• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Schools

Averleigh Cross can't wait to start kindergarten at Freedom Elementary School. She's looking forward to learning how to read better.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 9, 2023
First day of kindergarten can be emotional time for parents

Parents often have a hard time deciding whether to cry or celebrate as they drop off their kindergartner on the first day of school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarah Orcutt, a second grade teacher at Freedom Elementary School, loves the book nook she's created in her new classroom. She says the new addition is a fresh start.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2023
Freedom Elementary teachers move into school's new addition

Teachers in the eight new classrooms begin decorating with a blank slate.

  • East County
  • Schools
Michelle Posey speaks in opposition to the budget.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 3, 2023
Sarasota Schools budget revises language on social-emotional learning

The tentative budget’s language was revised, with Superintendent Terry Connor and board attorney Patrick Duggan stating that the new language reflects the budget’s compliance with state law.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Manatee Technical College career counselors Nancy Beltran, Cecilia Navarrete, Rafaela Carrillo Casique and Gwen Smith-Warzyk and case manager Linda Silva can't wait for the adult education building to be constructed.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 2, 2023
MTC plans main campus expansion

Designs are being finalized for a building to house adult education programs on Manatee Technical College's Bradenton campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School welcomes John Wilkerson as its new director of bands.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 29, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High welcomes new director of bands

John Wilkerson wants to focus on the little things as he works with his students.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2023
Back-to-school sales tax holiday continues through Aug. 6

During the holiday, purchases of school essentials are exempt from sales taxes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Superintendent Terry Connor talks with board member Robyn Marinelli.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 27, 2023
Sarasota School Board begins consideration of annual budget

A vote will take place on the tentative budget during a meeting on Aug. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Holly Ye recently completed a software engineering bootcamp through the State College of Florida Coding Academy. She is an educator transitioning to a career as a fullstack web developer.
    By
  • James Peter
  • July 21, 2023
The road to higher education for Sarasota and Manatee students has changed

Students face more competitive college admissions, shifting career pathways and increased expectations from employers.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Booker Middle gym teacher Kyle Mason said kids are more likely to want to wear their own clothes during class than when he was in school.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 21, 2023
Modern-day gym class focuses on getting kids moving

Gym teachers say they want their students to form a habit of being active.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cheryl Hughes is the Exceptional Student Education Gifted Coordinator while Nicole Cox heads Exceptional Student Education for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 21, 2023
Gifted student eligibility requires a complete package

IQ, motivation, leadership and more figured into the equation before moving a student into the gifted program.

  • East County
  • Schools
Members of the Riverview High School Mock Trial Club simulate a murder trial at the Sarasota Bar Association's 12th Judicial Circuit High School Mock Trial Competition.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 20, 2023
Extracurricular activities evolve to suit students' interests

With so many differing interests among students, faculty at Sarasota and Manatee county schools are rising to the challenge and introducing new clubs and activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ballet students at Booker High School in Sarasota.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • July 20, 2023
Manatee, Sarasota school districts work to boost arts programs

After arts programs saw lower involvement as a result of the pandemic, schools are boosting their offerings.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota County Schools plans to rebuild Garden Elementary School in Venice while keeping the current building in operation.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 20, 2023
New schools on the way in Sarasota

Three new schools are being constructed to address growth in the central and southern part of the county.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Tara Elementary School will undergo a renovation and addition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 20, 2023
Construction projects progress at east Bradenton schools in new school year

Additions or renovations will take place at Freedom and Tara elementary schools, Haile Middle and Lakewood Ranch High.

  • East County
  • Schools
Terrence Connor was selected as superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 20, 2023
New Sarasota superintendent describes his holistic approach to education

Terrence Connor brings a history of experience in education, having previously held roles including principal, chief academic officer and deputy superintendent.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
« 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free