(BRADENTON, FL - August 12, 2008) The first day of school for students in the Manatee County School District is Monday, August 18, 2008. This year´s start and end times for schools will be the exact same schedule as last year. The schedule is as follows:

School Start and End Times Elementary Schools   8:30 a.m. - 3:05 p.m. Wednesday Release 1:15 Middle Schools   9:15 a.m. - 3:55 p.m. Wednesday Release 2:10 High Schools   7:45 a.m. - 2:20 p.m. Wednesday Release 12:30

The deadline for registering middle and high school students so they can start school on the first day is noon tomorrow - Wednesday, August 13, 2008.

The deadline for registering elementary school students so they can start school on the first day is noon on Thursday, August 14, 2008.

Parents who need to register their students for school after those deadline dates must go to the Manatee District´s Parent Information Center, located at 234 Manatee Avenue East. In addition, any questions regarding registration, bus transportation or other back-to-school issues should be directed to the Parent Information Center´s phone line at 708-4971.

The Parent Information Center is open between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.