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East County | Schools

Sammi Jo Gaeta grabbed a dodge ball to throw.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 12, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Spirit Day

Students at the Out-of-Door Academy today showed their school spirit during the school's annual Spirit Day event. Students enjoyed games such as dodge ball, handball, an egg toss and more.

  • East County
  • News
Third-grade students at Willis Elementary show off the collage they made. From left: Olivia Cornelias, Kara Smith, Hayden Spring, Cami Willis, Manoela Dossantos and Igor Kitanovski.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 11, 2011
CREATIVE CLASS

Artwork created by third-graders at Willis Elementary School was selected for the Embracing Our Differences exhibit at Island Park in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
The Haile Middle School production of "The Wizard of Oz" was Sara Scott's first play.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 9, 2011
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Haile Middle School

Students at Haile Middle School this weekend performed "The Wizard of Oz" for audiences. The East County Observer caught up with performers about their experience.

  • East County
  • Schools
Caught up in the tornado, Brianna McVaugh, acting as Miss Almira Gulch, rides her bicycle across the stage.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 7, 2011
Haile presents 'Wizard of Oz' (VIDEO)

Students at Haile Middle School are bringing the story of Dorothy and Todo to life this weekend with performances of "The Wizard of Oz" at Manatee Elementary School. The last show is 2 p.m., today.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dominique Scanlan was delighted as her son Hayden shared what he'd written about her.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 6, 2011
Kiddie Academy moms enjoy tea (VIDEO)

Children at Kiddie Academy celebrated their mothers with special songs, gifts and other festivities at a Mother's Day Tea event May 5. Children performed before enjoying cookies and other snacks with their moms.

  • East County
  • Schools
Children were inducted during a special ceremonyApril 26
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 5, 2011
Freedom hosts honor society induction

Freedom Elementary School on April 26 inducted students into the National Elementary Honor Society.

  • East County
  • News
Ellie Ohlman is a 2010 graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 4, 2011
Ranch grad crowned DeSoto Queen

Ellie Ohlman was named the 2011 DeSoto Queen at the Desoto Historical Society Ball April 29.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River Elementary music teacher Rob Gorley celebrated the release of his first CD on April 21.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • May 4, 2011
Braden River Elementary teacher releases CD

Teacher Rob Gorley's debut release, "Life," features music inspired by his family and his home in Mill Creek.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School's TSA team came home as state champions.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 2, 2011
Manatee students sweep TSA competition

Braden River High School's Technology Student Association team caputured the championship crown. Lakewood Ranch took third.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch student Julia Goldman loved reading her group's story to the Bashaw students.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • May 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: "Winnie the Pooh and Shakespeare, Too"

Lakewood Ranch High School students shared children's stories they wrote with students at Bashaw Elementary School during the annual "Winnie the Pooh and Shakespeare, Too" event April 29. The high-schoolers also created educational activities to go along with their stories.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The FCAT Fun Day featured a variety of inflatable bounce houses and obstacle courses.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • May 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara FCAT Fun Day

Tara Elementary School students enjoyed a day of bounce houses and games following the FCAT during the school's annual FCAT Fun Day April 29. The celebration gave all students a chance to relax following the test.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Samara Meshad and Ashtin Frank danced the night away.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 1, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Prom

Juniors and seniors at the Out-of-Door Academy danced the night away April 30 during the school's prom at the Palm Aire Country Club. The event, which featured caricatures and poker, as well as ice cream and dancing, was themed "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

  • East County
  • Schools
Molly Cress counts to five in Spanish during the performance.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 29, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Art & Music Festival

The sound of music filled the air April 29 at Bashaw Elementary School as the school celebrated its 25th anniversary and its annual Art & Music Festival.

  • East County
  • Schools
Children made 738 origami cranes.
  • By Kristi Dyer
  • April 25, 2011
Imagine kids help others

Children at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch participated in Osh Kosh B'Gosh's Cranes for Kids program.

  • East County
  • News
Jasmine Hernandez led her team in the tug-of-war competition.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 23, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Field Day

Braden River Elementary School students hit the school's lawn for a a day of fun and friendly competition at the school's annual Field Day April 21. The event featured a variety of games, including tug-of-war, relay races and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Donna Bolton enjoyed spending time with her daughter Hannah, 5, and son Jaden, 1.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 22, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Freedom Elementary Muffins with Mom

Students at Freedom Elementary School spent a special morning with their moms during the school's Muffins with Mom event April 21. Students and their moms enjoyed spending quality time together over doughnuts and juice.

  • 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
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