Carl J. Lamb School

Carl J. Lamb Elementary Hosts Adaptive Track and Field Festival

June 4, 2025

Carl J. Lamb Elementary School's second annual Adaptive Track and Field event brought together students, families, staff, and community members for a celebration on Thursday, May...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0UyfmxDKB4&t=3s

Watch Carl J. Lamb's Spring Concerts

June 4, 2025

The 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade Concerts will be uploaded shortly!

Ice Cream Social, Adaptive Track & Field Festival, and Free Community Food Distribution

May 28, 2025

Good evening, Tomorrow at CJL, we're hosting our 2nd annual CJL Adaptive Track and Field Festival (aka Special Olympics) at 8:45am and in the evening, we're hosting our annual PTA...

Building on Sanford Pride Elementary's Walking School Bus Program, Carl J. Lamb Elementary has launched its own version of this community-building initiative that's already transforming morning routines for local families. The program represents a collaborative effort between Carl J. Lamb and Pride Elementary, combining resources and volunteers to serve students in the carefully selected Brook Street and Lafayette Street neighborhood. The location was chosen based on two key factors: the number of students at the bus stop and the walkability and proximity of the neighborhood. "We decided to join forces and have it be like a combined site," explains Leah Marks, outreach worker from the Sanford School Department. "It's almost equal to Pride kids and CJL kids." "We are really excited to have chosen the Brook Street/Lafayette neighborhood," Marks said. For Marks, the location holds special significance. "This is full-circle for me as I started working on this program when I worked at Lafayette. Carol Lantagne is our site coordinator from Pride, and what we're trying to do is pull CJL volunteers," Marks said. The partnership makes practical sense, as Marks notes, "You really do need more adults, but it also makes it easier to get volunteers because there are so many duties that it's hard to get people who don't have a morning duty." Every morning, volunteers gather students from concentrated neighborhoods like Spruce Street, creating walking groups that promote both safety and community connection. The program serves families with working parents, those managing multiple bus stops and children, and students who benefit from a positive, structured start to their day. "We have some kids who just have rough mornings, and it's a good way for them to start their day," Marks explained. "We have a lot of working parents. We have parents who have multiple bus stops and multiple kids, but they're super receptive." The walking component naturally promotes healthy living, but the program goes beyond simple exercise. Students engage in activities like jump rope and hula hooping while waiting, with equipment donated by community supporters. "They can do their jump ropes and their hula hoop stuff, and I get a lot of donations like dodging balls and scarfs and things like that," Marks said. What sets the program apart is its focus on family engagement. Some parents choose to walk with the group, creating opportunities for school staff to build relationships with families. "As family engagement, I love the parents because it gives us an opportunity to know them," Marks said.

Walking School Bus Program Expands to Carl J. Lamb Elementary

May 27, 2025

Building on Sanford Pride Elementary's Walking School Bus Program, Carl J. Lamb Elementary has launched its own version of this community-building initiative that's already trans...

Students at Carl J. Lamb Elementary School had the opportunity to learn about various careers during the school's Career Day held Friday, May 2nd. Throughout the day, local professionals visited classrooms to share information about their jobs and answer questions from students. The event featured a diverse group of presenters from the community, including School Resource Officer Joe Jourdain from the Sanford Police Department, who spoke with Pre-K and 1st grade students about law enforcement. When asked what he likes most about his job, Officer Jourdain explained, "My most favorite part of being a resource officer is helping people. When I can watch someone, if someone's having a bad day or something's really not going right, and I can help them, guide them through, and I get them where they need to be, then that's a good feeling." Officer Jourdain also highlighted the variety in his profession: "Being a police officer is really cool, because you just help people, and then there's different parts of being a police officer. You can be a detective and solve crimes, I do check for fingerprints and all those other things. You could be a resource officer like me, you could be a patrol officer that responds to different things." Brett Williams, Managing Director of the Sanford Performing Arts Center, engaged kindergarten students with an interactive presentation about careers in the performing arts. "We have all kinds of different shows. There's a lot of different performing arts... singing and making songs, acting, dancing - anybody who has their job in front of an audience are performing artists, and one of the fun things that we do is we help make the atmosphere," Williams explained. Williams demonstrated practical aspects of theater work with lighting equipment and props. "One of the tools I have for my job is lighting. Sometimes when we have plays, we have to have different things that are called props. Props are things that we hold on to in the show... nothing is as it appears on stage," he told the students. Mayor Becky Brink spoke with second-grade students about city government and leadership. Sam Brink, another presenter, discussed nonprofit leadership and her work with Jobs for Maine's Graduates (JMG). Classrooms hosted professionals from many different fields, giving students exposure to a wide range of career possibilities. Presenters included Rick Smith from Sanford Fire Department, Andrew Button from Southern Maine Aviation, Allie McCarthy from Animal Welfare Society, and many others. Students even participated in virtual sessions with Stephen Crowley from Facebook, who discussed coding and video game design with 3rd and 4th graders. The schedule arranged for professionals to rotate between different grade levels throughout the day, ensuring that students could learn about multiple careers. The presentations were interactive, allowing children to ask questions and learn about the education, skills, and daily responsibilities required for each profession.

Carl J. Lamb Elementary Welcomes Community Professionals for Career Day

May 2, 2025

Students at Carl J. Lamb Elementary School had the opportunity to learn about various careers during the school's Career Day held Friday, May 2nd. Throughout the day, local prof...

Two Sanford School District educators, Terri Gerrish of Pride Elementary and Kendra Marley of Carl J. Lamb Elementary, were recently recognized as "Outstanding Early Childhood Professionals" during the Week of the Young Child, a celebration highlighting the importance of early childhood education and the professionals who nurture children during this critical developmental stage.

Two Sanford Educators Honored as Outstanding Early Childhood Professionals

May 1, 2025

(Terri Gerrish, left, and Kendra Marley, right) Two Sanford School District educators, Terri Gerrish of Pride Elementary and Kendra Marley of Carl J. Lamb Elementary, were r...

Carl J. Lamb Weekly Newsletter

April 25, 2025

Click here for Carl J. Lamb's weekly newsletter.

Carl J. Lamb Elementary Lights Up the Night with First Annual Glow Run

Carl J. Lamb Elementary Lights Up the Night with Glow Run Event

April 11, 2025

Carl J. Lamb Elementary School was aglow with excitement last night as students, families, and staff gathered for the school's Glow Run event. The gymnasium was transformed into a...

Kindergarten Exploration Event Draws Strong Turnout

April 8, 2025

The Sanford School Department successfully hosted its Kindergarten Exploration Event last Thursday, April 3, welcoming over 50 families across its elementary schools. The event, ...

Carl J. Lamb Weekly Newsletter

April 4, 2025

BMX Stunt Star & Heart Health Heroes: Excitement at Carl J. Lamb Assembly!

April 2, 2025

Carl J. Lamb’s recent assembly was filled with excitement, inspiration, and plenty of whipped cream! Students showed incredible generosity by raising funds for the American Heart...

Carl J. Lamb Weekly Newsletter

March 21, 2025

The halls of Carl J. Lamb Elementary School came alive with music, learning, and collaboration on Saturday, March 15th, as the school hosted the first-ever Maine Adaptive Music Summit. The groundbreaking event brought together approximately 40 education professionals from across Maine and New Hampshire. "I was looking for professional development for adaptive music, for teaching music to students in our specialties programs," explained Hattie Skvorak, Carl J. Lamb's music teacher who spearheaded the event. "There's a few opportunities for just music teachers, but there's not really anything where music teachers and the ED techs and special education teachers are coming together." Carl J. Lamb Principal Sherri Baron praised Skvorak's initiative: "Ms. Hattie Skvorak demonstrates exceptional dedication to music education excellence. Recognizing a significant gap in music teacher preparation programs regarding special education methodologies, she took the initiative to address this statewide deficiency." The summit's schedule featured planned sessions addressing classroom needs. Participants could choose between tracks like "Beyond Notes and Rhythms: Strategies for Adaptive Music in K-5" and "Supporting Behavior in Specials." For families whose children experience sensory challenges, "Sensory Songs" with board-certified music therapist Stephanie Leavell provided strategies to help children feel confident and ready to learn. "There's a lot of collaboration between us, and especially in my adaptive classes, the Ed techs are super hands-on with their students, and they're always asking, 'Well, how can I support my student better?'" Skvorak noted. This summit aimed to answer those questions. Other sessions included "Emotional Regulation in the Classroom" and "The Power of Pre-Band BEYOND the Recorder," offering approaches to make music accessible for all students. The day concluded with an expert panel and roundtable discussions. The decision to hold the summit on a Saturday ensured that educational technicians could attend without disrupting students' routines. As Skvorak explained, "If we have this event that's catered towards Ed techs, and we make it on a Friday, well they can't come, because we can't get a sub for every ed tech in the district." The impact was immediately apparent. "Attendees provided overwhelmingly positive feedback," Baron noted, "with many music educators specifically requesting annual continuation of the event. Several participants noted that this summit provided the most comprehensive professional development they had ever received on adaptive music education." What does this mean for children? As Skvorak puts it, it ensures "the students are getting the same message in all facets of the building. So what they're learning in speech applies here, or what they're working on in their classroom with their special ed teacher applies here." The summit, held during Music In Our Schools Month, highlighted the school's commitment to inclusive music education. "Ms. Skvorak's contributions to both our local educational community and music education throughout Maine are truly exceptional," Baron said. Following this successful inaugural summit, the school is gathering feedback with hopes of making this valuable gathering an annual tradition.

Carl J. Lamb Hosts First Maine Adaptive Music Summit

March 19, 2025

The halls of Carl J. Lamb Elementary School came alive with music, learning, and collaboration on Saturday, March 15th, as the school hosted the first-ever Maine Adaptive Music S...

Sanford Elementary Schools Unite with First Responders for Charity Basketball Game

March 18, 2025

The Sanford Pride Elementary gymnasium was filled with excitement and community spirit last Thursday, March 13, as teachers and staff faced off against local first responders in ...

From Sap to Syrup: Carl J. Lamb Students Tap into Hands-On Learning

March 14, 2025

Students at Carl J. Lamb Elementary School are getting a sweet lesson in science, math, and New England tradition through a school-wide maple sugaring project. The initiative tra...

Carl J. Lamb Weekly Newsletter

March 11, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOTdtQpJvYY

Spring Sing at the Performing Arts Center

March 11, 2025

The Sanford Performing Arts Center filled with families and friends on Wednesday, March 5th, as students from across the district showcased their talents at the annual Spring Si...

The Sanford School Department successfully hosted its first District-Wide Kindergarten Registration Night on Wednesday, February 26th at Sanford Pride Elementary School. The well-attended event transformed the school's cafeteria into a hub of activity as families with incoming kindergartners explored their first step into school. Staff members wearing red shirts were stationed at tables throughout the room, guiding families through the registration process. Parents and their children completed necessary paperwork while learning about the kindergarten program. Several children participated in craft activities set up specifically to engage them during the registration process.The school nutrition department also provided snacks for the children, giving families a taste of the healthy options available during the school year. What made the evening truly special was the community's enthusiastic support. Representatives from more than a dozen local organizations surrounded the room, ready to connect with families and offer resources. Community organizations included MaineHealth-Partners for a Healthier Community, Sanford Backpack Program, Help Me Grow, Kids Free to Grow, United Way, York County Community Action Corporation (YCCAC), Headstart, First4ME, Kids Kove Childcare and Learning Center, Curtis Lake Church Early Learning Center, Little World 2, and Girl Scouts of Maine. All three elementary school PTAs were also represented. Families also had the opportunity to meet with various school support teams, including counselors, social workers, nurses, and special education staff—putting friendly faces to the extensive network that will help nurture their children's growth. Missed the registration night? No need to worry! Families can still register their kindergartners by calling the Sanford School Department at 324-2810. Current Pre-K students are automatically registered but were welcome at the event to experience this exciting preview of their kindergarten adventure.

Sanford School Department Welcomes Future Kindergartners at Registration Night

February 27, 2025

The Sanford School Department successfully hosted its first District-Wide Kindergarten Registration Night on Wednesday, February 26th at Sanford Pride Elementary School. The well...

Sanford Schools Launch 'Kindergarten Trail' for Fall 2025 Registration

Sanford School Department Launches 'Kindergarten Trail' for Fall 2025 Registration

February 18, 2025

The Sanford School Department is excited to welcome new students to the "Kindergarten Trail" - a series of fun and informative events designed to make each child's transition to ...

Carl J. Lamb Second Graders Bring Ancient Greece to Life

February 14, 2025

Second grade students at Carl J. Lamb Elementary School transformed their classroom into a slice of ancient Greece during their special Greek Celebration today. The young scholars...