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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

Register for tickets. 

11 days ago, School District of Manatee County
Two of Manatee County's outstanding music programs are hitting all the right notes! Congratulations to Braden River High School and Parrish Community High School on earning the Florida Vocal Association's Choir of Distinction award.

A special congratulations to directors Steven Armstrong and Kerrie Carrier for inspiring excellence and showcasing the incredible talent of their student vocalists. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
12 days ago, School District of Manatee County
A female and male teacher holding glass trophies in front of a backdrop for Florida Vocal Association.
This graduating class of Parrish Community High School has shown what it means to lead with determination, spirit, and excellence. Congratulations on all you’ve achieved, and best wishes on the exciting road ahead! Go, Bulls #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
2 months ago, School District of Manatee County
Six high school graduates smile wearing navy gowns while standing with a staff member.
The scene as high school graduates toss their caps in the air and greyish clouds loom over them.
A line of graduates smiling in silver gowns.
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
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A graphic that reads, "Happy Graduation. Discover Excellence. Follow Your Pathway. Success Starts Here."
The School District of Manatee County is proud to celebrate this year’s Manatee School Counselor Association scholarship recipients.

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
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A flyer celebrating a scholarship recipient.
A flyer celebrating a scholarship recipient.

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

3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A school district leader wearing a red blouse smiling in front of a chalkboard graphic which reads, "Thank you, Teachers".
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
3 months ago, School District of Manatee County
superintendent smiles, while standing near a table of seated students speaking
A student speaking while standing up to a room full of high school peers
The superintendent of schools looks on as a student standing, speaks to her seated peers
part of a group of high school superintendent advisory members
Shout out to PCHS Junior Savannah White for being this year’s recipient of the Yale Book Award. This prestigious recognition is presented annually by local Yale alumni clubs to outstanding high school juniors (11th graders) demonstrating exceptional personal character, leadership, and intellectual promise.
4 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A group of women smiling while surrounding a high school student holding a Yale book award.
Breaking News from Parrish Community High School: Zoey Morelli won the first FHSAA Individual State Championship title in Weightlifting for PCHS history on Wednesday! She set a state record in the Olympic division with a 315 pound total to win the 110 pound division. Zoey also finished in 2nd place in the Traditional division. Congratulations, Zoey! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
6 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A student athlete holds up a bracket at the FHSAA Class 3A State Championship Girls Weightlifting tournament.

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.

6 months ago, School District of Manatee County
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
6 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A middle school Drumline gets ready to perform at the fair
trophy for the inaugural battle of the beats at the Manatee County fair
A music educator serving as master of ceremony during a drum competition
A sign that says battle of the beats with Manatee technical College as a sponsor
A panel of music educator serve as judges at the fair
I know school musicians performing at the fair
A group of young musicians at a drum off competition
Young musicians at a drum off competition
Music educators, serving as judges

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.

7 months ago, School District of Manatee County
An invitation featuring the outline of a snare drum musician and a list of high schools participating in a fair competition.
Mike Y.’s résumé reads like a season of a TV crime drama.

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
8 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A school safety guardian stands next to a school logo for the Bulls.
Meet Guardian Chris Scardino, now proudly serving his fifth school year at Parrish Community High School. A retired Union City, New Jersey police sergeant with 27 years of service, Chris brings a lifetime of dedication, leadership, and heart to the Bulls community.

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
8 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A school safety guardian stands next to a wall with the school Bulls logo
A memorial created by retired police sergeant Chris Scardino
Chris Scardino retired as a Union City, NJ police sergeant after 27 years of service.
A memorial in Union City, NJ created for fallen police officers.
The Parrish Community High School Girls’ Golf team achieved their goal of winning the Class 3A FHSAA State Championship for the first time in program history.

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
9 months ago, School District of Manatee County
Girls golf team and their coaches holding a first place state trophy.
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! 🎉👏
10 months ago, School District of Manatee County
school bus drivers smile in the bus yard wearing purple shirts
Teen Volunteers in Action: (L-to-R) Meet Conor (Parrish Community High School) and Alessandro (Manatee High School). These high school juniors, who are best friends, have teamed up to serve at The Soar Lab to help inspire passion and help kids develop a love of learning! They’re both involved in service and community organizations at their schools, including Key Club and Student Government. Bright futures ahead! The Soar Lab Open Friday, October 10th - 9AM-1PM FREE for children (infants to 3rd grade) with an adult 📍6413 9th Street East, Bradenton #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
10 months ago, School District of Manatee County
Two teen volunteers wearing blue aprons in a new children’s learning museum, The Soar Lab
On Thursday, Gettel Automotive Group donated an additional $25,000 to the Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair program at Parrish Community High School, raising its total contribution to $100,000.

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
11 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A group of district leaders and Gettel executives celebrate a business partnership.
A young man smiling in a mechanics workshop at his high school.
A student smiles while holding his arm up to a tire in an automotive classroom.
A man in a blue shirt smiling while standing underneath a pickup truck hoisted in the air in a mechanics garage.
Thank you to HCA Florida for inviting Parrish Community High School Allied Health students and their teacher, April Thornton, to the ribbon-cutting of the new ER at North River Ranch!

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
11 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A group of health students visiting a brand new clinic in their community.
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.
about 1 year ago, School District of Manatee County