HomeCommunity NewsStudents, teachers all smiles...

Students, teachers all smiles as AME wraps another school year

HOLMES BEACH – As parents waited in line to pick up their children on the last day at Anna Maria Elementary School, the graduating fifth-grade class made a lap around the school, getting a round of applause from fellow students, teachers and school staff.

The victory lap ended as every student gave Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer a high-five while parents and staff continued to clap in support of the children who will be moving on from the little school by the bay. 

“It has been an amazing school year,” said Alyson Larson, parent of fourth-grader Alba Rose Larson. “We got to participate in field day last week. Having the parents involved and back out there with the kids was super special.”

“It was great to see the kids all back together and see their parents get involved. It was just fantastic,” said David Larson, Alyson’s husband. 

Students and teachers were all smiles as AME wraps another school year
Fourth-grader Alba Rose Larson takes the lead in the potato sack race at AME Field Day on May 23. – Submitted

The 2021-22 school year that ended May 25 saw a return to normalcy after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic halted the parent-teacher involvement that AME students and parents are accustomed to. This year, in-person meetings with parents and teachers returned along with plays, field trips and other activities. 

“The beginning of the school year was a little tricky; we had to be flexible,” AME Principal Mike Masiello said. “It was around March when things began to feel normal and the kids seemed to be really engaged. We were able to have all of our field trips, plays and fifth-grade graduation. It ended up being a great year.” 

Students and teachers were all smiles as AME wraps another school year
AME kindergarteners and second-graders perform “Pajama Party” on May 17, the final school play of the 2021-22 school year. – Nick Reuter | Submitted

This was Principal Masiello’s first year at AME. At the beginning of the school year, he had no idea what COVID would bring when it came to the way his new school would operate. Fortunately, AME had one of Manatee County’s lowest COVID numbers throughout the year, with 27 student cases and two staff cases. Masiello, along with the teachers and staff at AME, hope next year will be even more “normal” than this year, allowing students and staff to foster creativity in and out of the classroom. 

Students and teachers were all smiles as AME wraps another school year
Lily Plummer says goodbye to AME with plenty of fanfare from her mother, Nicole, and brother, Luke, a first-grader at the school. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

“We love this school. Every single morning, we park the car and take our time walking our kids up the seashell path and get to give them a hug and a kiss,” said Kathi Reuter, who along with her husband, Nick, have two children attending AME.

“Last year we couldn’t do it; we just had to drop them off. The school plays are back again, which is awesome. It’s all just great,” Nick Reuter said. 

Due to recent events in Texas, school security is on everybody’s mind, and AME has established a good relationship with the local police. Holmes Beach Police Officer Christine Labranche is fully armed on school grounds when students and teachers are present, and teachers have security badges that allow them to alert police at the touch of a button should an emergency situation arise. Students and staff are also on a first-name basis with Police Chief Bill Tokajer, who was present for fifth-grade graduation, the last day of school and many other AME events. 

Principal Masiello said the security of students and staff is absolutely a top priority at AME.

“I feel pretty fortunate to be where I am,” he said.  

Most Popular

More from Author

Man completes Chamber passport program in five hours

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - The annual Anna Maria Island Chamber of...

One ARK Foundation raises funds for foster families

live music, delicious food and spirited fundraising as the One ARK...

‘Communicating Doors’ a hilarious time warp

ANNA MARIA - The Island Players continue their historic 75th season...

Golf cart accident victims say ‘buckle up’

BRADENTON BEACH - One of the biggest concerns for the Island’s...

Floridian Mortgage wins championship

ANNA MARIA – Spring has sprung and winter sports at The Center are coming to a close, with team Floridian Mortgage earning the win against team Moss Builders Thursday night in the adult co-ed flag football championship game. The top two teams in the league matched up in...

Man completes Chamber passport program in five hours

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - The annual Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Passport Program is a fun way for residents and visitors to the Island to get out and discover Island businesses with a passport offered for free by the chamber. Participants are encouraged to get their passports...

One ARK Foundation raises funds for foster families

live music, delicious food and spirited fundraising as the One ARK Foundation held its second annual “Kindness Matters Extravaganza” at The Cheesecake Cutie & Cafe on March 21. “One ARK” stands for “one act of random kindness” and is a newly-established 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by The Cheesecake...

Save our homes

This column should be titled “Save our Taxes,” since that’s what we’re really talking about. However, saving on property taxes is part of the Save Our Homes benefits and portability transfers are another piece of this law. In January of 2008, the Florida Legislature passed legislation that allows...

 Reel Time: Salon fundraiser meets with success

Salon (noun) - a conversational gathering of notables held at the home of a prominent person. On Saturday afternoon, Suncoast Waterkeeper held its Suncoast Salon fundraiser at the Sarasota home of Anna Maria residents Bill and Debbie Partridge. The event was a sellout and attracted some of...

Temporary paid parking vendors hired

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners considered four temporary use parking permits at the March 21 commission meeting and after much discussion, approved three with stipulations, denying one. Permit applications were submitted by developer Shawn Kaleta for temporary parking lots at 102 Third St. N., 207 Church Ave. and...

Fire department sued over rental regulations

BRADENTON – Almost a year after passing a resolution changing the district’s approach to taxing and inspecting vacation rental properties in residential areas, West Manatee Fire Rescue is receiving pushback from one rental owner. During a March 19 commission meeting, the district’s attorney, Maggie Mooney, informed the board...

Bridge Street traffic, parking among commission concerns

BRADENTON BEACH – In what was an unusually lengthy, seven-hour city commission meeting that began at noon on March 21, commissioners dove into parking and traffic issues, pickleball and organ donation. BRIDGE STREET ONE WAY? A Bridge Street business owner asked the commission to consider making Bridge Street one...

Scaccianoce new Bradenton Beach commissioner

BRADENTON BEACH – Ward 1 has a new commissioner. The application for commissioner by business owner and former Manatee County records manager Deborah Scaccianoce was approved by the commission and she was sworn in at its March 21 meeting. She filled the vacant seat left by former Commissioner Jake...

Kruse talks beach parking, Island consolidation

HOLMES BEACH – About two dozen people came out on March 20 to meet with Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse, bringing their questions for the candidate, who is seeking re-election in November. Kruse held a town hall meeting at the Island Branch Library where he answered every question...

Commissioners deny bids for paid parking

BRADENTON BEACH – Rather than partnering with an outside vendor as planned, commissioners are now considering city-managed paid parking lots throughout Bradenton Beach. The city had put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Feb. 9 to “Provide the City with a complete parking management and enforcement system...