Sanford School Department

Joe Mastraccio Named New Principal of Sanford Middle School

June 13, 2025

SANFORD, Maine – The Sanford School Department is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Mastraccio as the new Principal of Sanford Middle School. Mastraccio, who has served...

Sanford Community Adult Education celebrated its Class of 2025 graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 11th, marking a milestone achievement with over 30 graduates —their largest class in five years. The evening brought together families, friends, educators, and community members to honor the perseverance and dedication of students who refused to give up on their educational dreams. The ceremony opened with a performance of the national anthem by graduate Isabella Verissiomo. Superintendent Matt Nelson welcomed attendees and praised the graduates for their "toughness"—not physical strength, but the resilience to overcome obstacles and bounce back from setbacks. "Your experience at SCAE has helped you build that toughness and move toward your goals," Nelson told the graduates. "Everyone has a story and has taken a different path. Be proud that your story is the result of taking action." Three graduates shared their personal journeys with the audience. Tyler Phillips spoke about returning to education, crediting the supportive SCAE staff for helping him succeed. "To be honest, when I started here, I wasn't sure that I could make it work," Phillips admitted. "There was so much reading at first. I knew it had to be done, so eventually I did it." He encouraged his fellow graduates. "Being here today was not an overnight thing for any of us. We showed up, we put the work you needed to make this happen." Verissiomo dedicated her achievement to her son Grayson. "I want him to know that every goal is achievable and every thing you put your mind to is very possible." The evening's final student speaker, Kelly McLean, demonstrated that it's truly never too late to pursue your dreams. Describing her determination to complete her education after an 18-year journey, "I never gave up," McLean shared. "I kept reassuring myself with the help of family and friends and amazing staff that I could do it." Now 36, she fulfilled a promise to her sons to graduate before or with them—achieving her diploma just a week after her eldest son graduated from Sanford High School. "As a Sanford graduate at 36 years old, I can definitely say anything is possible.” The ceremony also featured a special presentation by Elias Thomas from the Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club, who honored Director Jayne Perkins with the Paul Harris Fellow award for her exceptional community service and dedication to education. The ceremony also recognized outstanding achievement, with Tyler Phillips receiving the Student of the Year award for his exceptional dedication and leadership. Several graduates received $500 scholarships from the Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club and free course scholarships from the University of Maine at Augusta, providing pathways for continued education. To conclude the ceremony, Perkins challenged graduates with her father's words: "Go do good things." She reminded them that graduation isn't an ending but a beginning, encouraging them to continue growing, learning, and lifting others as they climb.

Sanford Community Adult Education Celebrates Record-Breaking Class of 2025

June 13, 2025

Sanford Community Adult Education celebrated its Class of 2025 graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 11th, marking a milestone achievement with over 30 graduates —their largest ...

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VCzvxzQAapYuHe1RLAfFd_tBAm9WsF9xsttxVvxrWD0/edit?slide=id.g360f8321929_0_10#slide=id.g360f8321929_0_10

ESEA Public Comment

June 11, 2025

The Sanford School Department accepts funding through the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) of 1965. As part of ESEA, the Sanford School Department is required to provide a r...

Spring Sports Awards Night Celebrates Sanford High School Athletes

June 11, 2025

Sanford High School recognized dozens of student-athletes for academic achievement, leadership, and athletic performance at its Spring Sports Awards Recognition Night on Monday, J...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XFfi5wK5kA

Watch Margaret Chase Smith's Spring Concerts

June 9, 2025

The 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade Concerts will be uploaded shortly!

Sanford Middle School hosted its annual Jobs for Maine's Graduates (JMG) Closing Ceremony on Thursday, June 5th, bringing together students, families, and community members to celebrate another successful year of career development and academic achievement. The evening event showcased the program's commitment to helping Maine students graduate, pursue post-secondary education, and build meaningful careers. The ceremony began with a welcome and pledge, led by JMG students Khloe Herbert, Isabella Burns, and Melayna Bolduc. Following dinner, the program featured opening remarks from students Alana Perez and Aubrey Fifield, who shared their experiences and growth throughout the year. SMS student Matthew Bourassa introduced guest speaker Steve Hughes, Chief Technology Officer at Kennebunk Savings Bank. Hughes, a JMG alumnus from the program's early days in 1994, shared his personal journey from a high school student unsure of his direction to a successful technology leader. He credited his JMG specialist with guiding him toward military service, which became a pivotal decision that shaped his career path. Hughes offered practical wisdom to the students, emphasizing three key principles: "Be a good person. Be a good person to your other classmates, be there for your teachers, be there for your family, be there for your friends, and work hard... Make good choices... learn from mistakes." Following Staff Appreciation Awards, student voices took center stage as five JMG participants delivered presentations about their transformative experiences. "JMG has brought me such a long way. When I started JMG, I was missing a good amount of school, which was making my grades suffer," Aubrey Shaw said. "JMG has made me actually want to come to school... I never really realized how much it was helping me get through the school year." Katie Waters spoke about overcoming her fear of public speaking and discovering new abilities: "JMG helped me so much with school that it gave me options on how to do things, and also gave me special skills and helped me be a better person... JMG also taught me some skills I didn't even know I had, such as communication and professionalism, which are two main skills I'll take with me throughout my lifetime." Isabella Burns, reflecting on her two years in the program, emphasized JMG's deeper purpose: "It's not just about your friends or the cool people you meet. It's also about the future. It's about the path you get on for the rest of your life." She shared how the program helped her step out of her comfort zone during a recent trip where she found herself "talking to others and taking a step out of my comfort zone." Aya Bissell-Moores spoke about discovering her leadership potential: "I've learned a great deal about my leadership abilities. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to be in JMG, because I don't think I'd be as confident and open minded as I am now." SMS JMG Specialist Tara Houle expressed deep gratitude to parents for their unwavering support throughout the year, acknowledging the commitment required when students participate in early morning trips and late evening events. She also thanked the school administration for trusting the program's vision and supporting its ambitious activities, noting that the program offered an impressive 22 different guest speakers, events, and trips over nine months.

Sanford Middle School Students Celebrate Growth at JMG Ceremony

June 9, 2025

Sanford Middle School hosted its annual Jobs for Maine's Graduates (JMG) Closing Ceremony on Thursday, June 5th, bringing together students, families, and community members to cel...

Sanford High School Celebrates 132nd Commencement Ceremony

June 5, 2025

A warm and sunny evening provided the perfect backdrop as Sanford High School held its 132nd Commencement Ceremony at Alumni Stadium on Wednesday, June 4th, celebrating over 200 ...

Sanford Middle School Student Wins Secretary of State's Citizenship Award

June 5, 2025

Sanford Middle School student Xyla Kurz has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Secretary of State's Eighth Grade Citizenship Award. This honor recognizes students through...

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First 10 June Newsletter

June 5, 2025

First 10 engages communities in building partnerships and creating systems that help collaborate to improve teaching and learning, coordinate comprehensive services, and partner w...

Carl J. Lamb Elementary Hosts Adaptive Track and Field Festival

June 4, 2025

Carl J. Lamb Elementary School's second annual Adaptive Track and Field event brought together students, families, staff, and community members for a celebration on Thursday, May...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0UyfmxDKB4&t=3s

Watch Carl J. Lamb's Spring Concerts

June 4, 2025

The 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade Concerts will be uploaded shortly!

https://sanford-spotlight-newsle-rt30m6h.gamma.site

Sanford Spotlight Newsletter

June 3, 2025

Click here to access the latest Sanford Spotlight District Newsletter.

Kindness Takes a Seat: New Buddy Table Opens at Sanford Middle School

June 2, 2025

A new initiative at Sanford Middle School started with one student's compassion and has grown into something wonderful for our entire school community. Fifth-grader Grace Raymon...

Sanford High School celebrated 17 students during a Senior Athlete Signing Ceremony held in the Performing Arts Center Wednesday afternoon as these seniors officially committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Athletic Director Zach Lemelin opened the ceremony by recognizing the dedication and countless hours of hard work these athletes have put into their sports. Lemelin then introduced each senior individually with quotes from their respective coaches. Brady Adams will attend Thomas College to study actuarial science while playing basketball, bringing his dedication and strong work ethic to the court. Cole Adawadkar heads to Southern Maine Community College for elementary education and soccer, where his elite foot skills and ball control will make an impact. James Allen-Chaplick will wrestle at the University of Southern Maine while pursuing nursing studies, serving as a natural leader known for his resilience and determination. Noah Corliss chose Colby Sawyer College for sports management and baseball, having shown tremendous growth both on and off the field. Kya Duprey will be a dual-sport athlete at St. Joseph's College of Maine, studying athletic training while competing in soccer and lacrosse. Addie Fiandaca will continue her soccer career at Southern Maine Community College while studying nursing. Canton Hill brings his wrestling talents to Emmanuel College for business and sports management studies, holding the current career pin record at Sanford. Savannah Knight will study nursing and play lacrosse at St. Joseph's College, known for her team-first mentality. Simon Lanigan chose Thomas College for sports management and lacrosse, while Lukas MacLean will study business and finance there and participate in track and field. Zach Kassim will attend Southern Maine Community College to study anesthesiology while playing baseball. Mckenna Nanartowich heads to the University of Southern Maine for elementary education and lacrosse as the top recruit for her class. Lorenzo Omorogbe will play football at Hudson Valley Community College while studying exercise science. Madison Osborne pursues pre-med biology at the University of Maine while cheering. Audrey Payeur will study nursing and play field hockey at St. Anselm College, having broken multiple scoring records during her Sanford career. Sadie Sevigny chose Emmanuel College for nursing and lacrosse, while Tiffany Souliere will compete in track and field at York County Community College while studying education. The ceremony was also covered by WMTW Channel 8 News. Here’s the link to the story: https://www.wmtw.com/article/sanford-hosts-comittment-ceremony-for-athletes/64910713

Sanford High School Seniors Sign to Play College Sports

May 29, 2025

Sanford High School celebrated 17 students during a Senior Athlete Signing Ceremony held in the Performing Arts Center Wednesday afternoon as these seniors officially committed t...

Sanford Regional Technical Center Honors New CNAs at Annual Pinning Ceremony

May 28, 2025

Sanford Regional Technical Center held its Health Occupations Pinning Ceremony on Tuesday, May 27th at the Sanford Performing Arts Center, celebrating a group of students who have...

Sanford Students Honored at SRTC Recognition Night

May 28, 2025

Sanford Regional Technical Center honored students and achievements at their annual Recognition Night ceremony held Thursday, May 22nd, at Partners Bank Gymnasium. SRTC Director ...

Sanford Middle School JMG Students Shine on Statewide Adventure

May 27, 2025

Fifteen eighth-grade students from Sanford Middle School's Jobs for Maine's Graduates (JMG) program recently completed an exciting two-day adventure trip on May 21-22, showcasing ...

Building on Sanford Pride Elementary's Walking School Bus Program, Carl J. Lamb Elementary has launched its own version of this community-building initiative that's already transforming morning routines for local families. The program represents a collaborative effort between Carl J. Lamb and Pride Elementary, combining resources and volunteers to serve students in the carefully selected Brook Street and Lafayette Street neighborhood. The location was chosen based on two key factors: the number of students at the bus stop and the walkability and proximity of the neighborhood. "We decided to join forces and have it be like a combined site," explains Leah Marks, outreach worker from the Sanford School Department. "It's almost equal to Pride kids and CJL kids." "We are really excited to have chosen the Brook Street/Lafayette neighborhood," Marks said. For Marks, the location holds special significance. "This is full-circle for me as I started working on this program when I worked at Lafayette. Carol Lantagne is our site coordinator from Pride, and what we're trying to do is pull CJL volunteers," Marks said. The partnership makes practical sense, as Marks notes, "You really do need more adults, but it also makes it easier to get volunteers because there are so many duties that it's hard to get people who don't have a morning duty." Every morning, volunteers gather students from concentrated neighborhoods like Spruce Street, creating walking groups that promote both safety and community connection. The program serves families with working parents, those managing multiple bus stops and children, and students who benefit from a positive, structured start to their day. "We have some kids who just have rough mornings, and it's a good way for them to start their day," Marks explained. "We have a lot of working parents. We have parents who have multiple bus stops and multiple kids, but they're super receptive." The walking component naturally promotes healthy living, but the program goes beyond simple exercise. Students engage in activities like jump rope and hula hooping while waiting, with equipment donated by community supporters. "They can do their jump ropes and their hula hoop stuff, and I get a lot of donations like dodging balls and scarfs and things like that," Marks said. What sets the program apart is its focus on family engagement. Some parents choose to walk with the group, creating opportunities for school staff to build relationships with families. "As family engagement, I love the parents because it gives us an opportunity to know them," Marks said.

Walking School Bus Program Expands to Carl J. Lamb Elementary

May 27, 2025

Building on Sanford Pride Elementary's Walking School Bus Program, Carl J. Lamb Elementary has launched its own version of this community-building initiative that's already trans...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OqjUJ8qVlo

Watch Sanford Middle School's 5th and 6th Grade Spring Concert

May 23, 2025

Sanford Middle School Students Spread Hope Through Yellow Tulip Project Celebration

May 23, 2025

Sanford Middle School's Sources of Strength peer leaders recently brought together student leaders, Civil Rights Team members, JMG participants, and classes of sixth and seventh g...