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

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

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

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.

School Board Seeks Civic-Minded Citizens to Join Audit Committee – The School Board of Manatee County is seeking civic-minded citizens to serve as members of the Audit Committee. The Committee, which meets six times a year, recommends the appointment of the internal and external auditors; reviews the scope, plan and reports of the internal and external auditors; and assists in maintaining open communications between the selected auditors, the School Board and the District’s financial management. The Committee also reviews the collection and proper use of the funds raised through the one-half cent sales surtax for school capital outlay expenditures. Membership on the Committee requires an average of five-to-eight hours per month, with meetings scheduled every other month for three hours. The term is approximately three years. Those interested in serving must: • Live in Manatee County. • Be a CPA (active or retired) or had employment experience in school district financial operations. • Submit a letter expressing interest, provide contact information and provide a brief summary of their work experience. Responses must be sent to the Manatee County School District, Attention: School Board Agency Clerk, P.O. Box 9069, Bradenton, Florida 34206-9069. Interested individuals may obtain additional information about the Committee by emailing the School Board Agency Administrative Associate at cox3l@manateeschools.net.

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.