Sanford School Department

Attention Families. Last opportunity to take the latest Sanford School Department return to school survey. The deadline is tonight. Find the link here: https://www.sanford.org/article/270847?org=sanford-school-department

Dear Sanford Families, I hope everyone is safe, healthy and still finding ways to enjoy summer. Thanks to everyone who voted on the school budget. We are grateful and appreciative of the continued support from the Sanford community. I wanted to let you know that the Sanford School Department is actively working on our school reopening plans. We are continuing to follow the guidance of the Center for Disease Control and the state of Maine to develop a safe return to school and the highest quality-learning environment for our students whether that is a traditional in-classroom model, a virtual model, or a hybrid model that allows both face-to-face instruction and remote learning. While we are uncertain what the future will look like at this time, the health and safety of our students and staff will continue to be our highest priority. Our goal is to have a decision by early August to give everyone time to plan accordingly. I also anticipate a change to our school calendar to better align with Governor Mills Executive Order and other York County schools by moving our first day of school for students from August to after Labor Day on Tuesday, September 8th. Thanks to everyone who has completed our latest survey to assist our planning. If you have not completed the survey, there is still time. It will be open through this Sunday. The link to the survey is: https://www.sanford.org/article/270847?org=sanford-school-department Thank you again for your assistance and patience as we work together to find the best way to meet the educational needs of our students during this unprecedented time. Sincerely, Matt Nelson Superintendent

Good Evening. The Sanford School Department is continuing our planning for the reopening of school in the fall. Please assist us by completing an important survey that can be found at this link: https://www.sanford.org/article/270847?org=sanford-school-department Please complete the survey by this Sunday, July 19th. Thank you in advance.

A reminder to eligible Sanford/Springvale residents to be sure to vote today on the school budget validation. Polls will be open until 8:00 PM or you can vote absentee at City Hall if that is your preference.

The Sanford School Department reminds you that there’s an important budget vote on Tuesday. The School Committee has worked diligently to present a proposed school-year budget that is reasonable and responsible in unprecedented times. Above all, it keeps kids first. Please encourage your family and friends to vote this Tuesday!

A reminder to Sanford/Springvale residents that the school budget validation and the state of Maine primary election is scheduled for next Tuesday, July 14th. Due to the current health pandemic, absentee voting is strongly encouraged. Request on-line or call the City Clerk’s office at 324-9125 between 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Mon. - Fri. Absentee voting will be allowed right up through voting day, July 14th until 8:00 PM. Every vote counts so please be sure to vote.

Equity, Inclusion, Respect and the acceptance of Diversity are important for a positive climate and culture in the Sanford School Department. We have established a resources page to help all of us with the challenging, but necessary, work of being free of discrimination and bias. We plan to add resources but in the meantime check out what we have established. The link can be found here: https://www.sanford.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

Wishing all the dads a Happy Father's Day!

Happy Friday! A reminder to be sure to complete the staff survey regarding the reopening of school before the end of the day. The link can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1w-RHGG7vMNnlfpk7SI8iP_7516C_aLVjgLljwxhvLnA/edit?usp=sharing

A reminder to complete a quick survey to provide feedback on our school reopening plans in the fall. We have already received over 1,000 responses. If you have not completed the survey yet, it can be found at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PN1qA4fp1i69Jp9DcFIMP3zjfwEfievySkN4VyDZK2Y/edit?usp=sharing

Congratulations to the class of 2020. Come out and celebrate our recent graduates. The motorcade leaves the Sanford High School entrance at 7:00 PM and makes its way down Main Street to Springvale. Be sure to practice social distancing.

Yearbooks will be distributed at SJHS today from 12:30-3:00pm and Friday, June 12th 8:00am-11:30am. They can still be purchased for $25 on these days. Please send any questions to rwhite@sanford.org!

Parents and Guardians: We are currently finishing an unprecedented school year. We appreciate all you have done to support your children through this experience. We are reaching out to get feedback to guide our reopening plans in the fall. Please take a moment to tell us about your child's recent distance learning experience, how you are feeling about the fall, and what you need so we can provide your children with the best possible educational experience in September. The link to this quick survey is: https://forms.gle/9RNbBF7YFNMjziNL7

Good Afternoon. A message to the Sanford community can be found at this link: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/741615/Letter_to_Sanford_Community.pdf

One more reminder to SJHS parents and students. Today from 9:00-12:00 is the final turn-in time for technology. This is for anyone in grades 5 through 8 @ the junior high. Thank you parents, students, and staff volunteers for your help with this!

This message is a just a reminder that our 8th grade Celebration is this afternoon from 1:30 to 3:00 at Sanford Junior High. Please enter through the junior high their driveway entrance. I hope students will be able to be driven, or are able to walk or ride their bikes to receive their gift bags from our PTA. Collection of laptops, chargers, band instruments and any other school item can also occur at this time. If you are unable to attend, collection of laptops and all other school items is occurring Tuesday June 8th at Sanford High School from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PTA gift bags can also be picked up at that time. We hope to see you this afternoon."

Attention Sanford Junior High families! Device drop-off/Item pick-up options for grades 5th through 7th will run tomorrow 6/2 @ the Junior High from 1:00-4:30, 6/3 from 9:00-12:00, and 6/4 from 9:00-12:00. Any 8th graders needing to turn in devices may use these times also.

7th grade STEM students collaborate on the design of solar powered cars.

Happy Memorial Day! Remembering and honoring our heroes who served and fought for our freedom. Thank you.

Hope all is well. Happy Friday! Another successful week of distance learning. A letter to families regarding the end-of-the-school year can be found at this link: https://5il.co/g5ji Have a great weekend.