Spring into STEAM at The Soar Lab!

Looking for something fun and educational to do during Spring Break? The Soar Lab will be OPEN the week of March 16th through 20th while schools are closed, offering hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity.

Young learners can explore a variety of exciting themes throughout the week, including science, art, space, math, drama, and technology—all through interactive play and discovery.

Best of all, The Soar Lab is free for most families with children from infants through third grade.

Tuesday, March 17 - 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. (Mad Scientist)
Wednesday, March 18 - 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (Art-a-Palooza)
Thursday, March 19 - 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. (Space)
Friday, March 20 - 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (Math Mania)
Saturday, March 21 - 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (Drama & Technology-Coding)

📍 6423 9th Street East, Bradenton

Visit www.soarin4.org for more information.

Bring your little explorers and let them learn, create, and imagine at The Soar Lab this Spring Break!
22 days ago, School District of Manatee County
Schedule for The Soar Lab during the Week of March 17th
Throughout our kindergarten program, we aim to build six key skills in our students, setting them up for success on the rest of their educational journey:

⭐ Resilience
⭐ Integrity
⭐ Critical Thinking
⭐ Communication
⭐ Awareness
⭐ Adaptability

Enroll your child in Manatee County kindergarten and give them the strong start they deserve!

Get started at https://www.manateeschools.net/o/sdmc/page/registration.
25 days ago, School District of Manatee County
A graphic that says "Enroll in Kindergarten for the 2026-27 school year!"

Young performers, music educators, and families from approximately 30 schools came together on February 26, 2026, at Braden River High School for the All County Elementary Music Festival.

Manatee Schools Television was there for the rehearsals held at Johnson K-8: https://vimeo.com/1168251040/b4292df969

Watch the entire 2026 All County Elementary Music Festival at this link: https://vimeo.com/1168251040

26 days ago, School District of Manatee County
School District of Manatee County logo with "All County Elementary Music Festival 2026" in white letters.

Looking for something meaningful and fun to do with your children, ages infant through third grade, this week?

The Soar in 4 Soar Lab is more than a place to visit. It’s a place where families learn how to play together.

Through hands-on activities, interactive learning stations, and guided exploration, parents and caregivers discover simple ways to spark curiosity, build confidence, and turn everyday moments into powerful learning experiences.

Come explore! Create. Laugh. Learn.
Visit www.soarin4.org to plan your experience.

6423 9th Street East, Bradenton 34203

Free for most families.

This week's schedule:

Tuesday, March 3rd - Open 3 p.m.-7 p.m. (Musical Motion, Artist Spotlight, Ms. Luanne's Front Porch)

Wednesday, March 4th - Open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Nursery Rhyme Scavenger Hunt, Artist Spotlight)

Thursday, March 5th - Open 3 p.m.-7 p.m. (Nature Detectives, 3D Printing)

Friday, March 6th - Open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Storytime, Bubbles & Trikes, Little Explorers)

Saturday, March 7th - Open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Mighty Machines & Special Guest: Teacher Author Kelly Kolomiychenko with Slime @ 11 a.m.)

about 1 month ago, School District of Manatee County
Two young kids wearing masks play in a puppet theater.

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.

2 months ago, School District of Manatee County
🎉 The EEA (Excellence in Education Awards) Prize Patrol made its final stop at Anna Maria Elementary School! Congratulations to Nicole O’Neill, Fifth Grade teacher, on being selected as a Manatee County Educator of the Year Finalist! Her leadership, creativity, and dedication make a powerful difference in students’ lives across Manatee County. We’re so proud of you, Mrs. O’Neill! 🌟 #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews #DiscoverExcellenceSDMC #GoodNewsEEA2026
5 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A teacher of the year finalist at Ana Maria elementary
A teacher of the year finalist and her studio smile for a photo
The superintendent surprises the teacher of the year finalist
A group of school district leaders surprises a teacher of the year finalist
Things are going swimmingly at Anna Maria Elementary! Curriculum Coordinator Amber Platowski recently visited the Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Science, and the excitement was off the charts! Each week, students celebrate “Guy Day Friday” — diving into STEM, the arts, and literacy with lessons created by the Guy Harvey Foundation. In the Guy Harvey Classroom, STEM teacher Ms. Pidge Barreda brings learning to life through creative, hands-on exploration — including a custom board game and Play-Doh marine models! Upstairs, Media Specialist Ms. Becky Demo led students in songs about manatees, reading activities, and discussions on protecting marine life. One student even convinced her family to buy a propeller guard to help save manatees! With Principal Dr. Fradley at the helm, this school is charting a course toward curiosity, conservation, and creativity. As part of the district’s marine science career pathway, Anna Maria Elementary is helping students set sail for success — and we can’t wait to “sea” where they go next! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews #STEAM #GuyHarveyAcademy #DiscoverExcellenceSDMC
6 months ago, School District of Manatee County
Students in a colorful classroom learning
A group of students having fun in class
student sitting in a classroom with a teacher walking around
students collaborating in class with a beautiful guy Harvey mural painted on the wall
students raise their hand in the media center awaiting to be called

“How Tall Are You... in Spoons?” 📏🖐️🥄

The Soar Lab is growing, and so are our students!

It's the perfect place for families with infants and kids through third grade. Admission is free for qualifying families.

Stop by during our NEW extended hours to see just how tall you are (measured in spoons, hands, or blocks).

Soar Lab Hours:

Tuesday: 3 – 7 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM – 1 PM
Thursday: 3 – 7 PM
Friday: 9 AM – 1 PM
Saturday: 9 AM – 1 PM

📍 6413 9th Street East, Bradenton
🔗 https://www.soarin4.org/soar-lab

Come for the measurements. Stay for the momentum. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

6 months ago, School District of Manatee County
An interactive wall for children to measure their height
On Sept. 19th, our AME family came together for our 24th annual Peace Day Celebration!
6 months ago, Pidge Barreda
Principal and Literacy Coach standing on either side of a sign that reads "AME Peace Day 2025"
Security Screening at Secondary Schools – Beginning Monday, August 11, 2025, all students and visitors at district middle and high schools will be screened each school day using a high-tech security scanner system. For more information on this enhanced security screening procedure, visit https://www.manateeschools.net/securityscreening.
10 months ago, School District of Manatee County
School Board Seeks Civic-Minded Citizens to Join Audit Committee – The School Board of Manatee County is seeking civic-minded citizens to serve as members of the Audit Committee. The Committee, which meets six times a year, recommends the appointment of the internal and external auditors; reviews the scope, plan and reports of the internal and external auditors; and assists in maintaining open communications between the selected auditors, the School Board and the District’s financial management. The Committee also reviews the collection and proper use of the funds raised through the one-half cent sales surtax for school capital outlay expenditures. Membership on the Committee requires an average of five-to-eight hours per month, with meetings scheduled every other month for three hours. The term is approximately three years. Those interested in serving must: • Live in Manatee County. • Be a CPA (active or retired) or had employment experience in school district financial operations. • Submit a letter expressing interest, provide contact information and provide a brief summary of their work experience. Responses must be sent to the Manatee County School District, Attention: School Board Agency Clerk, P.O. Box 9069, Bradenton, Florida 34206-9069. Interested individuals may obtain additional information about the Committee by emailing the School Board Agency Administrative Associate at cox3l@manateeschools.net.
10 months ago, School District of Manatee County
Family Empowerment Scholarship – Parents interested in applying for either FES-EO or FES-UA may review the eligibility requirements and application instructions at https://www.manateeschools.net/FES.
10 months ago, School District of Manatee County