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East County | Schools

Steel Magnolia even performed some new songs for the crowd.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 21, 2011
Steel Magnolia takes stage at Braden River (VIDEO)

Country duo Steel Magnolia performed for students at Braden River High School Wednesday.

  • East County
  • Schools
Thirteen-year-old Ryan Chastain, right, helps Backyard Getaway co-owner Dave Burns build a waterfall near the school's entrance.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 20, 2011
Haile Middle kids complete Learning Takes Flight project

Ninety students at Haile Middle School worked together last week to complete a mural and install a waterfall feature near the school's entrance.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Kent Ringquist
  • April 19, 2011
Lakewood honors faculty

Students at Lakewood Ranch High School recently honored faculty at the school with special awards.

  • East County
  • Schools
Eighth-grader Naidya Rupan painted a butterfly on sixth-grader Kaylee Burke's face.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 17, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Middle Family Fun Night

Braden River Middle School students and their families enjoyed an evening of fun and games during the school's Family Fun Night April 15. Students enjoyed playing flag football, volleyball and basketball, a dunk tank, face painting and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gullett Elementary Principal Kathy Hayes, right, grins after smooching a 10-week-old pig for the students.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 15, 2011
Principal's pig smooch satisfies students (VIDEO)

As a reward to students for raising more than $10,000 at a recent walk-a-thon, Gullett Elementary School Principal Kathy Hayes today puckered up and kissed a 10-week-old pig.

  • East County
  • Schools
LECOM student Katie Rorer helps Delaney Dowdell, 11, get seeds ready to dry.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 14, 2011
Learning garden springs to life (VIDEO)

Students from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine are joining the efforts of Center Montessori School to educate children about food.

  • East County
  • News
Cardinal Mooney students hold a banner they created for their Arbor Day celebration.
  • By Linnet Berna
  • April 14, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: A new tree

Cardinal Mooney students gathered to celebrate Arbor Day.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jane Pfeilsticker demonstrates "Lab in a Box" used to conduct experiments.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 14, 2011
SCF earns biotechnology grant

The National Science Foundation has awarded about $187,000 to a new program by the State College of Florida.

  • East County
  • Schools
Leanna Flores
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 8, 2011
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Braden River Middle (VIDEO)

Braden River Middle School students launched homemade rockets during the 11th Annual Night Under the Stars event hosted by the school's science department April 7.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 8, 2011
District offers FCAT breakfast

The Manatee County School District will spend $15,000 feeding students for FCAT.

  • East County
  • News
Hannaiz Nater, 6, checked out a bat with her parents Luis and Tanya.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 8, 2011
GALLERY: Night Under the Stars

Braden River Middle School students and their families enjoyed the 11th annual "Night Under the Stars" thanks to the school's science department. Attendees enjoyed a Star Lab Planetarium, visits from the Florida Aquarium and Lowry Park Zoo, and more, while raising funds for various school organizations.

  • East County
  • News
The chorus sings the overture, "Stone Soup."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 7, 2011
GALLERY: McNeal presents 'Stone Soup'

Kindergarten students at McNeal Elementary School sang a lesson in sharing during their production of "Stone Soup, A Rock Opera" April 5. The musical featured a special appearance by several pre-kindergarten students as well.

  • East County
  • News
Rodolfo Estraea, 8, went as fast as he could through the tunnel.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 7, 2011
GALLERY: Tara Math-tacle

Thanks to a $1,000 Toshiba math and science grant, children at Tara Elementary school this week are making their way through a special Math-tacle course. During their physical education class time, students work their way through nearly a dozen obstacles, pausing before each one to solve math problems.

  • East County
  • News
Bridget Lanier
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 6, 2011
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Bridget Lanier

Braden River sophomore Bridget Lanier won the long jump and the high jump helping lead the Lady Pirates to a first-place victory at the Palmetto Relays April 1.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mollie Rainwater and Brooke Troyer demonstrate their 'soil swifter' tool.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 5, 2011
Nolan FFA students advance

Nolan Middle School students Mollie Rainwater and Brooke Troyer will compete in a state level FFA Association competition later this month.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fifth-grade students demonstrated tricks during Bashaw Elementary's Jump for Fun event March 30.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 31, 2011
GALLERY: Bashaw Elementary Jump for Fun

Students at Bashaw Elementary School showed off their jump-roping skills during the school's annual Jump for Fun event March 30. Fifth-grade students demonstrated a variety of jump-roping tricks before the rest of the school joined in on the fun.

  • East County
  • Schools
Primrose School kindergartner Cameron Phayre and his father, Scott, celebrated after learning their family had won third-prize in the Family Dance-off video contest.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 30, 2011
GALLERY: Phayre Family Celebration

Kindergarten students at Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch Town danced their hearts out in celebration after fellow classmate Cameron Phayre and his family were named the third-prize winners of the Family Dance-off March 30. In honor of the Phayre family's victory, Primrose presented a $15,000 check to All Children's Hospital. The Phayre family also received a check for $1,500.

  • East County
  • Schools
Anissa Murgo said she's most excited to meet the other top spellers from across the nation.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 30, 2011
McNeal fourth-grader wins local spelling bee finals

McNeal student Anissa Murgo spelled correctly 'pitchblende' to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee Local Finals. She will compete in the national competition June 1-2 in Washington, D.C.

  • East County
  • News
Anay Patel has been studying for the state geography bee every night since he learned he would be competing.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 30, 2011
Nolan student navigates way to Florida Geo Bee

Eighth-grader Anay Patel will compete in the 2011 Florida Geographic Bee at Jacksonville University.

  • East County
  • News
About 10,000 baseball fans saw Julia Gennocro perform.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2011
BRE student sings national anthem (VIDEO)

Braden River Elementary School student Julia Gennocro sang the national anthem before the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training game March 23 at McKechnie Field.

  • East County
  • News
Joseph Grosso, Katherine Kaspar, Carlotta Murri and Melina Cuffaro are all part of Lakewood's drama department.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • March 28, 2011
GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Renaissance

Lakewood Ranch High School students enjoyed an afternoon of art and entertainment as part of the school's Renaissance program March 25. The school's jazz band, theater students and Silver Stars dance team performed.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Anissa Murgo correctly spelled 'pitchblende' to win the local competition.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • March 25, 2011
Can you spell, C-H-A-M-P?

McNeal Elementary School fourth-grader Anissa Murgo won the Scripps National Spelling Bee Local Finals March 24 at St. Joseph Catholic School. Now, she'll represent the county at the national bee June 1-2 in Washington, D.C.

  • East County
  • Schools
Eight-year-old Bianca Lowery was rewarded with a crown for her knowledge of the NED acronym.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 25, 2011
GALLERY: Braden River Elementary NED Assembly

Students at Braden River Elementary School learned about becoming champions at school and in life during a special NED Show Assembly March 24. NED stresses the importance of never giving up, encouraging others and doing your best.

  • East County
  • Schools
This Moroccan uromastyx was one of four different animals that visited Love Comes First Preschool this morning.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • March 24, 2011
GALLERY: Reptiles visit Love Comes First Preschool

Reptiles from Sarasota Jungle Gardens slithered into the East County's Love Comes First Preschool March 24 -- much to the delight of the students. Special guests included a Burmese python, a Moroccan uromastyx, a green iguana and an American alligator.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Eight-year-old Jordyn Berger couldn't wait to hit the dance floor with her father, Jason.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 21, 2011
GALLERY: Gene Witt Elementary Father-Daughter Dance

Dressed in their Sunday best, dozens of girls at Gene Witt Elementary School enjoyed an evening with the special men in their lives during the school's annual Father-Daughter Dance March 18. The girls danced the night away with their dads, got their pictures taken and enjoyed ice cream sundaes and other tasty treats.

  • East County
  • Schools
Six-year-old Lexi Kahler and her sister Madison, 8, along with their 8-year-old friend Tammy Sinn-Movilla, middle, celebrated their Pa's 67th birthday during Bingo Night March 18.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 20, 2011
GALLERY: McNeal Elementary Bingo Night

Dozens of McNeal Elementary School students and their families enjoyed an evening of fun and games during the school's annual Bingo Night March 18. Students played several rounds of Bingo while snacking on hot dogs and potato chips.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School Cadet Samantha Lynch attended with her mom Christina, sister Morgan and father Mark.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 18, 2011
GALLERY: Cadets honored

The Sarasota-Manatee Chapter of the Reserve Officers Association on March 17 honored 12 Junior ROTC cadets from Sarasota and Manatee counties during a ceremony at the Lakewood Ranch Holiday Inn.

  • East County
  • Schools
Aman Bassin, Alan Mashraghi, Chris Ng, Brooke Organ and Steve Papuchis made sure to check out the silent auction items.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 17, 2011
GALLERY: LECOM student fundraiser

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine's International Medicine Society on March 15 hosted a special dinner, silent auction and guest speaker fundraiser to support medical students who provide medical services and educational programs in under-served and disaster-stricken countries.

  • East County
  • Schools
Freedom Elementary will host its round-up from 3:30-6:30 p.m., May 12. Photo by Brian Blanco.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 15, 2011
Manatee schools schedule kindergarten roundups

Manatee County Public Schools will host registration for kindergarten students in the East County between March 30 and May 12.

  • East County
  • Schools
Five-year-old Robert McIntyre couldn't wait to start peddling.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 4, 2011
GALLERY: Lighthouse Kids Preschool Trike-A-Thon

More than 35 children strapped on their helmets and peddled their hearts out during Lighthouse Kids Preschool's 7th annual Trike-A-Thon. Once they were done peddling, the students enjoyed pizza and other snacks. Proceeds from the event will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Over the past seven years, the preschool has raised more than $13,500.

  • East County
  • Schools
Anna Babayan learned about James Madison during the project.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 4, 2011
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: BRE Hall of Democracy

Second-grade students at Braden River Elementary School shared what they learned about citizenship, U.S. history and the democratic process during their Hall of Democracy event this week.

  • East County
  • News
Maria Tippy, also known as Cinderella, proves to the prince, Rin Graves, that the shoe fits.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 4, 2011
Tara presents 'Once Upon a Dream' (VIDEO)

Tara Elementary School students brought the story of Cinderella to life with the musical, "Once Upon a Dream," March 3.

  • East County
  • Schools
Paeten Feathers, Matt Schefer, Cayla Weinsberg and Curtis Reynolds all dressed as the Cat in the Hat.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 3, 2011
GALLERY: Dr. Seuss' birthday

Children at Kiddie Academy celebrated the birthday of children's author Dr. Seuss March 2 with special activities. They even enjoyed a lunch of green eggs and ham.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jordan Cangro, 8, passed out chocolate chip cookies as part of the "Great Cookie Election."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 2, 2011
GALLERY: Hall of Democracy

Children Braden River Elementary School learned about their country's history, citizenship and democratic processes during the second grade's annual Hall of Democracy event. Festivities included presentations about U.S. presidents and states, as well as voting in the "Great Cookie Election."

  • East County
  • News
Elvita Phelan, Maria Laura Jones, Debbie Smith and Cheryl McGrew attended.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 1, 2011
Local educators learn about STEM

Four Manatee County educators attended the Children's Engineering Convention in Virginia Feb. 20-26.

  • East County
  • News
Silver Stars co-captain Melanie Hahn was excited to perform at this year's carnival.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 27, 2011
GALLERY: McNeal Winter Carnival

Despite its name, McNeal Elementary School's Winter Carnival felt more like a spring fling Feb. 26. Guests enjoyed carnival games and treats, a performance by the Lakewood Ranch High School Silver Stars and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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