The Sanford School Department hosted a Safety Night in the Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, October 21, offering families and community members an opportunity to learn about the district's comprehensive approach to keeping students safe every day.
(Missed our Safety Night? Click here to watch it on WSSRTV's Youtube page)
Superintendent Matt Nelson and Assistant Superintendent Steve Bussiere joined School Resource Officers Joe Jourdain from Sanford Middle School and Chris Gosling from Sanford High School to present the district's multi-layered safety strategies. The evening was designed to help families understand the safety measures in place, explain what to expect during various emergency scenarios, and strengthen the partnership between schools, families, and the broader community.
At the heart of Sanford's safety philosophy is building meaningful relationships with every student. The district emphasizes that safety starts with connection—when students feel seen, supported, and connected to trusted adults, they're more likely to speak up when something concerns them. This preventive approach works hand-in-hand with physical security measures like locked exterior doors, video entry systems, visitor sign-in procedures, and an extensive camera network throughout school buildings.
The presentation covered the district's emergency protocols, including clear the halls, shelter in place, evacuation, and lockdown procedures. The schools use ALICE training (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate), which empowers students and staff to make the best decisions based on their specific situation and the information available to them. This approach builds confidence and teaches situational awareness—life skills that extend far beyond school walls.
School officials also highlighted the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System, available 24/7 for students in grades 5-12. This platform gives young people a safe way to report concerning behaviors, whether it's vaping, bullying, depression, self-harm, or potential violence. Since its implementation, the system has proven invaluable in connecting struggling students with help before situations escalate.
The presentation wrapped up with an important reminder about emergency communication. In a crisis, the district uses Infinite Campus and the Thrillshare app to reach you instantly via text, phone, and email. Make sure your contact information is current by reaching out to your child's school or updating it in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Download the Thrillshare app if you haven't already—these simple steps ensure you'll be the first to know when your family needs you most.
For questions about school safety, families can contact the Central Office at 207-324-2810, Officer Jourdain at jjourdain@sanford.org and Officer Gosling at cgosling@sanford.org.