Lake Manatee K-8 opens to students for the first time in Lakewood Ranch

As Alex and Samantha Montano walked away from their mom, Connie De Leon, on the opening day of school Aug. 11, Alex gave her a wave goodbye.

Then he did as all big brothers should, and grabbed his little sister's hand, leading her into the building.

It was just one of the many touching moments as the School District of Manatee County celebrated its first day of school, and Lake Manatee K-8 marked the first day of its history.

De Leon said she had both excitement and anxiety as she dropped off her children — Alex is a third grader and Samantha is a pre-K student — at Lakewood Ranch's newest school. She looks forward to her children growing along with the school.

She said Alex always has been independent, so she isn't worried about him tackling a new school environment. It's all new for Samantha.

“She’s my last one, my baby girl," De Leon said of Samantha. “I want to cry, but have held back because I don’t want her to see me sad.”

While De Leon wanted to cry, Alex couldn't wait to get into a science class with the hope of building a volcano in the near future.

 Principal Todd Richardson loved the mix of emotions on opening day, saying he is grateful to have a sense of normalcy now that students are in the building. 

“Parents are super excited ... a lot of tears, obviously,” Richardson said. “For the kids, they came ready to go.” 

Fourth grade student Ben Koske transferred from B.D. Gullett Elementary and he was eager to meet new friends. His parents, Jeremy and Katiei Koske, said they are happy to have the school at 17210 Academic Ave., even closer to their home.

From pre-K to fifth grade, 638 students were expected to arrive Aug. 11. 

“I know that we're anxious,” Richardson said as he greeted the students gathered in the cafeteria. “I know that we're nervous. But today is going to be an awesome day.”

Richardson said Lake Manatee K-8 is a Leader in Me school with a motto of “Learn, Lead, Succeed.” 

Both Richardson and Interim Superintendent Kevin Chapman were directing cars that were dropping off students. 

“We plan all summer for this day,” Chapman said. “Like Todd said, it’s like the Super Bowl.” 

Richardson said there are tweaks to be made in order to make the drop-off line move more efficiently. The school will experiment with starting drop-off before 7:55 a.m. as well as double stacking the line so more kids can exit cars at once.

Brando Fetzek, the Vice President and Project Executive for NDC Construction Company, came to the school for opening day to see the campus that he was involved with building come alive. His team has been putting the finishing touches on the campus over the past few weeks. 

“I hope that they all call this place home,” Fetzek said of the students. “Todd's been working really hard to get this campus ready along with his teachers.” 

Ally Bourdon is the only first-year teacher at Lake Manatee K-8 and she moved from Texas. She said a new school attracted her because everyone will be in the same boat of figuring out where to go and how to teach, more so than an already established school. 

Bourdon said the first day was chaotic, but she expected that in her kindergarten class. 

“I want to get as much wisdom as I can for next year,” Bourdon said. 

Xiomara Cappiello is a fourth grade teacher at Lake Manatee K-8 who previously taught at Braden River Elementary School. 

“I've had a new wind of excitement with a new school. It gives you a new life,” Cappiello said. “it kind of reignites that spark.”