Sanford School Department

Pre-K students at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School recently welcomed their families to a special Literacy Showcase, demonstrating the impressive progress they've made in developing early reading and writing skills. Throughout the classroom, students guided their families through various hands-on learning stations. At the letter-building station, children used mini erasers to construct letters, strengthening both their understanding of letter formation and their fine motor skills. Other stations featured winter-themed word activities where students practiced identifying letters and building pre-writing skills. The showcase highlighted how our youngest learners develop literacy through engaging, developmentally appropriate activities. Students demonstrated their growing skills by identifying uppercase and lowercase letters, exploring rhyming words, and sorting letters by their shapes—straight lines, curvy lines, or combinations of both. The event provided families with a firsthand look at how their children are building strong foundations in early literacy through play-based learning and hands-on exploration. The enthusiasm and confidence displayed by our Pre-K students showed just how much progress they've made in developing these essential skills.

Pre-K Students Showcase Early Literacy Skills at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary

January 30, 2025

Pre-K students at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School recently welcomed their families to a special Literacy Showcase, demonstrating the impressive progress they've made in dev...

Sanford Middle School Resource Officer Receives Wayne Drown Award

January 29, 2025

Sanford Middle School's School Resource Officer (SRO) Joe Jourdain was recently honored with the Wayne Drown School Resource Officer Award at the Maine Association of Police annu...

Sanford High School Honors Military Veterans During Basketball Doubleheader

January 29, 2025

The Sanford High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams hosted a Military Appreciation Night during its doubleheader against Noble on Tuesday, January 28 at Partners Bank Gymna...

Sanford High Students Perform in District Honor Ensembles

January 28, 2025

Fourteen talented musicians from Sanford High School demonstrated their musical excellence at this year's Maine Music Educators Association (MMEA) District 1 Honors Festival. The ...

Broadway's Next Hit Musical returns to SPAC for more laughs

January 27, 2025

SANFORD — Returning to the SPAC stage at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, Broadway’s Next Hit Musical presents an original improvised awards show that guarantees a night of spontaneous ...

Sanford Spotlight Newsletter

January 23, 2025

Check out the latest news from the district in the Sanford Spotlight Newsletter by clicking here .

Notice: Destruction of Special Education Student Records

January 23, 2025

Notice to all persons who attended Sanford School Department and received Special Education and were born prior to December 31, 1999 or their custodial parents. If you would lik...

Sanford Alum Sets New Sprint Standards at USM

January 23, 2025

(Photo courtesy of James Liebowitz) When 2020 Sanford High School graduate Ethan Shain walked the halls as a three-sport athlete, few could have predicted he would become one...

Sanford Pride Elementary School teacher Michelle Payeur has joined a group of New England educators nominated for the 2024 Wasabi Fenway Bowl Honor Roll, a program celebrating teachers who make extraordinary contributions to their students and communities. Payeur was selected from a pool of over 1,000 nominated educators across New England for this recognition, which celebrates education professionals who have gone above and beyond to support their students and communities. The news of this honor arrived with an unexpected email notification. "At first, I almost deleted the email thinking it was spam," Payeur said. "But when I saw it mentioned Fenway, I decided to take a closer look. I'm really glad I did." The honor came with an invitation to attend the 2024 Wasabi Fenway Bowl on December 28th – the first college football bowl game ever played at Fenway Park and the first Division 1 bowl game in New England history. A Sanford success story herself, Payeur graduated from Sanford High School in 2004 before pursuing her education degree at the University of Maine. She returned to her hometown to begin her teaching career in 2009. What makes this recognition even more special is its roots in the local community – the nomination came from someone who knows Payeur's impact firsthand: a building substitute teacher whose child spent two years in her classroom. During the bowl game celebration, Payeur had the opportunity to connect with fellow honored educators from across New England. "It was incredible to meet other educators and hear their stories," she said."Despite teaching different grade levels and subjects, we found so many similarities in our experiences." Each year, the Wasabi Fenway Bowl Honor Roll selects 15 outstanding educators from the nominee pool to receive special recognition and financial support for their educational initiatives. While Payeur wasn't among the final 15 selected, her nomination highlights the exceptional work being done in Sanford's classrooms every day. "It's very special," Payeur said. "Being recognized by someone who has seen your work both as a colleague and as a parent makes it particularly meaningful. Sanford has been my home since I was a student myself, and now I get to give back to the community that helped shape who I am."

Sanford Pride Teacher Named to Prestigious Fenway Bowl Honor Roll

January 21, 2025

Sanford Pride Elementary School teacher Michelle Payeur has joined a group of New England educators nominated for the 2024 Wasabi Fenway Bowl Honor Roll, a program celebrating t...

Sanford Middle School science teacher Diana Allen has been named among 336 educators nationwide to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the highest recognition a K-12 mathematics or science teacher can receive from the U.S. government. Allen, who was initially selected as one of three Maine state finalists, completed an intensive application process that required demonstrating deep content knowledge and adaptability to diverse learning environments. Her application included a recorded teaching demonstration at a local brook, where she partnered with Maine Audubon to teach students about macroinvertebrates. "It's an amazing reflection process," Allen said of the application requirements. "You have to look at yourself... you have to look at it through all the lenses of all these dimensions." The process required detailed analysis of teaching practices, addressing student misconceptions, managing classroom diversity, and demonstrating educational leadership at local, state, and national levels. Allen learned of her honor while driving, when she received an unexpected call from a friend who was a previous award recipient. "I was actually driving in my car, and a friend of mine called who was an awardee from the year before me," Allen recalled. "She said, 'Oh, I don't want to be the one to tell you, just check your email.' I was like, 'I can't check my email. I'm driving.'" When she finally pulled over to read the congratulatory message from the White House, the significance of the moment began to sink in. Allen's journey to this achievement is particularly inspiring, as she overcame early challenges through perseverance and determination. Rising above these obstacles, she has consistently pushed herself to excel, serving as chair of the Wells-Ogunquit School Committee and president of the Maine Science Teachers Association. She has also presented at the National Science Teachers Association Conference. "I need to work harder than most of my colleagues because I didn't have a good education foundation to work with," Allen shared. She often uses her own experience to inspire students, showing them that with dedication and perseverance, they can achieve their goals regardless of their starting point. The announcement has sparked celebration throughout the community, particularly among Allen's former students, many of whom now have children of their own. "When I see their comments, that's what really gets me... their words mean a ton.” As a PAEMST recipient, Allen will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. Reflecting on the recognition, she shared what made the honor feel real to her: "They picked you. Like, yeah, you wrote that. Those were your words. That was your video. They picked you. It's for real. It's legitimate."

Diana Allen Receives Presidential Teaching Award

January 21, 2025

(Photo by Lee Burnett) Sanford Middle School science teacher Diana Allen has been named among 336 educators nationwide to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathem...

Pianist blends poetry and pics in immersive show Feb. 2

January 17, 2025

SANFORD — Jeeyoon Kim, celebrated for her innovative approach to classical piano, will bring her latest project, 시음 /si-úm/, to the SPAC stage. This project uniquely blends poet...

Curriculum Newsletter

January 16, 2025

Click here for the latest Curriculum Newsletter. Health and physical education programs at Sanford are in full swing, following Maine's learning standards to help students develo...

The CJL Bell Choir is composed of ten enthusiastic second graders who demonstrate a shared passion for music and performance. This newly-formed after-school club met weekly for five sessions leading up to the winter break, dedicating their time to furthering their musical skills. Student demonstrated excellence in both musical skill and character, serving as role models in the school community with their exceptional demonstration of our core values (safe, respectful, responsible, honest, courageous) and school attendance. Music literacy serves as the cornerstone of our second-grade music curriculum. Students are actively learning to read notes on the staff, transitioning from iconic representations to standard notation, and applying their understanding of pitch in innovative ways aligned with notation reading. Handbells and desk bells play a pivotal role in this progression, as the color-coded, pitch-specific instruments labeled with letter names provide a tactile and visual bridge into music literacy. The Bell Choir participants have exhibited exceptional teamwork and collaboration throughout their rehearsals. Furthermore, they have displayed remarkable leadership in their general music classes, eagerly sharing their growing knowledge

Carl J. Lamb Bell Choir

January 16, 2025

The CJL Bell Choir is composed of ten enthusiastic second graders who demonstrate a shared passion for music and performance. This newly-formed after-school club met weekly ...

Community Boot Donation Supports Sanford Students

Community Boot Donation Supports Sanford Elementary Students

January 15, 2025

PHOTO FROM YORK COUNTY HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START Sanford elementary school students are stepping into winter confidence thanks to a generous donation from Kittery Trad...

Screens lit up across Sanford on Monday evening as more than 50 elementary school families joined the district's first-ever Virtual Family Math Night. Under the guidance of three title math teachers and the elementary math coach, what could have been a routine video call transformed into an interactive mathematical playground, with parents and children collaborating on engaging puzzles and games. The evening featured engaging activities that encouraged mathematical thinking and family collaboration. Students exercised their problem-solving skills with "Be Curious," a creative dice pattern activity, and participated in an interactive number guessing game using colorful visuals and strategic clues. One particularly popular activity involved a mystery number game where students used clues to eliminate numbers and narrow down possibilities – a perfect blend of logic and mathematics. The teaching team also introduced families to PIG, an exciting dice game that reinforced number sense and strategic thinking. Each activity was thoughtfully adapted to suit different grade levels, ensuring that every student could participate and learn at their appropriate level. Throughout the evening, students eagerly shared their answers and mathematical thinking with the group. The enthusiasm was evident right up to the final moments, with one student asking hopefully, "Are you going to do these every month?" Ms. Daniels happily confirmed that monthly sessions are indeed the plan.

Virtual Math Night Brings Sanford Elementary Families Together for Fun and Learning

January 14, 2025

Screens lit up across Sanford on Monday evening as more than 50 elementary school families joined the district's first-ever Virtual Family Math Night. Under the guidance of thr...

Sanford Middle School Librarian and Media Specialist Julie Williams has been selected to serve on the School Library Journal's Mock Newbery Committee, joining librarians from across the nation in evaluating the best children's literature of 2024. The Mock Newbery Committee mirrors the official Newbery Award process, which Williams describes as "the most distinguished award for children's literature in the US." Since 1922, the Newbery Award has recognized excellence in children's books, creating a legacy of literary classics that many remember from their elementary school days. "I follow it all year long," said Williams, who was selected for the committee in mid-December after demonstrating she had already read six required books from the nomination list. "I had already read a lot of the books I knew were going to be nominated because I try to keep up.” The committee is currently evaluating 15 books published in 2024, with members engaging in daily online discussions about each title's merits. "We read the books, and they do a blog entry every day," Williams explained. "All of us who are on this committee can chime in and say, 'This is what I like, this is what I didn't like, this is why I think we should pick this one.'" The process is rigorous and time-intensive. Williams spent much of her holiday break immersed in books, even reading during car trips. "My husband's like, 'What are you doing tonight?' What do you think? I'm sitting and reading," she said. Committee members must read physical copies rather than listen to audiobooks. "They don't like you to use audio books," Williams explained, "because it can depend on the narrator. If the narrator is really good, it can kind of make you think that the book might be better than it is." The committee will soon narrow down their selections to five finalists, which they'll discuss in detail during an online meeting on January 24th. Their final selection will be announced shortly before the official Newbery Award announcement on January 27th. Williams sees this committee work as part of a cherished tradition in children's literature. "It helps me because I read so much. When kids ask for book recommendations, I've read a lot," she said. "It's kind of like our Oscars for the best book, and they get a big gold medal on the cover when they win."

Sanford Middle School Librarian Selected for Mock Newbery Committee

January 13, 2025

Sanford Middle School Librarian and Media Specialist Julie Williams has been selected to serve on the School Library Journal's Mock Newbery Committee, joining librarians from acr...

Seventh-grader Paityn Ricker's dedication to helping her fellow students has earned Sanford Middle School a grant from a national foundation. Through her leadership in the school's JMG program, Paityn developed "SnackDash," an innovative project to support student wellness throughout the school day. The program complements the Sanford School Department’s existing meal services, which include free breakfast and lunch for all students as part of the Maine’s Department of Education’s universal free meal program. While breakfast and lunch are available at no cost, SnackDash helps bridge the gap between these meals for students who may need additional support. "I know how hard it is to focus when you're hungry," says Paityn. "Sometimes I don't have a snack to eat, so I'm starving for hours before lunch. I realized many of my classmates face the same challenge, and some may not have access to food at home either." Working with her JMG classmates and teacher Tara Houle, Paityn helped create "SnackDash," a program that provides free snacks to students between meals. The project caught the attention of the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning (FILL) and Albertsons Companies Foundation's Nourishing Neighbors Program, earning the school a grant to expand their efforts. "My favorite part was working with my friends in JMG," Paityn shares. "They were really cooperative and had great ideas.” The project has opened her eyes to community needs. "I've learned how many students might need extra nutritional support during the school day," she explains. "Some students have lunch periods early in the day, and others might not have access to snacks from home. That's why programs like SnackDash are so important." The grant comes through the Explore.Act.Tell. Program, which teaches middle and high school students to identify and solve problems in their communities. Paityn's project was selected from among hundreds of student initiatives nationwide.

Sanford Middle School Student's Solution To Student Hunger Earns National Recognition

January 13, 2025

Seventh-grader Paityn Ricker's dedication to helping her fellow students has earned Sanford Middle School a grant from a national foundation. Through her leadership in the school...

Comedian Karen Morgan Coming to the Sanford Performing Arts Center

January 10, 2025

SANFORD — Karen Morgan, a celebrated comedian known for her engaging and relatable humor, will take the stage at Sanford Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. ...

Sanford Spotlight Newsletter

January 10, 2025

Check out the latest news from the district in the Sanford Spotlight Newsletter by clicking here .

The Sanford School Department has been awarded a grant from the John T. Gorman Foundation, whose mission is to make Maine a more equitable place where all children and families can thrive. The grant provides funds to the department to develop and implement the Empowering Families, Elevating Early Learners Initiative, a pilot aimed at strengthening family-school connections and promoting academic and social-emotional growth for families at risk of or experiencing housing instability or homelessness. "This work is really centered on prevention," Sanford Assistant Superintendent Steve Bussiere explained. "It's about trying to support families early on, identifying those who need assistance, and connecting them to resources." Cecilia Sirianni, the department's outreach coordinator, said the team has carefully evaluated their approach. "We assessed areas of strengths and needs regarding connections between school, family and the community," she said. "We aim to discover creative ways to strengthen these relationships, emphasizing the early years and increasing engagement in school by parents and students, as well as greater awareness and presence of community resources." This $235,000 grant will help Sanford schools better assist families experiencing housing challenges through early intervention and enhanced connections between families, schools and community resources. By identifying and supporting families early, the program aims to improve student success in school. The initiative begins planning this winter and launches in the 2025-26 school year.

Sanford School Department Awarded Grant From John T. Gorman Foundation

January 9, 2025

The Sanford School Department has been awarded a grant from the John T. Gorman Foundation, whose mission is to make Maine a more equitable place where all children and families ca...