
2026 Back-to-School Jam!
FREE Family Event presented by the Bradenton Marauders and the School District of Manatee County.
Saturday, August 8
LECOM Park
Gates open at 5:00 PM.
Game starts at 6:30 PM.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Grand Slam Sponsor: SKANSKA
Fireworks Sponsor: SRQ Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
Backpack Sponsors: Arsenault Dermatology, Bradenton Marauders, Chase Bank, MidFlorida Credit Union, United Data Technologies, United Way, Gulf Shore Cooling, The Carlton at Robinson Gateway, Blue Collar Roofing, B&I Contractors, Stoneybrook Neighborhood, and Del Webb Neighborhood
Students, Families and Staff - Let’s start the school year strong!
Celebrate, connect, and get ready for a great school year at this high-energy community kickoff event!
• Grab a FREE backpack filled with school essentials (while supplies last)
• Enjoy complimentary game ticket and meal voucher per person
• Explore resources from local community partners
• Experience the fun at LECOM Park with your family
School District of Manatee County Food and Nutrition Services and Jessie P. Miller Elementary's cafeteria staff teamed up with Ms. Kopinsky’s class for a hands-on Cinco de Mayo celebration--making homemade salsa. Yum!
The secret ingredient? Fresh cilantro straight from the school garden. Learning, teamwork, and a little spice… now that’s something to celebrate! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Dear Teachers, Here's a special message from Dr. Laurie Breslin regarding Teacher Appreciation Week.
https://vimeo.com/1184919879/fdb68f2a7f
#ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

⭐ 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.

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