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East County | Schools

Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy sophomores Kiran Kalia, Olivia Longino, Samantha Strohbach and Gianna Weldon work present "Did I Do It?" a book they wrote with their 14 classmates in Joseph Bockus' Cambridge AICE English Language class.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 2, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Prep class publishes collaborative novel

The class of 18 students work together on a self-published murder mystery novel.

  • East County
  • Schools
Progress continues on new schools in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 1, 2024
Progress continues on new schools in Lakewood Ranch

A high school is expected to open in August 2027, and a K-8 school is expected in August 2025.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kindergartners Selah Ortiz and Erick Gonzales-Dimas put their culinary skills to the test as the chefs at the Banana Leaf Restaurant.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 28, 2024
Tara Elementary kindergartners serve up smiles at their own restaurant

For one night only, Tara Elementary opened the Banana Leaf Restaurant to give students real-world experiences.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jamie Warrington, the director of transportation for the School District of Manatee County, says he and his staff are thinking of out-of-the-box ways to address transportation challenges.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 23, 2024
Manatee School District faces major transportation challenges

Population spike, driver shortage and a wide geographical coverage area are among the top problems facing Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
First grader Anna Lum blows a ball through a maze at the wind powered maze activity.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 19, 2024
McNeal Elementary hosts STEAM Night

Students participate in a variety of STEAM activities from coding to an art project and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Out-of-Door Academy upper school students and staff work on a tape mural featuring the mascots of the school's house system.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 15, 2024
Students' creativity on display during ODA's first Festival of the Arts

The Festival of the Arts featured various forms of visual arts and included interactive art projects and a fashion show.

  • East County
  • Schools
Freddie Fowler, a Marine Service Technology instructor at Manatee Technical College, has been named American Boat and Yacht Council Foundation's Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 10, 2024
MTC instructor named US boating nonprofit's Educator of the Year

Freddie Fowler, a Marine Service Technology instructor at Manatee Technical College, uses his military experience to train students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota schools’ Rachael O’Dea, Mote’s Aly Busse, the associate vice president of education, and Manatee schools’ Amber Platowski, talk about possibilities while standing in front of what will be the three learning labs at Mote SEA.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 10, 2024
Mote aquarium hopes to lead students to marine science, biology careers

The Science Education Aquarium is working with Manatee and Sarasota school districts to provide access to every K-12 student.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High School sophomore Alexa Helton performs as part of a quartet. She looks forward to seeing her skills as a clarinet player grow as she continues in high school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 6, 2024
Arts Alive showcases Manatee County student talent while supporting the arts

Students from Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools perform or have their artwork work on display.

  • East County
  • Schools
Rep. Tommy Gregory answers interview questions during a public forum on March 26 at SCF. He was hired as SCF's seventh president on Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 5, 2024
Rep. Tommy Gregory accepts post as SCF president

The District 72 representative will be the seventh president of the State College of Florida.

  • East County
  • Schools
The MTC Florida Law Academy and Bradenton Police Department’s firing range and driving pad has been delayed due to the increase in construction costs, but MTC Director Doug Wagner says the project now can move forward.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 20, 2024
MTC's new firing range delayed by increase in construction costs

The Bradenton Police Department and MTC will have to wait longer to have its long-awaited facility in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • News
Myakka City Elementary School second grader Lydia Powell listens intently and follows along as second grade teacher Karen Washington reads aloud. Early childhood education is a priority for the School Board of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 18, 2024
Manatee School Board proposes new allocations for referendum

The referendum, which is on the ballot in November, could include athletics, early childhood education, and school safety and security.

  • East County
  • Schools
Delaney Riggins and Andrew Shackleford say it's crazy how life comes full circle. The couple "dated" in elementary school but grew apart in middle and high school. They reconnected in 2020 and married March 9.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 14, 2024
LRHS teachers tie the knot years after 'dating' in elementary school

Delaney Riggins says fate brought her back together with Andrew Shackleford in 2020 after they dated in elementary school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Amara Chepuri, a fifth grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, hopes to make it to the quarterfinals at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 13, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Prep student qualifies for Scripps National Spelling Bee

Amara Chepuri is spelling her way to the top, one letter at a time.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee County, USF partnership helps paraprofessionals become teachers
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 12, 2024
Manatee County, USF partnership helps paraprofessionals become teachers

A federal grant will send 60 English for Speakers of Other Languages paraprofessionals to the University of South Florida to earn their teaching degrees.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jamie Warrington, the director of transportation for the School District of Manatee County, looks forward to seeing the potential the district's four new electric buses has for the district.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 5, 2024
Electric school buses roll out this month in Manatee County

The School District of Manatee County will begin using four new electric buses late in March.

  • East County
  • Schools
R. Dan Nolan Middle School Future Business Leaders of America advisor Stefani Heidenthal and her students hope their work with the Humane Society of Manatee County will lead to more dogs being adopted.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 5, 2024
Nolan Middle students help Humane Society dogs get adopted

Future Business Leaders of America students' Cause 4 Paws project focuses on creating commercials to help dogs get adopted.

  • East County
  • Schools
Carlos Paez, the director of before- and after-school care at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, always wanted to teach his students kindness and hoped they would pay it forward.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 23, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Prep staff member remembered for his kindness

Carlos Paez, the director of Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy's before- and after-school care, died Feb. 14. Students and staff will miss his ability to make them smile and laugh every day.

  • East County
  • Schools
Nayeli Centeno, a Manatee Technical College Dental Assisting student, teaches Vaylin Jensen, a Lakewood Ranch High School junior, how to suction a mouth.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 22, 2024
MTC open house provides hands-on look at careers

Manatee Technical College's East Campus open house gave potential future students an opportunity to see the programs available.

  • East County
  • Schools
The new addition will address the growth of Parrish Community High School, which is at capacity this school year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 20, 2024
Parrish Community High begins construction on new addition in April

The 16-classroom addition, which will cost $10.6 million and include two engineering labs, addresses growth and academic needs at the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kambrie Rowell, a Ballard Elementary kindergartner in 2022, loves working with her literacy mentor, Esplanade's Barbara Liodice, who volunteers for the Books for Kids Kindergarten program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 19, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Rotary needs volunteers to expand Books for Kids

Manatee County principals say the Books for Kids programs spark a love for reading in students and that they want more classes involved.

  • East County
  • Schools
Congressman Vern Buchanan talks to R. Dan Nolan Middle School students about what he does as a congressman.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 14, 2024
US representative urges Nolan Middle School students to get involved

Students received encouragement from Congressman Vern Buchanan to be part of the political process.

  • East County
  • Schools
Katie Bagley, a third grade academy teacher at Prine Elementary; Joadie Durfee, a fifth grade teacher at Barbara A. Harvey Elementary; Debra McCarthy, a language arts teacher at Lakewood Ranch High; and Jessica Spence, a first grade teacher at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary, wait in anticipation to find out the winner of Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 12, 2024
Four east Bradenton educators honored to be among county's best

Two teachers and two support employees were honored as finalists for Educator and Support Employee of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Vice Principal Robin Hamilton and Principal John Hettler run the Sea of Strengths Academy.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 11, 2024
Lakewood Ranch school emphasizes joy of learning

Sea of Strengths Academy, which serves third through 12th graders with learning disabilities, instills confidence in its students alongside its highly structured approach to academics.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bradenton's Pam Page, Joanne Telesco, Valerie Lipscomb and David Daniels stand outside the School District of Manatee County's School Support Center to express their disapproval of the district's policy on reviewing books and materials.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 7, 2024
Manatee County School District finalizes book review procedure

Despite concerns from a board member and some residents, the district approved a procedure for parents and residents to object to the use of a book in the classroom.

  • East County
  • Schools
Michael Hager, a water conservation compliance officer with Manatee County Utilites, takes fifth graders through an interactive watershed model to help students understand the importance of water conservation.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 3, 2024
Tara Elementary students learn about water conservation

Manatee County Utilities put on presentation about the importance of water conservation.

  • East County
  • Schools
The salad bars in high school cafeterias come with plenty of ingredients for students to choose.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 31, 2024
Providing more food options is a recipe for success in Manatee schools

The School District of Manatee County offers increased variety to meet students' needs for a nutritious lunch.

  • East County
  • Schools
First grader Penelope Seguin, who loves horses, takes her time petting Sugar, a mini horse, after reading "Pete the Cat Goes to the Doctor."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 26, 2024
Myakka City Elementary gallops into reading

Students read to mini horses, visit the book fair and participate in other literacy activities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fruits, veggies, milk, a bread roll and plant-based nuggets make a complete meal.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 26, 2024
Plant-based lunch options roll out in Manatee school cafeterias

Two high schools and three middle schools offer Impossible Burgers and plant-based nuggets.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Empower, Develop, Grow and Educate Program will be held at Manatee Technical College East.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 23, 2024
Life skills program launches for Manatee students with disabilities

The program will prepare students to start on a career path with life skills classes and post-graduation resources.

  • East County
  • Schools
The long-awaited 22-classroom addition at Lakewood Ranch High School is open for students and teachers.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 15, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High welcomes students back with new building

After years of waiting, the 22-classroom addition is open to students and teachers.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarah Orcutt, a second grade teacher at Freedom Elementary School, prepares for the new school year in August 2023. Teachers receive a salary supplement through the 1-mill property tax referendum.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 10, 2024
Teacher salary support again big part of school tax vote

With the 1-mill property tax referendum on the ballot in November, Manatee County School Board members consider their options.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students are ready to represent Sabal house after the completion of the sorting ceremony.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 10, 2024
ODA implements house system to promote positive culture

The house system creates a welcoming culture, positive connections and leadership opportunities at The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • East County
  • Schools
Carlos E. Haile Middle School is undergoing a campuswide renovation and will have a new 10-classroom addition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 5, 2024
Haile Middle to offer new opportunities with 10-classroom addition

The addition, expected to be complete in the spring, will expand the school's robotics and agriscience programs.

  • East County
  • Schools
Isabelle Monroe, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, loves showing cows at the Manatee County Fair. She names each of her cows after a car part of maker.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 2, 2024
Students pick the perfect name for their Manatee County Fair animals

Whether it's for laughs, a reference to a favorite food or a tradition, students put thought into picking an animal's name.

  • East County
  • Schools
East Bradenton students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 22, 2023
East Bradenton students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

These Gullett, Willis and Gene Witt elementary students can't wait to see what's under their tree Christmas day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience
3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
4
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
  • December 3, 2025
Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move
5
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

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