BRADENTON – Stewart Elementary School, 7905 15th Ave. N.W., has opened its doors to Anna Maria Elementary (AME) students temporarily beginning on Monday, Sept. 30.
In a Saturday afternoon email to Stewart parents, Principal Joe Hougland wrote: “First, I hope you and your families are safe and any damage to your homes is minimal. The same can’t be said for our friends on Anna Maria Island,” the email stated.
Hougland said the Manatee County School District is aware of the serious challenges Anna Maria Elementary faces following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.
“Due to the conditions on the Island and at the school, they will not be able to have classes on the AME campus until the situation on the Island substantially improves,” he wrote.
He noted the importance of getting children back to school. With that in mind, he has been working on a plan with the school district and AME Principal Dr. Katie Fradley for Stewart to host students and staff from AME until they can resume classes on the Island.
“We have room to accommodate them, and we have come up with a plan to keep all students learning and create minimal disruption to the daily school schedule,” Hougland wrote. Starting Monday, Sept. 30th, AME students and staff will relocate to Stewart Elementary temporarily.”
Stewart students and teachers will share existing classrooms with AME students and teachers in a team teaching model to continue education for both schools.
“We have been working with the school district and the AME team on details to make this temporary educational model work,” he wrote.
At morning drop-off and dismissal, the Anna Maria Elementary parents will use the South Catalina neighborhood loop for their students. Stewart families will use the regular car rider line on 15th Ave N.W. Stewart Elementary parents are asked to not use the South Catalina neighborhood entrance in order to keep school arrivals separate.
AME students will begin their dismissal early to lessen the impact on the Stewart car line. Families arriving by golf cart or low-speed vehicles are asked to exercise additional caution due to the increased congestion in the area. Parents and guardians also are not able to attend breakfast or lunch with their students while Stewart and AME are temporarily combined due to lack of space.
“We appreciate your patience and support as we welcome the AME family to our amazing campus,” Hougland stated in the email. “Please do what you can to make them feel welcome and help, if necessary.”
