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Schools

Selia Rodriguez, a rising eighth grader, and Miriam Castrejon, a rising freshman, demonstrate how their ferris wheel works. Castrejon says building the ferris wheel was more fun than she expected.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 7, 2021
Lakewood Ranch students rise to STEM camp challenges

Summer STEM camp brings new experiences for migrant students at Nolan Middle School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jim Connor looks forward to developing relationships with students as the new interim head of schools at the Out-of-Door Academy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 7, 2021
Out-of-Door Academy hires new interim head of school.

New ODA interim head of school uses lessons he's learned from books as inspiration for his educational career.

  • East County
  • Schools
Participants of the 2017 VIP Program put on a show. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 7, 2021
Florida Studio Theater to offer camp to youth on the autism spectrum

The Puzzle Project will be offered to children ages 7-12 who are on the autism spectrum.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ron Lambert, the director of bands, expresses his gratitude to students and families during a band picnic to honor seniors in the band programs. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 6, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High bands director Ron Lambert will retire in August.

Lakewood Ranch High's longtime director of bands will retire

  • East County
  • Schools
Mason Amyx and Cayla Fulkerson use the groceries they bought to make their lunches.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 30, 2021
Beyond the Spectrum expands facility in Sarasota

The nonprofit will add 2,500 square feet of space to address its growing waitlist of students. AND Beyond the Spectrum adds space to handle demand..

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 23, 2021
Despite dip, Sarasota lands in top five for Florida Standards Assessments

Third grade students tested four percentage points lower in English Language Arts than in 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ryder Wahlsmith, a rising senior at Lakewood Ranch High School and a Manatee Technical College student, wipes down the plane as he continues to work on it. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 23, 2021
MTC students have plane fun in east Bradenton

MTC automotive technology students on board for new challenge.

  • East County
  • Schools
A lower student enrollment means the district will receive less money from the state, which could cause issues when it comes time to balance the books.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 23, 2021
School district weighs effects of lower enrollment for 2021-22

The district is expecting about 920 fewer students than it projected, which has a direct impact on how much money the district receives.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 16, 2021
Big lessons for little ranchers in Lakewood Ranch

Eleven children participate in Lakewood Ranch High Future Farmers of America's first summer camp.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River Elementary School first grader Jordan McCarte listens intently as her reading buddy, Gia Giangrante, who is a fifth grader, reads "The Invisible Boy." Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 16, 2021
Manatee County schools' millage special election set for November

The School District of Manatee County will use after-school care fees to fund the special election.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jennifer Nzeza has been selected as the new Sarasota Middle School principal and will begin her position July 1.Â
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 9, 2021
Southside Elementary principal moves to Sarasota Middle

Jennifer Nzeza, who has served as principal at Southside Elementary since 2018, will be the new principal of Sarasota Middle School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Face masks will be optional for the 2021-22 school year. Parents will decide what is best for their child.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 8, 2021
Parents make the call on school masks for next academic year

Sarasota School Board makes clear masks are optional for 2021-22 but backs off from requiring teachers to enforce parents' wishes.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Holly Staley
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 7, 2021
Phillippi Shores names new principal

Holly Staley most recently served as a principal at an elementary school in New York.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
From left; Michael Taylor Shaklik, Katherine Ward, Congressman Buchanan, Elizabeth Jendrysik, and Andrew Fischer.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 7, 2021
Four Sarasota-area students appointed to U.S. service academies

Sarasota-area graduates among 11 put forward by Buchanan and Steube.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 5, 2021
Riverview High School celebrates Class of 2021 at graduation

The graduation event was held on June 5.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Check out the following options for holiday services this season.
  • December 16, 2025
Celebrate season's tidings at these Longboat holiday services
2
Braden River High School junior Mystique Quinones shakes hands with Dave Daily, post commander for VFW Post 12055, as she receives her $100 reward for her essay which answered the question “How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?”
  • December 16, 2025
Essay contest winners named by VFW Post 12055 Braden River
3
Joan M. Durante Community Park, Longboat Key.
  • December 16, 2025
Longboat Key's Durante Park reopens after hurricane repairs
4
Plans are to replace the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in Newtown with a new building and convert the current structure into outdoor play space.
  • December 16, 2025
After years of repairs, Boys & Girls Club plans to rebuild
5
Longboat man calls cops on suspected cheating wife
  • December 16, 2025
Longboat man calls cops on suspected cheating wife

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