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Schools

Tom Brugos, the STEM teacher, never thought when he started at Gene Witt Elementary School in 1994 that he would have 3D printers, robots and drones.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 1, 2024
Gene Witt Elementary School celebrates its 30th anniversary

Founding teachers say the family atmosphere and values of the school stay strong 30 years after it was built.

  • East County
  • Schools
Liz Barker, who served as part of the boundary advisory committee, has children who attend Lakeview and will be affected by new boundary change to Skye Ranch.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 27, 2024
Rezoning to relocate 1,187 Sarasota students to Skye Ranch School

The school board unanimously approved a proposal that would rezone students from Ashton Elementary, Lakeview Elementary and Sarasota Middle to the new K-8 Skye Ranch School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The current board makeup consists of Tim Enos, Bridget Ziegler, Robyn Marinelli, Liz Barker and Tom Edwards.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2024
Sarasota School Board swears in newly elected members

Liz Barker was sworn in for her first term, while Tom Edwards was sworn in for a second term.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Police officers responded to a lockdown initiated at Sarasota High School Nov. 22. It was determined to be a false alarm.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • November 22, 2024
Sarasota High lockdown blamed on nearby construction

Sarasota High was on a brief lockdown Friday, which was apparently a false alarm.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Kindergartners Mila Park and Eliana Fitzmorris give it their all in every song.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 22, 2024
McNeal Elementary hosts annual kindergarten Thanksgiving program

Kindergartners sing and gobble the night away.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fifth grader Grayson Hermann pushes the basketball, meant to represent a pumpkin, through the cones to the hay and back as fast as he can.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 21, 2024
Lakewood Ranch's Willis Elementary hosts fall field day

Field day activities put students into the competitive spirit.

  • East County
  • Schools
Carmen Larson, left, reacts as principal Jennifer Nzeza announces her as the 2024 school counselor of the year.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 21, 2024
Sarasota Middle School surprises school counselor with national award

Carmen Larson was recognized as the country's counselor of the year by the American School Counselor Association.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
School Board of Manatee County members Richard Tatem, Chad Choate, Charlie Kennedy, Cindy Spray and Heather Felton are ready to serve the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 20, 2024
New Manatee County School Board members primed for the post

Board members say they are focused on learning more about each other while prioritizing areas such as early literacy.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School's Kirsten Soler and Quinn McGettigan kiss the trophy. The Marching Band of Pirates earned its first state championship title in five years.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 19, 2024
Braden River High marching band claims state 2A title

The Marching Band of Pirates win first place, and Parrish Community High's Pride of Parrish Marching Band placed fourth in the same division.

  • East County
  • Schools
Noble Molineaux, 8, and Nyla Molineaux, 6, hold Brownie the chicken.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 18, 2024
McIntosh Middle Fall Festival celebrates the season and the school's offerings

Now in its second year, the fall festival brought together departments from throughout the school for activities, crafts and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Braden River Middle School Principal Kimberlain Zenon has been named the School District of Manatee County's Principal of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 13, 2024
Braden River Middle principal named Manatee County's Principal of the Year

Kimberlain Zenon-Richardson has lead Braden River Middle School since 2019.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gail Bowers, a kindergarten teacher at Fruitivlle Elementary, works with student Marina Prybylski.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 8, 2024
Sarasota County Schools millage referendum is top performer in state

The referendum passed through 84.06% of the vote.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Carlos E. Haile Middle School's Chase Anthony works on a piece of art. Anthony will display his artwork at the Manatee River Artists Guild at Waterlefe's Art and Craft Show and Sale Nov. 9.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 6, 2024
Manatee River Artists Guild's donations bring students new opportunities

Haile Middle School students visit museums and Freedom Elementary students explore new artistic mediums.

  • East County
  • Schools
Karen Holbrook, the regional chancellor of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, has announced she will retire at the end of the year.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 1, 2024
USF Sarasota-Manatee chancellor to retire

Karen Holbrook has led the campus through significant growth.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
School District of Manatee County students will have to make up time due to academic time lost as a result of the hurricanes.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 31, 2024
Manatee County students to make up educational time lost from hurricanes

Changes to the academic calendar have been announced for this school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
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All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
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