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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
Fifth graders Kaitlyn Do, R.J. Griffis, Kinley Chupp and Micah French celebrate their first place win. They'll move on to compete against winners from seven other elementary schools in the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 4, 2023
Tara Elementary students harvest ideas at Fruits and Veggies Day

The elementary school in Bradenton showcases the ingenuity of fourth and fifth graders.

  • East County
  • Schools
Parrish Community High School resumes classes after two lockdowns inadvertently initiated by medical emergencies on campus two days in a row.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 2, 2023
Parrish Community High resumes classes after two lockdowns

The School District of Manatee County says that the lockdowns were triggered by "medical emergencies."

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School senior Christian Bell is nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy, and senior Terrence Tysall is nominated to the U.S. Naval and Air Force academies.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 1, 2023
Two Manatee students receive military service academy nominations

Braden River High seniors Christian Bell and Terrence Tysall hope to attend the U.S. Naval Academy with their nominations from U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan.

  • East County
  • Schools
The media center in R. Dan Nolan Middle School, along with every other media center in the School District of Manatee County, has had its books vetted and approved. Now schools are working on vetting books in classroom libraries.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 31, 2023
Manatee schools continue book-vetting for state compliance

Some books brought into Manatee County classrooms by teachers face the possibility of being deemed inappropriate after a new Florida law has increased the scrutiny on reading material.

  • East County
  • Schools
Steve Koenig revealed his superman shirt under his button-down as he asks Southside Elementary students what their favorite superhero is.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 30, 2023
Southside Elementary invites Holocaust survivors to speak

The Sarasota elementary school hosted two guest speakers to share their stories of the Holocaust on Jan. 27.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bay Haven Elementary School for Basics Plus fourth grade teacher Jennette Schwaed invited Mayor Kyle Battie into the classroom to read for story time.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • January 25, 2023
Bay Haven school shares story time with the mayor

Fourth grade teacher Jennette Schwaed invited Mayor Kyle Battie into the classroom.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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