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East County | Schools

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
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2011
Manatee schools 'Race to the Top'

The Manatee County School District on Monday became one of 11 districts statewide to receive additional state funding through the 'Race to the Top' grant program.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Sharon Frank
  • December 20, 2010
Primrose kids carol on Main

Kindergarten students at Primrose School recently warmed up their voices in celebration of the holidays.

  • East County
  • Schools
Alayna Tabor gave her heart and her love to Melton, the snowman.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 17, 2010
'Melton' warms hearts of Witt families

Second-grade children at Gene Witt Elementary School shared a story of giving and sharing with their holiday production of 'Melton, the Warm Hearted Snowman' Dec. 16. Fourth and fifth grade students in Witt's "Orff"estra also performed as part of the evening.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lara Cosgrove had a blast creating a gingerbread house with her daughters, Elise (pictured) and Cecelia.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 12, 2010
Families complete holiday homes

Using sugary sweets, frosting and plenty of homemade gingerbread, families constructed a wide variety of edible homes at Pastries By Design's Gingerbread House Workshop Dec. 11. Owner Lyndsy McDonald provided expertise as families crafted their delicious designs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gabrielle Odicio was excited to visit with Santa.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 12, 2010
Santa breaks fast with Freedom families

Freedom Elementary School students and families dined on pancakes, sausage, bacon and juice at the school's Breakfast with Santa event Dec. 11. After their meals, children lined up to play games, complete art projects and spend some time going over their lists with Santa himself.

  • East County
  • Schools
Nathan Barnes was one of the stars of this year's musical.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 10, 2010
Old West inspires BRE Christmas play

Braden River Elementary School fourth-graders took the East County on a trip to Branson, Mo., for their Christmas production, 'Santa's Holiday Hoedown,' Dec. 9. The production featured country Christmas carols and plenty of laughs. The school's Drumming Enrichment Club also performed.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tabitha Bingham helped host this year's event at Braden River Middle School.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2010
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Braden River Middle

Students in Braden River Middle School's National Junior Honor Society dished out soup, bread and desserts to East County residents as part of their annual Empty Bowls luncheon Dec. 9. The event, meant to raise awareness about world hunger, benefited Our Daily Bread.

  • East County
  • Schools
Erik Ross, Cameron Pearcen and Lucas Mingote manned the soup station.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2010
Students fill empty bowls at Braden River Middle

Students in Braden River Middle School's National Junior Honor Society chapter shared their vision to stamp out hunger with East County residents during their annual Empty Bowls luncheon Dec. 9. Donations from the event benefited Our Daily Bread.

  • East County
  • Schools
Playwright Lindsay Price addresses students in her play.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 8, 2010
Lakewood thespians welcome playwright

Playwright Lindsay Price watched Lakewood Ranch High School drama students perform her show, 'Somewhere, Nowhere.'

  • East County
  • Schools
Austin Buckstein, 5, wanted to have his picture taken with Santa alone.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 6, 2010
Santa visits Tara Elementary

Santa Claus made a special visit to Tara Elementary School Dec. 3. Guests enjoyed a dinner of pizza and pasta, dancing and pictures with St. Nick.

  • East County
  • News
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