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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
Six-year-old Peter Sziaglyi had a blast playing the carnival-style games.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2010
Bashaw students enjoy holiday fun

Bashaw Elementary School students enjoyed some holiday fun during the school's holiday festival Dec. 4. Students and their families enjoyed bounce houses, face painting, carnival-style games, refreshments and a performance by the Bashaw chorus, among other activities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Zachary Zimmer, who plays Jim Hill, complains about having to work in the summer heat.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 3, 2010
Ranch thespians debut 'Somewhere, Nowhere'

Lakewood Ranch High School students hit the stage Thursday night, debuting the play "Somewhere, Nowhere." Another performance will be offered tonight at 7 p.m., in the school's auditorium.

  • East County
  • News
Melina Cuffaro says she enjoys playwright Lindsay Price's writing style.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 2, 2010
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Lakewood Ranch

Canadian playwright Lindsay Price visited Lakewood Ranch High School this week, holding playwriting workshops with theater students and working with actors in her play "Somewhere, Nowhere," which debuts at 7 p.m. tonight.

  • East County
  • Schools
Madelyn Myre, front left, was all smiles after checking out in the grocery line.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 23, 2010
Spirit of Sharing

Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch and The Goddard School both hosted special food drive activities in honor of Thanksgiving.

  • East County
  • Schools
Adrian Eidge and Jack Warner, both 6, created their own version of the game corn hole.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 22, 2010
ODA campus 'thunders' with fun

The Out-of-Door Academy's Lakewood Ranch campus buzzed with excitement for the school's annual ODA Thunder Fun Day event Nov. 20. Children enjoyed rock-climbing walls, an inflatable obstacle course, crafts, games and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tia Albrecht and Liz Labriola chaired this year's event. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 21, 2010
BRE hosts Denim & Diamonds fundraiser

Braden River Elementary School staff and PTO members enjoyed the school's The Denim & Diamonds Fall Ball Party and Fundraiser Nov. 6 at the Sarasota Polo Club. The event featured tapas, beverages, music and a live auction. All proceeds will benefit BRE students in the Accelerated Reading and Renzulli programs.

  • East County
  • Schools
Vanessa Richtfort
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 19, 2010
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Primrose School

Kindergarten students at Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch got a hands-on lesson in giving Nov. 19 as they headed to a local Publix to shop for food for the homeless for Thanksgiving.

  • East County
  • Schools
Connor Losada, 8, showed off his climbing skills at the rope challenge.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • November 14, 2010
Families frolic at Tara fall fest

From inflatable obstacle courses and carnival games to performances and plenty of treats, Tara Elementary School students and families enjoyed a day of fun at the school's Fall Festival Nov. 13. The event also featured an auction for baskets created by classes at Tara.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch High JROTC Color Guard assists Freedom Elementary students Richard Garst and Brantley Deines raise the American Flag.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 12, 2010
Students let freedom ring

Freedom Elementary School students, faculty and staff showed their patriotism during the school's annual Let Freedom Ring Courtyard Remembrance Ceremony Nov. 12. During the ceremony, the school honored our veterans, active military and first responders in support of Veterans Day.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jonathan Ray played "Taps" to end the ceremony.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 11, 2010
Braden River Middle honors veterans

Students at Braden River Middle School celebrated Veterans Day with a special Veterans Day Flag Raising Ceremony Nov. 10 in the school's courtyard. The event featured patriotic performances by band, chorus and orchestra students, guest speakers and the unveiling of a new commemorative tile for the Veterans Wall of Honor, among other activities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Zaylon Freeman is proud of the veterans who have fought for this country.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 11, 2010
MAN ON THE STREET: Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, The East County Observer headed to Braden River Middle School this week to find out what students think about the holiday and why it's important.

  • East County
  • Schools
One of Aaron Stone's first lessons for his new drama students was to write raps.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • November 10, 2010
Braden River welcomes new drama teacher

Although new to this post, Aaron Stone is not new to the Pirates. He helped Band Director Kendall Carrier build the marching program.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 10, 2010
Skype connects author, East County students

'Skeleton Creek' series author Patrick Carman chatted with students at Braden River Middle School Nov. 3.

  • East County
  • Schools
Noah Burg was one of about 80 children to participate in the event. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 9, 2010
Special-needs kids take to the waves

About 80 special-needs children ages 3 to 17 headed to Siesta Key Beach Nov. 6 for the Hang 10 for Autism event, which was organized by the Center for Autism Research and Education. Participants were matched with a seasoned surfer and volunteer before heading to the water to learn to surf, skim board or paddle board. The Compound Boardshop was the event's primary sponsor.

  • East County
  • Schools
Veteran John Fiala explained the G.I. bill to students.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 9, 2010
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT: Freedom Elementary

Four local veterans shared their military experiences with students at Freedom Elementary School Nov. 8 as part of "Bring a Vet to School" day, organized through BrightHouse Networks and the History Channel. Veterans also demonstrated how to fold the U.S. flag during the hourlong presentation.

  • East County
  • Schools
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