Freedom Elementary

🎉The Auction is Live & runs Monday, October 20– Saturday, October 25th
🔗 Bid here: https://www.32auctions.com/freedomhelpers
✨ Auction Highlights:
🚗 Reserved Parking Spot each quarter — skip the carline and park right up front for drop-off, pick-up, and events!
🎭 Front Row Seats for the 5th Grade Celebration, Kindergarten Celebration, 1st & 4th Grade Holiday Performance, and 3rd Grade Black Light Performance.
🦺 Safety Patrol Member for a Day!
🎥 News Crew Member for a Day!
These student leaders work hard all year long—helping students, supporting staff, and making our school a better place every single day. 💙 Let’s show them our appreciation and help make their Universal trip a reality!
🙌 Every bid brings us one step closer to making this unforgettable experience happen.

The School District of Manatee County is closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, to proudly honor and thank all veterans for their service, sacrifice, and dedication to our nation.

We join together to celebrate our graduated students, teachers, staff, families, and community members who served in the Armed Forces. Thank you for protecting our freedom and strengthening our community.

Happy Veterans Day from the entire School District of Manatee County family! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

ESE Agency Fair on November 19th! Join the School District Of Manatee County as we welcome families of students with disabilities to explore support and services within the community, designed to help meet the needs of the ESE population. The ESE Agency Fair is taking place on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 5:30-7PM, at Harllee Center, 6423 9th Street East in Bradenton. More than 45 vendors from the community will be available to meet with parents and caregivers, including agencies, therapy providers, and specialized services targeting students with special needs. There will be resources, prizes, and fun as we also celebrate the grand opening of The Soar Lab - a a special place, built for all young learners (primarily ages infant to 3rd grade) and their families to grow. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Mark your calendar and make plans to attend the 2025 Advanced Learning Expo! Join us at Manatee Technical College (Main campus) on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 6–7:30PM, for a glimpse into the advanced learning programs and opportunities for K-12 students across the district. Come check out the elementary school interactive, hands-on, learning stations. Visit with staff and student representatives from every middle and high school showcasing their advanced academic programs, clubs, and extracurricular opportunities. Connect with many community partners ready to challenge and engage your student! There is undoubtedly something for everyone to explore at the Advanced Learning Expo! This informative and interactive family event takes place before the school choice application window opens for the 2026-27 school year, offering an opportunity for families to engage with school-based teams and explore the K-12 gifted programming and advanced learning opportunities available. Don’t miss the Advanced Learning Expo…it’s not just for gifted students anymore!

Today marks one month since Dr. Laurie Breslin officially stepped into her role as Superintendent, and we’re proud to recognize this milestone!

In just a few short weeks, Dr. Breslin has already begun building strong connections, listening closely to school communities, and championing the success of every student and staff member. Her commitment to excellence shines through in every conversation and decision.

As we look ahead, we’re excited about the vision, experience, and heart Dr. Breslin brings to our district. Please join us in celebrating this first month of leadership and welcoming the many great things still to come.

#ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Kona Ice is at Freedom Friday, October 3rd! 🍧
If you would like your student to participate, there are 2 ways to pay:
1- Paying online via Future fund BY 11 PM Thursday, 10/02 (link in comments).
2- Sending in $5.00 cash with your student labeled "KONA ICE".
*Change will not be given if the cash amount is over $5.00. All additional amounts will be considered a donation.
*If paying for only the day on future fund, please be sure to select the correct date or your student will not be on the upcoming list.
*It is the parent's responsibility to make sure their student is linked in future fund to the correct grade and teacher.
*Future fund closes at 11 pm on 10/2.

FAST testing is coming up next week! Please mark your calendars for the following dates 📆

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍🇺🇸
Color Days start Monday!!!

We ask for all grade levels to help our kindergartners as they learn their colors for the next two weeks. Each day the entire school will be wearing the color that is assigned to the date posted below. Dress your student in as much of that color as possible. We will finish ' Color Days ' with another Freedom Spirit Day!

🍦🍧 Our FIRST Spirit Night of the school year is at Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard on Thursday, August 28 from 4-8 pm.
Whether it's an after school treat or a tasty snack after dinner - Rita's will be the place to be! 😋

Incoming Kindergarten Popsicle Party on August 2nd from 9:00am-10:30am!

Freedom is an A school again for the 24'-25' School year!

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.

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.

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#/entityId=262385.

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.