School District of Manatee County

🎉 National Merit Scholar Semifinalist Spotlight — Part 2 of 3

We are thrilled to continue our celebration of the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists with Richard Lay, a standout student from Manatee High School!

He is among the top students in the nation and part of a select group representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors who earned this prestigious honor based on their exceptional PSAT scores.

Richard plans to attend the University of Florida to study Chemical Engineering.

👏 Congratulations, Richard. We can’t wait to see what your future holds.

Stay tuned as we highlight our final National Merit Semifinalist on Thursday! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

On Tuesday, Superintendent Laurie Breslin and the School Board recognized Sydney Suppa, an athletic trainer at Lakewood Ranch High School and a valued member of our District for nine years. She was recently honored with the Life Saver Award by the University of South Carolina.

Last fall on the sidelines, Sydney's quick action and lifesaving CPR saved the life of Coach Jerry, one of the Mustangs' assistant and volunteer football coaches (also pictured in below photo).

Sydney's actions exemplify the absolute best of our District: dedication, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of others. Thank you, Sydney.

#ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

On Tuesday, the School Board proudly recognized eight of our brightest students, each one earning perfect scores in at least TWO areas on the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST)! They were joined by their proud families.

🌟 These young scholars are among 187 students districtwide who earned perfect scores last spring. Join us in congratulating: Logan, Zoran, Jackson, Bruno, Weston, Alexa, Evan, and Zach.

We’re also proud to say: Every major state assessment had at least one perfect score in Manatee County!

National Merit Scholar Semifinalist Spotlight (Part 1 of 3) We are thrilled to kick off our celebration of the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists with Kevin Chen, a standout student from Braden River High School! Kevin is among the top students in the nation and part of a select group representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors who earned this prestigious honor based on their exceptional PSAT scores. Kevin hopes to attend Princeton University and pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering. 👏 Congratulations, Kevin. We can’t wait to see what’s next for you. Stay tuned as we highlight more of our National Merit Semifinalists this week! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

The School District of Manatee County is hosting a Teacher and Paraprofessional Job Fair from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Manatee Technical College-Main Campus: 6305 State Road 70 East, Bradenton.

Register today at https://app.brazenconnect.com/a/manatee_county/e/8Ln0W

Why not us?! It’s more than a motto. It’s a mindset that Coach Sean Mackey lives by every day at Bayshore High School. An Ocala native and former student-athlete at Bethune-Cookman University, Coach Mackey knows what it means to chase big dreams and turn them into reality. In 2015, at the urging of a family member, he made the move to Manatee County. Starting at Lee Middle School and now serving at its feeder school - Bayshore High, “Home of the Bruins”, Coach Mackey says he’s found his home. As a coach, educator, and now athletic director, he’s not only living out his personal dream, but he’s helping students believe in theirs. He leads with connection, consistency, and care, knowing that strong relationships create strong students. Long before the Bruins’ first win this season, Coach Mackey and his team of colleagues were already gathering student athletes, speaking life into them and teaching the values of leadership, family, and putting in the work. But his impact doesn’t stop there. Coach Mackey is part of a dedicated team that’s working to change the culture at Bayshore. Together, they’re building something bigger — a renewed sense of pride in being a Bruin. They’re increasing attendance, growing school spirit, and bringing the community back to support the entire school. From the new turf football field to the basketball court he helped design, to the custom vinyl player posters that shine under the scoreboard — every detail reflects a vision of excellence and belief. Big plays are being made. Bigger dreams are being built. And he’s doing it one student, one handshake, and one “Why not us?” at a time. #BruinPride #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Bayshore High School is proud to have a dedicated Guardian team committed to student safety and success. David Gonzalez, a retired NYPD detective, brings years of experience and a passion for connecting with students. He is grateful to families for showing their appreciation each day with smiles. Alongside him is Mark Ward, a former Massachusetts State Trooper, who shares the same deep commitment to the school community. The staff he says, “are a good group of people.” Both Guardians take great pride in watching students grow and thrive, in the hallways and in life. Last May, they were honored to attend graduation among families in the crowd to support the seniors they helped protect. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

HELLO 👋 Start with Hello Week kicked off today with the SAVE Club at Gene Witt Elementary School with students spreading kindness across campus. SAVE stands for Students Against Violence Everywhere. It’s a youth‑leadership initiative of Sandy Hook Promise, a national organization working to prevent violence in schools and communities. A simple hello can change someone’s day — you can change people’s lives with one small act of kindness. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 🧡💙 Dr. Adrienne Ward is a passionate educator and the dynamic AVID Coordinator at Bayshore Elementary School - the only traditional elementary school in Manatee County offering the AVID program. A standout student in both academics and athletics, Dr. Ward graduated from Southeast High School in 1997, where she was a basketball player, a cheerleader, and voted “Most Likable,” a title that still holds true today. While her childhood dreams once bounced between becoming a nurse or a lawyer, it was the world of education that ultimately captured her heart. After earning her degree from Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, she discovered her calling in higher education, where she found true fulfillment in guiding students toward their goals. Dr. Ward’s journey to Bayshore Elementary was inspired by her own child’s school-age years. Her energy, encouragement, and unwavering belief in every student’s potential have made her a beloved figure on campus. She was proud to share that former Bayshore AVID Cubs, who graduated from Bayshore High School in 2025, earned their diplomas in the top 10% of their class. From cheering on the Seminoles from the sidelines to leading AVID “cheers” in the classroom, Dr. Ward brings the same spirit and enthusiasm to her work, empowering students to take charge of their futures. Why AVID? “We’re here to help you understand the importance of being prepared, no matter what lies ahead,” said Dr. Ward. AVID students build essential skills like organization, collaboration, notetaking, and confidence. On Friday, Dr. Ward (right) was standing proudly as part of Bayshore El’s leadership team, alongside Dr. Melinda Lundy (center) and Kimberly DeLeo (left). They believe in the message behind them on a mural made from college pennants: AVID gives you wings! How far will you fly? #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews #MyAVIDWhy

Patriot Day, observed each year on September 11th, honors the memory of the lives lost and the bravery of the heroes who responded during the 2001 terrorist attacks. One such hero is Pepe Smith, a retired NYPD Youth Officer and current School Safety Guardian at Buffalo Creek Middle School. On that fateful day, he was stationed at a polling site in New York City—schools were closed for Election Day and being used as voting locations. As the tragic events of 9/11 began to unfold, he heard the chilling reports over his unit radio. In the days and months that followed, it was all hands on deck. Mr. Pepe was deployed to secure the area around Trinity Church, located just blocks from Ground Zero, as part of the recovery and response efforts. Today, we are deeply grateful for his service, then and now, and for all who played a role in helping our nation heal after that day. #WeWillNeverForget #PatriotDay #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

In a heartfelt tribute to the heroes who serve and protect our community, Buffalo Creek Middle School hosted their annual event to commemorate the events of September 11th and to honor local first responders and veterans. The reception, led entirely by students, highlighted the power of remembrance, gratitude, and community connection. Mr. Baker's Global Perspectives students paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and military veterans. The event featured speeches, handmade thank-you cards, goodie bags, and the installation of 2,977 flags near the school marquee, to honor those who lost their lives in the attacks 24 years ago. It's more than just a history lesson. It’s an opportunity for our students to engage with the real heroes of our community and to say thank you in their own words and actions. Students had the unique opportunity to speak directly with first responders and veterans to learn more about their lives, experiences, and careers. Mr. Baker's students unknowingly extended their gratitude beyond Buffalo Creek. We surprised a few school safety guardians, many of whom served in NYC and police departments nationwide, with their heartfelt thank you cards and care packages. These heroes, now protecting our schools in retirement, were truly touched by the unexpected show of appreciation today. Pictured are guardians from Lakewood Ranch and Southeast High Schools. A huge shoutout to our Hawks for leading with kindness and inspiring us all to do the same! 💫

Bradenton Police Chief Josh Cramer joined Mayor Gene Brown and members of the department on Wednesday to officially pin badges on Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary’s school safety patrols. “May this be the first of many badges you wear in your lifetime,” said Chief Cramer. As their peers watched proudly on, these fifth grade leaders took the pledge to promote safety and lead by example. What made the moment even more special? Many of the leaders doing the pinning once wore those very same badges as students: ⭐ Mayor Gene Brown – Bayshore Elementary ⭐ Assistant Chief Brian Thiers – Stewart Elementary ⭐ Captain Dennis Stahley – Prine Elementary We're proud of these fifth-grade leaders, and all Manatee County safety patrols, who show up every day to keep their classmates safe. Your service matters! 🙌🚸 #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

We have EXCITING news to share! Out of more than 37,000 nominations, a handful of teachers nationwide were awarded $5,000 for classroom supplies by iHeartRadio (powered by DonorsChoose) - including one of ours.
Congratulations to the amazing Catherine Burke, fifth grade math and science teacher, from Gene Witt Elementary School 🎉

A parent nominated Mrs. Burke saying: "Catherine is amazing. She is always willing to help anyone and teaches students at their pace to ensure they understand the lesson. She volunteers to tutor students after school who need additional help - free of charge. She also attends the monthly School Advisory Council and PTO meetings to stay involved and provide her opinion from the teacher point of view." #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

The School District of Manatee County is hosting an Operations Job Fair at Wakeland Support Center, located at 1812 27th Street East in Bradenton. Join us from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2025, to learn more about your new career!

Open positions include: bus drivers, bus aides, food service, custodians, maintenance, electrical, HVAC, and more. Register now at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hucFNeoFeEepTiFu5FjLNKBTfa8XY1pJk3P6LgY8iwVUMlRMQUtLRDRVTVpEQlcwWlE1UjFPSVVYSi4u

BEHIND THE SCENES: Brain meets balance in Geotwist. On Tuesday, these students at Buffalo Creek Middle School showed off their geography skills and flexibility as Mr. Baker, social studies teacher, called out countries in this fun twist on Twister! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

MSTV Game of the Week (Football) Braden River High Pirates at Bayshore High Bruins
Scheduled for Friday, September 12, 2025, at 7 p.m.
Watch live at https://youtube.com/live/HKJHX7C3dyM?feature=share

Honoring a Legacy with Love and School Supplies 💚💛 Thank you to Frank Maggio and the Skyway Casuals, an Independent Support Group of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, for donating a large supply of school materials to Haile Middle School in memory of their beloved late teacher, Matthew Cox.

Matt was not only the Social Studies Department Chair and Athletic Director, but also a proud Rowdies fan and member of the Skyway Casuals. Their generous donation is a beautiful tribute to his legacy of service, school spirit, and community love. ⚽️ #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

✨ A perfect day to celebrate Grandmas and Pop Pops, Nanas and Abuelos! ✨ Palma Sola Elementary School held their annual Grandparents Day luncheon on Monday, bringing families together from Michigan to Lakewood Ranch. This heartwarming tradition is a beautiful opportunity for grandparents to spend quality time with their grandchildren #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

🦖 Things got WILD today at Harllee Center! STEM teacher Tammy Merrell invited The Dino Experience to spread some Jurassic joy for students on campus. New Principal Quantas Simmons braved a photo next to the T-Rex and toddlers from Step Up Suncoast’s early learning program came to play. From digging for fossils to dancing with a dinosaur - what a “rawr-some” way to wrap up the school week while learning. ✨ #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews