As always, a memorable first day of school! We visited Southeast High, King Middle and Braden River Elementary to celebrate.
Superintendent Cynthia Saunders spent the day visiting schools from West Bradenton to East Manatee County.
Our first stop was Southeast High. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office mounted patrol was on duty outside the school.
The Seminoles are welcoming their new principal, Ginger Collins.
Supt. Saunders, a former high school math teacher, met with seniors experiencing their last "first day of school" ahead of their 2023 graduation.
Next stop, King Middle School, where new principal Mike Mullen is ready to lead the Crusaders into the future.
"This year, they will begin the process of becoming an IB school," Saunders told several television and newspaper reporters outside King.
Lastly, we visited Braden River Elementary, where Principal Josh Bennett was proud to share his school's successful dual-language programs for kindergarten and first graders.
It was almost lunch time and a group of parents were anxiously awaiting outside for their VPK students, most of whom were attending their first day of school ever.
We got a thumbs up from one young boy as he went home. A sure sign of a good year ahead.
Welcome back, we missed you!