McNeal Elementary
Home of the Wildcats
The National Honor Society is proud to announce the recipients of the inaugural Chapters of Distinction recognition program, including McNeal Elementary School in Lakewood Ranch!
These outstanding chapters exemplify the pillars of Honor Society through meaningful service, student leadership development, and a commitment to creating a lasting legacy within their schools and communities.
McNeal is the only school within 125 miles to receive this distinguished honor. Congratulations!
These outstanding chapters exemplify the pillars of Honor Society through meaningful service, student leadership development, and a commitment to creating a lasting legacy within their schools and communities.
McNeal is the only school within 125 miles to receive this distinguished honor. Congratulations!
Some things change, and some smiles stay the same. At McNeal Elementary School's senior clap out, returning graduates held signs featuring their elementary school photos. A touching reminder of just how far they've come. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
Last week, four outstanding robotics teams from our schools competed at the VEX Robotics World Championship in St. Louis, earning international recognition and showcasing the very best of our community.
Against teams from around the globe, our students demonstrated elite communication, resilience through challenging matches, and true collaboration with international alliance partners. This is what excellence looks like!
Behind every great team? Incredible support. Families traveled, cheered, encouraged, and stood beside these students every step of the way — proving that success like this is truly a community effort.
Celebrating our world competitors:
The Thunderbolts | McNeal Elementary School
Coached by Vic Kolomiychenko, with proud support from Principal Sheila Waid, who attended to cheer them on. Their positivity was unmatched, and they embraced every moment of learning on the world stage.
Whiteout Geckos | Willis Elementary
Coached by Hanna Cuervo & Jennifer Hubley
Winners of the Energy Award (Engineering Division) — an incredible honor at the WORLD level!
The Sesame Squad | Willis Elementary School
Also coached by Cuervo & Hubley, these students represented with heart, teamwork, and determination.
The Pibblers | Nolan Middle School
Led by Dominique Bagunu with assistant coach Hanna Cuervo
Placed 24th out of 83 teams in the Design Division — competing with excellence and showing respect and positivity throughout.
We are beyond proud of these students, their educators, and their families for representing Manatee County on the international stage.
The future is bright and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next with the new VEX game, Level Up!
Shout out to STEM Coordinator Lynne Johnston for sharing this #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews!
Against teams from around the globe, our students demonstrated elite communication, resilience through challenging matches, and true collaboration with international alliance partners. This is what excellence looks like!
Behind every great team? Incredible support. Families traveled, cheered, encouraged, and stood beside these students every step of the way — proving that success like this is truly a community effort.
Celebrating our world competitors:
The Thunderbolts | McNeal Elementary School
Coached by Vic Kolomiychenko, with proud support from Principal Sheila Waid, who attended to cheer them on. Their positivity was unmatched, and they embraced every moment of learning on the world stage.
Whiteout Geckos | Willis Elementary
Coached by Hanna Cuervo & Jennifer Hubley
Winners of the Energy Award (Engineering Division) — an incredible honor at the WORLD level!
The Sesame Squad | Willis Elementary School
Also coached by Cuervo & Hubley, these students represented with heart, teamwork, and determination.
The Pibblers | Nolan Middle School
Led by Dominique Bagunu with assistant coach Hanna Cuervo
Placed 24th out of 83 teams in the Design Division — competing with excellence and showing respect and positivity throughout.
We are beyond proud of these students, their educators, and their families for representing Manatee County on the international stage.
The future is bright and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next with the new VEX game, Level Up!
Shout out to STEM Coordinator Lynne Johnston for sharing this #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews!
Dear Teachers, Here's a special message from Dr. Laurie Breslin regarding Teacher Appreciation Week.
https://vimeo.com/1184919879/fdb68f2a7f
#ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
The VEX Robotics World Championships in St. Louis is officially underway! ✨
We’re so proud to have FOUR amazing teams representing Manatee County on the world stage, including two from Willis Elementary, one from McNeal Elementary, and one from Nolan Middle School!
Wishing all of our teams the best of luck as they compete, learn, and make unforgettable memories.
You’re representing our community with excellence — go show the world what Manatee County can do! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
McNeal Elementary School celebrated Earth Day on April 22nd with a fun and meaningful Book Swap! Students brought in a gently loved book from home and traded with classmates, giving stories a second life while discovering something “new” to enjoy. A simple, sustainable way to share the joy of reading and care for our planet! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
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
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.)
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.
“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
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.
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.