Boomer, Bruce the Moose, and Chase made a special appearance at Margaret Chase Smith on Friday for its assembly.  They were excited to introduce a new baseball-themed reading challenge to encourage a love for reading among MCS students.  Just like baseball requires practice and dedication, so does reading. By participating in this challenge, your child will have fun and develop essential literacy skills.  Each student will receive a permission slip to sign up. Students track the number of minutes they have read in 15-minute increments.   After they have completed four hours of reading, they will receive two free tickets to a Sanford Mainers game! Students must return the permission slip by April 1st to receive their reading log.
Sanford Regional Technical Center hosted its annual Celebrating Partnerships event on Thursday, March 15th, in the agora of SHS.  The event celebrated students who have earned internships through SRTC programs and was also an opportunity for local partnerships to network with the school and community members.  SRTC Director Matt Petermann and Career Exploration Coordinator Coordinator Katie Schindler expressed their gratitude to all attendees for their support of the students.  A highlight of the event was the student panel, featuring 11 SRTC students who shared insights into their respective programs and internship experiences.   Each student introduced themselves, detailing their program of study and the companies they were interning for. The following students were at the panel: Charlotte Masse, Academy of Business; Kyla Libby, Academy of Business; Cassie Parent, Early Childhood Education; Bella Kimball, Early Childhood Education; Hunter Wildes, Electrical Wiring; Maddox Humphrey, Auto Tech; Max Jones, Auto Tech; Jon Jutras, Electrical Wiring; Danica Park, Electrical Wiring; Melina Allison, Early Childhood Education; Mya Payeur, Early Childhood Education.  Attendees had the opportunity to engage with the students, asking about their preparedness for internships and aspirations for the future. Many of the students highlighted their personal growth since joining SRTC as well as their improved communication and self-esteem since attending programs focused on working with their peers.  Following the panel discussion, Program Advisory Committee members and instructors convened, while new community members were welcomed and given a tour of SRTC.  Snacks and d'oeuvres were provided by Chef John Couture and Culinary Arts students. Pam Durack and students in the Horticulture Program also provided the table arrangements for the event.
The Sanford High School Class of 2027, in their first fundraising event of the year, hosted a faculty vs. varsity basketball game on Thursday, March 14th, at Partners Bank Gymnasium.  The game was a unique opportunity for faculty and staff to showcase their basketball skills, as they laced up their sneakers and took on the varsity boys' and girls' basketball teams.  The game, which was a huge success and included a bake sale, marked the beginning of the Class of 2027 fundraising journey for the year.   Some faculty members included Rossie Kearson, Ryan Geary, and Kelly Foley.  The varsity team won 53-39.  You can watch the game on WSSRTV's YouTube page here.
Check out the latest news from the district in the Sanford Spotlight Newsletter by clicking here.
The Sanford community came together on Tuesday, March 12th, to fill the stands of Partner's Bank Gymnasium at Sanford High School for the 35th Annual Sanford Band Fest Concert.   This event served as a platform to showcase the musical talents of students enrolled in band classes spanning grades 5 through 12.  Under the direction of 5th grade and 6th grade music director Dee Ames, the evening commenced with captivating performances by the 5th and 6th grade bands.   The 5th graders delighted the audience with renditions of "Take Five," "Hot Cross Buns," "Au Claire de la Lune," "On the Bridge at Avignon," and "Surprise Symphony."   Following suit, the 6th Grade Band delivered renditions of "Tornado" and "Rock Around the Clock."  Guided by music director Erica Scarano, the 7th and 8th graders performed next. The 7th Graders led off with "Plaza de Toros" and concluded with "Ancient Moon."  The 8th graders then took over with renditions of "Midnight Escape" and "Shipwrecked."  Stepping into the limelight following the 8th grade performers, the high school band, led by SHS music director Hailey Francoeur, delivered renditions of "Steel" and "Jungle Dance."  The evening's finale was a combined performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, with all three instructors and SHS junior Quang Lam conducting together.
SRTC Cosmetology Students Showcase Talents in Nail Art Project
Several of Ms. Coveney’s 8th grade students participated in a creative writing contest.   The students' stories were chosen for publication.  Congratulations to Allie Herring, Arella Burnell, Gianna Garneau, Kenley Winchell, Natalie Nadeau, and Olivia Palmer.  Each student wrote a mini saga of 100 words for the contest sponsored by Young Writers USA.
The smell of bacon and bananas foster permeates through the hallways at Sanford Regional Technical Center.  The aroma must be making its way to town, too, because business has been booming since the SRTC Cafe opened.  Chef John Couture and his students in the AM and PM Culinary Arts sessions are cooking up a storm. They will serve breakfast and lunch on Wednesdays and Thursdays through mid-May.  They are fine-tuning their techniques in planning and food preparation, cooking presentation, and serving in a fine dining atmosphere.  The cafe has received rave reviews from guests in the first week.  Reservations can be made at this link: https://tableagent.com/portland-maine/srtc-cafe/
Sanford Middle School's cafeteria was buzzing with excitement and anticipation on Thursday, March 7th, as students, teachers, and families gathered for Sanford's Got Talent 2024 show.  Organized by the school's JMG program, the event showcased the talents of the school's students in a variety of performances, including dance routines, vocal showcases, drum solos, ventriloquist acts, keyboard solos, and more. The evening kicked off with an impressive array of performances, each demonstrating the creativity and skill of Sanford Middle School's student body. Congratulations to the following students who performed: Anthony Flayhan, Ziva Green, Shaneece Liscombe, Jaslinn Johnson, Kelsey Howard, Lyrie Westgate, Emma Higgins, Anna Held, Zoie Kraus, Kayleb McKinlay, Chloe Griffin, Madison Causer, Kaylee Kivlin, Arella Burnell, Aubrey Janosek, Natalie Nadeu, Claire Davie, Emma Beers, Kaelyn Gallant, Violet Kirven, Jeanna Robicheau, Kenna Robinson, and Ariana Young. The show was divided into two sections, with an intermission allowing the audience to grab refreshments and beverages at the concessions table.  Volunteer judges Ms. Allen, Mr. Sanborn, Mrs. Brown, Ms. Farley, and Ms. Scarano lent their expertise to the event, providing valuable feedback and helping to select the evening's performers.  Raffle prizes were drawn towards the end of the evening. Finally, an awards ceremony was held to recognize the outstanding performances of several students.
On Saturday, March 9th, 6th grade students from Sanford Middle School participated in the District Honors Music Festival at York High School.  The band and chorus were made up of students from 11 schools in southern Maine.  Congratulations to the following students who participated: Kaylee Dube, Haley Gahagan, Sophia O'Connell, Cierra McInerney, Elyse White, Caleb Smith, Emma Higgins, and Eamon McGuckin-Welsch.
It was a ‘Sharon thing’ MCS to name library to honor Principal Sharon Remick
The Sanford community shined brightly for the school department’s annual Spring Sing Choral Showcase at the Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, March 6th.
On Tuesday, March 5th, the competition gym was full for Sanford High School’s Instrumental Showcase.  Some students were in multiple ensembles and played various instruments!  If you missed the showcase, you can watch it below.
Sanford Regional Technical Center hosted over 1,300 sophomores from all of its sending schools over two weeks.   These students signed up for tours of SRTC to learn more about their programs of interest and witnessed a day in the life of a student before making their decision to apply.  SRTC also opened its doors for an Admissions Open House. The open house was a great opportunity for prospective students to bring their families along to check out classrooms and labs and learn more about dual enrollment opportunities.  Over 500 visitors attended the open house.
Sanford Regional Technical Center celebrated CTE Month with its first-ever Spirit Week.  Students pulled out all the stops, decorating themselves and their classrooms in a battle of flannel and flair as they aimed to win Spirit Week 2024.  Officer Michael “Tipper” Thornton and his crew took a strong lead with Monday’s “Proud to be CTE” theme.  Law Enforcement took the trophy in the AM session, but in a dead-lock battle for the PM session, the Academy of Business proved victorious.  These groups will now hold the coveted SRTC Spirit Week trophy graciously designed and fabricated by Gavin Ericson of the Engineering Application with Robotics Program.
Sanford High School Winter Sports Award Presentations
Sanford Middle School’s new ski club kicked off on Tuesday, February 27th.  Spearheaded by Principal Pam Lydon and math teacher Penny Christy, the club aims to encourage students to embrace the great outdoors, engage in physical activity, and embark on new experiences beyond what the middle school already has to offer.   Every Tuesday until March 19th, middle school students head to Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton to take ski and snowboard lessons.  Principal Lydon and Mrs. Christy put together a proposal for the club to get approved by the school committee. Once it was approved, Lydon engaged the school staff, presenting the club’s concept to ensure adequate support and participation from chaperones.   Following the green light to get the club rolling, Lydon and Christy put out sign-up sheets and gave a timeline for students to pick up their information packets. There was also a minimal cost to join the club. The response so far has been positive, with nearly 30 students committing to join the ski club.  Notably, the ski club also provided an opportunity for students who had never before attempted skiing or snowboarding to discover a newfound passion.  The first trip to Pleasant Mountain was a roaring success, according to Lydon. Students were smiling and Lydon said she received praise from the resort’s staff about the positive behavior displayed by Sanford students.
Sanford Middle School hosted the Maine Music Educators Association District 1 Honors Band and Chorus Festival over the weekend.
SANFORD — Prepare to be awestruck as master magician and mentalist Kent Axell returns to his Maine roots from a sensational Las Vegas residency, gracing the SPAC stage for the first time. Showtime is 7 p.m. Saturday, March 9.
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 at sbonsey@sanford.org. This spotlight is on Margaret Chase Smith Second Grade Teacher Christine Hoegen.