Opportunity to Earn Volunteer Hours - Stuff the Bus: October 11, 2026

Apply: www.volunteersuncoast.org/stuffthebus

Stuff the Bus brings together volunteers, community partners, and generous shoppers to support The Food Bank of Manatee County. Since 1985, The Food Bank of Manatee, a program of Meals on Wheels PLUS, has been Manatee County’s only local food bank and a trusted source of nutrition for those in need.

Last year, 162 volunteers helped collect more than 69,000 pounds of food and cash equivalents, providing critical support for neighbors facing food insecurity. This year, you can be part of that impact. 100% of donations stay local to support Manatee County families.

Join us Sunday, October 11, at participating Manatee County Publix stores through a community-wide partnership with Meals on Wheels PLUS, the School District of Manatee County, Publix, Mosaic, and United Way Suncoast.

Volunteers will greet shoppers, accept and sort food donations, pack boxes, and load the bus. Two shifts are available per location, and spots first come, first served.

Volunteer Age Requirements:
Children 8-12 are welcome to volunteer but must have a parent/guardian volunteering with them and they must be added as a guest when their parent/guardian registers.
Youth 13-15 can register using their own volunteer account but must have a parent/guardian volunteering with them.
Teens 16+ can register using their own volunteer account and can volunteer independently.

All volunteers must register in advance to participate.

High school juniors... ready to see where your leadership can take you? Don’t just be a part of Manatee County’s future - help lead it!

Junior Leadership Manatee offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people, businesses, government, and organizations shaping our community - while helping 11th graders build leadership skills, make connections, and explore your future.

Apply for Junior Leadership Manatee at juniorleadershipmanatee.org

Deadline: Monday, August 31st.

All Manatee County high school students and their families are invited to attend the annual Post-Secondary Education Night on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Manatee Technical College - Main campus (6305 State Road 70 East, Bradenton).

Join us to meet with admissions representatives from colleges, universities and technical colleges, as well as representatives from military branches.

Learn more about college applications, admissions, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities.

High school seniors and families, do you have questions about FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)? It's the form used to apply for financial aid for college or career and technical school.

Join us for a free FAFSA Informational Workshop on Thursday, August 20th from 6-8 p.m. at Manatee Technical College - Main Campus, located at 6305 State Road 70 East in Manatee County.

This event will answer any questions you have regarding upcoming FAFSA workshops and need-to-know information about filling out the application beginning October 2026.

Manatee County Government and the School District of Manatee County are excited to announce Model Manatee, a multi-week program designed to educate high school juniors and seniors on how County government works, how it impacts them, and how to engage in the decision-making process.

During this program, students will hear from County Commissioners, staff, and other elected officials who are involved in the day-to-day operations of county government. The program will culminate in a mock commission session, where students will simulate the roles of county commissioners and other elected officials, discussing and voting on matters they find most important.

Students may apply at mymanatee.org/modelmanatee. Interested students must be able to provide their own transportation. All sessions will take place during the work week, with minimal interruptions to the school day. If a student is interested in applying, please review the full application packet for all relevant information, including release forms, program schedule, and more.

National recognition for some of Manatee County's brightest students!

On Wednesday, more than 2,500 recipients of National Merit Scholarships sponsored by colleges and universities across the country were announced.

We're proud to share that three of those prestigious scholarship winners are graduates of Manatee County high schools! 👏

Kevin Chen
Probable career field: Chemical Engineering
Braden River High School

Richard M. Lay
Probable career field: Materials Engineering
Manatee High School

Benjamin Barr
Probable career field: Engineering
Palmetto High School

All three scholars earned the National Merit University of Florida Scholarships.

Congratulations on this remarkable achievement. Your hard work, dedication, and academic excellence have earned you a place among the nation's best.

Happy Graduation Week! ✨ Superintendent Laurie Breslin has a message for the Class of 2026 and all who have helped them reach this milestone. Watch this video: https://vimeo.com/1191294933/2b0ef8bf2e
#ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

The 2026–2027 Superintendents’ Advisory Panel kicked off last week with current 11th-grade student leaders. Throughout the next year, they will meet with the superintendent and district leadership to share their perspectives on student success. Through thoughtful discussions, students will provide input on access to programs and resources, college and career readiness, and what is working well across their schools—as well as areas that could be improved. Their insights will help inform key elements of the district’s next strategic plan. The panel will reconvene in the fall when these students return as high school seniors, and we are grateful for their meaningful contributions and ongoing participation. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Some new friends blew into Manatee Schools Television this week, bringing a wave of joy to our amazing team of storytellers! From portrait photography to studio production and even live TV, these Manatee High School Hurricanes reminded us to slow down and appreciate the everyday moments that make what we do so special. A big thank you to teacher Tracey Swart and the MHS team for bringing these amazing young people through our doors.

Congratulations to all the middle and high school performers who wowed the crowd on Saturday at “Yes We Can DANCE”. Dancers from Manatee High and Bayshore High schools took to the stage in the beautiful Davis Theatre at MHS. They were joined by dancers from Braden River Middle, Lee Middle, and more. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

A Manatee High School student is already chasing his dream of becoming a pilot, and a new Aviation Maintenance Technician program at Manatee Technical College will give him hands-on experience to better understand aircraft and launch a successful career in aviation.

With a state-of-the-art facility set to open early next year near Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), students like Ashton will gain real-world skills that can take them from the classroom to high-demand careers in the aviation industry. ✈️

Here's a link to the full story from Bay News 9: https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2026/03/24/new-aviation-maintenance-technician-program-at-mtc-to-begin-in-january #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

🎉 104 years young! Happy Birthday to legendary coach and WWII Navy veteran Eddie Shannon. Manatee High School alumni and friends gathered at MISSION BBQ to celebrate with stories, laughter, and heartfelt wishes for the coach who inspired generations. Coach always reminds us: “Keep a going.” And at 104, he’s still showing us how. 💙🏈 #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Behind the scenes and into the future! An incredible group of students recently visited Manatee Schools Television, where they got an inside look at how a team of communications pros shares good news from more than 50 schools. From touring the TV studio to stepping inside the live truck that broadcasts high school sports, students learned what it takes to build a career behind the camera and become powerful storytellers. These experiences are part of a partnership between the School District of Manatee County’s ESE Department, the Manatee Education Foundation, and The Able Trust, giving students hands-on exposure to college and career opportunities right here in our community. From Manatee Technical College to upcoming visits at LECOM Park and the State College of Florida, the journey is all about building confidence, discovering interests, and envisioning future success. Huge thanks to our community partners for helping inspire and empower our students every step of the way! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Behind the scenes and into the future! An incredible group of students recently visited Manatee Schools Television, where they got an inside look at how a team of communications pros shares good news from more than 50 schools. From touring the TV studio to stepping inside the live truck that broadcasts high school sports, students learned what it takes to build a career behind the camera and become powerful storytellers. These experiences are part of a partnership between the School District of Manatee County’s ESE Department, the Manatee Education Foundation, and The Able Trust, giving students hands-on exposure to college and career opportunities right here in our community. From Manatee Technical College to upcoming visits at LECOM Park and the State College of Florida, the journey is all about building confidence, discovering interests, and envisioning future success. Huge thanks to our community partners for helping inspire and empower our students every step of the way! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

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

Hometown pride is shining as Braden River High alum Myles Straw (Class of 2013) takes the field on baseball’s biggest stage. The Toronto Blue Jays center fielder joins his team in the World Series on Friday night. His former coaches weighed in: “Myles has always stayed grounded and humble,” said Matt Bowling, Manatee High AD. “The Myles we coached years ago is still the same Myles today.” “He’s shown that hard work and perseverance pay off,” added Erik Nelson, BRHS teacher and former coach. Southeast High Assistant Principal Craig Page said, “He was undersized and overlooked, but he never stopped working — and he never forgot where he came from.” Your hometown is proud of you, Myles! 💙⚾️ #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Drumroll, please! 🥁 The results are in for the 2025 Manatee County School Bus Rodeo, and the winning team is The Roadrunnerz (Beep Beep)! Led by longtime route supervisor Gina Miller, who has dedicated 26 years of service to transportation, this team proved that even our newest drivers can rise to the challenge. The four drivers who skillfully navigated the challenging obstacle course on Wednesday are all fairly new to our district: 🚌 Edinson and Nicholas – both joined in August 🚌 Don – celebrating one year of service 🚌 Zeke – proudly driving for five years on and off All the participating teams were celebrated by Director Jamie Warrington and Asst. Director Melanie Johnson. We’ve tagged the schools whose routes they drive — please join us in congratulating them and sharing this #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews! 🎉👏