today hosted a Football Frenzy.

  • East County
  • Schools
VFW Post 10141 members demonstrated how to fold the American flag.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 17, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Veterans visit Gullett

Children at Gullett Elementary School Nov. 16 learned first-hand about military service as the school hosted veterans from VFW Post 10141.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High senior Devin McDermott was named one of 12 national finalists for the 2011 Wendy's High School Heisman Award Nov. 10.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 11, 2011
Ranch senior named Wendy's High School Heisman national finalist

Lakewood Ranch High senior Devin McDermott was named one of 12 national finalists, of the 48,000 students who applied, for the 2011 Wendy's High School Heisman Award, which honors exceptional students who bring excellence in academics, athletics and community service.

  • East County
  • Sports
Four-year-old Jordyn Jomisko couldn’t wait to show off her patriotic sticker.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 10, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Let Freedom Ring Courtyard Ceremony

Freedom Elementary School students, faculty and staff showed their patriotism during the school's annual Let Freedom Ring Courtyard Ceremony Nov. 10. During the event, Freedom recognized and thanked military veterans for their service, raising a flag in honor of each branch. Students also enjoyed singing songs and listing to guest speakers, including District 67 state Rep. Greg Steube.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bryce Andrews had fun racing through an inflatable obstacle course.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Elementary Fall Festival

Tara Elementary School students and their families enjoyed a day outside with friends during the school's annual fall festival Nov. 5. Festivities included inflatables, carnival-style games, a silent auction, a performance by Tara's Dance Team and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Christian Iturrino, Sean Freund, Andrew Beall checked out the fire truck.
  • By Dianne Trask
  • November 1, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Goddard's 'In the Neighborhood'

In keeping with its "In the Neighborhood" theme during October, The Goddard School at Lakewood Ranch hosted a variety of professionals throughout the month. Children enjoyed a visit by a fire truck and ambulance Oct. 21.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Teachers Rachel Wilson, Lynn Edwards, Michael Lawson and Kaitlyn Bunker enjoyed the evening.
  • By Marina Wolf-Schmidt
  • November 1, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiddie Academy Gala

The Parent Committee at Kiddie Academy hosted the preschool's second Apple Gala Oct. 22 at Cantina Toscana.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Meredith Carroll wore one of the most colorful costumes in the entire parade.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • October 31, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Primrose Parade of Costumes

Superheroes, princesses and even a pint-sized Vincent van Gogh made an appearance in Lakewood Ranch for Primrose School's annual Parade of Costumes Oct. 31. Following the parade for family members and friends, the costumed kids headed inside for classroom parties.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alexandra Griffin, 5, stocked up on candy during Braden River Elementary’s Harvest Moon Bash Oct. 29.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 31, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Harvest Moon Bash

Students at Braden River Elementary School enjoyed a trunk-or-treat, games, inflatables and more during the school's Harvest Moon Bash Oct. 29.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 27, 2011
Nolan Middle wins championship

The Nolan Middle School girls soccer team defeated King Middle 4-0 Oct. 20 to capture the 2011 Manatee County championship and finish the season undefeated.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mikaela Campbell, Skylar Homan and Caroline Cestaro are all in fifth grade.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 22, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Costume Ball

Donning their Halloween costumes, children at McNeal Elementary School gathered Oct. 21 with their families in the school's cafeteria for a Costume Ball. Attendees enjoyed pizza and ice cream, dancing and a costume contest, among other activities.

  • East County
  • News
Taylor Garganta danced the night away with friends during the Homecoming Dance Oct. 15.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: BRHS Homecoming Dance

Students at Braden River High School tonight concluded Homecoming week festivities with a circus-themed Homecoming Dance.

  • East County
  • News
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