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East County | Schools

Lakewood Ranch High students enjoyed hanging out in front of a bonfire Oct. 6 as part of the school’s Homecoming festivities.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 6, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch High Bonfire

Dozens of Lakewood Ranch High School students spent the evening hanging out in front of a bonfire Oct. 6. The Lakewood cheerleading squad and marching band kept students entertained throughout the event, which was part of the school's Homecoming festivities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Matt Martin and Peter Carrier
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 1, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Golf Outing

Parents and friends of McNeal Elementary hit the green for the school's annual golf tournament Oct. 1 at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Austin Bruce and Jed Baran wore Asian-inspired costumes.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • October 1, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Primrose School Celebrating Cultures Day

Children at Primrose School of Lakewood Ranch brought some of the world's cultures to the East County during the annual Celebrating Cultures event Sept. 30. Each class studied a different culture, created authentic costumes and sang "It's a Small World" - much to the delight of parents and family members.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Golfers started play shortly after 1 p.m.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Golf Challenge

Golf enthusiasts turned out Sept. 24 to University Park Country Club for the third annual Gullett Golf Challenge benefiting Gullett Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization. Last year's event raised more than $34,000 for computers and other equipment for the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Drew Clark, 7, couldn't wait for the hula-hoop contest.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 23, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Witt Sock Hop

Gene Witt Elementary School families donned their '50s best Sept. 23 for the school's annual Sock Hop. Attendees enjoyed pizza, dancing, a hula hoop contest, a silly sock contest and more as part of the festivities.

  • East County
  • News
Mara Falahee, Ava Knig and Sammi Jo Gaeta
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Senior-Kindergarten Picnic

Out-of-Door Academy seniors traveled from Lakewood Ranch to ODA's Siesta Key campus Friday to meet up with their kindergarten buddies for a splendid picnic.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch senior soccer players Marissa Milko, Audrey Reinisch, Haley Martin, Kaitlin Deglman and Taylor Halligan made sure to get spaces next to each other.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 15, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Pavement Painting Party

Seniors at Lakewood Ranch High hit the pavement Sept. 13 to paint their designated parking spaces. The painting party is an annual tradition at Lakewood.

  • East County
  • News
Patti and Harry Smith have been attending Braden River Elementary’s Grandparents Day Luncheon ever year since their grandson, Alex Miller, started school.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 13, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Grandparents Luncheon

Braden River Elementary students enjoyed spending time with their grandparents during the school's annual Grandparents Day Luncheon Sept. 9.

  • East County
  • Schools
Student Cody Rivard got some help from his mom, Shannon. Photo courtesy of Alison Kendzior.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 13, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Math Fair

Families at Bashaw Elementary School honed their math skills recently during the school's Math Fair Sept. 8.

  • East County
  • News
Nine-year-old Leila Parks spent time with her grandparents, Douglas and Elizabeth Durande, and her great-grandmother, Ursula Shanaghan.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 12, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: BRE celebrates grandparents

Students at Braden River Elementary School enjoyed spending time with their grandparents Sept. 9 in honor of Grandparent's Day.

  • East County
  • News
Sixteen-year-old Shelby Graves recited an emotional poem she wrote about keeping the porch light on for a firefighter father who died in the World Trade Center.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 10, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River High 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

Students at Braden River High School learned the significance of Sept. 11, 2001 during a 10th anniversary memorial presentation Sept. 9. During the presentation, guest speakers and staff members shared stories of where they were when terrorist hijackers crashed commuter jets into New York City's World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A freedom bell rang throughout the ceremony, signaling significant events of the day. Following each bell, students with designated colored pieces of paper stood up to represent those who lost their lives. In addition, several students, including Shelby Graves, who father was one of the firefighters who lost his life, shared poems and stories they had written about Sept. 11.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This year's show features intricate choreography from the color guard.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • September 10, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Dramatic Debut

The Lakewood Ranch High School Mustang Marching Band debuted its 2011 competition show, "The Greatest Generation," at halftime during the Mustangs' home opener against Southeast Sept. 9.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Overholt family came out in full force. Pictured are Thomas, Bethany, Isabella, Samuel and Julia.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 9, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Ice Cream Social

Families at Tara Elementary School enjoyed a night of ice cream and socializing as the school hosted its annual "Welcome Back Ice Cream Social" Sept. 9. Attendees wore NFL attire to help the PTO in its effort to win a $10,000 grant from the NFL Play 60 program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sara Vaught kept the Mustang fans on their feet throughout the game.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • September 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch fans

Lakewood Ranch's faithful fans took the green and silver on the road as the Mustangs faced East County rival Braden River Sept. 2 at Pirate Stadium. The Mustangs emerged victorious, defeating the Pirates 28-18.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarah Kinsey got a boost from a classmate so she could cheer on the Pirates from above.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • September 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River fans

Braden River fans donned their school colors to cheer on the Pirates as they faced East County rival Lakewood Ranch Sept. 2 at Braden River. The Pirates lost to the Mustangs 28-18.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 22, 2011
Manatee students return to school

More than 42,000 students returned to school to begin the 2011-12 school year in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Black Pearls dancer Veronica Mahaney was excited to perform for her new classmates.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • August 19, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River High Freshmen Orientation

Braden River High School faculty welcomed its incoming freshmen with an orientation program Aug. 18. The program featured performances by the marching band, the River Rhapsody singers, the Black Pearls dance team and more. Administrators also discussed Braden River's rules and expectations with the Class of 2015.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Liliana Ibarra called her summer internship in Washington, D.C., "amazing."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 18, 2011
Ranch graduate returns from Capitol

Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Liliana Ibarra interned at the White House this summer.

  • East County
  • News
Orientation was held at the Lakewood Ranch pharmacy school today.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 16, 2011
LECOM welcomes new students

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy hosted orientation activities for its fifth class today.

  • East County
  • Schools
The preschool is accredited through the United Methodist Association of Preschools. Photo courtesy of Jose Morales.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 16, 2011
Preschool offers new hours

Lighthouse Kids Preschool will start new hours of operation on Monday.

  • East County
  • Schools
Pictured are Lakewood Ranch High School students Briana Nelson-Canty, Kiona Poyner, Miranda Lim, Christina Rothenberger and Micaela Figueroa.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 12, 2011
FCCLA youths excel at nationals

Students from Lakewood Ranch and Southeast high schools and Braden River Middle School took honors at a recent conference in California

  • East County
  • Schools
Superintendent Tim McGonegal will chair the meeting.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 12, 2011
Manatee CEO Roundtable meets today

The upcoming Ready for School Rally is one item on the agenda.

  • East County
  • Schools
Models pose post fashion show in Saks Fifth Avenue evening wear.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 12, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: LECOM Future Physicians in Fashion

Students at LECOM (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine) walked the runway at Saks Fifth Avenue.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 9, 2011
School district offers help line for parents

The Manatee County School District today opened a special back-to-school phone line for parents with questions about registration, bus stops and other issues.

  • East County
  • Schools
Junior Enriqueta Balandra plays the flute.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River High Band Camp

More than 100 Braden River High students tuned up their instruments and headed out into the summer sun for the Pirates annual band camp Aug. 4. During the camp, which began Aug. 1 and runs through Aug. 12, students practiced marching and learned music for this year's show 'Air,' which depicts man's imagination of flight.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Pancake Pig was sure to make an appearance.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Storytime LIVE!

Dozens of families gathered July 30 at Kiddie Academy in Lakewood Ranch for the preschool's Storytime LIVE! event. Children enjoyed an appearance by the Pancake Pig, as well as snow cones, popcorn and arts and crafts.

  • East County
  • News
Keelie Robb loved performing a ribbon dance to "No One."
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • July 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Summer Dance Camp Recital

Pint-sized dancers took the stage for the Summer Dance Camp Recital July 15 at Gullett Elementary School in Lakewood Ranch. The dancers performed a variety of routines they perfected throughout the summer camp.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ali Morgan loved watching her fellow Primrose students parade for the Fourth of July.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • July 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Primrose School Red, White and Blue Celebration

Primrose School of Lakewood Ranch students donned patriotic colors and took to the parade route for the school's annual Red, White and Blue Celebration July 1. The parade featured children from several classrooms marching in costumes they created - much to the delight of parents and family members.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 30, 2011
Manatee FCAT scores improve

In Manatee, 31% of elementary and middle schools saw improvement in their FCAT grades compared to last year.

  • East County
  • News
Tim McGonegal is working on a new budget recommendation.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 30, 2011
Superintendent's contract extended

The Manatee County School Board on Monday extended Superintendent Tim McGonegal's contract through 2013.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 29, 2011
Group calls to replace Superintendent Tim McGonegal, attorney

A group of concerned citizens have asked for the removal of both the district's attorney and Tim McGonegal and raised concerns over other issues. District officials say many of the accusations are unfounded.

  • East County
  • News
Superintendent Tim McGonegal had previously offered two budget cut proposals.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 28, 2011
Manatee school board delays budget decision

Manatee County School Board members asked Superintendent Tim McGonegal to revise his budget recommendations.

  • East County
  • News
Tom Garland made the opening comments at the press conference.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 28, 2011
Committee calls for action against superintendent

An ad hoc committee on Monday called for action against the Manatee County School District's attorney and superintendent.

  • East County
  • Schools
Robert Moates spent 10 years working in the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee and the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 27, 2011
Lakewood Ranch teacher to run for school board

Robert Moates, a government and economics teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, filed papers today announcing his campaign for the Manatee County School Board District 2 seat.

  • East County
  • Schools
CIEC wants to start a nationwide search to replace Manatee Superintendent Tim McGonegal.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 27, 2011
Committee challenges school district officials

The Committee for Improving Education of Children in Manatee County today will call to terminate the Manatee County School District's attorney, replace the superintendent and investigate other matters.

  • East County
  • Schools
There was no stopping Sean Freund from getting the other children wet.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 24, 2011
Kiddie Academy kids splash into summer (VIDEO)

Preschoolers today celebrated Water Day.

  • East County
  • Schools
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