
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
A special congratulations to directors Steven Armstrong and Kerrie Carrier for inspiring excellence and showcasing the incredible talent of their student vocalists. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews




#ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Lorah Cerfrère, a senior from Southeast High School, will be furthering her education at State College of Florida and aspires to become a nurse.
Jenna Herbert from Parrish Community High School will be attending Hillsborough Community College to study in the dental hygiene program, while also participating in USF's Army ROTC.
Each senior was selected for their essay, sharing how a school counselor made a meaningful difference in their life. Proof that the support students receive goes far beyond the classroom.
Now in its third year, the association awarded two $500 scholarships to these outstanding students whose words and experiences rose to the top among applicants across the county.
Here’s to bright futures ahead and the counselors who help guide the way. ✨ #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews


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







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.









The School District of Manatee County's Visual & Performing Arts Department presents the inaugural Battle of the Beats Drumline Competition at the Manatee County Fair on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Participating schools include Buffalo Creek Middle, Lincoln Memorial Middle, Rowlett Academy, Braden River High, Manatee High, Palmetto High and Parrish Community High. The show begins at 6 p.m. on the main stage. Visit https://www.manateecountyfair.com to learn more about the Manatee County Fair.

For 20 years, he served the streets of New York City working in street control, housing developments, anti-crime, and plainclothes units. He took on organized crime, narcotics, robberies, and homicides as part of the detective squad. It was intense, meaningful work but eventually, Mike knew it was time. The right time for change.
So he moved to Florida, guided by former NYPD officers who showed him how the skills he learned in the Big Apple could open new doors. Doors that led to protect hallways filled with students.
Now, Guardian Mike is celebrating his first school year as a school safety guardian at Parrish Community High. And while the setting has changed, the mission hasn’t.
“I like communicating with the kids,” he says. “It keeps me grounded and helps me communicate better with my own teenagers.”
As someone who grew up as a teen in the inner city of New York, the respect he receives means everything to him. No badges needed. “A fist pound is more than enough for me," he said.
Thank you, Guardian Mike, for your continued service and for keeping our students safe every single day. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews #GoodNewsGuardians

At PCHS, Chris goes far beyond his daily duties. He pours his passion into training the Bulls’ JROTC cadets, inspiring the next generation of leaders. He also serves as a girls JV soccer coach, teaching teamwork, discipline, and confidence on and off the field.
You’ll also find Chris at the Soar in 4 Lab, where he’s part of the rotating team supporting this early learning center, which is free for most families with children from infancy through third grade.
His service touches every corner of the campus and beyond. Chris thrives on partnership and connection. “Everybody at PCHS works together,” he says. “They are family.”
Before joining the Bulls, Chris made a lasting mark in New Jersey by designing a memorial and leading the successful renaming of six city streets to honor fallen heroes of his former police department, an accomplishment he holds close to his heart. He continues to stay in touch with many of their families, keeping their legacies alive.
Whether he’s coaching, mentoring, or serving the broader community, Chris leads with purpose. Working with teens and teaching them values (especially the importance of giving back) is his bottom line.
Thank you, Guardian Scardino, for your service, passion, and unwavering commitment to our students and community! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Read details from The Bulletin, a student journalism program sharing #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews from PCHS: https://www.manateeschools.net/o/parrish/article/2554405?fbclid=IwY2xjawOK2hZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe1ZIyPjmFvuf1kx8wM9v-GQh2Nfi1Vd0TxVRUpfurMKVWSyNXNNzQk15Q-qc_aem_Kq9uFASK9G1fyeLZkeCydg



From turning wrenches to turning dreams into careers, learn how Parrish Community High’s automotive students are gaining real-world skills and inspiration for the future, thanks to strong community partnerships.
Read more: www.manateeschools.net/goodnews




Accompanied by School Board Member Heather Felton and Assistant Principal Paul Champagne, students toured the facility, explored real medical equipment, and got a firsthand look at their future in healthcare.
We’re also incredibly grateful to HCA Florida and the Manatee Education Foundation for awarding PCHS a grant in December 2024 to support this career pathway.
Partnerships like these make a real difference in preparing our students for success beyond high school. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
