Celebrate Literacy Week - Daughtrey Elementary

Volunteer readers are visiting classrooms across Manatee County this week as part of a statewide literacy initiative!

Big thanks to media specialist Amy Johnson at Daughtrey Elementary School for welcoming special guests to pick a book and share their love of reading.
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A line of women holding books up and smiling in a school media center.
We are grateful to Manatee Community Foundation CEO Veronica Thames for joining Superintendent Breslin and district leaders on Monday to celebrate Samantha Webb, Manatee County’s Principal of the Year.

Samantha was also presented with a $300 award in recognition of her outstanding impact on students, educators, and our community. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

(L-to-R): Kaththea Johnson, Samoset Elementary Principal Samantha Webb, Veronica Thames, and Dr. Laurie Breslin.
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
School administrators holding a large check made out to Samoset Elementary's principal.
Congratulations to Dr. Lisandra Tayloe, Manatee County's Assistant Principal of the Year. On Monday, Manatee Community Foundation CEO Veronica Thames presented Dr. Tayloe with a check for $300 to congratulate and thank her for helping educate tomorrow's leaders. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

📸 (L-to-R): Dr. Chuck Fradley, Lincoln Memorial Middle School Principal Ronnie King, Dr. Tayloe, Veronica Thames, Superintendent Dr. Laurie Breslin.
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
School and community leaders holding a large check and standing by a large sign that reads, Lincoln Trojans.

The Florida Department of Education released the Florida Value Added Model (VAM) Fiscal Transparency Tool, a web-based fiscal transparency tool that identifies public schools and districts with high academic achievement based on the ratio of classroom expenditures to total expenditures. VAM is intended to help taxpayers evaluate the financial efficiency of a school district with other similarly situated school districts. View the VAM for the School District of Manatee County at https://floridavam.org/e/vamPublic.html?w4=54#/entity/262385.

3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
Celebrating new beginnings with the groundbreaking of what is currently known as “High School AAA” near Lorraine Road and Rangeland Parkway in Lakewood Ranch. Superintendent Dr. Laurie Breslin, School Board Members, and community leaders participated in the turning of the dirt on Wednesday morning. Stay tuned for exciting updates to come! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A siren marks the new location of a high school in Lakewood Ranch
superintendent of schools lifts a shovel filled with dirt
construction equipment at the site of a future high school
A cookie with a likeness of a new high school on it
A large construction bulldozer
groundbreaking of a new high school in Lakewood Ranch
The superintendent of schools and school board members laughing
A county commissioner speaks during a school groundbreaking
The school board Chere makes comments during a high school groundbreaking
A group of builders stands at a sight where a high school will be built
On Wednesday, SDMC Visual & Performing Arts hosted the inaugural Battle of the Beats, a bracket-style drum-off featuring six groups of Manatee County middle and high school percussionists: Buffalo Creek Middle School 🏆 Lincoln Memorial Middle School Rowlett Middle Academy A & B Braden River High School 🏆 Manatee High School Palmetto High School Parrish Community High School After a hard fought battle 🥁 the judges chose the Hawks and Pirates as champions. Thank you to Jeff McDaniel, Will Vizoso, and Kendall Carrier for your time and musical expertise. Kudos to Drum-master of Ceremonies Ricardo Robinson-Shinall, who kept the audience at the edge of their seats. We can’t wait until next year! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A middle school Drumline gets ready to perform at the fair
trophy for the inaugural battle of the beats at the Manatee County fair
A music educator serving as master of ceremony during a drum competition
A sign that says battle of the beats with Manatee technical College as a sponsor
A panel of music educator serve as judges at the fair
I know school musicians performing at the fair
A group of young musicians at a drum off competition
Young musicians at a drum off competition
Music educators, serving as judges
An exciting day at Rye Ranch Elementary School in Parrish, where the drywall is about ready to go up.

Founding principal Dr. Melinda Lundy led a tour for School Board Members and school district leaders, proudly showing off classrooms and common areas taking shape.

The Pre-K through 5th grade school will begin its tradition of excellence beginning August 2026, where students and staff will be encouraged to learn, lead, and thrive! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
The design of a common area inside a school under construction
A grand stairway under construction at a new school
School board members taking a tour of a school under construction
A classroom under construction
Welcome to the family, Veterans Elementary! 🇺🇸 Located in Artisan Lakes (Palmetto) and adjacent to Manatee County, Florida Government’s Valor Commons, this Pre-K through 5th grade school will focus on leadership, community, and feature patriotic themes. Founding principal Laura Campbell led a construction tour for School Board Members and school district leaders on Tuesday. Veterans Elementary opens this August 2026. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
The beam of a school ceremonial signed
an elementary school principal getting interviewed at a construction site
A construction worker overlooks the site of a school being built
veterans elementary school under construction in Palmetto
School board members wearing hard hats and construction vest
#ManateeSchoolsGoodNews shared by Megan Krueger, Braden River High School agriscience teacher: “On Monday, during the Dairy Heifer Show at the Manatee County Fair, Jared Stancil (on right) and his Holstein heifer, Buckeye, earned Reserve Champion Junior Holstein Heifer—a fantastic accomplishment! I would also like to recognize Maggie Faller, Zoe Loder, and Zailyah Ma. Jared's success was truly a team effort, and these students generously contributed their time, skills, and support to help make this achievement possible—all while continuing to manage their own projects. Their teamwork and dedication are something to be very proud of.” Congratulations, Pirates! #KindnessMatters and your teamwork is inspiring ✨
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
FFA students with their dairy cows at the Manatee County Fair
It never fails! Every. Single. Year.

According to US National Weather Service Tampa Bay, a cold front is ushering in the coldest air of the season just in time for the Manatee County Fair, January 15th-25th.

941: This is your official "Sweater Weather Alert". Please send students to school nice and warm beginning Thursday (into next week!)

Nothing says tradition like cold weather and funnel cakes. 🥶#ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
ferris wheel

The School District of Manatee County's Visual & Performing Arts Department presents the inaugural Battle of the Beats Drumline Competition at the Manatee County Fair on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Participating schools include Buffalo Creek Middle, Lincoln Memorial Middle, Rowlett Academy, Braden River High, Manatee High, Palmetto High and Parrish Community High. The show begins at 6 p.m. on the main stage. Visit https://www.manateecountyfair.com to learn more about the Manatee County Fair.

3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
An invitation featuring the outline of a snare drum musician and a list of high schools participating in a fair competition.
A big NOLES thank you goes out to Cheney Brothers!!! Chef Andrew and TJ, our sales rep, from Cheney Brothers visited Southeast High School Culinary and Agriculture students and presented a meat and seafood demonstration. The students were able to try sushi-grade salmon and beef tenderloin. It was nice seeing the students step out of their comfort zone. Thank you Chef Allen for setting this up!
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A chef doing a cooking demonstration in a culinary classroom at a high school with raw meat on the table
Palmetto High School FFA is kicking off the Manatee County Fair in a BIG way! The amazing PHS FFA members officially launched fair week by competing in the Hay Bale Decorating Competition, and they brought creativity, teamwork, and school spirit to the Fair. To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the Tigers went all out with a show-stopping birthday cake for America - way to go, Tigers! The Manatee County Fair is January 15-25, 2026.
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
Students standing next to a decorated bale of hay which reads, 250: Happy Birthday, America
Bayshore Elementary welcomed every student into Santa’s workshop to choose one special toy for Christmas. With the generous support of our community partners, including Legacy Church, the joy was unmistakable. Excitement and gratitude filled the room as each child proudly clutched their new treasure to take home. Because of the kindness of our community, we’re able to share moments like these and spread so much #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews. Thank you for making this possible.
4 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A boy with a hand over his mouth, shocked at the toy just received
A girl smiling after seeing a soccer ball for Christmas
A child hugged the school principal with a teacher, smiling in the background
The assistant principal smiles next to a young girl who’s picked out a Barbie for Christmas
Church members who donated the majority of Christmas gifts to students at Bayshore elementary
each child holds up a new board game he received for Christmas
children, smiling with their new toy received for Christmas
The principal sitting on the ground smiling at a young boy in a wheelchair
A class of young students holds their toys up in the air
A young girl surprised that she received an art set for Christmas
Congratulations to Isabella, one of our Southeast IB Diploma Program students, on her acceptance to Yale University! This remarkable achievement reflects her dedication, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to excellence. We are so incredible proud of her and excited to see all she will accomplish! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
4 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A high school student holding a Yale pennant after receiving notification of her acceptance.
Our hearts are full after spending a short time at Daughtrey Elementary School’s winter wonderland! We’re so grateful to be invited to capture the grateful smiles and holiday cheer, which is the result of an incredible staff and support from their community partners. This year, a team of fantastic fifth grade elves joined Santa and the “chief elf” because they had the highest learning gains in science. Merry Christmas, Dolphins! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
4 months ago, School District of Manatee County
Santa and the chief elf joined children on the last day before winter break
A little boy holding a Lego set, he received at Santa’s workshop
A class visits with Santa Claus at school
A little girl holding a toy digital camera
A child with their favorite toy from Santa’s workshop
kids walking through a winter wonderland created at their school
Santa giving me a high five to a student
teachers help a child put a toy from Santa’s workshop in a bag
two kids sitting with Santa in the chief elf
A boy happy about receiving a basketball for Christmas
Stay safe out there! We have reports from Tara Elementary, a school safety guardian is in pursuit of Santa’s elves on campus #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
4 months ago, School District of Manatee County
two teachers dressed as elves being chased around a school campus for a fun photo
He’s not your average Santa. When you meet Steve Hensell, you quickly learn he is the official district Santa—and has been for decades. Hensell said he was hired more than 30 years ago by the late Gene Witt to play Santa, and the tradition continues. The Air Force veteran says that every year, he answers the call to visit schools across Manatee County, listening to the wish lists of children of all ages. He began his career as a school bus mechanic and retired years ago as a painter. He even painted Harllee, the location of The Soar Lab. You can meet Santa Steve this Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the Soar Lab from 9-11AM. Free for most families, including infants-3rd grade students enrolled in traditional public schools. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
4 months ago, School District of Manatee County
Santa clause smiling
Jasmine Colon’s festive spirit is a GIFT 🎁 to Oneco Elementary School. The behavior specialist was the first wave families received during morning drop-off on Wednesday. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
4 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A school employee smiling and wearing a gift-wrapped box on a holiday school spirit day.
Holiday spirit week is the gift that keeps on giving.
Thank you to bus driver Tinysha Holmes (on right) who is seen celebrating the season with Palm View K - 8 School Principal Jessica Kane 🎄 and bus aide Shanna Robinson.
#ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
4 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A school principal dressed as a Christmas Tree and two bus drivers/aides dressed as reindeer.