Sanford Community Adult Education

Halloween Read Aloud

September 16, 2025

🎃👻 Free Halloween Fun for Kids! 👻🎃 Join us at Sanford Community Adult Education on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 6:30–7:30 PM for a special Halloween Read-Aloud & Craft N...

For some students, the path to a diploma can feel overwhelming, filled with barriers that seem impossible to overcome. But at Sanford Community Adult Education, Director Jayne Perkins and her team are working to change that narrative. Through an innovative partnership with Maine Career Exploration and local businesses throughout Sanford, the program is creating real pathways to careers while helping students earn their high school credentials and develop essential life skills. Sanford Community Adult Education is working with Maine Career Exploration to offer paid apprenticeships of up to 75 hours. Students earn money while gaining real-world work experience in fields that match their interests. The process is simple: employers complete paperwork, and within three days, students can begin their apprenticeship. Most students work three to four hours per week, allowing them to balance their education, work, and personal responsibilities. Current and upcoming placements include the Downtown Shagg on Main Street, where a student will learn customer service and business operations, and Goodall Memorial Library, where one interested in library science will gain hands-on experience. The program is also exploring opportunities with local accounting firms and creative businesses for students interested in finance and digital art. Sue Zimmer, SCAE’s Maine College and Career Access Advisor, works to match students with opportunities and find the right fit. "I know my students, talk to them, start calling around and cross my fingers that someone will eventually say yes," she explains. "For some of our students, this is literally their first time making money, or the first time in a long time," Zimmer notes. "This program is forcing them to not only get work experience but also get a bank account, get an ID—it's helping young people learn how to be adults." For a young person who has never had an ID or a bank account, this apprenticeship becomes more than just a job—it's a complete introduction to adulthood, with support every step of the way. "Taking that first step is huge—walking through the door and saying 'I need my diploma’, it takes a lot of courage'" Perkins said. "These students get the opportunity and they get the support. It's 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. 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 life changing for them." The programs are designed to meet students exactly where they are. The program's new website features Google forms where prospective students can share their contact information and interests. Since launching the online contact form, 29 students have reached out for information. One recent conversation illustrates the program's impact. A 35-year-old woman kept saying she was too old to pursue her diploma. When Perkins told her, "You're not too old for this. Let's do this," they worked together to create a plan for her to graduate in June. The woman cried, grateful that someone believed in her. "So many times when I call, people say 'I can't believe that you're calling and that this is really happening,'" Perkins said.

Sanford Adult Education Launches Career Exploration Apprenticeships

October 23, 2025

For some students, the path to a diploma can feel overwhelming, filled with barriers that seem impossible to overcome. But at Sanford Community Adult Education, Director Jayne Per...

Job Fair

October 20, 2025

🚨 JOB FAIR ALERT! 🚨 Looking for a new opportunity? 👉 Don’t miss the SCAE Job Fair! 📅 Monday, October 28 🕝 2:30–4:30 PM 📍 Sanford Community Adult Education, 668 Main St...

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...

https://www.applitrack.com/sanford/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Maintenance%2fCustodial

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...

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...

Intro To Tarot

October 1, 2025

🔮✨ Have you ever been curious about tarot cards? ✨🔮 Discover the history, origins, and techniques behind reading tarot cards in this engaging class! Whether you’re a beginner or j...

Storytelling

October 1, 2025

👻 Curious about ghosts? 👻 Join us on October 23 at 6 PM at Sanford Community Adult Education to explore the haunted history of a Maryland mansion—complete with ghost stories, ...

September is School Attendance Awareness Month!

September 11, 2025

Governor Janet Mills has proclaimed September as School Attendance Awareness Month in Maine, and we are excited to join schools across our state in celebrating the importance of b...

Your Right to Know: Teacher and Paraprofessional Qualification Information

September 11, 2025

On December 10, 2015, President Barack Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law. ESSA replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). In accordance with ESSA, sc...

The Sanford School Department recently hosted its annual District-Wide Welcome Back Event at the Sanford Performing Arts Center, bringing together faculty, staff, and administrators from across all schools to celebrate the start of the 2025-26 academic year. The gathering began with a performance from the Sanford High School Chamber Singers, featuring students Ava Allen, Callia Curtis, Avila Cyr, Rebecca Horton, Jordyn Martin, Cynthia Carroll, Keaghan Gagnon, Will Kane, Logan Hamblin, and Evan Lynch. Under the direction of Sanford High School music teacher Ryan Geary, these students took time to rehearse during the summer before taking the stage. Following their musical presentation, each student introduced themselves, shared which schools they attended, and spoke about teachers who've had a lasting impact on their academic journey so far. School Committee Chair Amy Sevigny then delivered opening remarks that challenged both new and veteran staff members to be supportive colleagues. "I want you to all think about when you were that new person on the job, whatever job that was. Do you still remember the first person or the people that welcomed you and made you feel part of the team?" She challenged staff to be supportive, collaborative, encouraging, respectful, and positive colleagues. Whatever the day brings, be the coworker that you want to have. Because a strong school community thrives when each member feels valued and supported. Sanford Superintendent Matt Nelson expressed deep gratitude for the collaborative efforts throughout the district. "I want to thank you as our faculty and staff for all that you do for our students and what you do each and every day with them," Nelson said. A significant portion of the event welcomed new staff members joining the Sanford team across all district schools, including all elementary schools, middle and high school, SRTC and SCAE Adult Ed. The presentation also included Superintendent Nelson introducing the district's updated mission to "prepare all students with future-ready skills and knowledge to empower success in a rapidly changing world" for the first time to staff after it was recently approved by the School Committee. This mission is supported by Core Principles and Beliefs on Learning that focus on creating safe learning environments, developing future-ready skills, ensuring equitable access, adapting learning systems, and strengthening community collaboration. These principles work together to support the district's Portrait of a Future-Ready Graduate vision, preparing students to be critical thinkers and creative problem-solvers, emotionally intelligent collaborators, adaptable and resilient individuals, engaged citizens, and lifelong learners.

Sanford School Department Welcomes Staff for 2025-26 Year

August 29, 2025

The Sanford School Department recently hosted its annual District-Wide Welcome Back Event at the Sanford Performing Arts Center, bringing together faculty, staff, and administrat...

Sanford School Department Welcomes New Teachers for 2025-2026 School Year

August 27, 2025

The Sanford School Department started the new academic year on a high note, welcoming its newest educators with an extensive orientation day at Sanford High School on Tuesday, Au...

The 2025-2026 bus routes for the Sanford School Department are now available on Versatrans. On Tuesday, August 19th, emails were sent to parents/guardians with transportation information and Student ID numbers. If you did not receive an email, please contact your child's school to verify your email address and obtain your child's Student ID number. Please note, due to a bus driver shortage, some bus routes have been combined to begin the school year. This change will result in longer ride times for some students. We appreciate your patience as we continue to search for additional drivers. If you are interested in becoming a driver or monitor, contact Ledgemere, our transportation provider. If you have any questions, please call your child’s school directly or Ledgemere at 207-324-4888.

Bus Transportation For The 2025-2026 School Year

August 20, 2025

The 2025-2026 bus routes for the Sanford School Department are now available on Versatrans . On Tuesday, August 19th, emails were sent to parents/guardians with transportation i...

Precision Welding

August 15, 2025

🔥 Learn Precision Welding! 🔥 Join us Mondays, Sept. 8 – Oct. 6, 5:30–8:30 PM at SRTC. Perfect for beginners or those looking to sharpen their skills. Small class sizes, hands-on...

crochet

August 11, 2025

🧶✨ Crochet Basics ✨🧶 Whether you’re picking up a hook for the first time or brushing up on your skills, this class is the perfect place to start! Learn the fundamentals of croc...

Breath

August 11, 2025

Breathing In Color: A Journey to Self-Awareness Through Art & Breath Discover the power of combining mindful breathing with creative expression in this inspiring workshop! Join ...

Storytelling

August 11, 2025

📖✨ Discover the art of storytelling! Join us for an Introduction to Storytelling Workshop starting September 10 and running through October 1, every Wednesday from 5:30–7:00 PM a...

CDL Theory class

August 11, 2025

Interested in learning more about CDL? This CDL Theory class will help prepare you to take the CDL written assessment. Class meets on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 pm beginning Sept...

Stuff The Bus

August 6, 2025

A Message from Stuff the Bus To families of students attending Sanford schools for the 2025-2026 school year: On Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 , Stuff the Bus Maine will hold it...

Day on the water!

July 30, 2025

The SCAE team set sail for a fun and relaxing day with the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company! We cruised out to the beautiful Isles of Shoals and enjoyed an unforgettable boat rid...