NEXTGEN August - September 2023

KNOWLEDGE. INVESTING IN

KNOWLEDGE. INVESTING IN

KNOWLEDGE. INVESTING IN

We’re proud to support those who work toward a brighter tomorrow.

We’re proud to support those who work toward a brighter tomorrow.

We’re proud to support those who work toward a brighter tomorrow.

PUBLISHER

Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County EDITOR

Katelyn Disbro

DEPUTY EDITOR

Kelly Harbour

DESIGN EDITOR

Mara Stork

STAFF WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER

Gabrielle Versmessen

PHOTOGRAPHY

Whitney Patton

Wendy Dewhurst

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Carlee Colonneso, Sheri Roca, Colleen Hartnett, Merab-Michal Favorite

Christa Hardin, Rachel Spivey

CALENDAR OF FAMILY EVENTS

Bradenton Macaroni Kid: Denise Granata

ADVERTISING SALES

Kelly Stasurak: kstasurak@elc-manatee.org

PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION

PCI Communications, Inc.

CONTACT NEXTGEN

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EARLY LEARNING COALITION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTEES

Adam Mohammadbhoy (Chairman) Robert Bell (Secretary/Treasurer)

PRIVATE SECTOR APPOINTED MEMBERS

Christina Riggio, Zack Kallis, Dr. Michael Mackie, Gary Scott, Caroline Halfacre, Tim Pye, Bryan Rench Peggy Sammons, Misty Ritch

LEGISLATIVELY REQUIRED MEMBERS

Rachel Kendzior Children With Disabilities Program Representative

Elida Mujic

Department of Children and Families Designee

Annette Larkin

Private, For-Profit Provider Representative

Dr. Sheila Halpin

Manatee County School Board Designee

Jennifer Passmore Board of County Commissioners' Appointee

Kathy Patreka Head Start Director

Chantal Porte

Department of Children and Families Designee

James Disbro CareerSource

and the Early Learning Coalition do not endorse or warrant any products or services contained herein, unless otherwise expressly noted. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors. Submitted materials will not be returned. Whole or part of this publication may not be used or duplicated in any way without written permission from the Early Learning Coalition.

HELLO TO ¡ HOLA!

New Elementary School Is A Culture In The Making…

WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen

Imagine living in a community where language barriers are broken, creating a common ground where we're able to see ourselves as more the same than different. ¡HOLA! Elementary at Manatee School for the Arts is striving to do just that.

As an arts-infused dual-language public charter school, ¡HOLA! Elementary is the first and only school of its kind in Manatee County. It opened its doors in August to Pre-K through fifth-grade students, with the goal being for students to master biliteracy in English and Spanish while also being able to artistically express themselves, all to achieve academic success.

Beginning its first year this month, Dr. Ruby Zickafoose heads ¡HOLA! Elementary as its founding principal. Dr. Z began teaching in 1993 as a paraprofessional, but her time in Manatee County dates back to her childhood. She grew up in Palmetto, hailing from a migrant family, and proceeded to do her internships at Manatee County schools, graduate from USF, and spend 30 years teaching in Manatee County.

However, when she started teaching in 1993, she noticed that were few tools available to help the many English Language Learners within the classrooms. Struggling to close the achievement gap between monolingual English speakers and Spanish speakers was the drive that started the concept for ¡HOLA! Elementary.

"Being Hispanic myself and coming from a migrant background, I knew the challenges of being limited in education. My mom had a kindergarten education, and my dad had a second-grade education," Dr. Z explained. "English language learners are so appreciative. They want to learn so much and take advantage of the opportunities in America. The families are very humble."

"I taught at Palmetto Elementary. I represented them in the county as Teacher of the Year. I know the community here. I know what it means to be Hispanic. I know what it means to be a translator, to have a child who is a translator, and to have the vision of wanting my child to be bilingual," Dr. Z said.

But she's not doing it alone. By her side, Dr. Z has Rosa Cline and Jessica Spiller on her administrative team. Rosa, an English Language Learner (ELL) Specialist, found her passion for this career through her second-grade teacher and migrant tutor. She grew up in a migrant family, being the youngest of nine children, and struggled with bouncing around schools. However,

having the opportunity to go to school gave her a different outlook on things. Both educators helped her realize that there are people out there who really want to help, and she wanted to do the same thing.

"I wanted to make a difference and give that opportunity to the students like I was given when I was younger through different educators. I feel like our community struggles a lot, even from home. The kids don't get those resources at home, so when they do, they'll get it from the school," Rosa said. "I think the philosophy is how do we promote and help our students to have an equal opportunity of all the resources? This area is such a highly populated Hispanic community. I feel like parents want their children to have the resources and equal opportunities that ¡HOLA! Elementary provides."

Jessica, an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Specialist, grew up in a small town with little diversity. When she married, she moved to Florida and began teaching 17 years ago. Like Dr. Z, her first job was as a paraprofessional but in an ESE self-contained classroom. Dr. Z was the reading coach at the school during that time, and throughout her 17 years in the school system, Jessica and Dr. Z's paths kept crossing. Dr. Z greatly influenced Jessica to pursue a higher degree and then go through the dual-language program at UCF.

"She was always in my ear, 'You need to get your degree!'" Jessica laughed. "I feel like I've been on the journey with her. I'm looking forward to someday soon becoming fluent in both languages. This is a dream come true for me and these ladies. I don't think that I've come across a stronger trio. We work very well together."

But ¡HOLA! Elementary isn't just for Spanish speakers or bilingual students! The school accepts children from any and all language backgrounds. They have English language families and Englishdominant families enrolling their children simply because they know the value and want them to learn a second language. They even have children from homes that speak Portuguese, Greek, Swedish, Russian, and German too!

"So many people I speak to say they wish they knew Spanish or paid attention in Spanish class in high school. This is an opportunity for them to really embrace it and say, 'My child will have an advantage being bi-literate.' Because our goal is to have these students not only be bilingual but also be able to read and write in two languages," explained Dr. Z.

This philosophy carries over to the staff too. Rosa has had teachers ask if they need to speak Spanish to be employed at ¡HOLA!, but they actually have an array of people at different levels of bilingualism working

there. They want the students to see themselves in the entirety of the staff. This means that there are monolingual English people, monolingual Spanish people, and everything else in between.

Dr. Z said: "When we look for people, we ask if they have a bilingual mindset, and do you believe that communicating with someone is so important that we have to use whatever forms we have? Whether that's drawing pictures, using gestures, or acting to communicate with the other person. That's at the core."

Enter the arts-infused content curriculum. The assessments aren't always paper and pencil. Jessica explained it as the students have the opportunity to create a dance or sculpture, or poster that shows that they comprehend the content that has been taught. This environment allows them to be creative and expressive in different ways to show their knowledge.

"That's the piece that makes this a very higher-order thinking environment. A child must understand a concept at a higher level to interpret that into a dance, sculpture, or painting. It's not just a regurgitation of knowledge. They have to interpret, evaluate, and summarize it in a different medium. This makes it into a more gifted type of program," said Dr. Z.

A typical day at ¡HOLA! Elementary varies from grade to grade. Pre-Kindergarten has a 90:10 model where 90% of their day is in Spanish and 10% in English. Word work and writing are what mostly fill that 10%. This includes phonics and putting letters and sounds together. They start their day with a classroom meeting. The teachers will ask questions like "¿Qué es mi nombre? ¿Como te llamas?" ("What is my name? What is your name?") to start embedding Spanish into daily conversation. This is also a time for the children to get to know each other and get the agenda for the day.

From there, they'll go into a 90-minute Spanish Language Arts block. During that time, it'll be a typical reading block with an interactive read-aloud, guided reading time, independent reading time, independent practice, and a share at the end. There is a language of instruction

which will be in Spanish. Then there's the language of conversation. That is when a teacher will move in and out of English and Spanish.

Dr. Z clarified: "We never want a child to be confused. We want them to feel like playing with language is just part of the day. If we have 50% of the class English dominant and 50% Spanish dominant or bilingual in that conversation, we're hoping they're playing with language and trying things out."

Then, the students continue through their math block. Their core units are integrated, so science and social studies concepts are taught within the literacy block. The typical PE class and the arts are flex-times where children are allowed to speak language and interplay with Spanish and English. The idea is to create a place where the students feel it's easy to move into Spanish and English.

When the children move to kindergarten, their day will have an 80:20 model. Then, first grade will be 70:30. Second grade will be 60:40, and third through fifth grade will be 50:50. This allows primary school teachers to be bi-literate and use their native language in a teaching setting. Second through fifth grade is more "language-enriched," while the primary years focus on developing the dual language and exposing them to as much Spanish or English as possible using their ELL strategies.

Twice a year, in October and March, the students are assessed on their Spanish skills. The incoming students vary from having a command of no language to being quite literate in one or both languages. This assessment is done in addition to the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST), which is taken three times throughout the school year.

Another thing that sets ¡HOLA! apart is that they hire teaching artists. The arts classes (art, music, theater, digital art, and visual art) are being taught by actual practicing artists. For example, the dance teacher is a dancer who teaches dance and performs. ¡HOLA! has studio-like

classrooms equipped with things like Marley dance floors that absorb the bounce when a dancer comes back down and a studio-like theater with a stage and flexible seating.

"The heart of ¡HOLA! Elementary is these two things: The enrichment and acceleration of dual language with the beauty and connectivity of the arts," said Dr. Z. "The families that want their children

enrolled with us have to want and know the value of what it means to be bi-literate. We have families who want their kids to communicate with their grandmother to their child already being bilingual, but they want them to read and write to parents wanting their child in an Ivy League university, so they need to be bi-literate. But the common thread is they value a second language."

Cornhole and Cocktails

PICTURES:

Kiwanis® Club of Manatee Sunrise

Wendy Dewhurst

From Punk Rocker To Museum CEO!

Andrew Sandall On His Journey To Bradenton & The Bishop…

WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen

From being a guitarist in a moderately successful punk rock band in England to becoming the Chief Executive Officer of The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Andrew Sandall has had quite the assorted road to his current role.

Beginning his museum journey in 1992, Andrew started as a curatorial assistant at his local history museum in Boston, England. At that time, he had no idea what the job entailed or even knew anyone with experience in the museum field. The people recruiting for the curatorial assistant position thought he would be a great fit. By the end of his first week, he knew this was the career he had always been looking for.

"I was doing multiple jobs and decided I needed a 'real' job. I was writing some sports reports for the local newspaper because I was involved with the soccer team back home, as well as some music therapy workshops for the local art center. At some point, I had to do something, not just these evening and weekend jobs," Andrew explains.

He initially interviewed to be a trainee journalist, but the recruitment company had another idea.

Andrew smiled: "They said, 'The newspaper wants you, and you could go there, but we

have this job at the local museum, and we never get anybody who's suitable. Would you be interested?'" The rest was history.

After working in the museum for two years, Andrew returned to school to redo his undergraduate qualifications and received his Master's in Museum Studies. In 2004, Andrew moved to New Jersey until 2008, when he found his way down to Orlando, Florida. After being there for four years, he moved to Daytona Beach, where he would stay for 10 years. After a short stint back in New Jersey, Andrew came down to beautiful Bradenton.

The Sarasota-Bradenton area has been on Andrew's radar for a while. With the area being so museum-rich, he has spent a lot of day trips and weekends away here.

Andrew said: "I've known The Bishop Museum for a long time. Working with the museums in Orlando and Daytona, I found my way onto the Board of the Florida Association of Museums. Brynne Anne Besio, who used to be the CEO of The Bishop, was President during my time on the Board. I knew that when she retired as CEO, I wasn't in a place where I wanted to move jobs. Then when it became available again, I reached out to her first and asked if she thought I'd be a good fit for this position. She encouraged me to apply."

What got him so invested in the museum field is how the job differs daily. There are new challenges and new opportunities to meet different people. Andrew has had the chance to meet astronauts, the entire Jim Henson family, and people at the Smithsonian, to name a few.

Andrew's specialty is eclectic museums. He's worked at the National Railway Museum in England, multiple local history museums, Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando, and the Museum of Arts and Science in Daytona.

What he enjoys most, however, is taking complicated museums and giving them a singular voice. "The Bishop is very much that. It's a really diversified museum. You have the manatees, the planetarium, the Mosaic Backyard Universe, and the fossils."

Seeing patrons connect with what the museum does is another favored aspect of Andrew's job. Sit in the manatee habitat for a bit, and you'll hear people asking the care team questions about the manatees and learn more about them.

Being able to step away from his computer screen and hang out with the manatees at their habitat for a little bit helps Andrew realign his focus and see the "bigger picture" as they rehabilitate the manatees.

"It's a workplace where you actually see how we care for manatees, more than just having them as a behind-glass exhibit. You're seeing someone out there working, cleaning, doing safety assessments, feeding, all those kinds of things. You get to go up to the top and see over and chat with the staff. You don't get that kind of experience everywhere."

This education element is very different from most facilities. It's not just an exhibit but a workspace, and the people are able to learn that the manatees in their care are there for a reason, not always a good reason, but hopefully with a good outcome.

"It's great being downtown because I'll walk to my car or go out for lunch and see people walking around with their badges on that they've been here and see just how much impact it has. When you get to see people make connections and understand things and understand that museums are for them, that's always incredibly gratifying."

With so many great programs, exhibits, and events held at The Bishop Museum, Andrew wants to continue building upon their roster to give the community even more opportunities to come to the museum. Breaking down that barrier is the key thing to do. If people come for a wedding or Soar in 4, they're already more comfortable with the building and walking through the door. With some familiarity there, it ebbs away

at any inhibitions someone might have about coming.

Andrew says: "Building our program base and making sure what we're doing makes this a museum for the local community is what I'll be looking to do in my new role."

In addition to building the programs offered at The Bishop, Andrew wants to start looking at a new strategic plan, which would include an extensive consultation process. This would involve bringing in people who go to the museum, who don't go, those who go to other museums, people who would like to come, and people from other businesses and organizations around town to figure out how they think The Bishop should fit into the community. He wants to fulfill the role of Bradenton and Manatee County's museum.

Marti King, a board member of The Bishop Museum, described Andrew as a "natural leader." When asked what fosters this quality in himself, Andrew replied that it was his inquisitiveness and openness.

He explains: "If there's anything I've demonstrated

in leadership, it's that I'm open to listening and trying to understand and helping people understand themselves. I don't think anyone would say I make snap decisions or don't listen to them. I try to have a mentorship style of leadership. We have naturally inquisitive people working in the museum. That's what led me into museums in the first place."

Along with being inquisitive, a passion for understanding things is a quality Andrew would say defines a great museum CEO. He grew up with two things: absolute devotion to understanding everything and being a good storyteller. He says that if you have those two things, at any level working in a museum, you start with an advantage.

"We are all about understanding things and translating things for people to understand. If that passion drives you to know things yourself but are a good communicator, that's really helpful. Additionally, being able to deal with frustrations well is a good quality to have. There's always more we could be doing, and collections could always use more money, and so on. You have to be able to navigate through those things and take a step back to understand the difference you're making in people's lives with what you have."

The final aspect of a good museum CEO is empathy for the subject matter you're discussing. While Andrew has never been a specialist in the subject of any of the museums he's worked at, besides his hometown history, he has been able to apply good practice by learning as much as he can about the subject.

Fostering the passion for these great qualities dates back to his childhood. His family wasn't the "seaside family" on vacations but instead would go on day trips to castles or historic areas. His school

in his hometown was built in the 15th century, and he was surrounded by medieval buildings growing up.

"I can remember the first museums I went to, and I ended up working in one of them, actually. It was surreal. One of my most vivid childhood memories was being three or four years old and going to the York Castle Museum and National Railway Museum. Walking into the great halls they had, being a small child, I was awed by the scale of everything, like standing next to a giant steam locomotive for the first time or walking into a recreated Victorian street," Andrew reminisces.

Two people Andrew recalls having worked with that left a lasting impression on his career were a volunteer at a small museum he worked at in England and the chief curator and head of engineering at the National Railway Museum. The volunteer was a retired television and VCR salesman who had the innate ability to tell stories that engaged generations of families, which Andrew was able to adopt as a skill from him.

The chief curator taught Andrew that there is no such thing as a bad question. If this

person was walking through the museum and someone stopped him to ask a question, he would answer their question fully every time, even if it made him late.

"His outlook was that a meeting could wait, but your question can't. These two gentlemen were not classically trained museum studies graduates, but they understood what they were doing and wanted to share what they had in an engaging way. This is what I strive to achieve every day."

Making a Difference in Business and Lives

PICTURES: Wendy Dewhurst

With

Reclamation ecologists like Ashlee work to return mined lands to productive use as wildlife habitats, public parks and more— so future generations can enjoy these lands for years to come.

every generation, we get better at protecting our environment.

GAINING STRENGTH: Recovery After Rotator Cuff Surgery

Mark Schuetz looks forward to the day he can get back on his fishing boat. Following a rotator cuff surgery, performed by Dr. Raghu Pulluru of Manatee Physician Alliance Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Mark is proceeding with rehab therapy and is on his way to his goal.

The Center for Orthopedic and Spine Surgery at Manatee Memorial Hospital offers a comprehensive range of services that include foot and ankle surgeries; hip, knee and shoulder surgeries; sports medicine; spine surgeries; and joint replacement.

We have earned the Gold Seal of Approval® for Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certifications from The Joint Commission for the second consecutive year by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Pulluru or one of our other orthopedic specialists, call 941-900-4600

I recently had massive rotator cuff surgery, performed by Dr. Raghu Pulluru at Manatee Memorial Hospital, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. From start to finish, my experience with Dr. Pulluru and the entire team was top-notch. Everyone I encountered was incredibly professional, knowledgeable and compassionate throughout the entire process. Before the surgery, Dr. Pulluru took the time to thoroughly explain the procedure and answer all my questions and concerns. And his Nurse Practitioner Joy Hudson made sure I was comfortable and informed every step of the way, which helped ease my nerves. After the surgery, Dr. Pulluru and his team provided excellent follow-up care. I have started my shoulder rehab. Dan, Tasha and the entire team at Manatee are making sure I am on track with my recovery. They are such an amazing group of therapists. Thank you for everything!”

Mark Schuetz, Patient

Physicians are on the medical staff of Manatee Memorial Hospital, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Manatee Memorial Hospital. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit the website. 231375202-1382452 7/23

SERVING Manatee County!

WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen

Celebrating 96 years of servitude, the Service Club of Manatee County Inc. was founded by a group of charitable mothers who provided lunches by making sandwiches for hungry children at what is now Ballard Elementary School. Since then, the Club has raised close to $3 million within Manatee County.

On May 15th, the Service Club held its grants award reception at the Manatee Performing Arts Center. Over $132,000 in grants were awarded to 32 local nonprofit organizations. This will affect over 5,000 children in our community! The funds were money that was raised at the Service Club's annual Boots & Bling gala fundraiser that was held on March 25th, 2023.

"We used to have antique shows for our fundraiser. We're changing as time does to find a good fit for a fundraiser," Service Club President Nathalie Thrasher explained. "After COVID, we were trying to figure out our first gala but wanted to have it outside. We looked into the fairgrounds and called it 'Boots & Bling.' We've raised over $133,000 each year in the last two years!"

Boots & Bling is supported by sponsorships, silent and live auctions, food and beverage vendors, and a network of donors.

"It shows the generosity within Manatee County. A lot of people have donated as a sponsor, or their food stations, or for the silent auction," she continued.

The Service Club's mission statement is to "support children who reside in Manatee County by raising and distributing funding for the benefit of those who are in need of food, shelter, clothing, health services, or educational services." Their goal is to raise funds for the children and not just sit on the money. Everything that comes in at the end of March gets distributed at their next meet.

In addition to the grants, the ladies pass around a hat for monetary collections at their monthly meetings. In April, the organization that received the monies was Stillpoint Mission. $700 came in from that hat, which all goes directly to the organization. This is done in an effort to help the community continually.

Nathalie said: "For me, I feel children are our future. If we can train them up, keep them healthy, and give them a bed and food, we are providing for their wellbeing. For me, it was a no-brainer to join the Service Club."

Nathalie has been in the Club for about 14 years and on the board for eight. Prior to being president, she was vice president for one year and gala chair for two years. After her one-year presidential term, she will stay on the board as Past President to help be a steering force.

Beds for Kids was one of the grant recipients this year. Their mission is to provide beds to kids that need them. Their recommendations come from organizations, government agencies, or

schools as they learn of children in need. They are 100% volunteer-based and have about 50 volunteers.

Major Todd Shear, Vice President, said:

"We know the importance of a child getting a good night's sleep. I've worked in child protection for over 11 years and have seen a lot of removals and trauma. Children do dramatically better in school and life when they can get a good night's sleep, and that's something most of us take advantage of."

The grant money they receive will make a month's worth of beds for children. The volunteers cut the lumber for the beds, sand them, assemble them, and distribute them. The children also receive a mattress cover, new sheets, a comforter, a teddy bear, Bible, books, and a prayer rug with each bed.

The ability to assist local organizations, such as Beds for Kids, helps to better the lives of children and families right here in Manatee County in the hopes that the future of our community will be brighter.

2023 SERVICE CLUB GRANT AWARDS RECIPIENTS

ArtCenter Manatee

Avenue941

Beds for Kids

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Suncoast

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County

Centerstone of Florida

Easterseals of Southwest Florida

Foundation for Dreams

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

Guardian Angels of Southwest Florida

The Haven Healthy Teens, Inc.

Jewish Family and Children's Services of the Suncoast

Just for Girls

Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center

Manasota Solve

Manatee Children's Services

Manatee County Habitat for Humanity

Manatee Sunrise Kiwanis Foundation

Manatee Wildcats Youth Sports, Inc.

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, Inc.

One More Child

Pace Center for Girls, Manatee

Parenting Matters

St. George Episcopal Church

Sarasota Orchestra

Stillpoint Mission, Inc.

Take Stock in Children of Manatee County, Inc.

Tidewell Foundation

The Twig Cares

The Mark Wandall Foundation, Inc.

Young Life of Manatee County

MINUTES MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD 60

45% of children in Florida are NOT READY for Kindergarten.

Early intervention and individualized attention gives students the best likelihood of success.

51%

of Manatee County students cannot read at a minimally proficient level by the end of 3rd grade.

BECOME A MENTOR TODAY!

LEARN MORE: elc-manatee.org/ReadingPals

A Family Tradition SINCE 1926

Founders Chris and Esther Berry

An Education For Exceptional Students…

WORDS: Gabrielle Versmessen

As many parents know, finding your child with special needs or unique abilities a school where they can receive the quality care they need can be a challenging task. It's hard to trust that your child will not only be safe but also reach their academic grade learning level. But Esther's School was created to do just that - and more.

Chris and Dr. Esther Berry's sixth child, Robert, was born diagnosed with Down syndrome. When it came time for him to go to school, they wanted him in a Christian school. Nobody could accommodate him, so they put him in a public school. This broke Esther's heart, and she felt she didn't know how to help him. Wanting Robert to receive an education, he attended public school until he was 13. At this time, Esther felt she saw prejudice between the typical and special needs children, even amongst the staff.

Esther was in full-time ministry at this time, and with the support of her husband, she decided to pursue an additional career. Thinking she'd return to the business world that she was once successful in, Esther received several job offers. But she knew in her heart that's not what she was meant to do.

"I was seeking the Lord asking what to do, and I heard His voice speak to me and tell me to open a school," Esther recalled.

And with that, in 2005, Chris and Dr. Esther opened Esther's School in the hopes of giving their son and others a Christian education. Their first location was in St. Petersburg, with just two students, Robert being one of them.

Today, Esther's School has nine locations throughout Florida, with about 600 students enrolled across all campuses, and serves grades K-12. Their largest campus is in Kissimmee, with 102 students.

This month, they opened their first Manatee County school at First Baptist Church of Gillette in Palmetto. Jes Moore is the Palmetto location's founding principal. She truly connects with the school's motto of "exceptional education for exceptional students," as her son, now 17 years old, was born with unique abilities.

Jes explained: "My son has been in therapy since he was a month old. I had put him in a public school, but they couldn't meet his needs. I found a school to put him in when he was going into fourth grade. However, he was at a first-grade reading level. At this new school, he went from a first-grade reading level to a middle-of-fifthgrade reading level within a year and a half."

Unfortunately, that school only went to the fifth grade, and Jes noticed a hole in the community and a great need for this type of school to continue secondary education. She knew Dr. Esther through church and knew of Esther's School, but the available campuses were too far away. This past year, after having to leave her teaching position at the school her son was enrolled at, Jes called Dr. Esther and said: "I think it's time."

Natasha Griffin, Superintendent of Esther's School, says that having that personal connection with students who are special needs or unique abilities allows them to have compassion and sympathy for the children and families.

"We can help a staff member become certified for teaching through our accreditation. But they must have the heart to look at a child who may have spit in their face the day before, smile, and say, 'Good morning. I am so happy to see you.'," said Natasha.

Esther's School's goal is to give the students all the resources and help to learn the skills they need to succeed and thrive in this world.

"We love the children, and we want them to do the very best that they're capable of doing. We don't judge them. We've seen autistic

children go off to college, and of course, we're proud of that fact, but we're also proud of the Down syndrome child who works at Publix," said Dr. Esther.

A typical day at Esther's School goes from 8:30 am to 3 pm. They start with an assembly either in a classroom or a meeting room. Then the core subjects are taught until lunchtime. Esther's School also provides free and reduced options through the National School Lunch Program. From there, they transition to PE, art, music, or chapel, depending on the day of the week. The afternoon consists of science, social studies, and Bible study.

Once a student reaches high school, he or she works on their diploma path, depending on what the student needs to accomplish for credits earned that school year. Different diploma paths are offered that range from a special diploma all the way up to an honors diploma path. This allows Esther's School to provide a chance for neurotypical siblings to attend alongside their brother or sister as well.

academically working at the same level. This is so vital for a student's self-esteem."

Although Esther's School is tuition-based, they meet the standards and qualifications from the state to accept statefunded scholarships. These include the Step Up Scholarship, Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, Hope Scholarship, and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities. • If

"We experience that when a parent enrolls their student with special needs and unique abilities, after the first year, they often come to us asking to enroll all of their students!" Natasha said. "Our grade levels are blended in the classrooms too. This helps the students to be with their peer groups, even if they're not

you want to learn more about Esther's School or enroll your child at the Palmetto location, please visit estherschool.net or email Jes Moore at jes.moore@esthershool.net.

Jes Moore Principal

Y OUTH

PICTURES: Wendy Dewhurst

HEALTH Awards

is a publisher and distributor of books, toys, games and audio/visual materials for children ages 0-5.

Features include:

Family and Friends

Physical and Mental Health STEM

Social and Emotional Learning

Books for Babies, Infant/Toddlers

Our dedication is to the young child, and creating materials that support interactive learning for babies, infant/toddlers and pre-school aged children and their families. We are particularly focused on multicultural and bilingual education, and with some of the country’s leading educators in Spanish and bilingual media, have created a program of bilingual learning for young children and their families and caregivers.

We look forward to working with you and discovering how we can extend the learning for your students and families. Please allow us to assist you in any way we can!

www.TheGardenLearningStore.com

info @ thegardenlearning.com

(800) 47 2- 0099

Gardner Media LLC

Gardner Media LLC

A RAY OF SUNSHINE!

The Health Council of Southeast Florida recently honored

Sunshine Christian Academy in Bradenton for its commitment to promoting healthy habits among children and families and for the hard work that has been accomplished to earn Florida's HEROs Early Care and Education (ECE) recognition and award. This recognition is valid for two years.

Sunshine Christian Academy has met benchmarks based on evidence-based national standards outlined in Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, Third Edition (CFOC, 3rd Ed.) that significantly impact a child's health and wellbeing.

The five benchmark areas include: increasing physical activity, offering healthy food, offering healthy beverages, limiting screen time, and supporting breastfeeding (if serving infants under the age of one). Within these areas, Sunshine Christian Academy encourages family engagement, has established policies and systems to support evidence-based healthy benchmarks, and has created a child care environment that supports healthy habits. Today, approximately one in five children in America has obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which increases the risk of major health complications later in life. Because of this, it is critical to begin healthy habits at a young age.

Through the Healthy Kids, Healthy Future Technical Assistance Program grant funded through Nemours Children's Health System and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Council of Southeast Florida strives to encourage and provide free resources for child care providers as they make voluntary changes to support healthy habits among their children and reduce childhood obesity in Florida.

• For more information about Florida's HEROs ECE Recognition and Award, visit https://eces4healthykids. org.

• For more information about the Health Council of Southeast Florida, visit https://hcsef.org.

SUPPLIES ROLL INTO THE STATION!

This summer, the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) partnered with HCA Florida Blake Hospital to create the new School Supply Station! The station will be a dedicated space for teachers to access school supplies to create dynamic classroom environments without bearing a financial burden.

Caregivers at HCA Florida Blake Hospital collected school supplies in July, and the hospital donated $5,000 to support the new program. To close out this inaugural school supply drive, we called on the community to help Stock the Station!

People throughout the County contributed to the cause by donating school supplies or making a cash donation on Saturday, July 22nd. The Stock the Station event was held at Happy Cubs, next door to HCA Florida Blake Hospital. The public simply drove through and left a donation and were able to stay to enjoy music, Carousel Soft Serve Icery, popcorn, and various activities for all ages. The ELC distributed books to kids from the famous Dream Machine bus. If you want to donate, you're still able to! A list of recommended supplies provided by the ELC can be found at HCA Florida Blake Hospital's Facebook page.

"We were excited to join with the Early Learning Coalition to create the School Supply Station," said Paige Laughlin, chief operating officer of HCA Florida Blake Hospital. "We are committed to the well-being of our community beyond our daily mission of providing excellent patient care. There is no worthier cause than supporting our hardworking teachers and putting children in the best position to grow and succeed."

Early childhood education is vital to the development of children, according to the Early Learning Coalition. During these formative years, children undergo rapid brain development and lay the foundation to their future learning and well-being. High-quality early childhood education programs provide a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can explore, interact and learn through play.

"We know that impacting children early is vital to academic success, and these school supplies can significantly influence the lives of these young learners and the overall educational system," said Rachel Spivey, Director of Grant Management at the Early Learning Coalition. "School supply drives are a meaningful way to support education and empower young children to reach their full potential. We are incredibly grateful to HCA Florida Blake Hospital and the community members who have and will donate. Your contributions and community-building efforts supplied educational cargo for teachers and students in early learning classrooms."

THE BEST OF PALS…

WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen

Oftentimes, we don't realize how much of a lasting impact a stranger can have on our lives, especially as a child. But most of us can recall at least one teacher or mentor who positively influenced us over the years. You can be that person to a child!

The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) offers the ReadingPals program to VPK children at local child care sites. This program provides a mentor to one to three students to be a positive influence in the students' lives and help them learn the fundamentals of reading. Not only do the mentors assist in reading comprehension, but they also develop a meaningful relationship with the students. Building a relationship enhances a solid social-emotional foundation for the children.

ReadingPals meet with their students for one hour each week for at least 25 sessions throughout the school year. Mentors are screened and trained by the ELC, which also provides continuous mentor support. The books for the program are provided through the ELC as well. The students even take a copy of the books home to add to their at-home libraries!

Sharon Greer, Director of A Child's Galaxy Preschool, loves the ReadingPals program that comes to her classroom. "It has made a phenomenal impact on my students. It has enlightened the children's love for reading and books. It's a great beginning for an early reader," Sharon smiled. "The children's care for the volunteers is amazing to see. They are so excited when they see them come and sad when they have to leave. Additionally, the love the volunteers are giving the children has an impact that the children will carry on for years to come."

This year, several child care centers invited the ELC and the ReadingPals mentors to their VPK graduations. Doing this gave the mentors the opportunity to see their students graduate from

preschool and celebrate their accomplishments with them and their families. A Child's Galaxy, Our Kids West, and Smiling Faces were among those centers.

One family had this to say about the program: "The ReadingPals program has enhanced the joy of reading for our child. She had counted down the days every week in anticipation of ReadingPals day and was sad to hear when it would be the last time she would see her ReadingPal. Every week, on the day of ReadingPals, she comes home and excitedly shares her ReadingPals experience. Also, on that same day, we had to read the ReadingPals book she came home with. We believe that the ReadingPals program should continue to be incorporated into more schools so that more children can become just as excited to read."

ReadingPals is a statewide initiative managed by The Children's Movement of Florida. The pillars of ReadingPals are mentoring, early literacy, and social-emotional development. These three things are crucial to ensuring a child gains the necessary skills for a successful transition to kindergarten.

• If you're interested in becoming a volunteer for ReadingPals or learning more about the program, please visit www.elc-manatee.org/ReadingPals or call (941) 757-2900 ext. 2500.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ...

Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK) is a free educational program that prepares fouryear-olds for kindergarten and beyond. Participating in VPK sets a student's educational success for life. There are early literacy skills being taught as well as social-emotional skills that are being acquired.

In order to enroll in VPK, a child must live in Florida and be four on or before September 1st of the school year they enroll. VPK is offered in private, public, and faith-based child care centers, public schools, and school year or summer programs. Four-

year-olds with special needs have the option for VPK Specialized Instructional Services outside the classroom setting.

Kindergarten readiness isn't just about counting to 10 or reciting the ABCs. It includes pre-writing and writing skills. It includes understanding emotions and social cues. It includes being able to self-regulate emotions at an age-appropriate level. It includes teaching your child independence with daily routines. These sometimes overlooked but necessary skills set the stage for further academic success. A student will be able to write his or her first and last name. A student will be able to establish friendships

WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen

and meaningful connections with peers. A student will be able to independently use the restroom without teacher assistance.

Melissa Cujas, Deputy Director of Provider Quality and Child Development at the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC): "Providing access to VPK for children offers them the chance to improve their social and emotional abilities. It also boosts their language and vocabulary development, ultimately preparing them for success in kindergarten."

The successful transition to kindergarten is another positive aspect of the VPK program. VPK prepares children for what kindergarten and grade school will look like. They get used to a classroom setting, lesson plan, and thirty-minute lunch. Recognizing these daily patterns eases a student's anxiety about entering a new routine.

Additionally, the Early Learning Task Force of Manatee County has put together a Transition to Kindergarten (T2K) initiative. "Transition" refers to the totality of experiences and opportunities a child encounters in moving from one program or setting to another. Opportunities and experiences that familiarize children and families with new settings, expectations, and relationships can help make connections that ease adjustments.

When transitions are effective, they provide the support children need to make these adjustments. Children who are able to make a successful transition to kindergarten enjoy school, show steady growth in academic and social skills, and have families who are more actively engaged in their learning. The ELC has put together a VPK Calendar and "Tips for the Approaching School Year & Beyond" on its website for parents and educators to utilize for their VPK students.

We highly recommend reviewing the resources available on the ELC's website if you have a child entering VPK or kindergarten this upcoming school year. Playing a proactive part in your child's academics from an early age creates a solid family and educational foundation.

• To view the T2K resources, visit www.elc-manatee.org/ Transition-to-Kindergarten. To register your child for VPK or learn more about a VPK program near you, visit www.elc-manatee.org/Voluntary-Prekindergarten-VPK.

Florida VPK is vital to prepare your child for kindergarten.

Childcare Provider Directory

A Child's Galaxy Preschool

4417 20th Street West

Bradenton, FL 34207

941-755-6302

Adventures In Learning

712 61st Street East

Palmetto, FL 34221

941-722-1816

A Growing Start Childcare Center, LLC

525 3rd Street East

Bradenton, FL 34208

941-896-9750

A Little Schoolhouse Christian Academy

11740 US Highway 301 North Parrish, FL 34219

941-776-1973

All About Children Christian Child Care Center

447 North Lime Avenue Sarasota, FL 34237

941-365-4172

All Gods Children Preschool

11107 Palmbrush Trail

Bradenton, FL 34202

941-739-2776

Angel's Friends Child Development

611 North East Avenue

Sarasota, FL 34237

941-953-3852

A New Beginning Early Child Care Learning Center

2185 Wood Street

Sarasota, FL 34237

941-316-1555

A Plus Growing Academy 800 10th Avenue West

Palmetto, FL 34221

941-722-0797

A Readiness Learning Academy 9045 59th Avenue Circle East Bradenton, FL 34202

941-727-9354

A Readiness Learning Academy 2 6130 SR 70 East

Bradenton, FL 34203

941-752-4927

Baby Fox Academy

7041 Professional Parkway Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240

941-359-3699

Beautiful Blessings

1609 10th Street

Sarasota, FL 34236

941-952-1871

Bible Baptist Church of Palmetto Academy

1750 6th Avenue West, Unit 101

Palmetto, FL 34221

941-479-4958

Boys & Girls Club Daughtrey Elementary

515 63rd Avenue East

Bradenton, FL 34203

(941) 761-2582 ext. 116

Boys & Girls Club DeSoto

5236 30th Street West

Bradenton, FL 34207

941-758-3828

Boys & Girls Club Manatee Elementary

1609 6th Avenue East

Bradenton, FL 34208

(941) 761-2582 ext. 119

Boys & Girls Club Oneco Elementary

5214 22nd Street Court East

Bradenton, FL 34203

(941) 761-2582 ext. 118

Boys & Girls Club Palmetto

1600 10th Street West

Palmetto, FL 34221 941-722-1268

Boys & Girls Club Rogers Garden/Bullock Elementary

515 113 Avenue West

Bradenton, FL 34205

(941) 761-2582 ext. 117

Bradenton Christian School West

1305 43rd Street West

Bradenton, FL 34209 941-404-4491

Bradenton Early Learning Academy

2015 7th Street West

Bradenton, FL 34209 941-216-3305

Bradenton Early Learning Academy (Downtown) 202 3rd Avenue East

Bradenton, FL 34208 941-216-3060

Bright Angels Academy & Daycare, Inc.

1716 53rd Avenue East

Bradenton, FL 34203 941-962-0472

Bright Beginnings Academy

614 10th Street West

Palmetto, FL 34221

941-479-7910

Bright Beginnings Preschool

4111 Webber Street

Sarasota, FL 34232 941-921-6722

Bright Futures Daycare & Preschool, LLC

1617 26th Street West

Bradenton, FL 34205

941-251-5436

Bright Minds Family Home Day Care

2101 32nd Street West

Bradenton, FL 34205

941-900-1052

Busy Bee Child Development and Learning Center

455 48th Street West Bradenton, FL 34209

941-900-2035

CapoKids Martial Arts Preschool

11534 Palmbrush Trail

Bradenton, FL 34202

941-922-4520

Center for Early Childhood Education, Inc.

6024 26th Street West

Bradenton, FL 34207

941-753-4987

Children's Nest of Manatee, Inc.

5051 26th Street West

Bradenton, FL 34207

941-807-1605

Children's Nest of Manatee 2

600 7th Avenue West

Palmetto, FL 34221

941-479-7789

Community Christian School

5500 18th Street East

Bradenton, FL 34203

941-756-8748

Community Haven for Adults & Children with Disabilities

4405 DeSoto Road

Sarasota, FL 34235

941-355-8808

CORE Early Education & Learning Center, LLC

605 13th Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221

941-729-9069

Country Cubs Learning Center

12294 US Highway 301 North

Parrish, FL 34219

941-417-7963

Countryside Academy For Children

5807 18th Avenue East

Bradenton, FL 34208

941-747-3044

Creative Child Learning Center At Lakewood Ranch

11520 Palmbrush Trail

Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

941-727-9990

Creative Kids Connection 408 75th Street Northwest

Bradenton, FL 34209

941-794-8687

CRPE Academy

1621 66th Avenue Terrace East

Sarasota FL, 34243

941-242-2515

DC's Child Care Center

5105 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-746-6090

Discovery Point Twelve Oaks

7218 55th Ave

Bradenton, FL 34203 941-200-4250

Doodle Bugs! Children's Learning Academy

11015 Passage Drive Bradenton, FL 34221 (941) 757-0330

Doran Family Day Care Home 4719 Cayo Costa Place Bradenton, FL 34203 941-752-4802

Dupre Family Day Care Home 5110 36th Avenue Drive West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-792-4837

Easter Seals of Southwest Florida 350 Braden Avenue Sarasota, FL 34243 941-355-7637

Education Time 5165 33rd Street East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-753-7332

Faith Preschool of Faith UCC 4850 SR 64 East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-746-7895

Family Life Community School 7002 121st Avenue East Parrish, FL 34219 941-281-6412

First For Kids Children's Christian Center 603 11th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-748-0824

First United Methodist Church Early Care Center 104 South Pineapple Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-9522

FORZA Child Development Center, Inc. 12214 US Highway 301 North Parrish, FL 34219 941-981-5885

Foundation For Dreams 16110 Dream Oaks Place Bradenton, FL 34212 941-746-5659

Foundations Christian Montessori Academy of Sarasota 4141 DeSoto Road Sarasota, FL 34235 941-907-7078

Free To Grow Academy

5304 7th Street East

Bradenton, FL 34203

941-254-4268

Free To Grow Academy 2 900 3rd Street East

Bradenton, FL 34208

941-773-5062

Grandma's Babysitting Center

1728 26th Avenue East

Bradenton, FL 34208

941-545-3027

Great Minds Childcare

1018 35th Avenue West

Bradenton FL, 34205

941-896-5319

Growing Hands Learning Center 5743 69th Street East

Palmetto, FL 34221

941-845-4873

Happy Cubs

6207 21st Avenue West

Bradenton, FL 34209

941-798-6173

Happy Go Lucky

1606 55th Avenue West

Bradenton, FL 34207

941-752-4608

Hawkins Family Day Care Home

439 47th Street West

Palmetto, FL 34221

941-405-2405

Horizons Unlimited Christian Academy

2674 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way

Sarasota, FL 34234

941-957-0409

House of JBaby's Preschool

1300 Manatee Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208

941-896-7415

Imagine Charter School at North Manatee

9275 49th Avenue East

Palmetto, FL 34221

941-981-5345

Imagine Schools Palmer Ranch

6220 McIntosh Road

Sarasota, FL 34238

941-923-1125

In The Beginning Learning Center

5503 12th Street East

Bradenton, FL 34203

941-567-6106

Jackson Family Day Care Home

6715 36th Avenue Drive West

Bradenton, FL 34209

941-794-5097

Jump Start Preschool of the Arts

11005 Passage Drive

Bradenton, FL 34211

941-747-8900

Kathy's Kiddie Care

13501 Upper Manatee River Road

Bradenton, FL 34212

941-896-9058

Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch

4225 Concept Court

Bradenton, FL 34211

941-727-9072

Kids Academy Plus, Inc.

1415 57th Avenue West

Bradenton, FL 34207

941-727-1841

Kids Club Child Development & Educational Center of Bradenton, LLC 5231 4th Avenue Circle East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-900-2812

Kids On The Rock

1401 14th Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-729-4567

Kidzone Preschool 116 27th Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-746-2727

Kingdom Academy Preschool LLC 374 Scott Avenue Sarasota, FL 34243 941-355-0026

La Petite Academy 37th 4301 37th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-756-5227

La Petite Academy SR 70 6919 53rd Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-753-2336

La Petite Academy Vintage Road 4507 Vintage Drive Sarasota, FL 34243 941-355-7677

Learning Is Fun Early Education & Child Care Center 1525 10th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-729-8347

Learning Unlimited

6210 17th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-794-5838

Learning With Love

2712 47th Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-751-4989

Learning! Kidz Zone 2211 53rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-254-7859

Legendary Steps Academy, LLC

1010 North Orange Avenue

Sarasota, FL 34236

(941) 243-7818

Let's Learn Early Childhood Center

2118 1st Street West

Bradenton, FL 34208

941-567-4279

Lil' Angels Daycare, Inc.

1415 7th Street West

Palmetto, FL 34221

941-729-0442

Linda Evans Family Day Care Home

1500 7th Street West

Palmetto, FL 34221

941-720-9640

Little Einstein's Academy 3631 Tallevast Road

Bradenton, FL 34243

941-894-6505

Little Manatee's Cove, LLC

707 3rd Avenue West

Palmetto, FL 34221

941-981-9967

Little Tikes University

4200 32nd Street West

Bradenton, FL 34205

941-567-6350

Love Comes First Preschool & Child Care Center

8630 SR 70 East Bradenton, FL 34202

941-755-7800

Loving Hands Daycare

1204 60th Avenue West

Bradenton, FL 34207

941-755-6306

Magic Dreams Home Daycare

2206 41st Street Court West

Bradenton, FL 34205

786-801-4657

Manatee County Family YMCA

38005 59th Street West

Bradenton, FL 34209

941-798-9622

Manatee United Methodist Preschool

315 15th Street East

Bradenton, FL 34208

941-750-6739

Miss Darla's Home Day Care, Inc.

401 43rd Street Blvd. East

Bradenton, FL 34208

941-747-8944

Morgan Family Day Care Home

2809 8th Street Court West

Bradenton, FL 34205

941-251-6431

Morgan Large Family Day Care Home 3311 Barstow Street

Sarasota, FL 34235

941-957-0608

Myakka Early Learning Center, Inc.

37190 Singletary Road

Myakka City, FL 34251

941-322-2605

Myakka Educational Campus

34590 SR 64 East

Myakka City, FL 34251

941-322-6064

Next Generation Academics

4635 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-251-2491

Our Kids West 2425 38th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-752-1715

Palma Sola Early Learning Academy 7315 1st Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-795-0788

Palmetto Youth Center 501 17th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-722-0783

Parrish Charter Academy 8605 Erie Road

Parrish, FL 34219 941-545-6380

Pathways to Learning LLC 2601 7th Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-896-8802

Play & Grow Preschool Inc. 2435 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34237 941-366-7300

Porpora Family Day Care Home 2410 10th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-721-9710

Precious Jewels Academy Learning Center, Inc. 5001 North Washington Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 34234 941-376-7699

Primrose School At Lakewood Ranch Town Center 9127 Town Center Parkway Bradenton, FL 34202 941-373-6363

Primrose School Lakewood Ranch North 5730 New Haven Blvd.

Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 941-500-1092

Puppy Patch Preschool 1116 35th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-748-6648

Rayitos De Sol 1019 61st Avenue Drive East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-565-7459

Reaching For The Stars Academy

2239 14th Street West

Bradenton, FL 34205

941-748-3901

Risen Savior Academy

14605 59th Avenue East

Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211

941-756-7545

Sanchez Large Family Day Care Home

2016 Fern Avenue

Sarasota, FL 34235

941-879-6156

Sand & Buckets Daycare Corp

3407 17th Street Court East

Bradenton, FL 34208

941-748-4799

Sandman Preschool & Academy

924 Wilmerling Avenue

Sarasota, FL 34243

941-755-2591

School District of Manatee County

Professional Support Center

2501 63rd Avenue East

Bradenton, FL 34203

941-751-6550

School for Constructive Play

6608 Marina Drive

Holmes Beach, FL 34217

941-778-2210

Smarty Pants Preschool

904 43rd Street West

Bradenton, FL 34209

941-896-4796

Smarty Pants Preschool LLC

832 62nd Street Circle East

Bradenton, FL 34208

941-747-7710

Smiling Faces Academy, Inc.

910 19th Avenue West

Bradenton, FL 34205

941-756-1234

Smiling Faces Junior Academy, Inc.

1720 11th Street West

Bradenton, FL 34205

941-747-3925

Sproutlings Kids SFCP Too, Inc.

1222 36th Avenue East

Ellenton, FL 34222

941-776-4947

Sproutlings Kids SFCP Too, Inc.

3411 US Highway 301 North

Ellenton, FL 34222

941-845-4484

Stapleton Family Day Care Home

1110 42nd Terrace East

Bradenton, FL 34208

941-499-6121

Step Up Suncoast

Rise & Shine Early Learning Morton Clark

1707 15th Street East

Bradenton, FL 34208

941-750-6667

Step Up Suncoast

Rise & Shine Early Learning Palmetto

1315 2nd Avenue West

Palmetto, FL 34221

941-999-6294

Step Up Suncoast

Rise & Shine Early Learning Parkland

6432 Parkland Drive Sarasota, FL 34243 941-750-6667

Step Up Suncoast

Rise & Shine Early Learning West Bradenton 2531 9th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-750-6667

Sunny Daze Preschool East 9922 SR 64 East Bradenton, FL 34212 941-750-0042

Sunshine Academy & Daycare 2520 43rd Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-794-3143

Sunshine's School of Fish 5715 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-580-4954

Taylor Family Day Care Home 3906 29th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-755-8418

Teachable Moments Learning Center LLC 3005 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-900-1022

The Center of Anna Maria Island, Inc. 407 Magnolia Avenue Anna Maria, FL 34216 941-778-1908

The D.L. Randall Foundation, Inc. 1309 72nd Street East Rubonia, FL 34221 941-773-1072

The Goddard School 14534 Arbor Green Trail Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941-752-6600

The Learning Experience 14425 Arbor Green Trail Bradenton, FL 34202 941-251-4046

The Learning Post Child Care 623 30th Street East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-536-4858

The Learning Tree at Pines of Sarasota

1501 North Orange Avenue

Sarasota, FL 34236

941-552-1861

The Myakka City Community Center

10070 Wauchula Road

Myakka City, FL 34251

941-322-8114

The Renaissance Preschool Inc.

2500 10th Street

Sarasota, FL 34237

941-365-0749

The School House

4055 Bee Ridge Road

Sarasota, FL 34233

914-371-0171

Thompson Academy 1212 43rd Street West

Bradenton, FL 34209

941-748-2162

Tiny Tots University 930 9th Street Drive West

Palmetto, FL 34221

941-723-9072

Toad Hall Children's Center

4004 8th Avenue Drive West

Bradenton, FL 34205

941-746-3951

Toddler's Ark FCCH

711 36th Avenue East

Bradenton, FL 34208

941-879-2407

Toddler's Inn Child Care Center LLC

1017 5th Street West

Bradenton, FL 34205

941-281-2523

Top Kids Bilingual Preschool of Bradenton

7700 Cortez Road West

Bradenton, FL 34210

941-782-8995

Tree of Life Preschool Inc

2200 26th Street West

Bradenton, FL 34205

941-747-1756

Trinity Children's Center

3200 Manatee Avenue West

Bradenton, FL 34205

941-748-8608

Twin Angels Academy Preparatory School

737 8th Avenue West, Suite 118

Palmetto, FL 34221

813-802-9407

United Community Centers, Inc. 922 24th Street East

Bradenton, FL 34208

941-746-7470

Van Ostenbridge Family Day Care Home

1605 89th Street Northwest

Sarasota, FL 34209

941-798-9994

Walker Family Day Care Home

3213 44th Drive East Bradenton, FL 34203

941-737-8318

Wee Care Christian Academy 10540 Hamilton Way

Myakka City, FL 34251 941-322-6409

Wee World Child Development Center 1020 4th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-729-0380

Weitz Family Day Care Home 6405 37th Avenue Circle West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-792-7257

Willis 2 W.E.C ares Child Care 708 32nd Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-356-5205

Willis Family Day Care Home 3206 Clark Drive Sarasota, FL 34234 941-355-6574

Wooden Shoes Child Care Center 4875 Swift Road Sarasota, FL 34231 941-957-8182

Woodland Early Childhood Center 9607 SR 70 East Bradenton, FL 34202 941-753-8588

THE ELC EXPLORER!

WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen

The 2nd Annual Stand for Children Day Luncheon debuted the finished look of the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County's newest mobile classroom: the ELC Explorer! The Explorer is unique to the ELC's fleet of buses in that it is equipped with a special tailgate that allows wheelchair access onto the bus. Adorned with images of cartoon children exploring, reading, and playing along with some nature scenes and stacks of books, the bus captures the attention of anyone who sees it. The interior of the Explorer sports bookshelves that are made to be modular and easily accessible for all ages and abilities. The ceiling even has

fun color-changing lights overhead. A flat-screen television inside will be used as a teacher visual aid to display visual schedules and educational lesson content.

Between December 2021 and January 2022, the ELC was awarded two grants to help create this new book distribution bus. One grant was from The Selby Foundation for $30,000, and the second was from PNC Bank for $6,000. The Selby Foundation grant contributed towards the exterior buildout and custom wrap. The PNC Bank grant assisted with the interior buildout and program materials.

While the Explorer will primarily be used as a book distribution bus, it is equipped to run other educational programs like Words on the Bus and ReadingPals. Additionally, with its smaller size, the Explorer can fit at some of the other child care centers to run the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) program when needed. The STEAM curriculum engages early learners in real projects within authentic environments and lays the academic groundwork for math and science.

The Explorer is a wonderful inclusive resource that will be used to further extend the ELC's reach to the children of Manatee County.

AN AMAZING $50,000 FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT SPOT ON...

WORDS: Rachel Spivey

The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) has been generously awarded a $50,000 grant from the Bishop Parker Foundation to support the Spot On Program.

The Spot On program focuses on improving communication, selfregulation, and functional life skills in young children to prevent developmental delays from impacting early learning. Some examples of the skills addressed and their possible impact on early education are described below.

• Communication: Teaching communication skills to children means they are able to communicate their wants and needs effectively to caregivers and peers. When children share ideas, teachers can design learning opportunities that target their interests, making school engaging.

• Self-Regulation: Teaching self-regulation skills allows children to identify emotions and express themselves appropriately rather than using undesired forms of expression, such as tantrums, to express strong feelings. When children struggle to self-regulate, the learning environment may feel chaotic and cause children to lose focus.

• Functional Life Skills: Addressing functional life skills in early education targets various skills such as hand washing, opening containers, putting on shoes, and holding a crayon. These skills focus on age-appropriate independence; all learning, no matter what age, requires independence from students.

Early education aims to ensure that all children are ready for kindergarten. With Spot On, those children who are not yet reaching expected milestones or behavioral targets can receive the support they need in their classrooms. Typically, therapy is unavailable in child care centers, and families must take their child to the therapy center during the day or early evenings (if they can attend at all), and this schedule can be intrusive to the child and family.

The ELC's Spot On program reduces the barrier by coordinating Occupational and Speech and Language therapy services

directly at child care centers. It unifies therapists, teachers, and families to support successful growth at school and home. Spot On therapists provide weekly professional development at participating child care centers supplying preschool professionals and families with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to help their children become more independent and make social and communication gains.

Darrell King, ELC Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are extremely grateful to the Bishop Parker Foundation for their significant and timely investment in the Spot On program. Since piloting the program last year, we have seen substantial gains, 100% of children have made progress on their therapy goals, and all teachers report seeing improvement in the development of the children in their classrooms."

With Spot On, even when therapy is over, caregivers gain the competencies necessary to continue supporting children’s skill growth, and young children are empowered to reach their fullest potential and chase their academic dreams.

SPOT SPOT

MANATEE COUNTY STANDS FOR CHILDREN...AGAIN!

&

The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) held its second annual Stand for Children Day Luncheon on June 1st, 2023, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. With nearly 400 people in attendance, community figures from all over Manatee County gathered to raise awareness of the critical issues faced by many children in the United States. These issues include quality education, child care, access to health insurance and medical services, appropriate public school program funding, and teacher education.

The event raised funds to support ELC initiatives and the new Spot On program. Spot On seeks to reduce communication, self-regulation, and functional life skill deficits that may interfere with student progressions in the early learning environment. These skills can be critical in helping children become more independent and make the social and academic gains necessary for kindergarten preparedness. This program funds 30 minutes of professional development and collaboration per child per week.

Amongst the speakers were Tara Hawkins, Director of Kid Spot, and Alison Thomas, COO of The Haven. Kid Spot is an outpatient clinic providing physical, occupational, and speech therapy designed for child care centers through Spot On, Selby Preschool, several Pediatric Health Choice locations, and over 20 Manatee County School District schools. The Haven is a notfor-profit organization established in 1954 by the Community Haven for Children and Adults with Disabilities.

The Luncheon also honored Foundation for Dreams with a $5,000 donation. Executive Director at FFD, Elena Casella, was named the first recipient of the new annual Paul Sharff Children's Champion Award. Elena spoke about how her organization strives to create a place where children can recognize one another as individuals and not by their disabilities through their Dream Oaks Camp program.

WORDS

PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Bradenton Macaroni Kid is one of the area's top resources for all things family-friendly! With a comprehensive listing of holiday events, play groups, classes, festivals, summer programs, shows and much more, Bradenton Macaroni Kid makes it easy for parents to keep their children busy and entertained all year long. Don't miss the exciting giveaways, promotions, timely bits of parenting advice and humor! Like us on Facebook and sign up to receive the FREE weekly e-newsletter with the latest scoop on fun outings and events in Manatee County at www.bradenton.macaronikid.com.

Defy

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South Florida Gymnastics Open Gym 12:00pm-1:30pm

Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College Saturday Studios 1:00pm-3:00pm

LWR Gymnastics Open Gym 6:30pm-8:30pm

Glow Night 6:00pm Parrish Elite Open Gym 6:00pm-8:00pm

Seaside Allstars Open Gym 7:00pm-9:00pm

Sip, Shop, & Spring

PICTURES: Wendy Dewhurst

Into Fashion

The Power of Summer Reading…

WORDS & PICTURES: Veronica Miller

The summer is crucial to keep students engaged and accelerate their learning. In fact, research is clear that children who do not read during the summer can lose up to three months of reading progress, and that loss has a cumulative, long-term effect. As summer kicks in, awareness campaigns also start…

The Aqua Cares Foundation, Goodwill Manasota, and Pregnancy Solutions promoted National Family Month and National Safety Month by providing a free book to all youth that sent in a drawing of how they can create a safer home. Once the child received a voucher, they were able to go to Goodwill Manasota or any participating location to pick out a book that the child could read with their family. Doing this highlighted the importance of summer reading for children and encouraged families to spend time together.

"As a community, we wanted to help youth engage in reading, but there was also an opportunity for them to express their creativity through art," said Skip Stanton, chair of the board for the Aqua Cares Foundation. "We aligned ourselves with two other organizations that share the same values - Goodwill Manasota, and Pregnancy Solutions, to create a campaign that encouraged youth to read and draw how they can keep their home and family safe."

Kolt Strausbaugh, who is 6, took part in National Family Month and National Safety Month by submitting a piece of artwork that shows how his home can be safer for his family. He picked out a popular children's book series called Magic Tree House from his local Goodwill. He loves to read about the character's adventures in the book series. His imagination gets to run wild as he reads to his little sister.

"As parents, we can't deny that reading is one of the safest summer activities that exist. Long before the electronic era, everyone read books every day. So, encourage your kids to take a digital detox and take time to read how to keep they can stay safe in their home," added Stanton.

Summer reading can help children maintain and even improve their reading levels, prevent them from falling behind their peers, and introduce them to new and exciting book ideas.

• For more information, please visit www.aquacaresfoundation.com

On The Bookshelf

REVIEWS: Colleen Hartnett

Meadow

(Birth to 3)

By Sarah Dellow

As part of the Now You See It! collection, Meadow encourages readers to find the animals on each page. The vibrant patterns pop and become part of the animal. Wonderful for pre-readers and animal lovers alike in sturdy board book format.

PLANTS SEEDS

(7-9)

By Scholastic Publishing

(4-6)

By Grace Byers, Illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

This book is a #1 New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Awards picture book winner. The illustrations are striking, while the sing-songlike text inspires the readers to love who they are, respect others, and be kind. One of the all-time best read-aloud books for daughters or any female child in your life.

Follow Ms. Fizzle and her class as they go inside flowers to explore how living things grow! Based on the popular TV series and original books by Joanna Cole, The Magic School Bus thrills readers again with an enchanting ride. Learn about nectar, bees, pollen, parts of a plant, and basic pollination.

GREEK MYTHS

(10-12)

By Olivia E. Coolidge

This book delivers an easy introduction to classical Greek mythology with all its legends, high drama, notorious characters, and perilous quests. Included is a list of the Greek gods, their Latin names and symbols, and a brief description of each god, along with a pronunciation guide. A wonderful starter to the famous myths and landscape of ancient Greece.

The first 50 people to come into the lobby of the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, 600 8th Avenue West, Suite 100, Palmetto can pick up free copies of the books reviewed.

Hats & Heels

PICTURES: Wendy Dewhurst

& Bow Ties!

GETTING BACK INTO GEAR! GETTING BACK INTO GEAR!

WORDS: Christa Hardin

School is back in sesh, and the hazy summer days aren't hanging around anymore. You work hard to manage life and work. Add in the tasks of completing all the information you need to each school for your children; it can be completely overwhelming.

You're totally normal if that's your experience. As I prepared the permission slips today for my younger children's fall activities and assessed my older daughter's financial aid package for college, I can tell you the feeling creeps up at least a bit each year. However, I can tell you that pacing and planning (along with a bit of fun along the way) are everything to you and your children's success!

Here is a refresher as you get on with a successful school year!

1. When you're scrambling to get all the last-minute school supplies that may have been forgotten about prior to school starting, try to bring some fun into it this year. For instance, plan to go to your favorite spot for lunch with a friend, your partner, or your child and really spend at least 15 to 20 minutes enjoying and focusing on one another before you get to all of your lists and to-dos. Remember, relationships are why we work so hard.

2. Don't feel obligated to do everything friends and neighbors are doing in terms of back-to-school sign-ups and activities. Start smaller with scheduling, and then as you get moving, you can add even more in if you find your child is bored with "just soccer" or "just violin." Being busy is good, but you don't want to overload. It's best to assess homework load and schedules before you push yourselves too hard every day of the week. Have at least one night of margin each week for a solid rest.

3. Don't overwork yourself and miss all the special family time together. Commit to times at home and try not to break trust with your family - keep your word about when you say you'll be around but forgive one another when things get dropped. Everyone messes up on occasion.

4. Try spending active time together by getting outside for walks or inviting game nights in! Don't be afraid to set boundaries around screen time as well.

5. Have kids turn in devices and give them a Kindle, white noise, rain sounds, or an actual book to read before bed if they need something to wind down while getting back into the routine of earlier or more structured bedtimes.

6. Remember to set aside some time to truly read and sign all the forms about your child's activities versus just skimming. Get a big calendar and write everything on it so the whole family can be in on the game plan.

7. Take time to support your child by getting to know their teachers a bit.

8. Talk to your child about where their classroom is and discuss an emergency plan should they have an issue.

9. Make sure you're eating healthily, exercising, and getting rest so you can support your family with energy and a positive attitude.

10. Make sure you have healthy communication with the other adults in your child's life, such as co-parents. Strife or stress can distract your child from their education.

After the first month of the new school year, you'll be back into a new routine. It might be an adjustment in the first couple of weeks, but sticking with it will be worth it! You'll have a better understanding of your child and your family's needs for their schedule and the school year.

As you navigate through the school year, remember that by taking care of your children, you also need to take care of yourself. If you feel like you might be becoming a helicopter parent, take time to engage in activities and rest! This way, you can be supportive of your child's needs and education so that they can succeed.

The truth is you can do this – you are a lot stronger than you realize. And do you know what, so are your kids. You guys have so much strength and potential, and if you allow yourself to become overwhelmed, you'll miss out on seeing just how true that is.

Mission:

To bring law enforcement, kids and families together in a positive, safe environment through sports and academics to build a strong community.

Vision:

Many youth in Manatee County live in neighborhoods threatened by gangs, drugs, violence and poverty. The Manatee Sheriff's Office reports that the most prevalent youth crimes are assault, burglary and vandalism. Studies show that youth engaged with law enforcement officers and other adult mentors are less likely to become involved in these types of crime. PAL provides a safe place where athletics and academic reinforcement instill pride, responsibility, self-confidence, teamwork and respect. We strive to be the most affordable and outstanding sports program in Manatee County. With our dedicated volunteers and law enforcement coaches in the program, PAL provides many opportunities for youth to learn and grow. College scholarships can be the roadmap out of circumstances that prohibit success. PAL athletes often receive college sports and academic scholarships to pursue their education after high school. We believe this is an important way for youth to travel toward success in life. At PAL positive values are taught and support is always provided.

Programs & Directors:

Jaguar Football (July-November)

Deputy Ralph Bryant

941.747.1118 ext. 150

Jaguar Cheer (July-November)

Directed by Ashley Dawes

941.747.1118 ext. 150

Thunder Travel Basketball (March-July)

In House Basketball (July-November)

Deputy Francine Houston

941.747.1118 ext. 165

PAL Baseball (Febraury-May)

Frank Gargett

941.747.1118 ext. 217

Contact Us:

Manatee Police Athletic League

202 13th Ave E, Bradenton, FL 34208

941.747.1118 (Fundraising/Donations ext. 252) https://manateepal.org

2023 LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON

PICTURES: Wendy Dewhurst

Back-to-School BOOKMARK…

WORDS & PICTURES: Carlee

Colonneso

Carlee Colonneso is a wife, and stay at home mother of three. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida and author of funlearninglife.com. Her website is a lifestyle blog that centers on family, crafts, recipes, and frugal living.

Like most families during this time of year, we also have been stocking up on school supplies. Not only has my family picked up new folders, pencils, and notebook paper, but they have stocked up on lunchbox and snack items like granola bars, applesauce, and peanut butter.

My children have also been reestablishing the school day routines, such as going to bed early, practicing piano, attending sports practices, and getting back to regular study habits.

Now one big component of study habits is reading books. Since I am all about upcycling, my son and I decided to create a Bookmark

Craft out of one of the snack containers.

It just so happens that the sides of a granola box are a perfect size to make a Back-to-School Bookmark, and if you would like to recreate this activity with your child or children, you will need the following:

- Granola bar or Cereal box

- Safety scissors

- Hole punch

- Yarn

- Favorite color of Acrylic paint

- Paint brush or Sponge brush

- Stickers

- Paper towels or Newspaper

- Optional: Washi tape, AKA Craft tape, markers, pen, or crayons

Tip: Most of these items can be found at a local craft store.

DIRECTIONS:

To get started with this Back-to-School Bookmark, you will first need to use the safety scissors to cut out the sides of the granola box. Depending upon your child's age, they may need assistance with this.

Tip: Have your child wear an apron or oversized old t-shirt to protect their clothes from the paint.

Next, lay out paper towels or newspaper, and have your child paint the cardboard on top with their favorite color of acrylic paint. I suggest using a darker color to help cover up the print from the box. You will want to be generous with the paint.

Tip: The bookmark may require a second coat. Since acrylic paint dries fast (around 30 minutes), you may choose to do this later in the day or turn it into a multi-day craft. We decided to paint both sides, so this turned into a two-day activity.

Once the paint has dried on the cardboard, make a hole on top with the hole punch. This will be where the yarn is looped through for the bookmark tassel.

Next, have your child use the safety scissors to cut out approximately 16 inches of yarn. Then, fold the yarn in half and knot it at the top where the loose ends are. You will then run the yarn through the hole, looping it through itself to secure it to the top of the bookmark. To finish this activity, have your child decorate the cardboard with stickers or craft tape. They can also write their name, initials, or the grade they are going into with markers, pens, or crayons.

This Back-to-School Bookmark is not only a great way to encourage handeye coordination, but it is a wonderful way to get excited about the new school year and encourage reading. My son immediately put the bookmarks he made to use!

I hope your family also enjoys putting this craft together and that you have a wonderful "Back-toSchool" season.

Play a Vital Role in Shaping the Future

Let Your Artistry Shine and Win Prizes!

By participating in the Attendance Awareness Poster Contest, you can learn why having excellent attendance now will make a meaningful difference in your future. The contest will be divided into two categories: Pre-K and grades K-5, each with its own set of rewards.

Each winning Pre-K entry submitted by a public school (individual or group entries are welcome) will receive a basket of books (a $50 value), a certificate of achievement for the classroom, and two framed, full-color copies of the winning poster—one to be displayed in the school, and one for the classroom).

For grades K and higher, only one entry per student, and the student must be the sole and independent creator of the entry. Additional entries will not be eligible. School-level winners will receive a certificate of achievement, a $25 gift card, and two framed, full-color copies of their winning poster—one to be displayed proudly in the school and one to take home as a treasured keepsake.

Guidelines to Help You Sparkle!

To ensure your participation in the contest is successful, please take note of the following guidelines:

• Obtain a template for the poster from participating public elementary schools or contact info@gradelevelreadingsuncoast.net.

• Let your creativity soar within the template's size limit of 17x11 inches. Use watercolors, markers, crayons, ink, original computer graphics, or cut paper to bring your vision to life. Please avoid materials that may smear, crack, or chip.

• Remember, for grades K and higher, only one entry per student is allowed, and the student must be the sole and independent creator of the entry. No joint entries or adult collaborations are permitted.

• Ensure your artwork is entirely original. Avoid using copyrighted images or clipart, as such posters will get disqualified.

• Embrace the spirit of the contest and submit your completed posters according to the procedure outlined by your school. Remember to submit them by 4:00 pm on Friday, September 29, 2023.

Mark Your Calendars and Get Ready to Make a Difference!

The contest kicks off during Attendance Awareness Month in September 2023, so mark your calendars and get ready to create captivating posters that will inspire others to recognize the power of excellent attendance. Your artwork can potentially make a real impact and help build a culture of regular attendance in schools! Start brainstorming ideas, gather your art supplies, and let your creativity shine through your poster entry. Ask if your school is participating in the Attendance Awareness Poster Contest and be a part of a movement that celebrates the importance of showing up every day. Why? Because Every Day Counts!

When You Wonder, You’re Learning Book Circle Project

The Patterson Foundation will provide:

A copy of When You Wonder, You’re Learning – Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids, for each participant

A discussion guide written for Adults with prompts for each chapter of the book (Spanish version available upon request)

A discussion guide Appendix with suggested activities for children that coincide with the themes in each chapter

A certificate of completion for each participant

Each successful book circle will have an option to choose ONE of the following:

$400 in support dollars to assist with childcare, snacks, or facilitation and a certificate of completion for each participant

$500 Pay-it-Forward award to The Giving Partner nonprofit of their choice and a certificate of completion for each participant

Thank you, we don’t require any financial support beyond the books, discussion guides, and certificates of completion

Rebuilding The Dream...

WORDS: Sheri Roca

PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen

There is a safe haven for the innercity kids of central Bradenton to grow, learn, be creative, and play ball, and it is called 13th Ave Dream Center. For the last 86 years, the United Community Center (UCC) in Bradenton has been building dreams, changing lives, and strengthening families.

The many dedicated volunteers, or "Dream Builders," work tirelessly to encourage about 1,500 kids yearly through before and after-school academic enrichment courses, mentoring programs, and reading recovery and literacy interventions. They are inspiring the students with cultural arts experiences and peer empowerment programs and

motivating them through many sports opportunities with the Manatee Mustangs Sports Academy, all of which are run out of the 13th Ave Dream Center. But now, they could really use some help.

When the facility was relocated to 24th Street East in 2010, the organization gained

a new "state of the art" Dream Center, complete with classrooms equipped with updated technology, game and conference rooms, and a modern gym. The amazing new location also featured two parks and four athletic fields. However, the sports fields are now about 40 years old and are very rundown, according to Vice President of Operations Andre Mays, a veteran of the Center for more than 23 years.

"The fields can be beautiful; they just need some work," explained Mays. "We could use some funding to get the two baseball fields safe for the kids, and then we can work on the football fields," he continued. "And we can always use more people passionate about helping kids."

According to Mays, it's all about connecting the dots and finding the people and the means to make things better for these kids through a combination of sports, education, and counseling.

A little over two years ago, the Dream Center lost long-time Athletic Director Alphonso "Al" Cox. Coach Al was not only the Athletic Director for more than 20 years, but he was also one of the founding members of the Manatee Mustangs Football and Cheer program. With his guidance, the Mustangs Sports Academy grew to offer RBI Baseball, USA Track and Field, AAU, and USSSA Basketball. But, with Coach Al gone, the baseball program floundered, and the Center has been unable to offer a baseball program for more than a year.

"Now we have great people in charge of baseball again since Coach Logan Wells joined the team in February of 2023, and we have already seen so much progress in the program!" said Mays. "Logan's passion is to help kids, and he has come in with some great ideas. He is reintroducing baseball to the younger kids and getting them excited about the game," he continued. "He wants to show people how great baseball is, and he is a great teacher and leader."

Coach Wells is a local to the area and started his impressive career playing ball here at Palmetto High School. His enthusiasm for teaching the game and

helping local youth has taken him to incredible places. Logan is now the Assistant Coach at Eckerd College. He and his business partner Frank "Skip" Ose, own two local businesses, Bay Area Pro Baseball, a local travel team, and The Spot Athletic Center. Recently, Coach Logan partnered with NEXTGEN Family Magazine to establish the Coach Logan Wells Foundation to offer gifted and dedicated players the same opportunities available to those on a travel ball team that may not otherwise have had the means to do so. Now, Logan has been appointed Commissioner of Baseball for the Manatee Mustangs and the 13th Ave Dream Center.

The entire community has rallied to restore the fields and the program to its former days. "I have had nothing but support and positive feedback from everyone I have talked to," said Logan.

NEXTGEN has sponsored one of the two baseball fields needing a makeover and has already named it the Al Cox Field in memory of the man who will forever be remembered at the Manatee Mustangs Sports Academy. Sean O'Leary, retired from the Bradenton Police Department, is to be the Project Manager in charge of reviving the fields.

"He has the experience and is an intricate part of organizing this endeavor," Logan explained.

Since his initial introduction to Andre Mays and the 13th Ave Dream Center by former NFL player Tracey "Ace" Sanders, the Commissioner of Football at the Center, Logan has already begun implementing his ideas on how to reinvent the baseball program and has gathered a team of incredibly talented individuals to help.

"I am fortunate enough to know so many great people who are like-minded and not only care about the kids but love baseball and try to pass on as much of their knowledge as possible," confided Logan.

And many of these "great people" are also some pretty great ball players and coaches, like Victor Martinez, Cody Gelwick, Reggie Simmons, and Dave Stover.

According to Logan: "These are a bunch of guys, highly qualified in baseball and no ego. The kind of guys that believe in leading by example." Scooter Gennett is another major league player who is "huge into giving back to the community" and has offered to help. "But he is busy with a new family, so I am trying not to kill him too much," he laughed. "But I know he is out there with whatever we need."

Logan has also been working with and talking to Jeff Podobnik, Vice President of the Bradenton Marauders and Vice President of Florida Operations at the Pittsburgh Pirates, for potential ideas for the program. He has already helped out immensely by providing equipment for the players.

"None of this would be possible without the Early Learning Coalition CEO Darrell King believing in what we are doing, the sponsorship he has given us through NEXTGEN, and, of course, the love and support of my entire family," acknowledged Logan.

Logan's hope for the program is that with enough sponsorships, they can offer the same opportunities to these kids that are offered to kids in other communities, which could include travel ball and even possible college opportunities.

"But really, Andre and I have one common goal. At the end of the day, it's about letting the kids play ball," said Logan.

For Andre Mays, it's about anything that can help the kids. He smiled: "You can't save all the kids, but the ones you can, you have to do everything you can. So, it's a match made in heaven."

• UCC is a private, not-for-profit agency licensed by the Department of Children and Families. UCC is partially funded through private donors/supporters, corporations, foundations, government/federal grants, and fundraising events. All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For more information about how to get involved or support UCC, call 941.746.7470.

PRESENTED

PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen

Taco Fes t

A Better Surgical Option for You — Robotic Surgery

At Manatee Memorial Hospital, experienced physicians from the Surgery Center provide patients with the benefits of minimally invasive, advanced robotic surgery using the da Vinci® Surgical System.

Benefits of robotic surgery may include:

• Reduce pain and trauma to the body

• Lessens blood loss

• Lowers risk of infection

• Shorten length of hospital stay

• Promote quicker recovery with less scarring

The da Vinci® Surgical System allows surgeons to maneuver into small spaces within the body with 3D magnification, while providing a greater range of motion and precision with specialized instruments.

Manatee Memorial Hospital was the first in Manatee County to offer minimally invasive, robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci® Surgical System. The hospital has recently achieved accreditation as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery, recognized for providing the highest quality of care and patient safety by Surgical Review Corporation (SRC).