Sanford School Department

When Anderson White, Spencer Jourdain, and Duncan Blanchard walk into Rubb USA in Sanford, they're not just students anymore. They're welders, fabricators, and professionals learning their trade alongside seasoned workers. For these three Sanford Regional Technical Center students, the transition from classroom to factory floor has been about more than earning a paycheck. It's been about discovering what they're capable of. White was the first to make the leap, landing his position at Rubb last spring after interviews with Nate Bedell, Derek Gauvreau, and Eric Glidden. By June, he was spending his summer fabricating legs and roofs for the metal buildings the company manufactures. Jourdain and Blanchard followed about a month and a half ago, joining their classmate from Adam Hartford's welding program on the factory floor. "It definitely helped a lot," Jourdain said about having familiar faces around. "I think the first couple days I was really nervous, but Anderson was there helping me out. And everyone at Rubb was wicked nice and always showing you what to do." The three students work Monday through Wednesday, though their schedules vary. Blanchard, a senior at RSU 21 with senior release privileges, can arrive as early as 7 a.m., while Jourdain and White, both Sanford High School students, typically start after their morning classes. Their days alternate between cutting tubing in the saw shop, drilling ventilation holes, jigging pieces together, or spending full days welding. For Blanchard, the learning curve has been steep but rewarding. "Come the first year, I already knew about half the stuff I do right now," he said. "Between Adam Hartford and Rubb, I've learned a tremendous amount of things that I will definitely be using in the future." White's journey required strategic planning from his freshman year to complete two full SRTC programs—precision manufacturing and welding. "I knocked out a lot of credits. I was able to do two of my math credits and two of my English credits, including the extra one that I needed outside of the core," he explained. Perhaps most valuable are the life lessons the students are absorbing. Blanchard recalls advice from a coworker: "There's no such thing as a mistake if it does not leave the doors." The philosophy has helped him, who admits to being hard on himself. "I'm a pretty harsh guy on myself for making mistakes. But then I kind of realize everyone does it." Jourdain has learned about continuous growth. "Anyone can weld, but not everyone can read the blueprints," he said. "As long as you never stop learning, you'll always be growing." Derek Gauvreau, Rubb's director of manufacturing, has been impressed with what the students bring to the job. "It has been a distinct pleasure to work with these young men and see them so excited to learn about the work we do here at Rubb," Gauvreau said. "They arrived with a strong work ethic and a clear desire to understand every aspect of our building systems. It is refreshing to see that kind of drive, and we are proud to have them on the team." The students credit Hartford, who brings 15-20 years of welding experience and a background as a diesel mechanic, for preparing them. "He's always showing people how to do things differently and overcome hard obstacles," Jourdain said. Hartford has been working to build a partnership with Rubb for several years. "Rubb Building Solutions has been amazing to work with for student internships," Hartford said. "A few years ago, we started working with them to get kids there to start into a career, and they have set the standard for what we hope all our internships look like. Derek Gauvreau and Nate Bedell are really great with the students who intern with them. They are welcoming and understanding that the students are learning and help them gain knowledge, skills, and confidence in their shop setting." As they look toward graduation, the three see different paths forward. Blanchard plans to join the Army to gain additional skills before returning to welding. "It's one of the best things that's ever happened to me in my work life," he said. "I absolutely love it there." Jourdain wants to stay at Rubb for several years before eventually opening his own business doing rust repair and light fabrication. White plans to continue building his career at Rubb, where the company has been supportive of young workers finding their way.

Sanford Students Gain Experience at Rubb USA Manufacturing

December 11, 2025

When Anderson White, Spencer Jourdain, and Duncan Blanchard walk into Rubb USA in Sanford, they're not just students anymore. They're welders, fabricators, and professionals lear...

Sanford High School welcomed student-athletes and athletic administrators from the Southern Maine Activities Association for the SMAA Leadership Summit on Tuesday, December 9. The event, themed "Be the ONE: on the courts, fields, mats and life!," challenged students from all SMAA schools to rethink success, prioritize mental health, and develop authentic leadership skills. This marks the sixth consecutive year Sanford High School has hosted the summit. Reese Beaudoin, Miranda Payeur, Gabe Phillips, Austin Kittredge, Colin Demers, Claire Pordon, Andrew Boissonneault, Lyla Fiandaca, Mattea Peters, Jaslinn Johnson, and Isaac Pelletier represented Sanford High School. For Pelletier, the summit offered a chance to develop skills he's still working to understand. "I was just super excited to learn," Pelletier said. "I mean, I'm a leader, but I'm still really young, and I don't really know too much about it, so I was just excited to be able to learn what it actually means to lead and go after goals." Pelletier found keynote speaker Andrew Marotta's presentation particularly impactful. "He had a lot of energy, and I liked that," Pelletier said. "I had a lot of fun with that too. He was interacting with everyone." Marotta, an educator and former basketball referee from Port Jervis, New York, emphasized that success isn't about natural talent – it's about strategy and persistence. "It's not a talent game, kids. It's a strategy game," Marotta told the assembled student-athletes. "Winners have found out the right strategy." He offered practical advice on goal-setting and time management, recommending students use timers and schedule specific tasks in time slots rather than creating vague to-do lists. "Don't wait for the motivation to start, just start doing it and you're going to get the motivation," Marotta said. Mental performance coach Emma Burke addressed mental health challenges in competitive sports, defining mental health as "a state of well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life and realize their abilities." In interactive sessions, students identified struggles specific to athletes, including performance anxiety, fear of disappointing teammates and coaches, and identity issues. Burke, who works with athletes throughout Maine, also addressed why many hesitate to seek help. "Fear of judgment, that's like number one, right?" Burke explained. Other barriers include not wanting to show weakness, fear of burdening others, and concerns about being treated differently by coaches and parents. Throughout the day, speakers emphasized that leadership extends beyond athletic performance. Marotta encouraged students to consider how they treat everyone around them, from teammates to custodians and cafeteria staff. "It doesn't take anything to be kind to other people," he said. The summit featured breakout sessions with Marotta, Burke, and Meghan Hamilton of Stride Mental Performance LLC. Ten student-athletes from each SMAA school attended the day-long session, which included breakfast and lunch.

Sanford High School Hosts SMAA Leadership Summit

December 9, 2025

Sanford High School welcomed student-athletes and athletic administrators from the Southern Maine Activities Association for the SMAA Leadership Summit on Tuesday, December 9. The...

The SMS Times

December 9, 2025

Click here the read the December issue of The SMS Times, Sanford Middle School's online newspaper.

Spend New Year’s Eve with Chris Funk

December 8, 2025

SANFORD — What do you get when a magician picks up a violin? A show unlike anything you’ve seen before! Set to start at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31 at Sanford Performing Arts Cente...

SRTC Student Wins Statewide SkillsUSA Branding Competition

December 4, 2025

Mastering Adobe Illustrator in her first year at Sanford Regional Technical Center's Digital Design program, Harley Robinson has already made a statewide impact. She won the Skills...

Sanford High School Inducts Five Into Athletics Hall of Honor

December 3, 2025

Sanford High School inducted five new members into its Athletics Hall of Honor on Saturday, November 29, during a ceremony at the Performing Arts Center that recognized decades of...

Sanford Spotlight Newsletter

December 3, 2025

Click here to access the newest Sanford Spotlight district newsletter.

Maine Loves Public Schools (MLPS), a collaborative initiative led by the Maine School Boards Association, Maine School Superintendents Association, and other educational organizations, recently premiered "Learning from Maine," a documentary video series on Maine Public Television. The series highlights innovative education practices across the state, featuring stories from Limestone, Farmington, Portland, and Bethel. Episodes explore educational approaches, including a reimagined ninth-grade experience in Bethel where students learn in the woods for an entire year, and an apprenticeship model in Farmington connecting students with real-world career experiences. Hosted by former Maine principal Derek Pierce, the 10-15 minute segments showcase promising practices that strengthen Maine's public schools and communities. Maine Public Television has partnered with MLPS to produce eight additional episodes for broadcast in 2026. Episode 1: How Intensives Are Transforming Learning at Casco Bay High School Episode 2: Apprenticeships Are Redefining How Maine Students Learn & Work Episode 3: How Telstar High School is Reimagining Freshman Year Episode 4: Limestone Community School Goes All-in On Outdoor Learning

Maine Loves Public Schools "Learning from Maine" Video Series

December 1, 2025

Maine Loves Public Schools (MLPS), a collaborative initiative led by the Maine School Boards Association, Maine School Superintendents Association, and other educational organizat...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_nPv3KRam-OPylAbgG-4xy3ca-TYMt-R/view?usp=sharing

December First 10 News

December 1, 2025

Click here to read the First 10 news for December.

Portland Ballet’s holiday favorite returns to Sanford

December 1, 2025

SANFORD — A cherished highlight of the holiday season, A Victorian Nutcracker from Portland Ballet, sweeps audiences into a world of wonder, elegance and Maine’s own history; the...

Sanford Fall Athletes Earn State, Regional, and Conference Honors

November 26, 2025

Sanford High School's fall athletes earned recognition at the conference, state, and regional levels this season! Field hockey players Reese Beaudoin and Hailey Payeur both earned...

Students across Sanford came together this Thanksgiving in a district-wide effort that put complete dinners on the tables of dozens of local families. Through spirited competitions, generous community partnerships, and welcoming gatherings, the initiative exemplified the compassion and generosity that define Sanford. At Sanford High School, the Peer Helpers program's annual food drive provided complete Thanksgiving dinners for 50 families — feeding more than 250 people in the Sanford community. The effort was fueled by a friendly competition among the classes, with each grade assigned specific items to collect. Freshmen brought instant potatoes, sophomores contributed turkey gravy and cranberry sauce, juniors gathered canned vegetables, and seniors provided stuffing. Collection bins at the bottom of the Grey Wing steadily filled as students rallied to support their neighbors. "My favorite thing about this program is seeing the appreciation on students' and families' faces, as well as getting the entire school involved in doing a good thing," said Mrs. Letourneau, school counseling director and Peer Helpers organizer. But the students didn't do it alone. Marc Motors donated $1,000 to help provide Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings for families in need. The Sanford/Springvale Chamber of Commerce continued its multi-year tradition of support by raising $650 from its members to purchase 50 turkeys — one for each family receiving a food box. Hannaford Supermarkets coordinated the turkey pick-up and delivery, bringing all the pieces together for complete holiday meals. At Sanford Middle School, students participated in the annual Holiday Food Drive Competition, organized by the school's Jobs For Maine Graduates (JMG) Program and coordinated by JMG Specialist Tara Houle. The spirited competition, which launched Nov. 4, pitted homerooms against each other for coveted turkey crowns and the glory of becoming champions. The food collected served a dual purpose: providing Thanksgiving meals for Sanford families and stocking the SMS Food Closet, which provides students with easy-to-prepare meals for evenings, weekends, and school breaks throughout the year. The pantry remains accessible to all SMS students and families as a vital community resource. Margaret Chase Smith Elementary took a different approach to the season of giving, hosting "The Heart of Sanford Community Dinner" on November 25 in the school cafeteria. The event welcomed families with children enrolled in Sanford Schools for an evening of good food, laughter, and local hospitality. Across the district, the efforts of students, staff, and community partners ensured that Sanford families could gather around tables filled with Thanksgiving meals. From the student-led competitions to local business support and welcoming community dinners, these initiatives demonstrated that when neighbors need neighbors most, Sanford answers the call.

Sanford Schools Unite to Feed Families This Thanksgiving

November 26, 2025

Students across Sanford came together this Thanksgiving in a district-wide effort that put complete dinners on the tables of dozens of local families. Through spirited competition...

There's no single "right answer" in engineering, and that's exactly what makes SRTC’s Engineering Technologies Program so exciting. Instructor Ethan Mathieu loves seeing the creativity his students bring to solving problems, with each one of them finding their own approach to the same engineering challenge. This two-year program at Sanford Regional Technical Center serves as a launchpad for students heading to university engineering programs, exposing them to the engineering design process, diverse engineering disciplines, and the knowledge and skills they'll need to succeed at the college level. Mathieu brings both electrical engineering and educational experience to the classroom, approaching instruction with a growth mindset philosophy.What he enjoys most about teaching the program is witnessing student ingenuity in action. "There's so many ways to approach a problem," Mathieu explained. "It's always pleasantly surprising to see the different creative solutions my students find to approach the engineering problems we encounter in class." Students explore the engineering design process from concept to implementation, learning about different disciplines and the career paths available in the field. The program goes beyond theoretical knowledge by having students apply math and science concepts to develop and include solutions to authentic engineering problems using industry-standard tools, equipment, and technology. For second-year student Ethan Hafenecker, the program has provided clarity about his future path. "SRTC has made me smarter and more prepared for my life and future," Hafenecker said. "I have an idea of what I want to do and what I can expect to get into after graduating." His experience reflects how the program helps students discover their career direction while building practical skills. The program provides opportunities that extend beyond the classroom walls. Recently, students traveled to the University of Maine for the Windstorm Challenge, where they tested floating platforms in a wave pool and presented their engineering process to a panel of judges. These experiences give students authentic exposure to university-level engineering work while still in high school. Students can earn the NOCTI Pre-Engineering Certificate, demonstrating their competency in foundational engineering principles to colleges and employers. The program is currently working to establish a concurrent enrollment agreement with Southern Maine Community College, which would allow future students to earn college credits while completing the program, giving them an even greater head start on their engineering education. For Mathieu, the real reward goes beyond the equipment and credentials. Ultimately, it's about the students themselves. "My favorite part of SRTC is getting to meet students and seeing their skills as engineers grow and ideas come to life."

SRTC Program Highlight: Engineering Technologies

November 24, 2025

There's no single "right answer" in engineering, and that's exactly what makes SRTC’s Engineering Technologies Program so exciting. Instructor Ethan Mathieu loves seeing the creat...

Curriculum Newsletter

November 24, 2025

Click here to access the first edition of the district's Curriculum Newsletter for the 2025-2026 school year.

Students interested in healthcare careers will soon have a chance to explore five different pathways, learn from working professionals, and earn an automatic interview at Maine Health all within three months and at no cost. Sanford Community Adult Education is launching this pre-apprenticeship program through a new partnership with Maine Health. The hybrid program combines online learning modules with in-person classes at Sanford Community Adult Education. Students will explore five high-demand healthcare fields: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Education Technician, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, and Psychiatric Technician. Throughout the three months, guest speakers who currently work in these roles will share their experiences, giving students a realistic picture of what these careers actually entail. Students who complete the pre-apprenticeship are automatically interviewed for positions at Maine Health. "This is a great way for students to dip their toes in without having this big commitment of taking on a training program or being hired," explains Sue Zimmer, who serves as the Maine College and Career Access Advisor at Sanford Community Adult Education. "They get to really figure out if it's really an interest for them." Many students think they're interested in healthcare, but the day-to-day reality can be quite different from what people imagine. This pre-apprenticeship gives students the chance to experience the field firsthand before committing to a full training program, helping them make informed decisions about their career path. The program can accommodate up to 100 students and is open to anyone ages 17 and older who is interested in healthcare careers. Participants do not need a high school diploma, and students from any community are welcome. For students who may have applied to other CNA programs but weren't accepted, this partnership offers an alternative pathway into the healthcare field. Sanford Community Adult Education will provide the space, student registration, and support services, while Maine Health will supply the instructors, educational content, and guest speakers. The structure includes asynchronous online learning combined with on-campus meetings, allowing students to balance their education with work and personal responsibilities. For Jayne Perkins, Director of Sanford Community Adult Education, partnerships like this one represent exactly the kind of opportunity that can change lives. "It's probably the first time they've had such a positive opportunity, and to have someone walk them through it, step by step, give them the support," Perkins explains. "Rather than 'you need to go get a job,' it's 'let's help you. Let's do that.' So they get the opportunity, and they get the support. And as you see in graduation, they find success most of the time. It's the first time. So it's life changing for them."

Sanford Adult Education Partners with Maine Health for Career Training

November 24, 2025

Students interested in healthcare careers will soon have a chance to explore five different pathways, learn from working professionals, and earn an automatic interview at Maine He...

Sounds of the season in Sanford Nov. 30

November 20, 2025

SANFORD — The Strafford Wind Symphony returns to Sanford Performing Arts Center with its Holiday Pops concert that will fill your heart with the sights, the sounds, the spirit of...

Sanford Spotlight Newsletter

November 20, 2025

Click the link below to access the Sanford Spotlight Newsletter. https://tinyurl.com/ynz3eh32

StevieMac Fleetwood Mac Tribute Concert

November 19, 2025

SANFORD — StevieMac, a Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks 'experience,"re-creates their most popular hits and the most memorable live performances one night only at the Sanford Perfo...

Inclement Weather Protocols

November 18, 2025

Dear Sanford School Department Parents and Guardians, Happy November! As winter approaches, I want to remind everyone of our weather-related protocols. When there is inclemen...

Sanford High Celebrates Fall Athletes at Record-Breaking Recognition Night

Sanford High School Celebrates Fall Athletes at Recognition Night

November 14, 2025

Sanford High School's Performing Arts Center filled with student-athletes, families, and coaches Thursday, November 13, as the school celebrated another successful fall athletic s...