Sanford School Department

For some students, the path to a diploma can feel overwhelming, filled with barriers that seem impossible to overcome. But at Sanford Community Adult Education, Director Jayne Perkins and her team are working to change that narrative. Through an innovative partnership with Maine Career Exploration and local businesses throughout Sanford, the program is creating real pathways to careers while helping students earn their high school credentials and develop essential life skills. Sanford Community Adult Education is working with Maine Career Exploration to offer paid apprenticeships of up to 75 hours. Students earn money while gaining real-world work experience in fields that match their interests. The process is simple: employers complete paperwork, and within three days, students can begin their apprenticeship. Most students work three to four hours per week, allowing them to balance their education, work, and personal responsibilities. Current and upcoming placements include the Downtown Shagg on Main Street, where a student will learn customer service and business operations, and Goodall Memorial Library, where one interested in library science will gain hands-on experience. The program is also exploring opportunities with local accounting firms and creative businesses for students interested in finance and digital art. Sue Zimmer, SCAE’s Maine College and Career Access Advisor, works to match students with opportunities and find the right fit. "I know my students, talk to them, start calling around and cross my fingers that someone will eventually say yes," she explains. "For some of our students, this is literally their first time making money, or the first time in a long time," Zimmer notes. "This program is forcing them to not only get work experience but also get a bank account, get an ID—it's helping young people learn how to be adults." For a young person who has never had an ID or a bank account, this apprenticeship becomes more than just a job—it's a complete introduction to adulthood, with support every step of the way. "Taking that first step is huge—walking through the door and saying 'I need my diploma’, it takes a lot of courage'" Perkins said. "These students get the opportunity and they get the support. It's the first time they've had such a positive opportunity, and to have someone walk them through it, step-by-step, give them the support. So they get the opportunity, and they get the support. And as you see in graduation, they find success most of the time. It’s life changing for them." The programs are designed to meet students exactly where they are. The program's new website features Google forms where prospective students can share their contact information and interests. Since launching the online contact form, 29 students have reached out for information. One recent conversation illustrates the program's impact. A 35-year-old woman kept saying she was too old to pursue her diploma. When Perkins told her, "You're not too old for this. Let's do this," they worked together to create a plan for her to graduate in June. The woman cried, grateful that someone believed in her. "So many times when I call, people say 'I can't believe that you're calling and that this is really happening,'" Perkins said.

Sanford Adult Education Launches Career Exploration Apprenticeships

October 23, 2025

For some students, the path to a diploma can feel overwhelming, filled with barriers that seem impossible to overcome. But at Sanford Community Adult Education, Director Jayne Per...

Sanford High School will host the Maine State Marching Band Finals on Saturday, October 25, at Alumni Stadium, marking the fourth consecutive year the school has welcomed bands from across Maine and New Hampshire to compete. The competition begins at 4:00 p.m., with the Sanford High School marching band scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. There is an admission fee. Eleven bands will compete throughout the evening, including Merrimack Valley, Lake Region, Biddeford, Lawrence, Blue Hawks, Westbrook, Old Orchard Beach, South Portland, Wells, Dover, and Sanford. A brief intermission is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Sanford's theme for this year's performance is Echoes of the Earth. As finals week approaches, the band has focused their preparation on execution. "We're doing a lot of energy, a lot of music work, and just really focusing," Sanford junior Morgan Bailey said. "Now that we have the drill ability, we're starting to add the finishing touches." The band is looking to repeat last year's gold medal performance at state finals, where they earned five-star ratings across all categories including Music, General Effect, Color Guard, Percussion, Visual, and Drum Major. This year, the band's path to finals has included five competitions this season, opening at Biddeford High School on September 13, then traveling to UMass Amherst, followed by competitions at South Portland on October 4 and Wells High School on October 18. Sanford has become the natural choice to host the state finals due to its facilities and experience, according to SHS Band Director Hailey Francoeur. Alumni Stadium's combination of ample parking, a turf field, and spacious bleachers makes it an ideal venue for accommodating the bands, spectators, and equipment that a statewide competition requires. For Bailey, this season's highlight came at the US Bands competition at UMass Amherst. "We got to see so many other different schools and stuff, see a bigger community and larger families," Bailey said. That competition resulted in a first-place finish in Division 2A on September 27. This past weekend, the band continued their winning streak by earning four out of five stars in all categories at their MBDA competition. Francoeur emphasized that the band's success wouldn't be possible without the Music Boosters, who provide snacks before every Tuesday and Thursday rehearsal, prepare lunches before Saturday competitions that run from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and help with everything from sewing costumes to hauling trailers. For more information about volunteering for the state finals or supporting the band program, contact Director Hailey Francoeur at Sanford High School.

Sanford High School to Host State Marching Band Finals

October 22, 2025

Sanford High School will host the Maine State Marching Band Finals on Saturday, October 25, at Alumni Stadium, marking the fourth consecutive year the school has welcomed bands fr...

Sanford Spotlight

October 22, 2025

Click here to read the latest Sanford Spotlight district newsletter.

Photo Credit: Amalia Fajardo, Sanford Senior & Grace Kenney, Traip Senior, Academy of Business

SRTC Program Highlight: Auto Collision Repair Program

October 21, 2025

Photo Credit: Amalia Fajardo, Sanford Senior & Grace Kenney, Traip Senior, Academy of Business This is part of a series highlighting the career and technical education prog...

Carl J. Lamb School's Spartan Show Choir made their mark at the Maine chapter of the American Choral Directors Association's annual Fall Conference, earning an invitation that represents a tremendous honor, particularly for a group at the elementary level. On October 10, more than 70 music educators from across Maine gathered at Windham High School for the Maine ACDA Fall Conference. Among the day's highlights was a performance by CJL's Spartan Show Choir, personally invited by MEACDA President Julia Edwards. This year's conference carried additional significance with Robyn Hilger, Executive Director of ACDA National, serving as keynote speaker, placing the CJL students on both a statewide and national stage.

Carl J. Lamb Show Choir Performs at Maine ACDA Fall Conference

October 17, 2025

Carl J. Lamb School's Spartan Show Choir made their mark at the Maine chapter of the American Choral Directors Association's annual Fall Conference, earning an invitation that rep...

Homecoming Spirit Week at Sanford High School took place Oct. 6–11, bringing students, staff, and families together for a week of school pride, themed dress-up days, and exciting home games. Throughout the week, high school students competed grade against grade to win the spirit stick—a tradition passed down through generations of alumni. Each grade earned points by dressing up for spirit days, attending weeknight sporting events, painting large posters and crash-through banners, building floats, and participating in the parade. The celebration kicked off Monday, Oct. 6, with Adam Sandler Day, as students embraced laid-back, oversized styles. Tuesday brought the Soccer Mom vs. BBQ Dad theme, with students donning aprons, spatulas, and fanny packs. That evening, students showed their spirit at both volleyball and boys' soccer games at 7 pm, dressed in USA-themed attire. Wednesday's Disney Channel Theme Day showcased each class's creativity. Freshmen represented Disney Junior, sophomores embodied Marvel, juniors celebrated Disney Animation, and seniors brought Pixar to life. Students packed the girl's soccer game that night wearing neon. Thursday featured Red and White Day and the traditional pep rally, followed by field hockey's frat-themed home game at 6:30 pm. The week culminated Friday with the Homecoming Parade, followed by Student Council's inaugural Block Party where clubs and activities hosted vendors. The varsity football game at 7 pm drew an enthusiastic student section, where the spirit stick winner – the senior class – was finally announced.

Spirit Runs High For Homecoming Week

October 16, 2025

Homecoming Spirit Week at Sanford High School took place Oct. 6–11, bringing students, staff, and families together for a week of school pride, themed dress-up days, and exciting ...

Teachers Invest in Professional Learning During In-Service Day

October 16, 2025

On Friday October 10, while students enjoyed a day off, Sanford School Department teachers and staff were hard at work—investing in their own learning to better support our studen...

Officer Jourdain Receives Community Action Award from Sanford Police Department

October 16, 2025

(Photo credit: Sanford Police Department) Sanford School Resource Officer Joseph Jourdain was recognized with the Community Action Award at the Sanford Police Department's Annua...

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Sanford Middle School's Newspaper: The SMS Times

October 15, 2025

Check out the first edition of Sanford Middle School's newspaper, The SMS Times. Click here .

Sanford Performing Arts Center presents Catapult “Magic Shadows”

October 15, 2025

SANFORD — An America’s Got Talent finalist from Season 8 will stop by Sanford Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, with their magical production that features incre...

Amalia Fajardo, Sanford Senior Academy of Business & Grace Kenney, Traip Senior Academy of Business

SRTC Program Highlight: Baking and Pastry Program

October 14, 2025

Photo Credit: Amalia Fajardo, Sanford Senior Academy of Business & Grace Kenney, Traip Senior Academy of Business This is part of a series highlighting the career and technic...

On the first Friday of each month, elementary and middle school students from Sanford’s BRIDGE Program visit Summer Commons Nursing Home to play games and make crafts with senior residents. It’s a partnership that started last year and has quickly become a highlight for both the students and the residents. During last year’s visits, students prepared crafts in advance, then taught the residents how to make them – a process that built confidence and communication skills while bringing joy to the seniors. "This visit is part of helping them interact and learn appropriate social skills," said Sandra Hewitt, an Ed Tech at the BRIDGE program. On Friday, October 3, for the first trip of the school year, students brought a challenging game: plastic cups with strings attached. Students placed ping pong balls on top of the inverted cups, and then residents worked to pull their cups closer using the strings while trying to keep the ball balanced on top. "I was able to get mine all the way to the end of the table without it falling," said Wyatt, a BRIDGE student. The BRIDGE is a specialized program that recognizes some students face challenges that can interfere with their educational success. The program works with students who need additional support developing behavioral and social skills, offering specialized instruction, effective education, and counseling. These monthly visits to Summer Commons provide a real-world setting where students can practice appropriate social interactions, develop empathy, and learn to engage respectfully with others The structure of these visits—from preparing activities to teaching residents, maintaining line order, and using quiet voices in hallways—helps students build the foundational skills they need for success in traditional classroom settings. These visits represent more than just a field trip—they're an integral part of students' growth and development. The progress has been remarkable, according to Hewitt. Students who initially struggled with basic classroom expectations are now confidently leading activities and interacting appropriately with adults in the community. "The interaction between the residents and the students are amazing, and everyone benefits from this time together," Hewitt said.

BRIDGE Students Build Connections at Summer Commons

October 13, 2025

On the first Friday of each month, elementary and middle school students from Sanford’s BRIDGE Program visit Summer Commons Nursing Home to play games and make crafts with senior...

Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School music teacher Heather Hastings recently received national recognition for her work in music composition. Hastings recently traveled to Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, where her original piece "Unwavering" received its premiere performance by the school's top wind ensemble. During her visit, she had the opportunity to work directly with the student musicians, attending their rehearsal and offering feedback on their interpretation of the work. “Unwavering” was written as a dedication to Gladys Stone Wright, one of the very first female band directors in the United States. “For a composer, it is always a wonderful experience to have one’s music performed by a live ensemble and to hear the art come to life,” Hastings said. At the premiere performance, she was presented with her competition award by Dr. Pam Klena, President of the Women Band Directors International (WBDI). This December, Hastings will be honored at the WBDI luncheon with a lifetime membership to the organization and will have the opportunity to showcase her compositions to band and orchestra directors from across the country. “I am honored to receive this award and have my work recognized on a national level,” Hastings said. “The students in the Wootton Wind Ensemble gave a lovely premiere of Unwavering, and I hope that they enjoyed the performance as much as I did.

MCS Music Teacher Receives National Recognition for Original Composition

October 10, 2025

Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School music teacher Heather Hastings recently received national recognition for her work in music composition. Hastings recently traveled to Thom...

Sanford Spotlight Newsletter

October 8, 2025

Click here to read the latest Sanford Spotlight newsletter.

the School Committee welcomed a new student representative

Meet The New School Committee Student Representative

October 7, 2025

The Sanford School Committee has welcomed a new student representative, SHS junior Alessandra Castro, who brings a strong academic record and deep commitment to community service...

High School and Middle School Winter Season Sports Registration Info

October 7, 2025

The middle school has two winter seasons, the first includes boys’ and girls’ basketball and cheer for 7th and 8th graders. The second season which starts in February includes w...

SRTC Program Highlight: Engineering and Architectural Design

October 7, 2025

Photo Credit: Lulu Morris, Sanford Senior Academy of Business & Autumn Liston, Sanford Senior Academy of Business This is part of a series highlighting the career and technic...