Skip to main content

Tag: back to school

Smiles and hugs on the first day of school 

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – There were hugs, smiles and some tears shed as students began their first day of the 2026-27 school year at Anna Maria Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 10. 

Students and their parents walked down a red carpet to be greeted by Principal Katie Fradley and the school staff after the long summer break that began on May 29. 

Holmes Beach Police officers were posted in front of the school, along Gulf Drive, to serve as a reminder that the 15 mph speed limit is in effect during the enforcement hours from 7:30 to 8:40 a.m. and from 2:45 and 3:45 p.m. Speed cameras are activated during those times and tickets will be issued for motorists driving 26 mph and above. 

Samuel, Gavin and Jackson were happy to be back at school. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Students lined up on the first day of school. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Parents hugged their little students and said goodbye on the first day of school. Leslie Lake | Sun
Cove and Tilly were all smiles on their first day of school. – Leslie Lake | Sun
This sign welcomed the students back to school. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Holmes Beach Police vehicles were present to remind motorists that the school zone speed limit is 15 mph during school hours. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Liam was a little bit teary and not sure how he felt about entering kindergarten. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Abel’s dad reassured him as he began his VPK year. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Shepherd entered kindergarten and Emmy began first grade. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Henry was all smiles as he began VPK at AME. – Leslie Lake | Sun

First day of school almost here

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Schools.

HOLMES BEACH – The first day of school is Aug. 10 and it looks like the environment at Anna Maria Elementary will be much like it was before the COVID 19 epidemic. All students will be learning in the classroom, enjoying recess, eating in the cafeteria and getting to know their new principal.

According to the School District of Manatee County, school will open with a voluntary face mask/covering policy. Updated COVID-19 protocols for the district include:

  • Empowering families to make their own informed choices regarding the use of face masks/coverings and vaccines.
  • Continuing thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all schools.
  • Maintaining ample supplies of hand sanitizer, continued emphasis on handwashing protocols and having additional COVID-19 protection materials in stock and available.
  • Continuing to inform students, families and employees regarding accessibility for COVID-19 vaccinations.
  • Maintaining the District Operations Center (DOC) to manage and coordinate the response to COVID-19 in our schools with the Florida Department of Health Manatee.
  • Continuing to provide the community with updates regarding positive cases in our schools.

Principal Michael Masiello says the school hasn’t received many phone calls regarding the COVID policy, citing only one call from a concerned parent. This is Masiello’s first year after taking over for Jackie Featherston, who retired at the end of the 2020-21 school year.

“Our hope is that we get back to some normal routines,” said Masiello, speaking of what this year will be like for students. “In the past, they’ve had a play for each grade level every month and we’re looking forward to getting back to that and other extracurricular activities. We want to be able to do everything we did pre-COVID.”

Anna Maria Elementary will host a back-to-school night on Aug. 5, when parents and students can come to the school and meet with teachers and staff, explore the school and see improvements that were made to the facility during the summer break. This was done virtually last year, so the staff is excited about the return of this annual event.

Renovations to the school include new flooring and the installation of smart boards in the classrooms. The smart boards are large screens that display anything a teacher needs from their computer, including the internet, but can also be written on like traditional chalk or dry erase board. Masiello is confident that students and teachers will enjoy the refreshed new look of the school.