Contents
February - March 2020
PUBLISHER
Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County
EDITOR
Darrell King
PRODUCTION EDITOR
Kelly Harbour
DESIGN EDITOR
Mara Stork
PHOTOGRAPHY
Whitney Patton
Wendy Dewhurst
Nancy Guth
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kara Chalmers, Amy Bell,
Carlee Colonneso, Jessica Schubick,
Ana Rodriguez, Bre Jones Mulock,
Sophie Williams, Dr. Sharon Otis, Lisa Ramirez,
Ruth Lando, Ashley Brown, Kayelee Newstrom
CALENDAR OF FAMILY EVENTS
Bradenton Macaroni Kid: Denise Granata
ADVERTISING SALES
Darrell King: dking@elc-manatee.org
PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION
PCI Communications, Inc.
CONTACT NEXTGEN
EDITORIAL ............................... 941-757-2912
ADVERTISING ......................... 941-757-2912
FAX ....................................... 941-757-2917
EDITOR
editor@nextgenmagazine.org
COMPETITION ENTRIES
competitions@nextgenmagazine.org
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
advertising@nextgenmagazine.org
ADVERTISING SUBMISSIONS
adsubmissions@nextgenmagazine.org
ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS
articles@nextgenmagazine.org
EARLY LEARNING COALITION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTEES
Adam Mohammadbhoy (Chairman)
Robert Bell (Secretary/Treasurer)
Andrew Minor
PRIVATE SECTOR APPOINTED MEMBERS
Joseph Miller, James R. Chatham, M.D.,
Diane Neeves, Lupita Wells,
Len Tabicman, Dr. Sharon Otis,
Michael Rampino, Christina Riggio,
Karen Carpenter
LEGISLATIVELY REQUIRED MEMBERS
Rachel Kendzior
Children With Disabilities
Program Representative
Annette Larkin
Private, For-Profit Provider Representative
Dr. Robin Thompson
Manatee County School Board Designee
Jennifer Passmore
Board of County Commissioners' Appointee
Kathy Patreka
Head Start Director
Maritza Gonzalez
Department of Children and Families Designee
James Disbro
CareerSource Suncoast
Dr. Carla McGill
County Health Department Designee
Dr. April Fleming
Florida College System Designee
Marjani Jones
Faith-Based Provider Representative
Paul Sharff
Chief Executive Officer
SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE BOARD
Linda Guritz
MANATEE COUNTY
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Dave Miner, Scott Hopes, Charlie Kennedy,
Gina Messenger, Rev. James Golden,
Cynthia Saunders, Superintendent
4 EXECUTIVELY SPEAKING
Meet Maverick!
10 CHILDREN’S CHAMPION
Happy amongst her cubs…
18 MAKE MANATEE COUNT!
Why the 2020 Census is so important
24 BON APPETIT
Pier 22…
32 THE PUPPY RAISERS!
35 SENDING OUT AN SOS…
41 ELC INSIDER SECTION!
52 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
What’s new inside the ELC?
56 ASK DR. SHARON…
A key to couple’s happiness
60 HEALTHY TOGETHER!
62 BEYOND GENEROUS
SCF’s First Gentleman…
66 THE BIG CONTEST!
Win Marauders season tickets!
68 ST. PATRICKS DAY CRAFT
70 Calendar of Events
February - March 2020
74 Kids in the Kitchen
75 On the Bookshelf
78 MANATEE’S GOT TALENT!
Ashley the Artist…
82 SAFETY FIRST…
School bus scanner program
92 GRADE LEVEL READING
LATEST…
NEXTGEN and the Early Learning Coalition do not endorse or warrant any products or services contained herein,
unless otherwise expressly noted. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors. Submitted materials will not
be returned. Whole or part of this publication may not be used or duplicated in any way without written permission
from the Early Learning Coalition.
The Early Learning Coalition is a 501-C (3) nonprofit organization committed to ensuring affordable and creditable
early child care and early education through School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs.
Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County and the State of Florida, Office of Early Learning
and Manatee County Government.
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