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Schools

Theresa Pelayo celebrates crossing the finish line alongside her daughter, Luna Pelayo, on Saturday morning at the Taste of ODA 5K.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 9, 2025
Out-of-Door Academy's first 5K raises funds for its athletics program

ODA's first-year goal was easily met as 143 runners participated.

  • East County
  • Schools
Stacy Freeman said she felt as though she was living in a dream when she heard her name announced as the Manatee County Educator of the Year on Feb. 5 at Manatee Technical College.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 9, 2025
McNeal teacher wins Manatee County Educator of the Year award

Stacy Freeman impact goes far beyond the third grade classroom at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary.

  • East County
  • Schools
Wilkinson Elementary's STEM teachers who were honored included Kayly Ward, Angel Shideler, Tessa Healy, Michelle Scotese, Brianna Maltby, Deanna Snider, Vickie Schaefer, Isabella Magro, Kristy Wall and Stefanie Lynch.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 8, 2025
Wilkinson Elementary earns Florida's first national STEM certificate

The school celebrates its receipt of the National Certificate for STEM Excellence, while it also hosted its Family STEAM Night.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 6, 2025
Sarasota students face crackdown on cellphone usage

The Sarasota School Board looks to tighten disciplinary policy for cellphone use on campuses.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
A plan is in place to transfer control of The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art from Florida State University to New College of Florida.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 4, 2025
DeSantis plans to bring Ringling Museum under New College control

The transfer of stewardship is seen as part of larger plan to consolidate campuses along U.S. 41.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Addison Shea is one of 40 finalists for the Science Talent Search finals in Washington, D.C., in March.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 4, 2025
Lakewood Ranch student advances to finals of nation's top science contest

Addison Shea has been named a top 40 finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search.

  • East County
  • Schools
Maureen Geary reads "Fractured Fairytales" and asked questions to Myakka City Elementary students and their family members who attended Literacy Night on Jan. 30.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 3, 2025
Myakka City Elementary adapts to the times in literacy battle

Literacy Night is one of several efforts teachers use to get actual books in their students' hands.

  • East County
  • Schools
Rochelle S. asks a question.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 1, 2025
Pine View students speak with astronaut Sunita Williams via radio

Students had the chance to ask questions to astronaut Sunita Williams, one of the two astronauts currently stuck on the space station, via ham radio.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Nicholas Haas, the Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch Teacher of the Year, is a longtime guitarist who has parlayed his passion for music into a career in teaching.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 30, 2025
Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch honors its Teacher of the Year

Nicholas Haas adapts to the times to keep students excited.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ava Horne, a Lakewood Ranch High School graduate, dances her way across the field.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 29, 2025
East County high schools finish above state average in graduation rate

Braden River, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish high schools excel through individual attention and identifying at-risk students.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 23, 2025
Sarasota School Board to decide on science textbooks, cellphone use

On Feb. 18, the School Board of Sarasota County will vote on a list of finalists for K-12 science textbooks and will discuss cellphone policies.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Students at William H. Bashaw Elementary School planted a new garden last week with the help from Supervisor of Student Nutrition Skye Grundy (left), EBD self-contain teacher Ms. Bratton, EarthBox representative Will Carlton and Principal James Dougherty.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 22, 2025
Bashaw Elementary plants garden to further campus improvement project

The school garden will be used for cooking, math, science lessons — and lunch.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy eighth grader Wrenn Pevzner tested people to see whether they could distinguish the difference between a real photo and one that was generated by artificial intelligence for her science fair project.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 19, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Prep students explore science of the modern world

Projects on AI, Wi-Fi and cellphone radiation show how far science fairs have come.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River Middle Principal Kimberlain Zenon, Reading Coach Tasheta Riley and Assistant Principal Tamara Cornwell have directed their efforts toward motivating students to get back on track for grade-level standards.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 15, 2025
Braden River Middle gets creative to keep students on track

Motivational programs have put Braden River Middle on the cusp of an "A" school status.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students, including Emma Green and Cora Gerdes (center), celebrate during the moment of graduation.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 11, 2025
Sarasota County Schools broke record graduation rate in 2023-24

The district had a graduation rate of 92.5% for the 2023-2024 school year, the highest in its recorded history.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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