Sanford School Department

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Sanford YMCA Pre-K Program Catches President's Eye

October 4, 2024

When Liz Reynolds started her new job as a Pre-K teacher at the Sanford-Springvale YMCA, she never imagined she'd be talking with the President of the United States shortly afte...

Sanford Regional Technical Center Academy of Business Teacher Susan Lamoreau was recently named one of two recipients of the 2024-2025 Maine Jump$tart Coalition Financial Educator of the Year Award. She will be recognized at the upcoming Fostering Financial Education in Maine Schools Conference, which is held annually in May. Lamoreau started her teaching career at Sanford High School in the Fall of 1987. She transitioned to Sanford Regional Technical Center in the fall of 2013, where she started the Academy of Business Program. Students in her program are enrolled in a dual enrollment program where they earn both high school and college credits in the areas of Business, Finance, Marketing, Management, Entrepreneurship and Computer Applications. “I’m passionate about the importance of basic financial literacy for all high school students,” Lamoreau said. “I was encouraged that the Sanford School Department supports the mission of Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) in that all students take at least one semester of Personal Finance before graduation.” The Maine Jump$tart Financial Educator of the Year Award, established in 2012, was created to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves through their efforts to improve the financial capability of the students and families they serve.

SRTC Teacher Susan Lamoreau Named Recipient of Maine Coalition Financial Educator of the Year

October 4, 2024

Sanford Regional Technical Center Academy of Business Teacher Susan Lamoreau was recently named one of two recipients of the 2024-2025 Maine Jump$tart Coalition Financial Educato...

Alumni Spotlight

October 4, 2024

The Sanford School Department is starting an Alumni Spotlight to feature graduates who have made strides in their careers, contributed to their communities, or achieved personal...

Sanford High School’s marching band continued its stellar season with an award-winning performance at the USBands invitational held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on Saturday, September 28th. Invited to the invitational last spring, Sanford’s marching band competed in Division III Class A. The band secured first place in their division and swept all available caption awards in best music, best percussion, best effect, best visual, and best colorguard. “The students had a great performance, and it was such a great opportunity to see other programs,” SHS Music Director Hailey Francoeur said. “The students handled the large venue really well, as we’ve never played in a stadium that large. It was so impressive how they handled the day with confidence.” The UMass Amherst show featured over 15 bands from various parts of New England, with Sanford High School representing Maine as the sole band from the state. USBands, a national marching band circuit, hosts competitions throughout the country, providing young musicians with opportunities to showcase their talents on a grand scale.

Sanford High School Marching Band Shows Out at USBands Invitational

October 3, 2024

(Photo by Steve Barrett) Sanford High School’s marching band continued its stellar season with an award-winning performance at the USBands invitational held at the University...

Sanford High School’s annual homecoming parade will start at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11th, at the tennis courts on Alumni Boulevard (by Route 4) and finish at Gil Dionne softball field (by Main Street). The parade is open to the public.All classes are building floats according to their grade’s theme for a parade. Spectators are encouraged to park at the high school no later than 3:30 p.m. to line the parade route along Alumni Boulevard. After 3:30 p.m., Alumni Boulevard will be closed off until the end of the parade. People who arrive after 3:30 p.m. should park off campus and walk to the parade route. The Route 4 entrance will be closed to the public and all traffic will enter from the Main St. entrance. The parade will go down the course and back, so onlookers can see both sides of the floats. Alumni Boulevard will be back open to the public for traffic for the football game which will be at 7:00 p.m.

SHS Homecoming Parade Information

October 3, 2024

Sanford High School’s annual homecoming parade will start at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11th, at the tennis courts on Alumni Boulevard (by Route 4) and finish at Gil Dionne sof...

Career Exploration Takes Center Stage in Growing ELO Program For Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center

October 2, 2024

Sanford High School and Sanford Regional Technical Center are making waves with its Extended Learning Opportunities Program (ELO) this school year, offering students hands-on exp...

"Lip Sync Showdown" at Sanford Performing Arts Center: A Night of Fun in support of Sanford Backpack Program

October 2, 2024

Sanford, Maine – Get ready for a night of fun, music, and friendly competition at the Sanford Backpack Program's "Lip Sync Showdown!" The event will take place on Saturday, Octob...

Upcoming Free Flu Vaccination Clinics

October 1, 2024

The Sanford School Department, in partnership with Northern Light Home Care & Hospice, will be offering influenza vaccination clinics for students this October. Parents are encou...

Carl J. Lamb Second Graders Celebrate Completion of Learning Unit with Flapjacks and Flannels

September 27, 2024

Second graders at Carl J. Lamb recently completed an exciting unit on fairy tales and tall tales. They explored classic stories like "The Fisherman and His Wife" and "Beauty and...

Sanford High School and Middle School Late Bus Runs

September 26, 2024

The Sanford School Department is implementing changes to the late bus runs for Sanford High School and Sanford Middle School. These changes go into effect on Monday, September 3...

Sanford Pride PTA organized an event called "Donuts With Grownups," sponsored by the local favorite, Congdon's Donuts. The school buzzed with excitement as students arrived, each accompanied by a special adult figure in their life - be it parents, grandparents, guardians, or mentors. The event created a warm, inviting atmosphere where these pairs could spend quality time together, engaging in simple yet meaningful activities. Colorful pages and crayons were spread across tables, encouraging creative expression as duos worked side by side on their artwork. Meanwhile, an assortment of donut-themed storybooks provided a delightful reading experience, perfectly complementing the event's sweet theme.

Donuts With Grownups at Sanford Pride Elementary

September 26, 2024

Sanford Pride PTA organized an event called "Donuts With Grownups," sponsored by the local favorite, Congdon's Donuts. The school buzzed with excitement as students arrived, each...

Sanford Spotlight

September 25, 2024

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

Alumni Spotlight

September 24, 2024

The Sanford School Department is starting an Alumni Spotlight to feature graduates who have made strides in their careers, contributed to their communities, or achieved personal...

Sanford High School wrestling coach Nate Smith has been selected as the 2023-2024 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) State Wrestling Coach of the Year for Maine. Coach Smith’s selection comes from a competitive pool of wrestling coaches across the state. Smith led the Spartans to a third-place finish at the 2024 Class A South Regional Championships. “I’m honored and humbled to be recognized,” Smith said. “I am blessed to coach with an amazing assistant, Brent Coleman. My wrestlers give everything, every day, to make our community and our program look good. They are the real reason why we get any recognition.” “Sanford High School is extremely fortunate to have Nate Smith as our wrestling coach,” SHS Athletic Director Zach Lemelin said. “He does a tremendous job of coaching the sport and creating lifelong connections with our student-athletes in more than just wrestling. He is an asset to the athletics department and an even greater one to our wrestling community.” As the Maine Coach of the Year, Smith is now eligible for consideration as the Section 1 Wrestling Coach of the Year, competing with top coaches from seven other states. This selection could lead to a nomination for the National Coach of the Year award.

Nate Smith Named Maine Wrestling Coach of the Year

September 24, 2024

Sanford High School wrestling coach Nate Smith has been selected as the 2023-2024 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) State Wrestling Coach of the Year f...

The fall testing window for NWEA assessments has officially started. We want to share some important information about a tool we use to help your child learn better. Here's what you need to know: What is NWEA testing? NWEA testing is a way for us to measure how well your child is learning. It's like taking your child's educational temperature to see where they're doing well and where they might need extra help. Why is it important? Personalized learning: These tests help teachers understand what your child knows and what they're ready to learn next. Tracking progress: We can see how your child grows over time, not just how they compare to others. Improving our teaching: The results help us make our lessons better for all students. When does testing happen? For grades 3-8 and 10: The Maine Department of Education has chosen NWEA as the state test. For grades K-2 and 9: Sanford School Department uses NWEA to keep consistent data. Fall testing: October 2-27. Your child's school will let you know the exact dates. What happens after the tests? We'll share the results at a school committee meeting in November. Teachers will use this information to help your child learn better. We'll use the data to improve our overall teaching and curriculum. Have questions or concerns? We're here to help! You can: Talk to your child's teacher Contact the curriculum office at 207-324-2810

NWEA Testing

September 23, 2024

The fall testing window for NWEA assessments has officially started. We want to share some important information about a tool we use to help your child learn better. Here's what ...

Sanford High School's marching band is tuning up for another exciting season, blending tradition with innovation under the guidance of Music Director Hailey Francoeur. With a strong emphasis on community engagement and student leadership, the band is marching toward new heights in 2024. The marching band is in the Maine Band Directors Association Circuit. The schedule for the circuit consists of five regular season shows – all scheduled on Saturday nights – and a Maine Marching Band Finals, which will be held at Sanford High School on October 26th. "Sanford always seems to be a favorite spot to go for everybody," Francoeur noted The band's first performance of the season was at Wells High School on Saturday, September 14th, which exceeded Francoeur's standards. "We got three stars out of five in all of our captions, which was really good," Francoeur shared. "It was a really good turnout. The students had a lot of energy ... They were pretty pumped after that." They will travel to Lawrence (September 28th), Westbrook (October 5th), and Marshwood (October 19th) before hosting the finals. The band graduated "a ton of seniors" in 2024, according to Francouer, but there are still nearly 60 members in the band this year. One of the band's members, senior Quang Lam, said he'd seen incremental growth in the program since he came into the program. "We've grown a lot. We had so many people last year and again this year compared to when I started," Lam said. "I've also seen a bunch of really talented players that are very experienced, smart, quick on their feet. It's just cool to see that progress as I go through my career." Behind the scenes, students put in extra effort to perfect their performances. Before one rehearsal, Lam was working with the band's brass section to help them refine their parts. He explained, "We were just kind of practicing our music before we have the actual sectional, just to kind of fine-tune some specific details that we need to focus on, that we can't really get in a rehearsal where there's a lot of other things going on." This dedication extends beyond just musical practice, as many band members take pride in mentoring younger students. Junior band member Lydia Treadwell shared her perspective on this aspect of band leadership: "I'm looking forward to seeing these younger musicians grow into the skilled musicians that they already are. But also, really encouraging that space of discipline, and just like a whole passion for marching band as a whole, and looking forward to seeing that transformation by the end of this season." "If we didn't have marching band, I probably wouldn't have loved music as much as I do. This is one of the big things that I do in the Music Department," she added. "Especially just seeing those underclassmen, seeing where we were before, and we know how they're going through right now, and we know how to help them." The band's strong student leadership team is key to its success. Upperclassmen are crucial in mentoring newer members, helping with everything from daily warm-ups to prop management. "Those student leaders really help a lot with how rehearsals get started," Francoeur explained, emphasizing the importance of peer support in an activity where every band member is important. As the season progresses, audiences can expect to see the show evolve. "We haven't put our closer out on the field yet," Francoeur revealed. The band plans to introduce more props, music, and visual elements to enhance their performance and storytelling as they approach the state finals.

Sanford High School's Marching Band Off To Strong Start in 2024

September 23, 2024

Sanford High School's marching band is tuning up for another exciting season, blending tradition with innovation under the guidance of Music Director Hailey Francoeur. With a str...

Critical Information about Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

September 20, 2024

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) have reported an elevated risk of mosquito-bor...

As the new school year got underway, the Sanford School Department welcomed students and staff to clean, safe, and well-prepared facilities, thanks to the efforts of our custodial and facilities team over the summer months. The Sanford School Department oversees an impressive array of facilities, including ten buildings that required management for cleaning, maintenance, and grounds care. These facilities encompassed a total of 634,000 square feet of building space and spanned 262 acres of land. At the heart of our school preparation efforts was our hardworking custodial team who took center stage this summer, undertaking a comprehensive cleaning of all facilities. Their work went far beyond routine maintenance, involving a process that touched every corner of our schools. Staff moved and cleaned furniture, washed lights, walls, and windows, and conducted necessary room repairs. One of their most significant tasks was scrubbing and refinishing floors throughout the buildings, ensuring a fresh and welcoming environment for returning students and staff. The custodial team faced and overcame challenges during their summer work. They navigated scheduling conflicts with summer programming and demonstrated remarkable flexibility in adapting to last-minute changes. While the custodial staff focused on deep cleaning, our maintenance team was equally busy with crucial projects. They replaced the boiler at Willard School, installed new doors in the SMS Library and main stairwell, and added climate control to the SPE Library. Other notable projects included: Installing playground equipment at Margaret Chase Smith School. Setting up an entry heater at Carl J Lamb School. Implementing sound deadening measures at Sanford High School Our grounds care responsibilities expanded this year to include mowing and maintaining Sanford High School sports fields. This new task totaled 20 additional hours of work and was efficiently managed with the addition of a part-time seasonal staff member. The combined efforts of our custodial, maintenance, and grounds staff ensured that Sanford schools were clean and safe and 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. Thank you to our Facilities and Maintenance teams!

Sanford Schools Shine: Custodial and Facilities Teams Prepare for New School Year

September 19, 2024

As the new school year got underway, the Sanford School Department welcomed students and staff to clean, safe, and well-prepared facilities, thanks to the efforts of our custodia...

On Tuesday, September 17, Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School buzzed with excitement as it kicked off its participation in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). The kick-off event took place in the MCS cafeteria at 11:00 a.m., serving as an introduction to the program for students. Students learned about FFVP and its benefits for their health and academic performance. “At the kickoff event students were excited to share feedback around their strawberry snack,” said David Boger, who is the School Nutrition Program Director for the Sanford School Department. “Students were overwhelmingly in favor of the sweet, juicy berries.” The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, a federally assisted initiative, provides free fresh fruits and vegetables to children at eligible elementary schools. This U.S. The Department of Agriculture program aims to improve children's overall diet and create healthier eating habits that impact their present and future well-being. Thanks to this new partnership, all 380 students at MCS are now invited to enjoy a daily fresh fruit or vegetable snack provided in their classrooms by the nutrition team throughout the entire school year. With the addition of Margaret Chase Smith to the program, all elementary schools in the district are now participating in FFVP. This means every elementary student in the district will receive a fresh fruit or vegetable snack daily between breakfast and lunch service.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Kick-Off at Margaret Chase Smith

September 18, 2024

On Tuesday, September 17, Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School buzzed with excitement as it kicked off its participation in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). The ...

Fall Athletic Schedules and Streaming

September 18, 2024

Are you looking to attend a Sanford High School or Middle School athletic event? Follow this link for the daily athletic schedules for both schools: https://www.mpaschedules...