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The Sanford School Department launched its 2024-2025 school year in the Sanford Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, August 28th, with a powerful message: every student matters, and every adult is important.  Carl J. Lamb's Show Choir, under the direction of music teacher Hattie Skvorak, kicked off the morning with an uplifting performance. Thank you to Carl J. Lamb students Breyana Bolduc, Alanna Carter, Olan Clock, Maggie Green, Kinley Martineau, Aoife McGuckin-Welsch, Daisy Peters, Ivy Peters, and Kiara Rohner. Following the performance, School Committee Chair Paula Cote welcomed and thanked staff on behalf of the committee. Superintendent Matt Nelson then welcomed returning staff and new staff joining the Sanford School Department, expressing gratitude for everyone involved in preparing for the opening of school.  The Sanford School Department's three pillars for student success – student achievement, school climate and culture, and capacity building – set the stage for introducing the goals for the upcoming school year. In addition to the goals, school safety was emphasized as a continuing priority for the Sanford School Department. Mr. Nelson stressed the importance of engagement, prioritizing relationships, and encouraging staff to focus on making strong connections with students, colleagues, and families. He highlighted that these meaningful relationships help form the foundation for effective teaching and learning, creating an environment where students feel valued and motivated to succeed. Staff were also encouraged to "adjust their lens" heading into the 2024-2025 school year when facing new challenges to see the positives in their work. This adaptability ties with the district's focus on "spotlighting-the-right" and building strong relationships with students, families, and the community. The presentation concluded with a powerful metaphor: the dash between birth and death years on a tombstone. Staff were posed a thought-provoking question: "What does your dash stand for?" This dash, it was explained, represents the sum of one's work and the impact of their daily actions.  Mr. Nelson emphasized that one's legacy is measured by every life they touch. Relating this concept to the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, it was framed as the School Department's collective dash. Their shared goal is to ensure that students are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, challenged, and prepared.
Sanford High School Kaitlyn Gardner (Admin Assistant to the Principal) Michael Gauthier (Physics Teacher), Matthew Guertin (Math Teacher), Linden Hollins (Chemistry/Physics Teacher), Anna Silva (Social Studies Teacher), Charlene Foss (SpEd Tech), Megan Kiley (Virtual Learning Ed Tech), Matthew Ouellette (Support and Transition Ed Tech) Sanford Middle School Abigail Hanson (6th Grade Teacher), Joshua Hyssong (Instructional Band Teacher), Deborah Leclerc (Seal Team) Sanford Regional Technical Center Shawnda Williams (Health Occupations Teacher), Jenna Holmes (Health Occupations Teacher) Carl J. Lamb Beth Baldarelli (SpEd-Self Contained Teacher), Holly Brown (2nd Grade Teacher), Denise Bergeron (SpEd Ed Tech), Jessica Harmon (Self-Contained Ed Tech), Laurie Morse (K Literacy Ed Tech), Alethea Pettine (Library Ed Tech), Aaliyah Studer (SpEd Ed Tech) Margaret Chase Smith Ayla Alrich (3rd Grade Teacher), Pamela Legere (1st Grade Teacher), Taylor Nygren (4th Grade Teacher), Lee Paula Perkins (4th Grade Teacher), Ashley Brochu (Self Contained Ed Tech), Angela Kepner (K Literacy Ed Tech), Suzi MacDonald (Behavior Ed Tech) Sanford Pride  Lindsey Jenkins (1st Grade Teacher), Haley Kennedy (3rd Grade Teacher), Makenzie Smith (Art Teacher) BRIDGE Eric Stephens (Social Studies Teacher), Sara Tremblay (Ed Tech)
jperkins@sanford.org
"Go do good things."  Advice from a father to his graduating daughter decades ago became a message for adult learners as they celebrated their own educational milestone.   Jayne Perkins, Director of Sanford Community Adult Education, passed on her father's words of wisdom at SCAE's graduation ceremony, urging the Class of 2024 to carry this simple yet powerful message into their futures on Wednesday, June 12th, in the school’s library.  "You are examples of what hard work and determination can do," she said. "Do not stop now. Keep working. Keep pushing yourself forward. Lead by example."  Superintendent Matt Nelson opened the ceremony with words of welcome. He highlighted the Class of 2024's ability "to do hard things." The students graduating on Wednesday had each taken different paths, embraced obstacles, and tackled challenges.  "Everyone has a story," Nelson said. "And the stories of our graduates tonight are some of the best stories with some of the happiest endings."  Following Nelson's remarks and Pledge of Allegiance, SCAE graduates Alina Randall and Savana Summers took the podium to give speeches on their journeys.  Randall recognized the challenges each student had to face and overcome in her speech.  "Our journey has been anything but easy," Randall said. "It has been a testament to the resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit of perseverance."  Summers discussed her struggles growing up and how her life changed when she became a mother. She knew she had to rewrite her story entirely and said returning to school to earn her HiSet wasn't just a goal but a mission. It was an opportunity to pave a new path for her and her family.  "I had to become the person my children look up to," she said. "I was focused not only for my family, but also to pursue my dream of becoming a cosmetologist."  Following student speeches, Perkins and Operations Manager Lisa Merlin presented scholarships to students. Caitlyn Beane, Randall, and Paul Peck received scholarships generously donated by Senior College and Sanford-Springvale Rotary. Summers received the Patricia A. Hughes Scholarship, given by the Maine Adult Education Association to students who seek to further their education beyond high school.   Peck received another scholarship donated from Central Maine Community College. Peck, Beane, Randall, Summers, Brett Smith, Elliot Osmer, Aubrey Robinson, Christian King, Shantell Johnson, and Kaydynce Dunlap also received scholarships donated by the University of Maine at Augusta.  Summers also received a special scholarship from Mainely Characters, donated by Ed Gardner and Marsha Weston, who are both on the organization's Board of Directors.   State Office Representative Pamela Buck then spoke to deliver a comment from U.S. Senator Susan Collins.   "The diploma each of you receive is proof of your ability to discipline yourself, to set clear goals, and drive towards those goals," Collins said in a statement.  Congratulations to the following graduates: Caitlyn Beane, Thomas Bereshny, Stephen Briggs, Ryan Conley, Logan Delzell, Kaydynce Dunlap, Aidden Hayward, Chloe Hilton, Shantell Johnson, Christian King, Isaac Millington, McKenzie Nell, Elliot Osmer, Joshua Ouellette, Paul Peck, Alina Randall, Deshaun Severe, Brett Smith, Jordan Stuart, Savana Summers, John Ward, and Ann-Marie Varnell.
jperkins@sanford.org
jperkins@sanford.org
Congratulations!
Job Fair!
An Assistant Fire Chief from the Sanford Fire Department recently made a captivating visit to the Multi-Language Learners classes at Sanford Community Adult Education (SCAE).  During the interactive session, the Assistant Fire Chief delved into crucial topics beyond basic fire safety, engaging learners with practical insights on navigating emergencies effectively.   Participants gained invaluable knowledge on initiating contact with emergency services, deciphering the pertinent questions they might encounter, and understanding the sequential procedures emergency personnel implemented upon arrival.  The impact of the visit extends beyond mere instruction. As part of the ongoing commitment to empowering learners, the Assistant Fire Chief announced plans to return to SCAE with a fire engine and firefighters clad in their protective gear.   This hands-on experience will provide an immersive learning opportunity, enabling participants to familiarize themselves with emergency responders and equipment, thus further fortifying their confidence and preparedness in real-life scenarios.
Job Fair!
jperkins@sanford.org
Job Fair!
jperkins@sanford.org
jperkins@sanford.org
jperkins@sanford.org