The Sanford School Department is starting an Alumni Spotlight to feature graduates who have made strides in their careers, contributed to their communities, or achieved personal milestones. We want to hear from you. Fill out our  form to be considered for our Alumni Spotlight feature (click here). Selected spotlights will be featured on our social media channels and district newsletter, inspiring current students and fellow alumni alike.This spotlight features 2018 graduate Sarah Edgerly.  What year did you graduate? 2018 What’s your current occupation? Teacher How did your experiences at Sanford help you to reach your educational/professional goals? Wouldn’t have done it without them – still sitting at a desk to date. What was the most valuable lesson that you learned while a student at Sanford? To always be willing to learn through good & bad.   What is your fondest memory during your time at Sanford? The pit. Is there anyone in particular who had a major impact during your time at Sanford?   A few teachers come to mind; I wasn’t always a “good” kid - I was up and down; a lot of teachers were my lord and savior ensuring my basic needs were met to get me back on track academically.   What advice do you have for current Sanford students? Just do it. Just get it done but hold onto every moment and memory possible. It happens so fast and you never know when that is the last time you might see them.
The curtain has fallen on Sanford High School’s 2024 Homecoming Week. From October 9-14, the halls echoed with the sounds of Broadway as students, faculty, and staff came together to celebrate the school spirit in theatrical style, culminating in the high school’s annual Homecoming Parade. Each class brought their chosen Broadway musical theme to life during the parade. Seniors transformed the school into Rydell High with their “Grease” theme, complete with leather jackets and poodle skirts.  The juniors made a splash with “The Little Mermaid", the sophomores took everyone “Back to the Future,” with creative DeLorean cutouts and 1950s-inspired decor, and the freshmen had “Hamilton”-themed displays and revolutionary spirit. There were spirit days throughout the week, which encouraged students to dress in creative costumes each day to earn points for their grades. Monday was “Country vs Pop,” Tuesday was “Twin Day,” Wednesday students dressed as their Broadway musical, and Thursday was “Red and White” day. There were also varsity home games each day and the student section was encouraged to wear the theme of the night. On Thursday, students were dismissed by grade to attend the Pep Rally. Each grade had its own student section in the competition gym.
For the last six weeks, Carl J. Lamb students have been learning folk dances from around the world.  While learning the dances, they discussed the cultures and traditions that the dances come from. Each student drew a picture of a family tradition that they have, and the pictures were combined to make “tradition quilts” to display at the event.  Families joined together for a celebration of learning on October 15th, dancing together to music from Russia, England, France and more. The folk dancing unit will conclude with each class applying their knowledge of folk dances to create their own.
The Sanford School Department is spotlighting employees at all of our schools. If you know an employee who you feel should be highlighted, please email Sam Bonsey (sbonsey@sanford.org) or fill out the employee spotlight form here. This spotlight is on Carl J. Lamb Food Service Manager Debra Mello. How long have you been working in the Sanford School Department? 17 Years What's your favorite part about working in Sanford? My first impression of Sanford 24 years ago was that it is very family friendly. That is still the case. I love working with the kids.  What's your favorite TV show or movie? Mostly watch a lot of football!  If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be? I asked friends and co-workers for help with this and the three that came up the most are funny, kind and talkative (but in a good way).  If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be? England Podcasts or Playlists?  Playlists  Lake or Ocean? Ocean Sunrise or Sunset? Sunset Facebook or Instagram? Facebook
Curriculum Newsletter
Get ready for a night of fun, music, and friendly competition at the Sanford Backpack Program's "Lip Sync Showdown!" The event will take place on Saturday, October 19, at 7:00 p.m. at Sanford Performing Arts Center.  This event is presented by the Sanford Backpack Program, with all proceeds directly supporting the program’s mission to provide food for local students in need. Some of the area’s most recognizable faces will hit the stage to battle it out for lip-sync supremacy, as voted by the audience in attendance.  Performers include the Sanford School Committee, The Sanford City Council, SHS Staff, SRTC Staff, SMS PTA, Kiwanis and Rotary Club, SHS Field Hockey and Football Teams, the Sanford Police Department and more! After each round, the power is in the audience's hands to vote for the winning team, making this a night of friendly competition you won't want to miss. All proceeds from the event will support the Sanford Backpack Program in their mission to ensure that children in our community go home with a backpack full of nutritious, easy-to-prepare food every weekend. Your participation helps these children return to school on Monday ready to learn and thrive. Don’t miss the excitement, the music, and the chance to make a difference! Purchase your tickets in advance to guarantee one of the best seats in the house! https://ci.ovationtix.com/35877/production/1212982
3rd graders at Margaret Chase Smith recently marked the completion of their first unit, “Classic Tales,” with a celebration that brought literature to life. The young learners immersed themselves in timeless stories, honing their skills and encouraging a love for reading.  Throughout the unit, students delved into two renowned works: “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame and “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp” from “One Thousand and One Nights.”   The unit culminated in the students’ first major writing assignment. Students showcased their newfound skills by publishing their work and then had a picnic lunch, like the book characters, to compare and contrast versions from the classic tales.
Over 200 Sanford Regional Technical Center students recently attended Maritime Industry Day at the USS Albacore in Portsmouth. 
Check out the latest news from the district in the Sanford Spotlight Newsletter by clicking  here.
Students in the life skills program at Sanford Middle School are making a difference, collecting aluminum can tabs to support the Ronald McDonald House.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IQLBz-ZsFI
Sanford Regional Technical Center Academy of Business Teacher Susan Lamoreau was recently named one of two recipients of the 2024-2025 Maine Jump$tart Coalition Financial Educator of the Year Award.   She will be recognized at the upcoming Fostering Financial Education in Maine Schools Conference, which is held annually in May.   Lamoreau started her teaching career at Sanford High School in the Fall of 1987. She transitioned to Sanford Regional Technical Center in the fall of 2013, where she started the Academy of Business Program.   Students in her program are enrolled in a dual enrollment program where they earn both high school and college credits in the areas of Business, Finance, Marketing, Management, Entrepreneurship and Computer Applications.   “I’m passionate about the importance of basic financial literacy for all high school students,” Lamoreau said. “I was encouraged that the Sanford School Department supports the mission of Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) in that all students take at least one semester of Personal Finance before graduation.”   The Maine Jump$tart Financial Educator of the Year Award, established in 2012, was created to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves through their efforts to improve the financial capability of the students and families they serve.
The Sanford School Department is starting an Alumni Spotlight to feature graduates who have made strides in their careers, contributed to their communities, or achieved personal milestones. We want to hear from you. Fill out our  form to be considered for our Alumni Spotlight feature (click here). Selected spotlights will be featured on our social media channels and district newsletter, inspiring current students and fellow alumni alike.This spotlight features 2001 graduate Shaun Gagnon.
Sanford High School’s marching band continued its stellar season with an award-winning performance at the USBands invitational held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on Saturday, September 28th.  Invited to the invitational last spring, Sanford’s marching band competed in Division III Class A.   The band secured first place in their division and swept all available caption awards in best music, best percussion, best effect, best visual, and best colorguard.  “The students had a great performance, and it was such a great opportunity to see other programs,” SHS Music Director Hailey Francoeur said. “The students handled the large venue really well, as we’ve never played in a stadium that large. It was so impressive how they handled the day with confidence.”  The UMass Amherst show featured over 15 bands from various parts of New England, with Sanford High School representing Maine as the sole band from the state.   USBands, a national marching band circuit, hosts competitions throughout the country, providing young musicians with opportunities to showcase their talents on a grand scale.
Sanford High School’s annual homecoming parade will start at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11th, at the tennis courts on Alumni Boulevard (by Route 4) and finish at Gil Dionne softball field (by Main Street). The parade is open to the public.All classes are building floats according to their grade’s theme for a parade.  Spectators are encouraged to park at the high school no later than 3:30 p.m. to line the parade route along Alumni Boulevard. After 3:30 p.m., Alumni Boulevard will be closed off until the end of the parade. People who arrive after 3:30 p.m. should park off campus and walk to the parade route. The Route 4 entrance will be closed to the public and all traffic will enter from the Main St. entrance. The parade will go down the course and back, so onlookers can see both sides of the floats. Alumni Boulevard will be back open to the public for traffic for the football game which will be at 7:00 p.m.
Career Exploration Takes Center Stage in Growing ELO Program For Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center
"Lip Sync Showdown" at Sanford Performing Arts Center: A Night of Fun in support of Sanford Backpack Program
Carl J. Lamb Second Graders Celebrate Completion of Learning Unit with Flapjacks and Flannels