Unforgettable moments during Tara Elementary School's Pre-K Prom. 👀 Tiny smiles, big personalities, and memories families will cherish forever. 🩷 More heartwarming moments coming soon... 📸 #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
7 days ago, School District of Manatee County
Kids dressed up in fancy dresses and suits for a Pre-K Prom.
At Tara Elementary School, one special tradition continues to leave a lasting impression on both hearts and taste buds.

For one evening, the cafeteria transformed into the beloved Banana Leaf Restaurant, where Tara’s youngest learners take center stage. Under the guidance of teacher Jo Johnson, kindergartners step into the roles of chefs, hosts, and servers, welcoming families and staff to an unforgettable dining experience.

From greeting guests with big smiles to carefully serving dishes inspired by authentic Asian cuisine, students recently brought their learning to life in the most delicious way. Ingredients grown right in the school garden made each bite even more meaningful, connecting classroom lessons to real-world experiences.

But the true highlight of the night wasn’t just the menu. It was the confidence, teamwork, and pride shining from every student. Laughter filled the room, families leaned in to savor the moment, and the joy was unmistakable.

At Tara Elementary, it’s traditions like the Banana Leaf Restaurant that turn learning into something you can see, feel, and even taste. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews #DiscoverExcellenceSDMC
11 days ago, School District of Manatee County
Two boys smiling while wearing tropical shirts and straw hats. They're also holding trays.
A little girl in a floral yellow dress and wearing gloves helps serve food at a restaurant themed school event.
Kindergarten students lined up on stage in yellow costumes as their principal speaks into a microphone.

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

11 days 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".
Spring into STEAM at The Soar Lab!

Looking for something fun and educational to do during Spring Break? The Soar Lab will be OPEN the week of March 16th through 20th while schools are closed, offering hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity.

Young learners can explore a variety of exciting themes throughout the week, including science, art, space, math, drama, and technology—all through interactive play and discovery.

Best of all, The Soar Lab is free for most families with children from infants through third grade.

Tuesday, March 17 - 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. (Mad Scientist)
Wednesday, March 18 - 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (Art-a-Palooza)
Thursday, March 19 - 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. (Space)
Friday, March 20 - 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (Math Mania)
Saturday, March 21 - 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (Drama & Technology-Coding)

📍 6423 9th Street East, Bradenton

Visit www.soarin4.org for more information.

Bring your little explorers and let them learn, create, and imagine at The Soar Lab this Spring Break!
2 months ago, School District of Manatee County
Schedule for The Soar Lab during the Week of March 17th
Throughout our kindergarten program, we aim to build six key skills in our students, setting them up for success on the rest of their educational journey:

⭐ 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.
2 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A graphic that says "Enroll in Kindergarten for the 2026-27 school year!"

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

2 months ago, School District of Manatee County
School District of Manatee County logo with "All County Elementary Music Festival 2026" in white letters.

Two Manatee County natives and longtime principals are making moves. Last month, Principals Laura Campbell and Dr. Melinda Lundy left their respective schools to oversee the completion of construction at two new elementary schools. Their teams at Tara Elementary and Bayshore Elementary (respectively) wished them a loving farewell as they left to prepare for the opening of Veterans Elementary (Palmetto) and Rye Ranch Elementary (Parrish) in August 2026. Founding principals play a critical role in building the school from the ground up—academically, operationally, and culturally. They establish a mission, design a school logo, hire and build a staff, align academic programs, coordinate student registration, create community business partnerships, plan for opening day, and much more! We wish both Principals Campbell and Lundy an amazing new journey and can't wait to work alongside them to build new traditions of excellence at their schools.

2 months ago, School District of Manatee County
A school principal laughs as students clap and throw heart shaped confetti at her as a means of goodbye.
a school principal gives high fives through a school hallway with children clapping.

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.)

2 months ago, School District of Manatee County
Two young kids wearing masks play in a puppet theater.

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.

4 months ago, School District of Manatee County
Stay safe out there! We have reports from Tara Elementary, a school safety guardian is in pursuit of Santa’s elves on campus #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
5 months ago, School District of Manatee County
two teachers dressed as elves being chased around a school campus for a fun photo

“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

8 months ago, School District of Manatee County
An interactive wall for children to measure their height
Christmas came early for Tara Elementary teachers and staff on Monday. For the second year in a row, they were treated to a luncheon and back to school gifts at Beef 'O' Brady's Braden River. Owners Tim and Lauren Macri love giving back to the community #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews
9 months ago, School District of Manatee County
School administrators and their executive director stand next to a Christmas tree with school supplies underneath
A teacher smiles after opening a Christmas in July gift filled with school supplies
A kindergarten teacher is happy to receive animal erasers for her class this school year
Two teachers smile as they receive a giant basket filled with sanitizer wipes and other essential school supplies as a gift
Teachers in a restaurant owner smile from behind an Instagram photo prop during the Christmas in July luncheon at beef O’Brady‘s
A teacher holds two containers of paper that will be used to decorate her classroom bulletin boards
A teacher is overjoyed to receive a polkadot gift bag filled with school supplies for the new year
A smiling teacher hold a treasure box filled with goodies for her students this school year
Two teachers pose with an Instagram photo prompt during the Christmas in July event at beef O’Brady’s
The owner of OB, Brady and Tara elementary administrators and shoulder shoulders, smiling in the restaurant
Registration for Tara Elementary School’s Knights Academy (EDEP Program) will ONLY be July 16 from 8:00 – 10:00 AM through the Car Rider line. Registration requires completion of the registration packet by the enrolling parent/guardian (all items must be initialed and signed). Payment of the nonrefundable registration fee is required plus the first week’s payment. https://www.manateeschools.net/edep Space is limited per grade, and we will place your child’s name on a waitlist on a first come first served basis once all seats are filled.
12 months ago, Tara Elementary
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.
12 months ago, School District of Manatee County
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.
12 months ago, School District of Manatee County
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.
12 months ago, School District of Manatee County