Contents
April - May 2020
PUBLISHER
Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County
EDITOR
Darrell King
PRODUCTION EDITOR
Kelly Harbour
DESIGN EDITOR
Mara Stork
PHOTOGRAPHY
Whitney Patton
Wendy Dewhurst
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kara Chalmers, Amy Bell,
Carlee Colonneso, Ana Rodriguez,
Bre Jones Mulock, Sophie Williams,
Dr. Sharon Otis, Katelyn Disbro, Lori Gentile
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, 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 CHILDREN’S CHAMPION
Guess what we just built?
8 SCHOOLING FROM HOME…
12 KIDS & COVID-19
16 100 YEARS YOUNG!
The League of Women Voters
22 MEET THE
CONQUISTADORABLES
A great Desoto program for girls…
28 LET’S DO SOME BIZ-NESS!
29 ELC INSIDER SECTION!
38 BEST APPS FOR NEW PARENTS
42 EXECUTIVELY SPEAKING
25 years of smart systems…
46 BEYOND GENEROUS
Marge Vita – watching over Manatee!
50 MOTHER’S DAY CRAFT
58 MANATEE’S GOT TALENT
The girls of the Ryeherd Cattle Co.
62 On the Bookshelf
63 2020-2021
School Year Calendar
66 MISJUDGED,
MISUNDERSTOOD, MISPLACED…
68 ASK DR. SHARON…
Key advice for every parent
70 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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