Sanford School Department

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Sanford School Department Safety Informational Night

October 6, 2025

Please join our student resource officers and Central Office administration for an overview of school safety in our schools on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 6 pm in the Sanford Per...

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...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_AhAmkEFrWUF5y4csUJ6zfJ51Kao56q1/view?usp=sharing

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...

The Dungeons & Dragons Club at Sanford High School has been providing students with a creative and educational outlet for about five years, combining storytelling, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving in a structured, supervised environment. The club meets Tuesdays and Fridays in the cafeteria immediately after school. All materials are provided, and no prior experience is necessary. This year, the club is led by advisor Carrie Hathaway. "I wanted to make sure that these students got a chance to have the club because it is very important to them," Hathaway explains. Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop role-playing game where students create characters and work together to navigate adventures guided by a student Dungeon Master. Far from the stereotypes some may remember, modern D&D emphasizes teamwork, creative thinking, and positive social interaction. Students develop characters with unique backgrounds and abilities, then use strategy, negotiation, and problem-solving skills to overcome challenges presented in the story. The club has drawn about 30 students over the years, with a flexible, welcoming atmosphere that accommodates different participation levels. "I have a different and revolving crowd each time," notes Hathaway, emphasizing that newcomers can join at any point. Students of all experience levels are welcome - they can jump right in and learn as they play, with experienced members providing guidance and support. The creative possibilities are endless. As one SHS student explained, the campaigns can vary dramatically: "It's still D&D, but some do pop culture in their campaign. Some just do normal medieval times." This means stories can incorporate sports, history, science, or any subject that captures students' imaginations. Some campaigns even feature innovative twists as another SHS student explained: "you don't know what your character is... you start with a blank character sheet, and as you go on through the story, the master gives hints to what kind of character you want to play." Through these games, students practice communication skills in a low-pressure, supportive environment. They develop mathematical skills through game mechanics, enhance creative writing abilities through character development, and strengthen critical thinking through strategic decision-making. The game requires players to work together toward common goals.

Dungeons & Dragons Club Offers Creative Outlet at Sanford High

October 3, 2025

The Dungeons & Dragons Club at Sanford High School has been providing students with a creative and educational outlet for about five years, combining storytelling, critical think...

Upcoming Free Flu Vaccinations

October 3, 2025

We are pleased to announce that the Sanford School Department is partnering with MaineHealth to offer free flu vaccinations for students this fall. Protecting our student's healt...

School Connected Play and Learns have started Weekly one kicked offlast week with 14 children in attendance! It was a wonderful opportunity for ourlittle learners to explore and grow together. Monthly one will start onOctober 6th, 2025 and run the first Monday of eachmonth! Joint Professional LearningOpportunity: Thismonth, stafffromour Sanford Public Pre-K classrooms will collaborate with community Early Learning Centers, including All Friends, Curtis Lake Church ELC,Headstart, Little World 2, and Kids Kove ELC. Together, we will engage in a day of collaborative learning around a new earlymath programcalled Young Mathematicians. Learnmore here.

October First 10 News

October 2, 2025

Welcome to the October edition of First 10 Sanford's newsletter! This month brings exciting developments as our School Connected Play and Learns kick off, welcoming families with ...

As the new school year got underway, students and staff walked into clean, safe, and refreshed buildings thanks to the summer efforts of the Sanford School Department's custodial and facilities team. October 2 marked National Custodian Appreciation Day—a perfect opportunity to recognize their commitment to creating welcoming learning environments. The Sanford School Department oversees an impressive array of properties, including multiple buildings that require year-round management for cleaning, maintenance, and grounds care. This summer marked a significant milestone as the team entered the season fully staffed for the first time in years, and the results speak for themselves. At the heart of the summer preparation efforts was the hardworking custodial team, who undertook comprehensive cleaning of all district buildings. Their work went far beyond routine maintenance, involving a process that touched every corner of each school. Staff completed deep cleaning throughout every building—tackling furniture, walls, windows, and light fixtures. They repaired walls, touched up paint, stripped and refinished floors, and thoroughly cleaned tiles and carpets. "It's exciting to hear how the work that the team has done directly impacts the students," shared Director of Facilities and Maintenance Jason Dudley at a recent school committee meeting. The custodial team faced and overcame challenges during their summer work, navigating scheduling conflicts with summer programs, food services, sports camps, and community events. They demonstrated flexibility in coordinating all this work while accommodating the busy summer schedule. While the custodial staff focused on deep cleaning, the maintenance team was equally busy with infrastructure upgrades that directly impact student safety and learning environments. At Sanford Middle School, they addressed wastewater drainage issues and upgraded the library with modern LED lighting that can be dimmed for Promethean board use. Sanford Pride Elementary School received new HVAC starter motors, with a complete rooftop unit replacement scheduled for October. At Carl J. Lamb School, the team replaced an HVAC expansion tank and painted fresh blue hallways on the first floor. Safety improvements were a major priority this summer. At Cobb Stadium, the crew upgraded five tiered aluminum bleachers and removed outdated home and away bleachers. Working alongside the Parks and Recreation Department and Public Works, they transformed the space into a safer facility for student athletes and community members. At Carl J. Lamb, they installed a safety fence separating the parking area from the bus drop-off lane, directing everyone to use the designated crosswalk. Dudley emphasized the importance of this work: "Staff is able to monitor that and monitor when the buses are coming. So it's a definite safety upgrade for us." Margaret Chase Smith School received upgraded handicap bollards and repainted bus lane signage to improve traffic flow and safety. The team also supported expanding academic opportunities by retrofitting a classroom for the new sports medicine program at SRTC and extending compressed air lines in the welding and machine shops. They even helped the IT department modernize classroom technology by removing outdated display boards and installing new mounting brackets. Superintendent Matt Nelson shared his appreciation for the custodial work during the school committee meeting, emphasizing that "our facilities are the first step to having good education." The combined efforts of the custodial and maintenance staff ensured that Sanford schools were not only clean and safe but enhanced and improved for the new academic year. As students and staff returned, they found their spaces ready and welcoming, setting the stage for a successful year of learning and growth.

Celebrating Sanford's Custodial Team

October 2, 2025

As the new school year got underway, students and staff walked into clean, safe, and refreshed buildings thanks to the summer efforts of the Sanford School Department's custodial...

https://spartan-times.com/2025/09/25/students-gear-up-for-homecoming-spirit-week-2025/

SHS Homecoming Parade Information

October 1, 2025

Sanford High School's annual Homecoming Parade will take place on Friday, October 10, at 4:00 PM, starting and finishing at the tennis courts on Alumni Boulevard. Community member...

Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School hosted its first-ever "Lunch with a Loved One" event last Friday, bringing families together for a celebration of community and connection. An impressive 71% of families joined in, making the picnic burst with smiles, laughter, and special moments. Families and friends arrived with picnic blankets and lunches ready to share quality time with their students. As a special reward for reaching 100 positive referrals, Principal Hallisey and Assistant Principal McGuckin wore their pencil costumes at lunch. They will continue to wear them to boost their theme this year and reward students for their hard work. Each grade level had a dedicated half-hour lunch period to spend with their families. Student Den ambassadors helped direct students to their loved ones, and families checked in with staff to make the event run smoothly. When asked about their favorite part of the lunch, one of the den ambassadors summed it up perfectly: "We’re having fun and spending time with family." The feedback from families was overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing, "We'd like to do this in the spring too!" This event was a beautiful way to promote family engagement and create lasting memories

Lunch With a Loved One at Margaret Chase Smith

September 29, 2025

Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School hosted its first-ever "Lunch with a Loved One" event last Friday, bringing families together for a celebration of community and connection....