East County Back to School 2023

Back to School 2024

EAST COUNTY

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BACK TO SCHOOL | JULY 2024

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JULY 2024 | BACK TO SCHOOL

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We Take Your Child’s Vision Seriously

Liz Ramos

Max Mattei, a Braden River Elementary School student in the dual language program, spends some free time reading in Spanish.

Table of Contents Signs of Vision Problems in Children:

6 Property tax referendum

· Drifting of an eye · Crossing of an eye •Drifting of an eye · Squinting blinking •Drifting ofor an eye •Crossing of an eye · Sitting close toeye the television •Crossing of an •Squinting or blinking · Tilting or turning of the head •Squinting or blinking

8 Message from the superintendent 10 Calendar

•Sitting close to the television •Sitting close to the of television •Tilting or turning the head •Tilting or turning of the head

12 Construction update 14 Dual language 18 Agriculture

· Droopy eyelid · Excessive tearing •Droopy eyelid · •Droopy Headaches while reading eyelid •Excessive tearing · •Excessive Closing or covering an eye tearing •Headaches while reading · •Headaches Drop in school performance while reading

•Closing or covering an eye •Closing or covering an eye •Drop in school performance •Drop in school performance

Scott Silverman, M.D.,

Courtesy images

The 10-classroom addition at Carlos E. Haile Middle School will include an agriscience lab and a robotics lab.

22 Dual Enrollment 26 STEM

Pediatric Ophthalmologist

Dr. Silverman and his Dr. Silverman and his friendly staff work hard Dr. Silverman and everyone at friendly staff work to make routine hard eye Coastal Eye Institute, make routine to exams make seem routine likeeye fun, eye exams seem like fun, with a exams fun, with aseem caringlike approach caring approach that makes with a that caring approach makes kids that comfortable. makes kids children comfortable. comfortable.

30 Sports 32 Veteran employee 34 Carline

We are following CDC guidelines for your safety.

Schedule an appointment today!

Christian Garzia drops back to pass for the ODA Middle football team. Garzia traveled to Washington, D.C., in May to advocate for people with Prater-Willi syndrome.

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ON THE COVER: Elijah Thompson, a pre-K student at Gene Witt Elementary School, is ready to take on the school year.

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BACK TO SCHOOL | JULY 2024

A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR LIZ RAMOS

G

rowing up, the first day of school was always a big deal in my family.

My parents made sure my brothers and I were ready. Our backpacks were filled with all the school supplies we needed.

One strong gust of wind, and I’m sure I would have fallen over because my backpack was so heavy.

I had my first-day outfit and my hair was probably the

nicest it was going to look all year besides picture day.

Anyone with curly hair knows that’s not an easy feat.

As the years went on, every first day of school came with mixed emotions depending on the grade.

I remember being terrified to take the bus for the first time as I entered middle school. Then there was the anticipation of starting middle school, knowing it would be completely different than elementary school.

I remember being furious at my brother, who made us miss the bus on the first day of freshman year of high school because he swore we had more time to get to the bus stop.

I remember the excitement of driving to school on my last first day of high school as a senior.

But no matter the emotions, my mom made sure my brothers and I had our firstday picture. Each of us stood

with our backpacks on in front of the front door to the house. No matter the emotion – excitement to see friends after summer or annoyance of having to take the photo even at 17 years old or a mix of both — we smiled at the camera for our mom.

Then we were off to begin a new school year with the hope it would be a good one.

The first day of school, no matter the grade, marks a brand new year. A new year for new adventures, successes and yes, sometimes failures.

The School District of Manatee County has a lot to look forward to in the 20242025 school year.

The 1-mill property tax referendum is back on the ballot in November with some additions, including athletics, early literacy programs and safety and security. Make sure you go cast your vote and make your voice heard.

Construction on the long

awaited new K-8 school will progress. Todd Richardson, the current principal at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, will take the helm of the new school, and he has some grand ideas that will begin to unfold as he transitions to the new role at the end of the first semester.

But what I look forward to most every school year is seeing all that our East County students are able to accomplish.

I’m always amazed by the visual and performing arts displays and performances.

I cheer for our athletes as they take the field.

I’m in awe at what students create in Technology Student Association or how they are able to care for animals in preparation to show off their hard work at the Manatee County Fair in January.

One of my favorite days of the school year comes at the end: Graduation. Seeing

the students I’ve had the opportunity to interview and to hear their story, walk across the field at LECOM Park to receive their diplomas brings a sense of joy knowing they’re headed onto new adventures.

It’s these moments that make me thrilled for the first day of school to come around.

So enjoy the last few weeks of summer, but get ready.

The start of the 2024-2025 school year is almost here, and I, for one, can’t wait.

Take advantage of the first day of school for the memory that it is and smile big. Each year we go to an elementary school to capture those first-day moments, whether it’s smiles or tears (from the students or the parents).

Maybe we’ll see you there.

It’s a new year. A clean slate.

Make the most of it and start off strong.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

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JULY 2024 | BACK TO SCHOOL

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BACK TO SCHOOL | JULY 2024

REFERENDUM ALLOCATIONS ■ Salary supplements for teachers and instructional staff ■ Career and technical education ■ STEM programs ■ Visual and performing arts programs ■ Early literacy programs ■ Athletics ■ School safety and security ■ Charter schools ■ 30 minutes of instructional time per day

File photo

Myakka City Elementary School second grader Lydia Powell listens intently and follows along as second grade teacher Karen Washington reads aloud. Early childhood education is a priority for the School Board of Manatee County.

BACK ON THE BALLOT If approved, the 1-mill property tax referendum will support teacher salaries, STEM and arts programs, school security, early literacy programs, athletics and more.

2023-2024 ORIGINAL ADOPTED BUDGET

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

T

he 1-mill property tax referendum impacts each of the more than 52,000 students in the School District of Manatee County.

From the time students spend in school to a supplement for teacher salaries to enhancing programming for students, the School Board of Manatee County has determined where the millions of dollars collected through the referendum go.

But that comes after Manatee County voters hit the polls and vote whether to approve the referendum.

Voters will have to decide again in the general election in

Total: $69,287,036 * AFSCME: Bus drivers, bus attendants, food service workers, mechanics ** SAMP: Deans, social workers, athletic trainers, nurses

November whether the 1-mill property tax referendum should be renewed for July 2025 through June 2029.

Voters renewed the referendum in 2021 with 69.72% of the vote with 68,267 Manatee County residents voting compared to the 56,341 residents who voted in the 2018 special election to initially approve the referendum.

If approved, the 1-mill property tax referendum will continue to fund the recruitment and retention of teachers and staff, career and technical education, STEM education, visual and performing arts and charter schools. The millage also funds an additional 30 minutes of instructional time to each school day.

The school board decided to

add visual and performing arts to the referendum when the it was up for renewal in 2021.

In March, the school board approved the ballot language for the referendum that now will include new allocations for school safety and security, early literacy programs and athletics.

The school district’s adopted 2023-2024 budget for the referendum amounted to nearly $69.3 million. A majority of the funding, $49.2 million, was allocated for the recruitment and retention of teachers and staff. Instructional staff received a little more than $35.3 million, which is 51% of the $69.3 million.

Although the millage will include new allocations, board members said teacher recruitment and retention is the priority.

The current starting teacher salary in Manatee County is $55,000, which includes a $8,362 supplement through the property tax referendum.

The board also has made school safety and security and early literacy programs a priority, which is why members decided to have it incorporated into the referendum.

Board members have previously said they wanted to increase third grade reading levels and focus on early literacy, which is why the early literacy programs that are funded through the millage will impact students in third grade or younger.

Although a contentious decision among board mem-

bers, athletics was added to the referendum.

Cindy Spray, a board member, said in order for students to participate in sports, they have to maintain a 2.0 grade point average, which is a “driving force” to ensure students are succeeding in the classroom.

“Athletics are very beneficial to behavioral health, physical health, it builds character and team building,” Spray said. “When you say athletics, it encompasses so much more than a scoreboard, in my opinion.”

If approved, the referendum will continue to support visual and performing arts.

The funds were used to purchase art supplies for schools and support existing programs by increasing enrollment and ensuring classrooms were well equipped to support instruction. At the district level, arts programs were enhanced with a music library, equipment inventory and an events calendar available on the district’s website.

As of June 27, the board has yet to decide how much funding would be provided for each allocation.

HISTORY OF THE REFERENDUM Voters approved the 1-mill property tax referendum in a special election in March 2018 with 51.38% of the vote.

The funds were used for pay increases for teachers and staff, career and technical education, STEM programs, charter schools and adding 30 minutes of instructional time to each school day.

In 2021, the School Board of Manatee County added visual and performing arts to the referendum.

The referendum was approved with 69.27% of the vote in a special election in November 2021.

Now the referendum is on the ballot again in November.

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JULY 2024 | BACK TO SCHOOL

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BACK TO SCHOOL | JULY 2024

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT JASON WYSONG testing results have been released), our planning was undertaken with an increased sense of academic momentum because early projections indicate promising learning gains by our students. I am committed to ensuring all students make a year’s worth of academic growth each school year, so they are well prepared for success beyond high school. That goal will benefit our entire community.

Parents, please know your child’s safety remains my highest priority. This year, our school board has invested millions of dollars — far beyond what is provided by the state’s safe schools funding formula — on-campus security to support student safety.

When school starts, all students attending our seven district high schools will walk through touch-free weapons detection systems as they enter campus each day.

Students are already familiar

with this technology; it was used successfully at random schools and evening activities last year.

Also new this year, changes in Florida law (House Bill 1473) require enhancement of specific security procedures, including more stringent access control to campuses and buildings. We ask for your patience as we implement these new procedures, as they might lead to the possibility of delays when picking up or dropping off students outside of regular arrival and dismissal times.

For those who live in east Manatee, growth continues to be a major topic of discussion. Construction is underway for a new K-8 school east of Uihlein Road and south of State Road 64. The school is scheduled to open in August 2025, and more information about enrollment will be shared this fall.

One of the greatest remind-

ers of school starting is the return of yellow school buses to our roads. To improve route efficiency, all bus drivers are returning a week early to review their routes, conduct practice runs and contact families. It will be important to allow extra commute time each morning and afternoon.

I ask for your patience and grace as you navigate school car lines, travel through school speed zones and wait for stopped school buses to pick up and drop off students.

Whether the topic is transportation, school safety or student learning, it takes all of us working together to make the school year work well for students. Thank you for the trust you place in the School District of Manatee County, and I wish your family all the best for a positive and productive school year!

JASON C. WYSONG, ED.D. SUPERINTENDENT

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D

ear Manatee County parents, students and community members, I am honored to be among the first to welcome you to the 2024-25 school year!

On behalf of the more than 6,000 employees responsible for educating, supporting and protecting students throughout the district, we look forward to students returning to our campuses on Aug.

12. We are especially happy to welcome back our high school seniors — the Class of 2025 — as well as meet a new group of kindergarteners and pre-kindergarteners.

Principals, educators and support staff have been preparing all summer for this school year. In addition to the usual summer maintenance tasks, building renovation and addition projects are ongoing at campuses throughout the district.

Many teachers and school leaders have dedicated time to continued training on the latest research in literacy instruction while also preparing new instructional materials for K-12 social studies and, subject to final state approval, K-12 science. The goal is to increase student engagement in these disciplines and strengthen daily practice with reading and writing.

While I am writing this in June (before 2023-2024 state

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SCHOOL YEAR AT A GLANCE 2024-2025 Manatee County public schools key dates

■ 14 Record day; no classes

sites closed ■ 3 Teachers return; record day; no classes ■ 6 District in-service day; no classes ■ 7 Students return ■ 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day; all district sites closed

NOVEMBER 2024 ■ 6 Professional learning; early release ■ 11 Veterans Day; all district sites closed ■ 25-27 Hurricane make-up days if needed ■ 25-29 Thanksgiving break ■ 28 Thanksgiving Day; all district sites closed

File photos

SEPTEMBER 2024 ■ 2 Labor Day; no classes, all district sites closed OCTOBER 2024 ■ 3-4 Rosh Hashanah ■ 11 End of first grading period ■ 11-12 Yom Kippur

DECEMBER 2024 ■ 12-20 Middle and high school exams (tentative) ■ 18-20 High school early release ■ 20 End of second grading period ■ 23-31 Winter break; all district sites closed ■ 25 to Jan. 2 Hanukkah

MARCH 2025 ■ 5 Professional learning; early release ■ 14 End of third grading period ■ 17-21 Spring break; all district sites closed ■ 24 Record day; no classes APRIL 2025 ■ 12-20 Passover ■ 18 Good Friday; all district sites closed

JANUARY 2025 ■ 1-2 Winter break; all district

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AUGUST 2024 ■ 5 Teachers return/in-service ■ 6 District in-service ■ 7-8 Teacher work days ■ 9 District in-service, school in-service ■ 12 First day of classes

FEBRUARY 2025 ■ 17 Presidents’ Day; all district sites closed

MAY 2025 ■ 22-29 Middle and high school exams (tentative) ■ 26 Memorial Day; all district sites closed ■ 27-29 All schools early release ■ 29 Final day for students ■ 30 Record day; final day for teachers

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JULY 2024 | BACK TO SCHOOL

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New year, new look Some East County schools will see new classrooms in the 20242025 school year.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

A

s students return to Carlos E. Haile Middle School for the first day Aug. 12, they’ll be walking into what will feel like almost a new school.

The School District of Manatee County has spent the summer working on a campus-wide renovation and completing an addition at the middle school.

The 10-classroom addition, which increased the school’s capacity to 1,089 students from 889, will include a technology lab, eight classrooms and an agriculture lab.

Irene Nikitopoulos, the principal at Haile Middle, said the addition will allow the school to offer new opportunities for students, especially for the school’s thriving robotics and agriscience programs.

Students, teachers and staff only will have to endure renovations of the school for a few more months as the district estimates the project will be completed in December.

But Haile Middle School isn’t the only East County school undergoing a construction project.

As of June, here are the schools that will have a construction project completed by the first day of school or will begin or continue projects in the 2024-2025 school year: CARLOS E. HAILE MIDDLE SCHOOL Campus-wide renovation and

Courtesy images

Creative Contractors Inc. and Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors is working with the School District of Manatee County to renovate Tara Elementary School and construct an addition.

10-classroom addition Work completed: Construction of addition, renovation of Building 4, 90% completion of Building 5, selective interior demolition and the installation of 70% of new underground chilled and hot water lines Work to be done: Renovation of remaining existing build-

ings, sitework, landscaping and irrigation Project budget: $46,204,358 Estimated completion: December 2024 Enrollment: 698 students Capacity before addition: 889 students Capacity with addition: 1,089 students

TARA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Four-classroom addition and campus-wide renovation Work completed: Work on the north parking lot and bus loop and the renovation of Building 1 and the four-classroom addition Work to be done: Renovations to Buildings 2, 3 and 4 and the renovation of the cafeteria in Building 1 Project budget: $35,259,423 Estimated completion: August 2025 Enrollment: 547 students Capacity before addition: 701 students Capacity with addition: 781 students PARRISH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL 16-classroom addition Work completed: Architectural and engineering design, guaranteed maximum price has been approved and construction has begun Work to be done: Order and install furniture, fixtures and equipment Timeline: Construction in

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A love of children

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EAST COUNTY K-8 SCHOOL Construction of a new school a quarter-mile south of State Road 64 off Uihlein Road and Academic Avenue Work completed: Site has been cleared and the retention pond has been excavated Work to be done: Building 1, Building 2 and Building 5 (May 2024 to June 2025); Buildings 3 and 4 (November 2024 to February 2026) Project budget: $104,609,281 Estimated completion: Elementary school in August 2025 and total completion in February 2026. Elementary students will occupy the school in August 2025, and middle

school students will occupy the school in August 2026 Enrollment: Designed for 1,620 students Projected capacity: 1,723 students MANATEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE FLORIDA LAW ACADEMY Construction of a firing range and driving pad on 70 acres off Taylor Road in Myakka City Work completed: Permits have been obtained and clearing has begun.

Work to be done: Continue clearing as well as the construction of all facilities and amenities.

Project budget: $7,010,000 Estimated completion: February 2025 Project features: 25-yard pistol range, 100-yard rifle range, a 300-by-600-foot driving pad SCHOOL OF | Lakewood Ranch and a building containing a SCHOOL OFROCK ROCK | Lakewood Ranch classroom, offices, a gun room 8741State State Rd. (exit(Exit 217 off I75) SCHOOL OF ROCK | Lakewood 8741 Rd.70 70E,E,Bradenton Bradenton 217) Ranch and more.

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progress, anticipated substantial completion in March 2025 with occupation occurring in April or May 2025 Project budget: $15 million Estimated completion: Summer 2025 Enrollment: 2,104 students Capacity before addition: 2,043 students Capacity with addition: 2,423 students

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® BRICK BUILDING

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Take the First Step Towards Your Future!

Career Certificate

Liz Ramos

To meet the demand for training, MTC offers over 50 career certificate programs in fields such as Manufacturing, Health, Construction, Culinary, IT, Digital Arts, Massage Therapy and more.

Many programs can be completed in a year or less, focusing on preparing students for better careers and providing industries with a skilled, professional workforce.

Stacy Copeland, a rising third grader at Braden River Elementary School, shows off the page she wrote in Spanish about manatees.

Dual language on the rise

GED

Preparing students for academic and personal success by receiving instruction to help them pass the GED test and earn a State of Florida High School Diploma.

Five elementary schools have dual language programs, and the district hopes to expand to the middle school level.

ESOL

English language learners work toward language proficiency, transitioning to postsecondary education, and gaining employment.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

H

Apprenticeship

Enables employers to develop industry-standard training for apprentices through on-the-job training, related technical instruction, and structured wages.

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arrison Rimer, a rising second grader at Braden River Elementary School, will walk around with his parents, Lauren and Adam Rimer, and visit with their coworkers, many whose primary language is Spanish.

He certainly isn’t fluent in Spanish, but he is progressing in the language due to his dual language education.

Lauren Rimer said she’s been impressed with how much Spanish her son has learned since starting the dual language program at Braden River Elementary as a kindergartner.

“Obviously, he’s not fluent and sometimes he’s shy to speak Spanish but he will be doing his homework and start counting in Spanish,” Lauren Rimer said. “It’s cool to see how he’s progressed from knowing

basically nothing to now it’s starting to pop up every day.”

The dual language program at Braden River Elementary School began in the 20212022 school year. The program started with two kindergarten classes and has expanded to higher grade levels as the students have progressed through elementary school.

Braden River Elementary is among five elementary schools in the School District of Manatee County to offer a dual language program.

Debra Estes, the director of English for Speakers of Other Languages, migrant and dual language programs for the district, said the idea for the program came up five years ago when a community member approached then-Superintendent Cynthia Saunders about bringing dual language to the district. After conducting research and figuring out the logistics, the program was first implemented at Daughtrey Elementary School.

Since then, the district has added a new school each year.

The district now has close to SEE DUAL LANGUARGE, PAGE 16

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DUAL LANGUAGE, FROM PAGE 14

400 students participating in dual language programs.

As students spend half the day learning in English and the other half in Spanish, Estes said the program is a good fit for students who want to learn Spanish as well as students who are English Language Learners. She said English Language Learners from Spanish-speaking countries “don’t miss a beat” when they enter the dual language program because they can read and have math skills in their native language, but they need help learning English.

Laurie Baker, the mother of rising third grader Benjy Baker, said she appreciates her son is able to learn about different cultures in the program as well.

Estes said the dual language teachers in the district see their students excel academically and have fewer behavior issues because they are “completely engaged” in their lessons.

Lauren Rimer said she appreciated how her son’s kinder-

garten dual language teachers incorporated songs and movement into their lessons. She recalled Harrison Rimer coming home singing a song about fire trucks in Spanish.

Estes said starting in elementary school is perfect timing because they are like sponges, and they can learn and adapt quickly.

Lauren Rimer said it’s a “cool experience” to see Harrison Rimer come home and teach the family how to speak and read in Spanish.

Laurie Baker said when people hear Benjy Baker speaking Spanish in public, people assume they speak the language at home because of the authenticity of his annunciation.

Another aspect Lauren Rimer appreciates is the students in the program see their families get to know each other the students progress through the grades.

“You get to know the families and the kids become friends,” she said. “(Harrison Rimer) has this comfort and confidence

going into the next year with the kids who are going to be in his class. They have built cool relationships.”

Now the district is focused on the future. Estes said the district will stop adding dual language to more elementary schools and focus on strengthening the program at the current schools.

The district also is working to expand the program into middle school so current dual language students can progress as they finish elementary school.

“Our goal is they’ll eventually graduate from high school being completely biliterate in both English and Spanish and be able to graduate with a seal of biliteracy on their high school diplomas,” Estes said.

“That way, these children are prepared to work in our global economy by being biliterate.

We know people who are biliterate, no matter what other language they speak, they are more hireable in the workforce. We’re hoping to set our students up to be successful in the future.”

HOW IT WORKS ■ Students will have one English speaking teacher and one Spanish speaking teacher.

■ 50% of student learning will be in English, and 50% will be in Spanish.

■ Homework and assessments are in both languages.

■ The program runs from kindergarten through fifth grade.

■ In the Spanish classroom, only Spanish will be spoken, and only English will be spoken in the English classroom.

■ There will be two classes with 18 students each.

Laurie Baker said she wants to see the dual language program continue through middle school.

“I couldn’t be more happy

with the program,” she said.

“It’s not anything I would have ever thought was going to be available. There are just so many opportunities for folks that are dual language.”

With the oldest students in the dual language program in the district preparing to enter fourth grade, the district has two years to finalize its plan moving forward.

Estes said she would ultimately love to see some language arts or social studies courses in middle school taught in Spanish and English so students can progress through the program, but no decisions have been made yet.

Over the summer, dual language teachers were invited to participate in a three-day Dual Language Institute where teachers shared best practices, worked on planning, and more.

“The teachers involved in our dual language program are such committed educators that they’re willing to go above and beyond for their students,” Estes said.

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Future of agriculture growing strong Students say they are ready to enter the industry despite any challenges.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

A

s Kendall Huerta enters her senior year at Lakewood Ranch High School, she has many decisions to make about her future.

What college will she attend?

What will be her major?

What program will give her the best opportunities in her future?

However, Huerta is certain aboout one thing — that her future will have something to with agriculture, and she said

that future is bright.

With Manatee County’s robust FFA and 4-H programs, more students are finding a passion for agriculture and becoming inspired by their hands-on experiences to pursue a career in the agriculture industry.

But unlike what many might assume, agriculture isn’t simply limited to farming and animals. There are a variety of routes someone could take in agriculture, and three Lakewood Ranch High students plan to explore them.

Liz Ramos

Lakewood Ranch High School’s Kennedy Hoeper, Emma Syfert and Kendall Huerta say the future of agriculture is bright. They each plan to have careers in some facet of agriculture.

Huerta said she has known since she was 8 years old that she wanted to be a veterinarian, but it wasn’t until her experiences in FFA at Lakewood Ranch High that she determined she wanted to be a

veterinarian for larger animals.

She took the leap her junior year to showing a steer at the Manatee County Fair through FFA and fell in love with large animals.

Her determination to go into

agriculture was further solidified after visiting a veterinary clinic in Citrus County where she was able to see first-hand what it’s like to work with both large and small animals.

Emma Syfert, a rising junior at Lakewood Ranch High, said although no one in her family has ever expressed interest in agriculture, she has known she was meant to be in agriculture since kindergarten.

“We used to do these little picture things where it’s like, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ and ever since then, it’s been agriculture like a rancher, farmer, veterinarian, anything ag related,” Syfert said. “I like the experiences you get and the knowledge you get to gain and can share. This has just always been a passion.”

Year after year, Cameron and Sondra Dakin, who own Cameron Dakin Farms in Myakka City, continue to see the passion students have for agriculture when they lease cows to SEE FFA, PAGE 20

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FFA, FROM PAGE 18

students to show at the Manatee County Fair.

Sondra Dakin said leasing the animals to students opens doors to some that might not otherwise have the opportunity to show an animal at the fair.

The Dakins said they are impressed to see the knowledge students gain when they continue to participate from an early age through high school.

“It’s amazing to see an 8 year old who can barely tie shoes or whatever and the next thing he’s tying a cow or a calf to a post and then you see them three or four years later, and they become pros at it like they’ve been doing it all their life,” Cameron Dakin said.

The Dakins commended the work of the agriculture teachers and FFA advisors throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties. They understand the hard work and dedication it takes to help students succeed and the importance of passing on their knowledge to younger

Liz Ramos

Otis is a friendly face around Lakewood Ranch High School’s barn.

generations.

Seeing students at the fair gives them hope for the future of agriculture, Sondra Dakin said.

Cameron Dakin said students don’t need to have a sole focus on farming. There are numerous pathways they could take to be involved in the industry.

“It’s not just livestock and growing crops,” he said. “Nowadays, everything is technical.

A lot of technology goes into

agriculture, and it’s moving by leaps and bounds. Then you have different ingredients, pesticides, insecticides and more. There’s a lot of agriculture out there. It doesn’t mean you have to be a veterinarian or a farm with crops or livestock.”

Cameron and Sondra Dakin weren’t shy about sharing the challenges that come with agriculture though.

There’s the regulations being put on agriculture, the cost

increases for everything, the time and dedication it takes to be successful in the industry.

Cameron Dakin said there’s a “world of opportunity” for those interested in agriculture though.

Despite the challenges, Huerta, Syfert and Kennedy Hoeper, a rising junior at Lakewood Ranch High, all are inspired by the potential the industry has and are not deterred.

Syfert said there always will be passionate people like her with a drive to be in the industry.

Hoeper said hearing that people are leaving the industry motivates her even more to stick with it and be the future of agriculture. She said they can be the driving force that keeps agriculture strong.

Syfert, Hoeper and Huerta all said FFA conferences and university-hosted conferences provide a plethora of information that not only educate them about various aspects of agriculture but also skills in leadership, team building and more.

Syfert and Huerta said ensuring there’s a future in agriculture starts with them. They educate people on agriculture any chance they have, whether it’s teaching the children they babysit or talking to someone in the grocery store.

Huerta, Hoeper and Syfert spent a week in June at the barn at Lakewood Ranch High School volunteering as camp counselors for the school’s Junior Ranchers summer camp, which teaches elementary-age students about numerous facets in agriculture including plants, animals, insects and the environment.

The students said they loved being able to share their experiences with children and hoped they inspired them to get involved in FFA programs in middle school and high school.

Cameron Dakin’s advice is to find something you’re passionate about and stick with it.

It’s a lifestyle, not a job, which is why Cameron Dakin said he’s never worked a day in his life.

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school

STYLE L

Jim DeLa

Alec Henderson, a recent graduate of the diesel systems program at Manatee Technical College, looks over a truck engine. He already has been offered a job at Ring Power, a local construction machinery dealer.

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he road to a career can take many paths.

For some, traditional college is not the answer.

Accelerated programs to learn specific skill sets can quickly launch a student into a highdemand, high-paying job.

For others, getting a head start on a college career can lower student debt and decrease the time it takes to earn a degree.

Hundreds of high school students in Manatee County are taking advantage of dual enrollment programs at local colleges, universities and technical colleges in order to fasttrack their education, or to leap directly into professional careers.

JUMPSTART ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Brittany Nielsen, the vice president of student services and enrollment management at State College of Florida, said it’s typically high school juniors and seniors who are accelerated enough in school to be able to take advantage of dual enrollment opportunities, which can include earning college credits.

Taking actual college courses also helps high school students develop more quickly.

“Our students in dual enrollment are learning how to be a college student before they have to,” she said.

Dual enrollment is different from other college credit programs such as Cambridge AICE or International Baccalaureate (IB) offered at area high schools, Nielsen said. In AICE or IB, a high school student takes an accelerated course but must then score well on a standardized test to receive college credit.

In dual enrollment, if a student passes the college class, they receive the credit.

“They know where they’re SEE DUAL ENROLLMENT, PAGE 24

JULY 2024 | BACK TO SCHOOL

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DUAL ENROLLMENT, FROM PAGE 22

A MONTESSORI INSPIRED H A L F DAY P R E S C H O O L

at as far as a grade,” she said.

“It’s not getting to the end of your semester, taking a test and hoping and praying you get the right score,” Nielsen said.

It’s also an attractive option because dual enrollment college classes are free to high school students.

The SCF program is available to students in Manatee and Sarasota counties as well as for students at Lemon Bay High School in Charlotte County.

Students can be enrolled in approved public or private high schools, or can be home schooled.

Students must have qualifying SAT, ACT or PERT exam scores.

At USF, dual enrollment is available to students attending any type of high school recognized by the Florida Department of Education (public schools, charter schools, private schools and home schools). Students qualify for the program based on their Grade Point Average and SAT/ ACT/PERT scores and with approval of their high school counselors.

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On the last day of high school classes in May, students in the diesel systems program at Manatee Technical College were busy prepping for a certification exam.

Alec Henderson, already had been offered a job at Ring Power, a local construction machinery dealer. He said dual enrollment, where he finished his high school online and took full-time classes at MTC, was perfect for him.

The training at MTC allowed him to enter the workforce with confidence. His training in the program gave him the basic understanding to be able to land a job and gain more experience, all at the age of 18.

Meanwhile, at the school’s east campus off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Aaliyah Cosme was graduating from the pharmacy technician program, but that’s only the beginning.

She has a goal of being a

HOW TO ENROLL ■ The State College of Florida application is available at SCF.edu/ Apply. Visit SCF.edu/EarlyCollege for more information.

■ Students interested in dual enrollment programs at Manatee Technical College should consult with their high school guidance counselor to get started and download the dual enrollment application form at ManateeTech.edu.

nurse, specializing in pediatrics. She thought becoming a pharmacy technician would be a good starting point.

She was hired at Manatee Memorial Hospital and plans to start the Licensed Practical Nurse program at MTC. Cosme said the program has also taught her about professionalism and growing up.

“It was a good thing for me because it taught me more discipline,” she said. “I have to wake up every day. I can’t just wake up one day and be like, ‘Mom, I’m not going to school,’ so it was a good transition for me.”

Susan Mruk, the pharmacy technician instructor, said MTC’s programs offer realworld experience in addition to education.

“This puts them into that world that they can work in, and that just adds to their education in college,” she said. “As a parent, I Iike seeing the benefits of my program going out there, that this is available for high school seniors to really get in working in the field before a college degree.”

Doug Wagner, the director of MTC, said the programs offered are in fields where employees are in demand.

“We would not offer a program unless there’s a career path to it,” he said.

Every program has advisory councils made of local business people.

“They advise our programs on what they should be teaching, what kind of skills the students need to have,” Wagner said. “So when our students graduate, they are knocking down the door to get these students to accept positions with them.”

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STEM opens world of opportunities The school district adjusts to to meet students’ interest in STEM programs.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

H

Courtesy image

STEM programs can lead to opportunities to participate in world competitions. Robert E. Willis Elementary’s Kaitlyn McIntrye, Aly Martinez, Jelena Konatar and Izzy Nunez participated in the world VEX competition in Dallas in April.

anna Cuervo, a Technology Student Association advisor at Robert E. Willis Elementary School, watched with pride as some of her students competed at the world VEX competition in April.

The competition, in Dallas, gave her students the opportunity to meet students from around the world who all have a passion for robotics and coding.

“As a coach, these are memories that will last me a lifetime,” Cuervo said. “The team bond-

ing and friendships that form are precious. Students are able to learn from more experienced teams and coaches that might give them even more motivation to pursue a future in engineering and technology.”

Over the years, Cuervo said Willis’ VEX teams have grown from two to six and TSA has expanded from 16 students to 24. Every year, the fourth graders are itching to get into fifth grade so they can be a part of TSA, she said.

“Each year, our program gets more attention for the fun, exciting competitions,” she said. “Once we start with a new group of students, they are often surprised at the level of commitment and work that is expected and required, but that’s when we see the biggest growth.”

Willis’ TSA and VEX teams are just two examples of how

STEM programs within the School District of Manatee County have gained popularity.

Paul Gansemer, the executive director of adult, career and technical education, said the popularity among STEM programs is driven by the industry and how robotics is being used to help in automation and the creation of products and ideas.

“It’s the way our society is using technology and the way that it’s rolled out into our community,” Gansemer said.

“It’s really sparked an interest with students to be a part of it.”

A large reason for the love of STEM is its hands-on applications, Gansemer said. Each elementary school has a STEM lab, and the STEM opportunities only increase when progressing through middle school SEE STEM, PAGE 28

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“As a school district, we’re always looking for that innovative next step that we need to prepare the students so when they graduate, they’re able to go into those jobs.”

STEM, FROM PAGE 26

and high school.

Cuervo said the skills her students gain in TSA are translated into their passions in middle school, whether they continue with TSA or decide to join other organizations such as FFA, Future Business Leaders of America or Health Occupations Students of America or others.

“It’s quite exhausting starting with fresh kids each year, but it’s worth it when we witness the maturity, passion, respect, teamwork and leadership that develop in each of these kids,” Cuervo said.

Students, depending on the school, have the opportunity to work with 3D printers, drones, animatronics, robots and more.

R. Dan Nolan Middle School is one of two schools in the district to have access to animatronics that give students a chance to work with robots as well as to learn coding, videography, design and more.

Students interested in art can

— Paul Gansemer, the executive director of adult, career and technical education

Courtesy image

Robert E. Willis Elementary’s Madison Scott, Tiger Keelen and Alaina McGuire are ready to take on the competition at the world VEX competition.

also get involved through creating costumes and settings as well as writing scripts for the animatronics.

The VEX programs in Man-

atee County have increased in elementary and middle schools. The first VEX robotics program started six years ago in a few elementary schools and

has since made its way into at least 27 of the district’s 33 elementary schools.

The district hosted a district-wide VEX competition that had more than 180 teams competing, with some schools sending as many as six or seven teams to the competition.

With the success of many TSA programs and other STEM programs in the school district, many students have the opportunity to compete at the state, national and international level. It brings new opportunities to socialize with and learn from students across the world.

“(Students) see value in being able to stand next to or compete against another team (whose members) might not speak English. They might not be able to communicate with each other, but they understand what it takes to be able to do that task,” Gansemer said.

No matter the type of STEM experience students might gain throughout their time in school, Gansemer said all students will develop skills in problem solving, teamwork, collaboration, leadership and others that will help them in their futures, regardless of whether they pursue a career in a STEM field.

Gansemer said the school district watches the tech industry to see what direction it’s taking next and how technology is being used differently.

“As a school district, we’re always looking for that innovative next step that we need to prepare the students so when they graduate, they’re able to go into those jobs,” he said.

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ajestic van Ingen called her shot.

A recent graduate of Sarasota’s Riverview High, van Ingen was a sophomore when she volunteered in the Rams football team’s film department. She had been a football fan all her life, having watched the NFL every Sunday in the fall with her family, though she was a soccer player herself.

At an offseason football practice, van Ingen looked down from the Ram Bowl’s film booth at the players, and a thought formed in her head.

She could do what they were doing — and she would like to prove it. Van Ingen turned to a friend next to her in the booth and made a declaration. She was going to be on that field herself in a year’s time.

Two weeks later, van Ingen approached Rams Head Coach Josh Smithers about a kicking tryout. With her strong soccer skills, she thought, kicking would be the easiest path to making the team.

“I don’t think he (Smithers) was jumping at the idea,” van Ingen said with a laugh. “He didn’t know me, and I didn’t know him. But he let me come and try out.”

During the tryout, van Ingen did enough to earn a spot on the roster, though an injury would shut her down for a bit in the aftermath. Eventually, through her work that offseason and into her junior and senior seasons, van Ingen secured the coaching staff’s trust. As a senior in 2023-2024, van Ingen was the team’s primary kicker, making 53 of 54 extra points and five of

Courtesy image

seven field goals.

Van Ingen enjoyed the onfield aspects of football, but it was the off-field lessons she learned that are going to stay with her now that she has graduated.

In a time when school and youth sports are taken as seriously by some as professional sports, van Ingen will remember her time in football not for the wins and losses, or where it led athletically, but how it changed her.

“It was the best experience of my life,” van Ingen said.

In joining the Rams, van Ingen was the only female athlete on the team. It was apparent to her that she would have to earn the respect of her teammates. That was OK with her.

She learned to believe in herself, no matter who else did.

During summer works, van Ingen forced herself to work harder than her teammates.

Her work ethic turned heads.

In the summer, she would run early-morning sprints with her teammates until she vomited, she said. She never complained. By the time a year passed from her initial declaration to her friend, van Ingen was not simply on the team, she was an important part of it.

As a senior, van Ingen learned to stretch her leadership mus-

Christian Garzia pushes off defenders during a Sarasota Surge rugby match.

Garzia is an advocate of his brother, Rocco, who has Prater-Willi syndrome.

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JULY 2024 | BACK TO SCHOOL

cles. After a host of senior leaders graduated, she and others had to take their place. She began speaking more in group meetings, feeling empowered to do so.

As of June 21, van Ingen was debating her next stop, having narrowed her choices down to a few colleges. No matter where she goes next, she said, she will take the lessons of her time in high school football with her.

“I feel like I can accomplish anything,” van Ingen said. “It paid off mentally and physically.”

It’s not just high school sports, or high school athletes, who can make a difference.

Christian Garzia was a seventh grader at The Out-ofDoor Academy in 2023-2024.

He played for the school’s football, basketball and lacrosse teams but also played rugby through the Sarasota Surge Rugby Club.

He’s a family-oriented person. His favorite athletic moments are facing his brother Michael in rugby; the two don’t hold back on each other, he said, which makes it fun.

Christian is also close with his other brother Rocco though in a different way. Rocco has Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by chronic hunger, growth hormone deficiency and behavior challenges. It affects approximately one person per 15,000 live births worldwide.

Jen Garzia, Christian’s mother, said Christian has always been interested in Rocco’s syndrome. When Rocco was younger, the behavioral issues stemming from his syndrome would cause him to be

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restrained or pushed down to the ground. Christian said this bothered him. People didn’t understand Rocco or his syndrome. Christian worried for him, he said, but he felt helpless. There wasn’t anything he could do for Rocco.

Not then, anyway. As Christian has grown up and played sports, his leadership qualities have grown. He’s a quarterback in football because he loves the pressure that comes with the position, and he’s comfortable giving instructions to his teammates.

But nowhere has he shown better leadership than in the advocacy for Rocco and others with Prader-Willi syndrome.

In May, the Garzia family flew to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of congress about PWS in an attempt to increase awareness and secure support for PWS research and development.

Christian met with members of Congress, including Rep. Vern Buchanan, and was featured in video shoots describing what it is like to be a sibling of someone with PWS. “I just want the best for him,” Christian said. “Everybody with a disability deserves help.”

The RMC Foundation, a nonprofit started by the Garzia family, will hold a golf fundraiser at the Ritz Carlton Members Club in Bradenton on Sept.

30. Christian will be there. The more he gets out of sports — leadership, confidence and public speaking skills — the more he will use those skills to advocate for his brother.

As much joy as sports bring to kids, their long-term benefits can mean so much more.

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Decades of dedication Freedom Elementary School’s head custodian takes pride in her 26 years with the School District of Manatee County.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

W

hile some people might think school custodians have the summer off, it couldn’t be farther from the truth.

The summer can be the busiest time of the year for Patricia Heffner, the head custodian at Freedom Elementary School.

Heffner had a calendar with each day filled with what she and her team were going to clean. It was all planned out.

After 26 years with the School District of Manatee County, Heffner has cleaning a school down to a science.

Although she has a love for all things that involve cleaning, she didn’t have experience cleaning a huge facility before taking a custodial position with the district. She said much of the job is common sense, but anything she had to learn, she learned from the head custodian she worked under at Palma Sola Elementary.

She now passes that knowledge down to other custodians.

Heffner is not one to sit and do nothing. She’s 67 years old and always on the go.

“That’s probably why my school is the way it is,” she said, referencing a very clean Freedom Elementary. “I don’t want to ever retire and sit at home.

When I do have to retire, it’s going to kill me.”

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Patricia Heffner, the head custodian at Freedom Elementary School, has been with the School District of Manatee County for 26 years.

In her 26 years with the School District of Manatee County, Heffner only has worked at three schools: Palma Sola Elementary, Palm View K-8 School and Freedom Elementary.

Heffner said waxing a floor

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has become her favorite task of the job. After she’s done waxing every floor in the school, she said the school looks brand new, and often, parents will be impressed when they come in for Back to School Night or the first day of school.

“I’m very good at what I do and I have pride in what I do,” Heffner said. “It’s not an easy job. People think it is. People think, ‘they’re just custodians, all they do is clean.’ It’s not that easy. You have to be able to concentrate on what you’re doing and what you’re telling people to do.”

With a new principal coming on board at Freedom Elementary, Heffner said she was a little worried. She’s worked for Guy Grimes for eight years and developed a close relationship with him.

Heffner joked with Grimes to make sure he tells the new principal, Xhuljeta Gjini, that Heffner is the boss.

Grimes said Heffner is a dedicated individual who knows the importance of keeping a school clean so it’s a better

learning environment.

“She’s one of the best head custodians I’ve ever had, not just because of her job performance but because of the person she is,” Grimes said.

Heffner runs a tight ship.

She ensures everyone at school is as tidy as possible “The funny thing is, if someone spills something, it’s always, ‘Oh, Patty’s going to get you,’” Grimes said with a laugh.

During a fundraiser, Grimes said teachers and staff dressed as Mario characters and were riding around the school on scooters. When they saw some of the scuff marks on the floor from the scooters, they knew they would be in trouble with Heffner.

“It was so funny that the teachers all went to get paper towels and started cleaning the floors,” Grimes said. “We just thought, ‘We can’t let Patty see this.’ Everybody knows perfection is her thing.”

Heffner enjoys interacting with the teachers and staff, but mostly, the students.

“I love them all,” she said.

JULY 2024 | BACK TO SCHOOL

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How to have a successful car line The car line doesn’t have to be something you dread. Check out these tips on how to get through the car line safely while having fun.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

W

ith four lines of cars to look through, student Hudson Zoernack always had trouble finding his dad Steve Zoernack’s car at the end of the school day at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.

Because he had to look through so many dark colored SUVs like his dad’s, Hudson Zoernack suggested his dad hang a Hawaiian lei from the rearview mirror so his car would be easier to find. The lei would also serve as a happy reminder of the memories from their stay at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.

Steve Zoernack said ever

since he started hanging the lei in August 2023, his son is able to find the car much quicker.

The car lines during dropoff and pick-up times can be chaotic, but parents work with teachers and staff to make it as smooth and safe as possible, while also having fun.

Todd Richardson, the principal at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, along with the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization, sends out a list of tips that are not only about safety and protocols but also how to make it a fun process. For example, a tip is “embarrass your child,” suggesting parents yell out how much they love their children, with bonus points for using nicknames.

Liz Ramos

Parents wait in their cars for dismissal at Braden River Elementary School.

Liz Semmerling, a parent at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, made the car line into a little game with one lower school student.

Semmerling who directs traffic for the car line, plays hide-and-seek with the elementary student, who ducks down in his parents’ big pickup truck as soon as he sees her.

“It was kind of our daily thing,” Semmerling said. “I got to know the mom. It was just a

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fun, cute thing we would do.”

The biggest tip principals and parents have for others is to be patient, especially in the first few weeks of school.

Many schools track the time it takes at the beginning of the school year to get everyone through the car line with hopes that each day will bring a faster time. It almost becomes a race for the schools every day to see how fast they can safely get the cars through the line.

CARLINE DO’S AND DON’TS DO THIS ■ Prepare students for exiting the car by having them gather their belongings as you enter the school parking lot.

■ Keep on moving. Pay attention to moving forward.

■ Be patient.

■ Have your student sitting on the exit side.

■ Come to a complete stop and leave as soon as the door shuts.

DO NOT ■ Use a cell phone.

■ Arrive too early. Cars shouldn’t be idling on campus 30 minutes prior to arrival or dismissal.

■Exit the car. Staff or safety patrol will help a student exit the vehicle if needed.

■ Don’t honk. It could startle students and staff.

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