Sanford School Department

Sanford School Department Unveils Mission, Vision, Core Principles & Beliefs on Learning, and Portrait of a Future-Ready Graduate

January 21, 2026

The Sanford School Department has completed a months-long, community-driven process to update its Mission, Vision, Core Principles & Beliefs on Learning, and Portrait of a Future-...

Johnathan Rideout's Design Chosen as Official Brand For The Sanford School Department

January 20, 2026

Johnathan Rideout, a Sanford High School senior in the Sanford Regional Technical Center Digital Design program, never expected to be in the spotlight, but his talent and creativi...

The Sanford Regional Technical Center's café reopened to the public in January, offering community members a chance to enjoy quality meals while supporting hands-on learning for culinary students. Chef Jethro Loichle, in his first year teaching the Culinary Arts program, brings over 30 years of cooking experience to SRTC. "I learned in the field, so I have to show the students how to do it," he explained. His students cook three times daily, preparing meals that help them master essential techniques while serving the community. The café currently operates for lunch service on Wednesdays and Thursdays in January, featuring a French-themed menu with appetizers and desserts at $5 each and entrees for $10. Reservations must be made online through the SRTC website, as phone bookings are not available. The system accommodates parties of one to four people, and the café accepts cash or check only. Lunch service will pause in February and early March while seniors prepare for ProStart and SkillsUSA competitions, but the café will remain open for breakfast service during this time, when juniors will step up to run the morning operation, offering fresh pastries prepared by baking students. Second-year student Finnegan Lee describes the experience as transformative. "This program has already gotten me a job," he said, adding that classmates have landed positions at high-end restaurants in Portsmouth and beyond. Students rotate between front-of-house service and back-of-house cooking, gaining comprehensive hospitality experience. "We're like a small family in the classroom," said Lee, who is one of seven seniors, which includes Jaxson Condon, Jayden Doyle, Bowie McEllin, Sean Rioux, Azure Shrubsall, and Greg Warlo. In the baking and pastry program, second-year student Andre Roy is preparingFrench desserts for the café. "We start completely from scratch," Roy explained. "It was a French-themed menu, so we thought of French desserts and came up with a tart and a pancake. Then it takes about two days to prep." Roy plans to pursue culinary careers. The hands-on experience extends beyond regular service. Warlo, who works at York River Landing, appreciates how the program prepares students for real restaurant environments. "This is definitely a very high-action program," Finnegan explains. "You've got to be on your feet, ready to go." Chef Kristen Perry leads the new Baking and Pastry program, bringing experience from York County Community College and her own bakery in Wells. "Nowhere around here can you get baking and pastry training," she notes. Her students collaborate with culinary arts students, creating a dynamic learning environment where nearly 30 students cook together daily. The café also caters special events throughout the region, with all proceeds supporting student scholarships and program materials.

SRTC Cafe Open For Business

January 20, 2026

The Sanford Regional Technical Center's café reopened to the public in January, offering community members a chance to enjoy quality meals while supporting hands-on learning for c...

Double-shot weekend at SPAC

January 20, 2026

SANFORD — When winter settles in and cabin fever sets in, Sanford Performing Arts Center turns up the heat with a double-shot weekend of live shows on Saturday night and Sunday. ...

Letter To The Community

January 16, 2026

Dear Families and Community, The Sanford School Department is aware of the news reports about immigration enforcement activity in Maine. We understand that this news may evoke...

Students at Sanford Middle School were treated to a visit from New York Times bestselling author Sarah Albee, who shared her passion for nonfiction writing. Albee, who has written numerous books for middle grade readers including Poop Happened, Why'd They Wear That?, and Accidental Archaeologist, met with each grade level in the gymnasium for 50-minute sessions. During these presentations, she pulled back the curtain on her writing process, demonstrating how writers make countless choices about what to include, where to start a story, and how to make complex topics accessible to young readers. Using her biography of George Washington as an example, Albee invited student volunteers to become "human note cards," arranging them to show how she structures her books. The demonstration revealed that good writing isn't just about gathering facts, it's about deciding which details matter most and organizing them in a compelling way. Students were surprised to learn that her 24-page picture book required just as much research as her longer works, but demanded even more careful decision-making about what to include. The presentation sparked plenty of curiosity from students. "How do you go to the bathroom in a suit of armor?" one student asked, referencing Albee's book about historical fashion and daily life. Another wanted to know, "What's your name?" in Arabic, after learning about Albee's year living in Cairo. Later in the afternoon, Albee met with student medallion holders in the library for two half-hour question and answer sessions. These gatherings allowed students to dive deeper into both her writing life and personal experiences. Questions ranged from practical inquiries about how long it takes to write a picture book to personal questions about what it was like living in Egypt. When asked about her favorite book to write, Albee shared her enthusiasm for Fairy Tale Science, which allowed her to work with fifth grade classes across the country who tested her experiments. Students also learned that she's currently juggling multiple projects at once—a necessity in children's publishing where illustrators may take months or even years to complete artwork. One student wanted to know what it's like being an author. Albee explained that while people don't recognize her on the street, the job comes with its own challenges, including rejections and the frustrations of the long publishing timeline.. Throughout the day, Albee emphasized the importance of revision, showing students that professional writers often produce many drafts before sharing their work. She encouraged students to view teachers' feedback as a gift, explaining that detailed comments show teachers care enough to invest time in helping students improve.

New York Times Bestselling Author Sarah Albee Visits Sanford Middle school

January 16, 2026

Students at Sanford Middle School were treated to a visit from New York Times bestselling author Sarah Albee, who shared her passion for nonfiction writing. Albee, who has writt...

Winter Two & Spring Sports Registration Now Open

Spring Sports & Winter Two Registration Now Open

January 15, 2026

The Middle School Winter Two Season is now open for registration. The sports offered during Season Two are Girls Volleyball for grades 7 and 8 and Wrestling for grades 6, 7, 8. ...

We are excited to share information with you regarding the Sanford Public School Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) programs for the 2026-2027 school year. In September, we expect to continue offering full-day Pre-K programming at Carl J. Lamb School, Margaret Chase Smith School, Sanford Pride Elementary School, Sanford Regional Technical Center, Sanford-Springvale YMCA and a new partnership with Kid’s Kove Early Learning Center. Sanford and Springvale families with children 4 years old on or before October 15, 2026 and not of kindergarten age are eligible. Children who are 5 years old by October 15th, 2026 and not enrolled in Sanford’s Pre-K program can enroll in kindergarten by calling one of our elementary schools. The Pre-K program is free and will include free breakfast, lunch and transportation. We anticipate 128 Pre-K slots will be available for the 2026-2027 school year. To provide equal opportunity for families to enroll their children, students will be chosen using a lottery system. Here is the link to the form that you will need to complete in order to be considered for admittance to our Pre-K program: Registration Link - The lottery registration will close at the end of the day on Friday, February 13, 2026.. If you have any questions about how to fill out the form, please contact our central office at 324-2810. Our goal is to make program notifications the week of March 6th. All students that are placed in a district Pre-K program will need to complete registration prior to Pre-K screening. Once all openings have been filled by lottery, the remaining names will be drawn to create a waiting list, should space become available. If you know of any families who may have an eligible student, please feel free to share this information. If you have any questions, please contact us at the Sanford School Department’s Central Office at 324-2810.

Pre-K Lottery Information

January 13, 2026

We are excited to share information with you regarding the Sanford Public School Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) programs for the 2026-2027 school year. In September, we expect to contin...

Margaret Chase Smith Kindergarteners Explore Animal Habitats with Chewonki Visit

January 12, 2026

Kindergarten students at Margaret Chase Smith capped off their Animal Habitats unit with an exciting in-house field trip on Friday. Chewonki brought a variety of animals to the s...

Broadway’s biggest hits… stolen & skewered

January 12, 2026

SANFORD — Fresh from its smash New York run, Gerard Alessandrini’s Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song will take the stage at Sanford Performing Srts Center at 7 p.m. Sa...

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Sanford Spotlight Newsletter

January 12, 2026

Check out the latest Sanford Spotlight District Newsletter below!

Sanford High School hosted the Sanford Wrestling Annual Tournament (SWAT) over the weekend. SWAT began on Friday and ran through Saturday, drawing thousands of wrestlers and their families from across Northern New England. The tournament has become an iconic event in the regional wrestling scene, delivering a significant economic boost to the City of Sanford while also serving as the single-largest fundraiser for the Red and White Foundation’s concession stand. Proceeds from the event are donated back to Sanford High School’s athletics programs. Sanford wrestlers competed in what is widely considered one of the toughest tournaments in all of New England. Three Spartans placed at the event. Ryder Lachance was Sanford’s highest placer, finishing third overall and earning the Ken Hover Award. Connor Pickering placed sixth, as did senior Ricky Callis. A highlight of the weekend came Saturday afternoon when Callis earned his 100th career win, a milestone that brought the crowd to its feet in applause.

Sanford High School Hosts Annual Spartan Wrestling Tournament

January 9, 2026

Sanford High School hosted the Sanford Wrestling Annual Tournament (SWAT) over the weekend. SWAT began on Friday and ran through Saturday, drawing thousands of wrestlers and t...

Women of a Certain Age invited to SPAC

January 7, 2026

SANFORD — What started as a fun idea among friends has grown into a national comedy sensation that's coming to Sanford Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17. Created...

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The SMS Times

January 6, 2026

Check out the January edition of The SMS Times below! The SMS Times January Issue

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First 10 January Newsletter

January 5, 2026

Bus Safety Reminders as Students Return from Holiday Break

December 31, 2025

As students return to school following the holiday break, we want to remind families that winter conditions make bus stop safety more important than ever. School bus safety is one...

Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate educators who demonstrate exemplary skills that inspire students and colleagues, and who help focus attention on the importance of public schools among everyone in the Sanford community. Nominations are open now through Friday, January 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. To nominate, please fill out this form. Self-nominations and nominations from family members will not be accepted. They are accepted by students, parents, caregivers, community members, school administrators, colleagues, college faculty members, and associations/organizations. Recognize an educator today who has continued to inspire, educate and care for their students!

Nominations open for Maine Teacher of the Year

December 29, 2025

Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate educators who demonstrate exemplary skills that inspire stude...

Sanford Spotlight Newsletter

December 22, 2025

Follow this link to access the latest Sanford Spotlight Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/mryh2trb

Students in Sanford Regional Technical Center's Health Occupations program move from classroom learning labs to real hospital floors, developing both the technical skills and compassionate caregiving approach needed to become Certified Nursing Assistants. The one-year course provides a rigorous foundation for students interested in healthcare careers. The curriculum satisfies requirements to become registered Certified Nursing Assistants in Maine upon successful completion and passing the Registry exam. Students learn to care for patients and residents in long-term care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation settings, covering anatomy system by system along with common medical conditions. Beyond the technical training, instructors Shawnda Williams and Kelly Romagnoli emphasize what Williams calls the "Art" of caring – teaching students to provide respectful, dignified care to people during some of their most stressful moments. "We take great pride in developing these students into the health care professionals we would like to have care for us and our own family members and loved ones," Romagnoli said. "It is a joy to watch. I also enjoy watching them blossom and become the professionals we would like to work with on our team." Students begin by developing proficiency in the classroom learning lab, mastering basic safety and caregiving skills. Once they demonstrate readiness, they practice and perfect skills like hygiene, feeding, bathing, skin care, and assisting with patient mobility at Summer Commons and Pinnacle Health and Rehab in Sanford. Students complete a minimum of 40 hours of direct care under the instructors' supervision and the nursing teams at these facilities. For Bella Garneau, a junior at Sanford High School, the program has been a long-anticipated opportunity. "I had been interested in taking this program since I took the Exploratory class in 9th grade," Garneau said. "One of my favorite parts is working with the facility residents, in particular demonstrating the skill of empathy. I can't wait to work as a CNA next year and into college where I will study Nursing." Upon successful completion of course requirements and passing the Registry exam, students are certified on the Maine State CNA Registry. They also receive certification in American Heart Association BLS CPR for Healthcare Providers, First Aid, and Stop the Bleed Training. Williams brings over twenty-five years of nursing experience to the program, having recently earned her Master's degree. Her diverse background includes roles in Med Surg, Pediatrics, ICU, home care, hospice, long-term care, Trauma, ER, cath lab, school nursing, urgent care, and primary care. She continues to practice as a nurse practitioner, maintaining a small practice to stay connected to patient care at the highest level of her training. "Becoming a CTE instructor has brought all of these nursing experiences full circle," Williams said. Training 64 students annually has proven incredibly rewarding, especially when last year's students achieved a 100% pass rate on the CNA registry exam. Even more meaningful was an unsolicited card the program received from a facility in Kittery thanking them for their excellent employees: four students who graduated from the Health Occupations program last year. The majority of students enrolled plan to pursue nursing or medicine in the future, making CNA certification the first step in their journey as healthcare providers. Summer Commons and Pinnacle Health and Rehab have been essential partners, providing clinical hours, student CNA positions, unit helper roles, and mock interview skills training that support student success.

SRTC Program Highlight: Health Occupations

December 22, 2025

Students in Sanford Regional Technical Center's Health Occupations program move from classroom learning labs to real hospital floors, developing both the technical skills and comp...

SRTC's STARS Holiday Party Brings Joy and Learning to Carl J. Lamb Elementary Students

December 22, 2025

Students from Carl J. Lamb Elementary School enjoyed a day filled with holiday cheer and hands-on activities at Sanford Regional Technical Center's annual STARS Holiday Party toda...