School District of Manatee County

Mr. Jeff is the first smile, the first high-five, the steady presence who makes every child feel safe at Sea Breeze Elementary. This school safety guardian once wore a badge as a New York City police officer. Five years ago, when retirement left him restless, he found a new calling by protecting and caring for the students of Sea Breeze. “I’m like the Costco greeter… without the membership fees,” he jokes, but everyone knows Mr. Jeff is so much more. Last week, his school family surprised him with flowers and balloons, naming him their site finalist for Support Staff Employee of the Year. For Mr. Jeff, it was “like receiving a badge of honor.” For them, it was simply a chance to say thank you to the man who means everything to their school. And while Sea Breeze has become his second family, nothing means more to Mr. Jeff than his first. Each morning on the commute across town, he shares a quick phone call with his daughter, a third-grade teacher at Palmetto Elementary, before they both step into their classrooms. It’s a daily reminder that service, protection, and love for students truly run in the family. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews #GoodNewsGuardians

October is National School Principals Month. We recently asked "What makes your school leader special?". Here's what was said about Samoset Elementary's greatest cheerleader: "Samantha Webb is an amazing hands on leader. She greets the students every morning in the cafeteria and reminds them over morning announcements how much they are loved. She still manages to be supportive of the faculty and staff both personally and professionally. She hasn't asked anything of her team that she's not willing to do." We're grateful for you, Mrs. Webb! Thanks for all you do. Stay tuned... more highlights to come this month. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews #PrincipalAppreciation #PublicSchoolProud

🎉 Happy Fri-YAY! 🎉 A big shoutout to Monique and her team from Swig for surprising the Sea Breeze Elementary staff with treats today! ✨ They’re celebrating the release of Taylor Swift’s new album (FRIDAY ONLY) with a special drink called The Showstopper — and we love the way they’re showing support for teachers, too. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews 💙 Thank you to all the local businesses who go out of their way to celebrate and encourage our incredible teachers and staff. Interested in partnering with our Good News team? Reach out at goodnews@manateeschools.net

You might not always see them, but you always feel the impact of their work. Our custodians are the quiet force behind every clean classroom and worksite, every polished hallway, and every safe space our students learn and grow in. They don’t just take care of our buildings and school campuses — they take pride in it. And we’re endlessly grateful. Here’s to the custodians who go above and beyond, every single day! We met these hardworking employees during our travels to schools and District worksites this week. For a chance to feature your favorite custodian(s), please tag us or email goodnews@manateeschools.net 🌟#ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

We’re proud to share that Lakewood Ranch High School is one of only three FFA chapters in Manatee County to earn national recognition through the prestigious National Chapter Award Program!

This 3-Star distinction, the highest level awarded, is a testament to the dedication, leadership, and passion of the students, advisors, and the entire Mustangs' agriscience program.

As Ms. J, agriscience teacher and FFA advisor, put it best:

“Earning recognition as a 3-Star National FFA Chapter is an incredible achievement. Our FFA chapter is an extension of the agriscience program, where classroom instruction in horticulture and animal science comes to life through leadership, hands-on experiences, and career development. This honor from National FFA validates the countless hours of hard work our students have poured into planning and executing impactful events, and it highlights the strength of agricultural education here at Lakewood Ranch High School.”

Congratulations to the LRHS FFA chapter for continuing to grow leaders, build community, and strengthen agriculture right here in Manatee County! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Congratulations to Joseph Baker, recently recognized by ABC7 as a Chalkboard Champion!

A dedicated educator at Buffalo Creek Middle School, Mr. Baker has been inspiring students for more than 35 years with his creativity, passion, and commitment to education.

On the day he was surprised by attorney Carl Reynolds, Mr. Baker was doing what he does best: making learning fun and memorable. He had his students playing Geo Twist — think Twister, but with a global twist! Students had to use their geography knowledge to move hands and feet to the correct countries on a world map mat.

Join us in celebrating Mr. Baker for his decades of dedication and innovative teaching style that keeps students engaged and excited to learn.

ABC 7's Chalkboard Champion Joseph Baker: https://www.mysuncoast.com/2025/09/29/manatee-county-history-teacher-mr-baker-making-learning-active

A life-size Lite-Brite?! Yes, please! Today's the perfect day to step into the glow of childhood nostalgia and let your little ones light up their imaginations at The Soar Lab!

Hands-on learning, creative play, and early childhood fun—all FREE for qualifying families.

📍 The Soar Lab at Harllee Center
📅 Open this week:
✔️ Tuesday, Sept. 30 | 3–7 PM
✔️ Thursday, Oct. 2 | 3–7 PM
✔️ Saturday, Oct. 4 | 9 AM–1 PM
📍 6413 9th Street East, Bradenton
🔗 soarin4.org/soar-lab

Because learning should be bright, fun, and unforgettable!

Meet Mr. Bazell, Daughtrey Elementary school safety guardian!

A Southeast High graduate, Mr. Bazell is posted just down the road from schools he attended, Bayshore Elementary and Harllee (formerly Middle). He’s a former Bradenton Beach police officer who also served with the district’s Safety & Security team before joining the Dolphins.

His mission goes beyond safety. He makes it a point to learn the name of each student on campus. Every morning, he greets them at the front of the school alongside the principal, and no one heads to class without a fist bump from him.

Thank you, Mr. Bazell, for protecting and uplifting our students! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Daughtrey Elementary School is diving into $3,000 of new reads thanks to the kindness of others! District media specialist Lori Pick delivered about a dozen boxes of brand-new books to media specialist Amy Johnson on Monday. They were donated by Books-A-Million (Bradenton) customers who gave during an annual #BackToSchool drive. We met a group of fifth-grade Dolphins who were excited to see more of their favorites like Dog Man, I Survived, Power Rangers, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dragon Ball Z, and more - coming to their shelves soon! Thank you, Books-A-Million and its customers, for supporting literacy across all of our schools. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

What a fantastic turnout at Saturday morning’s middle school cross country meet, hosted by Lee Middle School at the Home of the Bayshore High School Bruins. Thank you to the coaches, administrators, and families who came out to support these amazing student-athletes! 🏃‍♀️ Girls Top Finishers: 🥇 Kaitlyn – R. Dan Nolan Middle School 🥈 Tatum – Dr. Mona Jain Middle School 🥉 Emma – Nolan Middle 🏃‍♂️ Boys Top Finishers: 🥇 Mitch – Dr. Mona Jain Middle 🥈 Sean – Dr. Mona Jain Middle 🥉 Nathaniel – Lincoln Memorial Middle Great job to everyone who put their best foot forward! We can’t wait to see more strong finishes at the District middle school XC meet at Palmetto High School coming soon. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

We are deeply grateful to Skanska, who is currently building Artisan Lakes and Rye Ranch Elementary Schools, for taking time out of their busy schedule to support our students in such a meaningful way. On Friday, members of their team hand-delivered hundreds of new backpacks filled with school supplies to five of our Title I schools: Samoset Elementary, Bayshore High, Moody Elementary, Sugg Middle, and Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary. Through the generosity of Skanska and their community partners, our students will continue the year with the tools they need to learn, grow, and succeed. Thank you for showing a strong commitment to our community. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Happy Fri-Yay 🎉 Meet Guardian Thomas, known as “Biggie” to his R. H. Prine Elementary School family. From transporting fugitives near St. Louis to turning frowns upside down in Bradenton, this School Safety Guardian has done it all. A retired Jefferson County, Missouri sheriff’s deputy, he is now serving his third school year keeping the Patriots safe. A proud grandfather, he finds true joy in making sure students leave school happy, safe, and worry-free — “knowing at school they can just be a kid.” The caring school community has embraced him as one of their own and you can see it in the hallways, where students and staff greet him fondly and jokingly during his daily rounds. As he puts it, “If I can come to work every day and make a kid smile, I know I’ve done my job.” Thanks to Biggie and all our guardian heroes for protecting our schools. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Friday, September 26, 2025, is HR Professionals Day, and we wish to recognize and celebrate the heart of our district's operations — our Human Resources team.

Behind every teacher in the classroom, every staff member supporting our schools, and every administrator leading with vision, there is a team of dedicated HR professionals working tirelessly to make it all possible. Thank you!

#ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

There aren’t words to fully capture what happened Tuesday afternoon at Barbara A. Harvey K-8 at Copperstone, but if you were there... you felt it.

When their two-campus school community learned a new and beloved staff member was paying up to $90 a day just to get to work, they came together to change her life.

Read the full story at www.manateeschools.net/goodnews #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Congratulations to Lakewood Ranch High School Seniors Zachariah, Kylie, and Chloe! On Monday, these talented students were recognized at the Rotary Club of Bradenton luncheon for their winning entries in the Club’s Constitution Essay Contest. Each of them proudly shared their essays in front of Rotary members, District leadership, their teacher, and — most importantly — their families. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Don’t Miss Post-Secondary Education Night at MTC!

We hope to see all our high school families this evening for Post-Secondary Education Night at Manatee Technical College, on Monday, September 22nd from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.!

This is a valuable opportunity to meet with representatives from dozens of colleges, universities, trade schools, and military branches. Families can also gather important information about financial aid, college applications, and admissions to help make the post-graduation transition a successful one.

We recently met Braylon, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, who shared his excitement about his future plans. Braylon hopes to study finance at the University of Florida, supported by Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship. A dedicated lacrosse player and active member of student government, Braylon says one of his favorite things about being a Mustang is the amazing friends he’s made along the way.

Whether your student knows exactly where they’re headed or is just beginning to explore their options, Monday's event is for you. Join us at MTC and take the next step toward the future! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Congratulations to our colleague, Laura Cox! The Florida School Boards Association has recognized Laura as a Certified Support Professional (CSP), a prestigious designation honoring her outstanding dedication to professional development and service to public education. Laura, Agency Clerk for the School Board, is also a U.S. Air Force veteran. We’re grateful for her service to our country and school district. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

🎉 National Merit Scholar Semifinalist Spotlight — Part 3 of 3

We are thrilled to continue our celebration of the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists with Benjamin Barr, a standout student from Palmetto 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.

Benjamin has big dreams of studying Mechanical Engineering and with his drive and determination, the sky’s the limit.

👏 Congratulations, Benjamin. We can’t wait to see what your future holds. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

On Thursday, Gettel Automotive Group donated an additional $25,000 to the Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair program at Parrish Community High School, raising its total contribution to $100,000.

From turning wrenches to turning dreams into careers, learn how Parrish Community High’s automotive students are gaining real-world skills and inspiration for the future, thanks to strong community partnerships.

Read more: www.manateeschools.net/goodnews