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Schools

Skyler Johnson, a sophomore at Parrish Community High School, uses an endoscope to check the valves within the chamber to see if they're bent.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 8, 2023
Manatee students prepare to be career-ready with hands-on experience

Changes in career and technical education keep the school district adjusting to meet industry needs.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 7, 2023
Where are the Taylor Emmons Scholarship recipients now?

The Taylor Emmons Scholarship was formed to go its recipients a boost forward in life at the Out-of-Door Academy. Here's how it is doing.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tara Elementary's Mila Martinez and Ava Olivero dance in sync as they learn their new dance routine.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 6, 2023
Tara Elementary dance team returns after being shut down for two years

The school's Parent-Teacher Organization started the team again after the pandemic to provide an opportunity for students to dance while building relationships.

  • East County
  • Schools
Marina Proskurina, a digital design and photography instructor at Manatee Technical College, is one of 24 people to earn a Master Artist degree from Professional Photographers of America.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 1, 2023
MTC instructor earns prestigious degree from photography nonprofit

Marina Proskurina is one of 24 people to earn the Master Artist degree from Professional Photographers of America in 2023.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus is building a new 100,000-square-foot student center.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • February 28, 2023
Work starts on $42M, 100,000-square-foot student center at USF Sarasota-Manatee

The University of South Florida campus hopes to change its reputation as a commuter college with new residences and a student center set to open at start of the 2024 school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Third grader Jayla Fields shows off her project on Serena Williams. "It was fun learning she was the face of women's tennis," Fields says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 23, 2023
Bashaw Elementary hosts Black History Month celebration

Students shared their projects on prominent Black Americans.

  • East County
  • Schools
Robert E. Willis Elementary School fifth graders Landon Cuervo and Zachary Danahy compete in an alliance with Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fifth graders Hayden Laning and Noah Jackson. The two teams will share the points earned.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 22, 2023
Vex program expands in Manatee elementary, middle schools

The School District of Manatee County is pushing the importance of engineering and coding lessons.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sandy Humenik understands that enriching experiences in early childhood are vital for a child’s healthy development.
  • By Amy Bentley
  • February 16, 2023
Only took one tour to hook Sandy Humenik on Florida Center for Early Childhood

Sandy Humenik’s life’s journey had a great beginning. She now helps Florida Center for Early Childhood offer the same opportunities to area children and their families.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Doug Wagner, the deputy superintendent of operations, congratulate Kelly Smith-Williams (center), a Lakewood Ranch High School teacher, on being a finalist for Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High instructor earns Manatee's top teacher award

Kelly Smith-Williams, an anatomy and physiology teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, is named the School District of Manatee County's Teacher of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy sixth grader Ely Chappell conducts observational data collection with Stephanie Peabody, the founder of the Brain Health Initiative, and sixth grader Cadence Clay.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2023
Brain Health Initiative develops program with Lakewood Ranch Prep

The new program Schools for Brain Health teaches students the importance of brain health and the impacts of a brain healthy lifestyle.

  • East County
  • Schools
Third grader Kaylee Casablanca loves dancing with her sister Briana Casablanca and third grader Aubrielle Deaugustinis.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 11, 2023
Tara Elementary hosts its annual Sweetheart Dance

The annual dance gives students and their families a chance to show off their moves.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Doug Wagner, the deputy superintendent of operations, congratulate Kelly Smith-Williams (center), a Lakewood Ranch High School teacher, on being a finalist for Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 9, 2023
Manatee schools names Lakewood Ranch High teacher as Teacher of the Year

Kelly Smith Williams, an anatomy and physiology teacher, is the School District of Manatee County's 2023 Teacher of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office arrested a Parrish Community High student for making a video threat against the school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 9, 2023
Students arrested for making mass shooting threats at Parrish Community High

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested two Parrish Community High students for posting a video simulating a shooting on campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
School District of Manatee County board members Richard Tatem, Mary Foreman, Chad Choate, Cindy Spray and Gina Messenger are seeking input on the superintendent search.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 9, 2023
Public's feedback sought on hiring of next Manatee district superintendent

The School Board of Manatee County is looking for input on what qualities and characteristics the community wants to see in the next leader of the district.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County has announced a press conference Tuesday to address the bomb threat at Parrish Community High School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 7, 2023
Manatee school district to address threat at Parrish Community

Parrish Community High students were evacuated Tuesday in response to a bomb threat.

  • East County
  • News
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Former Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier has drafted an updated noise ordinance for the city, which was approved by the City Commission on first reading.
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  • December 11, 2025
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