This is How We Roll “Manatee Strong” 2020 Parade will be taking place in Manatee County between 9-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2020.

The School District of Manatee County’s Transportation Department has organized this meaningful event to show support for our community – and congratulate students and school communities on a successful end to the year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

The parade will consist of several school buses, school district vehicles, members of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and a fire truck from Southern Manatee Fire and Rescue.

Due to safety concerns, individual vehicles won’t be permitted to join the parade. Instead, we invite families to join us along the route to say farewell to the 2019-2020 school year.

 

 

ROUTE DETAILS: 

Depart Matzke Support Complex: 1 Matzke Way, Bradenton – 9:05 a.m.

West on 26^th Avenue East | North on 27^th Street East…

Wakeland Support Center (across from Pirate City) – 9:07 a.m.

North along 27^th Street East | West along 13^th Avenue East | South along 15^th Street East | West on 37^th Avenue East…

Southeast High School – 9:16 a.m.

West on 37^th Avenue East | South along 9^th Street East | West on 57^th Avenue East | South on 5^th Street East…

Pass Daughtrey Elementary School (bus loop side/with PE shelter) – 9:23 a.m.

West on 63^rd Avenue East | North on 26^th Street West…

Pass Bayshore Elementary School (front of school/parking lot) – 9:29 a.m.

West on 57^th Avenue West passing State College of Florida…

Enter Bayshore High School bus loop – 9:31 a.m.

East on 57^th Avenue West | North along 26^th Street West | West on 11^th Avenue West | South on 32^nd Street West…

Pass by Manatee High School (south of football field) – 9:45 a.m.

North on 35^th Street West | East along 9^th Avenue West | turn South on 9^th Street West | East on 13^th Avenue West…

Pass Rogers-Bullock Elementary School (front of school) – 9:51 a.m.

North on U.S. 301 over the Manatee River into Palmetto | West on 10^th Street West | North along U.S. 41 Business | West on 17^th Street West

Palmetto High School – 9:59 a.m.

North on 14^th Avenue West | East on 23^rd Street West past Blackstone Park | South on U.S. 41 Business | East along 17^th Street West | North on 36^th Avenue E past Gamble Plantation | East on 69^th Street East…

Pass Virgil Mills Elementary School and Buffalo Creek Middle School – 10:23 a.m.

Continue along 69^th Street East | East on Erie Road in Parrish…

Enter front entrance of Parrish Community High School – 10:30 a.m.

Exit South on Martha Road | East on 69^th Street East behind PCHS | South on 121^st Avenue East and cross over U.S. 301 going south on Ft. Hamer Road…

Pass Annie Lucy Williams Elementary – 10:43 a.m.

Continue south over Ft. Hamer Bridge onto Upper Manatee River Road which turns into Lakewood Ranch Blvd. south of State Road 64…

Pass Lakewood Ranch High School and Manatee Technical College-East Campus – 10:54 a.m.

West along State Road 70 E | North on Creekwood Blvd. which turns into 44^th Avenue East passing by Creekwood Park | South on Caruso Road…

Pass by Braden River High School and Manatee Technical College – Main Campus (near west entrances) – 11:15 a.m.

West along State Road 70 East | North along 45^th Street East | West on 26^th Avenue East…

Return to Matzke Support Complex – 11:28 a.m.

 

 

Signs, balloons and other decorations along with loud cheers are encouraged, in accordance with CDC recommendations for social distancing.

We’ll miss you – and hope to see your memories from our last moments together on social media using the hashtag #ManateeStrong and #WeManatee!

 

Every year the U. S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.

 

The School District of Manatee County is proud to announce the following Blue Ribbon Schools: Points of Light schools – Bashaw Elementary School, Braden River Middle School, Lee Middle School and Palmetto Elementary School; Beacon schools – Haile Middle School and Tara Elementary School; Lighthouse school – Williams Elementary School. Only 31 schools in the United States were awarded the highest honor, Lighthouse status.

 

 

To achieve Blue Ribbon status, schools are evaluated in the following areas of school performance:

• Student Focus and Support
• School Organization and Culture
• Challenging Standards and Curriculum
• Active Teaching and Learning
• Technology Integration
• Professional Community
• Leadership and Educational Vitality
• School, Family, and Community Partnerships
• Indicators of Success

 

 

According to the U.S. Department of Education, National Blue Ribbon Schools are an inspiration and a model for schools still striving for excellence. This is the 37^th year for the program and the coveted award has been bestowed to 9,000 schools nationwide.

 

 

WeManatee celebrates the people in Manatee County who make a difference in public education – and those who benefit from it. Search #WeManatee on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see the great things happening in our public schools.

 

It was a beautiful day at the ballpark for thousands of Manatee County students. The annual Education Day event took place at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida on May 16th. Approximately 2,000 students plus chaperones, joined The Marauders for a day filled with baseball, learning and fun!

 

 

The Bradenton Marauders/Pittsburgh Pirates are a valued community business partner and offer this opportunity to schools throughout the district. Students take a field trip to the game at a discounted rate and their ticket includes lunch. Many public schools opted to participate this year, including Prine, Wakeland, Moody, Palma Sola, McNeal, Williams, Willis, Samoset, Palm View, Stewart, Kinnan, Braden River, Rogers Garden-Bullock and Abel Elementary Schools. Charter schools, Rowlett Academy and SCF Collegiate participated too.

 

 

“The business partnership between the School District of Manatee County and the Bradenton Marauders allows our students to enjoy Education Day, in addition to other initiatives throughout the school year,” said Deborah Perry-Gambino, the district’s Community Engagement Specialist. “We are so grateful for this continued partnership and look forward to the 2018/19 school year!”

 

 

The experience is interactive. There are contests, giveaways and booths with learning opportunities from community organizations such as Manatee County Libraries and Mote Marine Laboratory. Marty the Marauder was available for photo ops – and a team of Marauders staff cooled down the crowd with water guns.

 

 

You can tell by the smiles on both the kids’ and the adults’ faces that a great time was had by all. Go Marauders!

 

 

The entire community is invited to join The Marauders for their ‘End of School’ Night celebration. The game is taking place on Saturday, May 26th at 6:30 p.m.; gates open at 5 p.m. There will be post-game fireworks – and the purchase of each ticket comes with a FREE Marauders hat and souvenir fountain drink. Order tickets online here.

 

 

#WeManatee stands for We are the School District of Manatee County. No matter what challenges we face, we strengthen each other when we stand together.

 

 

Community members gathered today at Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School in Bradenton. A breakfast was provided for some of the volunteers who spend their valuable time helping students and staff at the school.

 

 

Principal Pat Stream and GET (Graduation Enhancement Tech) Carolyn Wilson opened the event with words of praise for the parents, church members and law enforcement officers attending the event.

 

 

Volunteers were served a delicious breakfast of grits, sausage, eggs, hash browns and toast to the thankful crowd. Many of the attendees were members of Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Bradenton Police Department and Palmetto Police Departments.

 

 

One group of students performed on the xylophones and other musical instruments. A second group of young women had a wonderful dance routine for the crowd, which included splits and kicks.

 

 

After the breakfast program, Assistant Principals Toni Schroer and Andrea Keezer, asked volunteers to join them to receive a plaque and a flower as a “thank you” from the school. Recipients included parents, several community churches, a representative from the Pirates/Marauders, a participant from United Way Suncoast’s ReadingPals, members of a local Moose Lodge and more.

 

“Only a life lived for others is worth living.” — Albert Einstein

 

 

#WeManatee stands for We are the School District of Manatee County. No matter what challenges we face, we strengthen each other when we stand together.

 

In February, schools in Manatee County celebrated Black History Month – including Samoset Elementary.

 

 

 

Teachers, students and staff worked hard on a door decorating contest, recognizing important leaders in U.S. History.

 

 

The winning door celebrated Ruby Bridges, an American Civil Rights activist. Mrs. Gilmer’s Kindergarten class will receive free backpacks for each student in the class.

 

 

Ice cream parties will also be given to Mrs. Gilmer’s class, as well as Ms. Salvitti and Mrs. Potter’s third grade class, and Ms. Rodgers’ third grade class.

 

 

Special guests were recently invited to view the doors and attend a luncheon at the school.

 

 

A wonderful meal was served by volunteers and faculty.

 

 

Those attendees included Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene; Deputy Superintendent Cynthia Saunders; Executive Director of Elementary Schools, Mike Rio; School Board Member, Charlie Kennedy and several others.

 

 

Fredd Atkins, the first African American Mayor of Sarasota, also attended the event.

 

 

Follow Samoset Elementary School on Instagram to see all the great things happening at their school!

 

 

#WeManatee stands for We are the School District of Manatee County. No matter what challenges we face, we strengthen each other when we stand together.

 

Christmas came early for students at Manatee Elementary School in Bradenton, Florida. Thanks to generous donations from the community, Santa’s elves set up shop in the historic auditorium at the school. Every single student received a gift of their choice.

 

 

Among the toys were dolls, puzzles, trains and crafts, bringing smiles to the faces of each boy and girl. Students were dressed in pajamas, which is a familiar practice for some schools on the last day before winter break.

 

 

Teachers, dressed in festive sweaters, loved seeing each of their students receive a special gift. Some were handmade by a member of the local Lion’s Club. The wooden toys including cars, trains, banks, baby cradles and tiny chairs that double as step stools.

 

 

The rest of the toys came from Toys for Tots! Each class was brought into the auditorium by grade level. The gifts ranged from LEGO sets to jewelry making kits; something for every student. As each group left to return to class, they said a grateful “Thank You” to Santa’s elves.

 

 

Manatee Elementary School’s guidance counselor, school psychologist and staff made the event possible. They worked hard to ensure that the toys were restocked – and helped students decide on the perfect toy. They also made the atmosphere joyous, by singing, dancing and playing holiday music.

 

 

Today’s toy giveaway was also made possible by the Bradenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, who collected many of the toys that were donated to Toys for Tots. It’s one of several schools where they are spreading holiday cheer. Mrs. Lynette Edwards is a member of the sorority – and longtime educator in Manatee County. The former teacher and Asst. Superintendent retired in 2011, after working for the School District for 32 years. She treated each student to a candy cane.

 

 

We wish all of our families and staff a safe and happy holiday season! Remember the reason for the season – and cherish the memories. We’ll share more amazing stories from our community in 2018. Happy New Year!

 

 

#WeManatee stands for We are the School District of Manatee County. No matter what challenges we face, we strengthen each other when we stand together.

 

Haile Middle School’s Chamber Orchestra played their annual concert at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on Wednesday. The sweet sounds of violins, violas and cellos playing holiday tunes could be heard throughout SRQ’s corridor.

 

 

Travelers flying out of Sarasota took out their cell phones to capture a quick video before going through airport security.

 

 

Haile Middle School’s Orchestra Director, Valerie Terry, keeps an eye on the flight arrival times too. She makes sure that the students are playing – as arriving travelers make their way to baggage claim.

 

 

The student musicians perform arrangements such as ‘Holiday on the Housetop’ and ‘A Christmas Symphony’ for approximately three hours.

 

 

The audience loves to see the students’ instrument bows dressed in beautiful holiday colors.

 

 

Enjoy a short clip of their performance… and Happy Holidays, whether you’re traveling near or far.

 

 

#WeManatee stands for We are the School District of Manatee County. No matter what challenges we face, we strengthen each other when we stand together.

 

This week’s ManaTeach video comes from Horizons Academy. “As the Business Partner Coordinator for Horizons Academy, I recruited Fit Crew, Inside and Out and Fifth Third Bank to become our new business partners. I arranged for the partners to tour the campus, meet the administration, staff, and students,” said Theresa Kern, Horizons Academy Testing Administrator.

They also shared their school mission, vision and academic goals for the school year with the special guests. The outcome? A wellness assembly for students that focused on the BIG 3: Attendance, Discipline and Grades.

 

 

ManaTeach allows teachers, staff and students within the School District of Manatee County to share, “What I Taught. What I Learned.”

To watch more videos, search “ManaTeach” on YouTube.