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East County | Schools

Allison Tibor, 9, showed her grandpa, Mel Neely, how to dance the "YMCA."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 26, 2011
GALLERY: Freedom Father/Daughter Dance

Girls at Freedom Elementary School danced the night away with their fathers during the school's annual Father/Daughter Dance Feb. 25.

  • East County
  • News
Friends Talha Haque and Julian Milian raced around the track in unison.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 25, 2011
GALLERY: Tara Run-a-Thon

Children ran to their hearts' delight during Tara Elementary School's annual Run-A-Thon fund-raiser Feb. 25. After they'd finished running, students enjoyed ice-cold water and popsicles.

  • East County
  • Schools
Wesley Choate, 6
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 25, 2011
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: McNeal hits big numbers

McNeal Elementary School children have spent the last 28 days brandishing pencil and paper as they completed a total of 100,000 math problems. Students enjoyed a special school-wide celebration this morning.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jayden Doyle, 7, cheered for Principal Norma Scott.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 25, 2011
GALLERY: McNeal Math Celebration (WITH VIDEO)

Children at McNeal Elementary School today gathered at the school's bus loop to celebrate the completion of 100,000 math problems by students in just 28 days. As part of the festivities, Principal Norma Scott raced Assistant Principal Kathy Price in a math-inspired obstacle course.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ivette and Anthony Littlejohn surround their son, Adrian, with positive energy as he undergoes chemotherapy.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 23, 2011
Every Day is a Win

At just 1 year old, Adrian Littlejohn already is showing he inherited strength from his parents, Lakewood Ranch coach Anthony Littlejohn and his wife, Ivette. Last November, Adrian was diagnosed with AT/RT, a rare pediatric cancer. He has been fighting ever since.

  • East County
  • News
Senior Carly Bayer is performing for the first time on the winter guard.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 23, 2011
ON GUARD

Lakewood Ranch High School's winter guard made final preparations on Feb. 17 for the a color guard competition at Plant City High School Feb. 19. The group's competition show is themed, "Mirrors ... Reflections of the Soul."

  • East County
  • Schools
Juniors Marissa Milko, Shelby Walker and Huntyre Elling are best friends.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 18, 2011
GALLERY: College and Career Fair

Students at Lakewood Ranch High School learned about job and educational opportunities during the school's College and Career Fair Feb. 18.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kaitlin Bohan
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 18, 2011
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Gullett Elementary (VIDEO)

Puppy raisers from Southeastern Guide Dogs visited fourth- and fifth-grade students at Gullett Elementary School Thursday. The East County Observer caught up with students after the presentation to see what they learned.

  • East County
  • Schools
Student Council member Isabelle Chamness told students about an upcoming fundraiser for Southeastern Guide Dogs.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 17, 2011
GALLERY: Guide dogs at Gullett

Gullett Elementary School's Student Council kicked off an upcoming fundraiser for Southeastern Guide Dogs by hosting a presentation by puppy raisers at the school Feb. 17. Students will collect items, such as blankets, towels and puppy toys, from Feb. 22 to March 18.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River's girls were ready to party at this year's Father/Daughter Dance.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 13, 2011
GALLERY: BRE Father/Daughter Dance

Braden River Elementary School's girls celebrated a special night with their dads during the school's annual Father/Daughter Dance Feb. 11. The girls came decked out in party dresses and corsages and hit the dance floor as the deejay spun tunes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brothers Jordan and Jaquavius Bing loved the warmth the fire gave during the cold evening.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 13, 2011
GALLERY: Freedom Elementary Bonfire

A gigantic bonfire provided warmth and a comforting glow during Freedom Elementary School's Bonfire Feb. 11. Families snuggled together in blankets during the special night as Principal Jim Mennes kept the fire going throughout the night.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Seven-year-old Erin Williams enjoyed breakfast with her dad, Mike.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 11, 2011
GALLERY: Willis Donuts with Dads

More than 600 dads and their children turned out this morning for Willis Elementary School's first-ever Donuts with Dads event. Members of the school's Parent-Teacher organization dished out about 24 dozen doughnuts in less than an hour.

  • East County
  • Schools
The approval will allow LECOM to keep on track to open the $52 million facility in 2012.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 11, 2011
LECOM dental school earns accreditation

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine's Bradenton campus has received an initial accreditation for the school's new School of Dental Medicine.

  • East County
  • News
Drew Nolan, who turns 3 years old on Feb. 20, couldn't wait to take his tricycle for a spin.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 8, 2011
Sprouts kids ride for St. Jude

Students at Sprouts Child Development Center of Harvest United Methodist Church strapped on their helmets and pedaled away during the preschool's fifth annual St. Jude Trike-A-Thon Feb. 7-8. Proceeds from the event will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

  • East County
  • Schools
Two-year-old Caleb Parks was all smiles as he learned about what foods were good for his teeth.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2011
Preschoolers smile about tooth care

Children at Love Comes First Preschool on Feb. 7 learned about taking good care of their teeth.

  • East County
  • Schools
Nazariel Williams, Dev Patel, Brecken Fair and Nate Black loved the "One-hundred Song" they learned as part of the festivities.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 4, 2011
Braden River celebrates 100 days of school

First-grade students at Braden River Elementary School today celebrated their 100th day of school with special activities.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 4, 2011
BRHS cadets earn summer posts

Four female cadets from Braden River High School's JROTC program will participate in service academy summer programs.

  • East County
  • News
Samantha Harris and Shannon Mallard dressed up with their teacher Natasha Sinclair and classmates Rose Higginbotham and Ally Boudreau.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 3, 2011
McNeal celebrates Spirit Week

Children at McNeal Elementary School are showing their school this week during the school's Spirit Week event. Today's theme was Mix 'n Match Day.

  • East County
  • News
Teaching assistant Jasmine Dieu-Seul hopped with Jaden Scott, 1, in her arms.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 2, 2011
Goddard kids hop for a cause (VIDEO)

Children at The Goddard School in Lakewood Ranch hopped for a good cause Feb. 2 during the school's second annual Hop-A-Thon benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. With the support of Goddard families, the school already has raised more than $2,300 for the cause.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy challenged children to play for an hour every day.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 31, 2011
Buccaneers' McCoy visits Bashaw

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy made a special visit to Bashaw Elementary School last week to share with children about the importance of eating right and exercising. The program was part of 'Fuel Up to Play 60,' a national in-school health and wellness program.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 31, 2011
Braden River Middle to host open house

The event has been rescheduled for Tuesday night.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sen. Mike Bennett, with his wife Dee, checked out the work of Lakewood Ranch High School  Taylor Lewis, whose piece took "Best in Show."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 29, 2011
Gala showcases student work

Art and education enthusiasts alike gathered at the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club Jan. 29 for the fourth annual HEART & SOUL Gala and Live Art Auction. The show featured the top 25 works submitted by Manatee School district art students during a recent competition.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
John-Thomas Duff, 7, spun in circles all the way down the snow-covered hill.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • January 29, 2011
Tabernacle creates winter wonderland

Although wintry white stuff wasn't a part of Friday's forecast, students at Tabernacle Christian School enjoyed a rare snow day during the school's winter wonderland Jan. 28. The students took their inflatable rafts up a hill on the school grounds and zoomed down on a bed of real snow - which quickly melted under the Florida sunshine.

  • East County
  • Schools
Witt fifth-graders Holly MacLeod, Zoe Schaeffer and Ivy Proffitt are eager to get started on their next art project.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 26, 2011
Christo inspires Witt art project

While learning about the artist, students also got a lesson in giving.

  • East County
  • News
More than 30 students are working on 'Furry.'
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • January 26, 2011
Ringling cameras roll at Summerfield Park

A student-led movie crew of about 30 invaded Summerfield Park Jan. 14 to film a scene for a senior thesis project.

  • East County
  • Schools
Paris Pratt, 10, hopes to be Braden River's Principal for a Day again next year.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 26, 2011
Fourth-grader assumes BRE principal post

Paris Pratt served as the school's Principal for a Day Jan. 11.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Robert Hirsch was appointed as dean of the new dental school in November.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 21, 2011
LECOM unveils dental school plans

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine will invest $52 million to construct the LECOM Bradenton School of Dental Medicine in Lakewood Ranch. Officials hope to have the facility ready to welcome its first class of students in August 2012.

  • East County
  • Schools
The fifth-grade SOAR Ambassadors helped out throughout the assembly.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 21, 2011
Freedom students SOAR

Students at Freedom Elementary School were rewarded for positive behavior while learning what it means to be an active learner during the school's SOAR Assembly and spirit day Jan. 20. During the assembly, students received prizes for staying on task, sang songs and learned the importance of positive self talk, goal setting and effort.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cassie Lloyd, Leila Parks and Gemma Zapatha checked out the arctic fox exhibit.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 20, 2011
Braden River third-graders enjoy zoo tour

Third-grade students at Braden River Elementary School today made a special trip to the zoo without leaving the comforts of their school campus. After researching an animal and creating a diorama of it in its natural habitat, each student shared what he'd learned with children from visiting classrooms and also visited the "zoos" set up in other classrooms to collect data and learn about other animals.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 20, 2011
McGonegal a finalist for tech-savvy award

Manatee County Public Schools Superintendent Tim McGonegal is a finalist for eSchool News' national Tech-Savvy Superintendent award.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 14, 2011
Manatee schools declares impasse

The district and the MEA have continued in the collective bargaining process for the 2010-2011 school year from June 28, 2010, to Jan. 5, 2011. By declaring an impasse, the district is stating it does not desire to mediate and has requested the appointment of a special magistrate.

  • East County
  • News
Caleb Baker, 10 months, thoroughly enjoyed playing with a straw, much to the amusement of his grandfather, Phill.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 14, 2011
Manatee County Fair in full swing

The sights and sounds of the Manatee County Fair filled the air as the fair opened Jan. 13. Festivities, including concerts, demonstrations and shows, continue nightly through Jan. 23.

  • East County
  • News
Out-of-Door Academy seniors Amelia Cotter and Tim Dobosz are pictured with Lynda Carver and Jenna and Avery Carver.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 13, 2011
Families attend Private School Fair

The Out-of-Door Academy and St. Stephen's Episcopal School welcomed families to the Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom Jan. 11 for the seventh annual Private School Fair event. More than 20 area schools were on hand to answer questions about their programs.

  • East County
  • News
Teacher Sue Curry dressed as Bill Nye, The Science Guy, for the interactive lesson.
  • By Genny Knopf
  • January 11, 2011
Science captivates at BRE

Braden River Elementary fourth-graders learned just how cool science could be during the school's recent Science Extravaganza. Topics included optical illusions, gravity, buoyancy, matter and more. Teacher Sue Curry also demonstrated how hot and cold energy could crush a soda can.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lawrence Ingerly practices on the bass drum line.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 8, 2011
Boston Crusaders hold auditions

The Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps. is holding its second round of auditions at Lakewood Ranch High School this weekend. About 150 drum and brass players from around the country competed for spots on the competitive team.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 7, 2011
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Gullett Elementary

With the holiday break behind them, fifth-grade students at Gullett Elementary School already are busy focusing on their schoolwork. The East County Observer caught up with a few students in Melissa Raynor's class to find out about their academic goals for the upcoming semester.

  • East County
  • News
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