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Schools

    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 14, 2022
Children's musician performs for Tara Elementary students

Tara Elementary students sing and dance along to dozens of Jack Hartmann songs.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Mustangs defense could not stop Braden River junior Trayvon Pinder (7), who ran for 197 yards and three touchdowns thanks to holes like this one opened by the Pirates offensive line. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 14, 2022
Braden River retains its superiority over Lakewood Ranch

Pirates running back Trayvon Pinder runs over Mustangs with 197 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

  • East County
  • Sports
The starting salary for teachers has increased to $55,177. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 13, 2022
School District of Manatee County increases teacher pay

The starting salary for a Manatee County teacher will be $55,177, up from $52,910.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bella Rubal, a first grade teacher at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School, says it's a dream come true to be teaching at her former elementary school. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 13, 2022
East Bradenton teachers return to their former schools in the new school year

New teaching jobs created a homecoming as former East County students returned to their alma maters as educators.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 7, 2022
USF Sarasota-Manatee students pay tribute to 9/11 victims

Students put down 2,977 flags in support of the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch beach volleyball player Ashley Pater said her court intelligence and communication skills are what make her an elite player. (Photo courtesy of Lorraine Pater.)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 7, 2022
Lakewood Ranch beach volleyball player conquers national circuit

Next up for Ashley Pater is the 2022 FIVB Beach Volleyball U19 World Championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 6, 2022
Students have grand time at McNeal Elementary in Lakewood Ranch

The annual Grandparents Luncheon once again a festive gathering for both students and their grandparents.

  • East County
  • Schools
The animatronics lab will teach students about engineering, coding, costume design, visual production, audio production, lighting and more. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 6, 2022
Nolan Middle fosters creativity, tech skills with new animatronics lab

Students can learn engineering, coding, videography and more with mechanical-electronic puppets, thanks to an animatronics company focused on education through imagination.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fourth graders Lelia Rodriguez, Catalina Poole, Emily Topping and Molly Jae work collaboratively on an assignment. Each of them went to a different elementary school before attending Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 5, 2022
School overcrowding eases slightly with charter academy opening

The opening of Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy slightly lessens the enrollment load at other local schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County continues to have a bus driver shortage as the school year begins. The district has 106 drivers for its 104 routes. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 24, 2022
Manatee School District addresses bus driver shortage and bus upgrades

During the driver shortage, Myakka teachers have volunteered to learn to operate a bus.

  • East County
  • Schools
Riverwalk's Richard Tatem shakes hands with Steve Vernon, the chair of the Manatee County Republican Party, as Vernon congratulates him on his win. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 23, 2022
Lakewood Ranch's Richard Tatem elected to Manatee School Board District 5

Every vote counted for Richard Tatem as his 50.5% makes him the District 5 representative without the need for a run-off.

  • East County
  • Schools
School Board member Bridget Ziegler snaps a selfie with supporters at an election-night celebration Tuesday.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 23, 2022
Ziegler leads Sarasota School Board sweep

The slate of three candidates drew support of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River Middle Principal Kimberlain Zenon-Richardson hopes the new school uniforms will boost school spirit, including eighth graders Donovan Plakyda, Bradyn Bobbitt, Esmeralda Pena and Camryn Kolbe. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 20, 2022
Braden River Middle searches for unity in uniforms

The Bradenton school switches for the first time to a uniform policy, with general approval from parents.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brandon Thrift created the artistic crosswalk for the Community Day School. (Courtesy photo Karina Herrera)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 17, 2022
Local artist paints 3D crosswalk for Community Day School

Brandon Thrift, known for the "Spread Love" art around town, created a 3D crosswalk for the school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ethan Conner, a Freedom Elementary School fourth grader, works with Melanie Stern, a Project TEACH volunteer. More Freedom Elementary students will be able to participate in Project TEACH once an addition is built. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 16, 2022
Manatee School Board considers borrowing more money for capital projects

Inflation leads the School District of Manatee County to plot a borrow-and-build-now strategy.

  • East County
  • Schools
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1
Lakewood Ranch's Karen and Tom Eckert work as master gardener volunteers with the University of Florida to educate the public about gardening, plants, landscaping and more.
  • December 15, 2025
Master gardeners plant seeds of wisdom at Lakewood Ranch Library
2
Jason Bond and his mother, Donna DeLuca, have been hard at work renovating the space for the new Longboat Key Provisions, the latest addition to The Centre Shops.
  • December 15, 2025
Newest addition to The Centre Shops offers sophisticated picnic supplies
3
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  • December 14, 2025
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  • December 14, 2025
Holiday spirit gets moving at Sandy Claws Beach Run
5
  • December 14, 2025
Eat, drink and be merry like you're in a 'Home Alone' movie

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