Spirit Week at CJL Week of Dec. 16th, 2024
PTA Holiday Shopping Fair
Gr2 Bell Choir at CJL
 Leanne Giberti
Students, staff, and community members gathered at Carl J. Lamb Elementary School for a Veterans Day celebration that combined patriotic music, student performances, and a special recognition ceremony for local veterans. Under the direction of music teacher Hattie Skvorak, Carl J Lamb students delivered a musical tribute to honor those who have served our country. The school's cafeteria was transformed for the occasion with red, white, and blue balloon arrangements, patriotic banners, and American flags held proudly by students. "This is a really special day that we take as a school to honor and celebrate all of your sacrifices. I'm so appreciative of all the hard work and dedication our students have shown in preparing the musical performances for today's ceremony," Skvorak said. "They've grown musically through the process, all while learning an important message of gratitude and service. These songs are a small way for us to say thank you to those who have served." The celebration featured a moment when veterans were invited to the front of the room, where they stood before the assembled students and received heartfelt applause from the school community.  The young performers, dressed in patriotic colors, demonstrated their appreciation through song. Students from various grade levels participated in the event, with many wearing special headbands and carrying small American flags to show their support. Concluding the celebration was an educational flag-folding demonstration, which served as both a learning opportunity and a tribute. Twenty students were selected to participate in this meaningful ritual alongside a military chief.  Each precise fold of the flag was explained to the audience, representing values such as honor, courage, and sacrifice that are fundamental to military service. Students demonstrated remarkable respect and attention during this tradition, which required careful coordination. The celebration served as a powerful reminder of the importance of honoring our veterans while teaching the next generation about service, sacrifice, and the sacred traditions that help us remember and respect those who have served our country.
Carl J. Lamb students just wrapped up the first part of their reading unit about Ancient Asia, and they had such a wonderful time.  They recently focused on learning about Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights.  The kids dove right into this special celebration, and their creativity really shined through. Students made their own Diwali-inspired candle light to take home.   They were so excited to share what they learned about the holiday with their families.  It was heartwarming to see how engaged the students were as they connected their reading lessons to real-world traditions.   They not only practiced their reading skills but also learned about different cultures and celebrations around the world.
The Sanford School Department is spotlighting employees at all of our schools. If you know an employee who you feel should be highlighted, please email Sam Bonsey (sbonsey@sanford.org) or fill out the employee spotlight form here. This spotlight is on Carl J. Lamb Food Service Manager Debra Mello. How long have you been working in the Sanford School Department? 17 Years What's your favorite part about working in Sanford? My first impression of Sanford 24 years ago was that it is very family friendly. That is still the case. I love working with the kids.  What's your favorite TV show or movie? Mostly watch a lot of football!  If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be? I asked friends and co-workers for help with this and the three that came up the most are funny, kind and talkative (but in a good way).  If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be? England Podcasts or Playlists?  Playlists  Lake or Ocean? Ocean Sunrise or Sunset? Sunset Facebook or Instagram? Facebook
CJL Family Folk Dance
Carl J. Lamb Second Graders Celebrate Completion of Learning Unit with Flapjacks and Flannels
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!
Fruit
Attendance Awareness
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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.