Margaret Chase Smith School

Hello MCS Coyotes! Just a reminder that tomorrow is our first ERD of the school year. Students will be dismissed at 2:00 PM. All school buses will arrive one hour earlier to their bus stops. It is a great day to be a coyote!

This week, students are learning our school’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for walking safely in the hallways, joining assemblies respectfully, and using their work tools appropriately while in class. These routines help create a safe, focused, and welcoming learning environment for everyone. Thank you for reinforcing these positive habits with your child at home!

Employee Spotlight! Meet Margaret Chase Smith nurse Melissa Phillips

How long have you been working in the Sanford School Department?
This will be my fifth year working in Sanford Schools. I was the district float nurse for 2 years and this will be my third year at MCS.

What is your favorite part about working in Sanford?
I love working with and taking care of all my elementary school students, but I think my favorite part about working here is the incredible team of people I work with. Everyone is respectful, supportive, and uplifting of one another. The people you work with have a significant impact on the day to day workplace experience. I appreciate the positive energy, transparency, and consistency that I see in the day to day. I truly enjoy coming in to work each morning!


What’s your favorite TV show or movie?
Shawshank Redemption or The Notebook

If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Compassionate, Dependable, Athletic

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
I would go hiking in Switzerland.

Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee?
Hot Coffee

Playlists or Podcasts?
Podcasts- I love radio Theater

Ocean or Lake?
Lake

Sunrise or Sunset?
Sunset

Facebook or Instagram?
Neither..haha

Our students begin each day with a morning meeting, a time to build community and set a positive tone. Morning meetings help students practice social skills, share ideas, and strengthen connections with their classmates. Starting the day this way creates a sense of belonging and prepares students for learning. Check out some of our classes in action during our first week of school.

Hello MCS Families! We’re excited to share the latest edition of Chase’s Pack Newsletter with you! Inside, you’ll find updates, upcoming events, and highlights from our coyote community. Thank you for staying connected and being such an important part of our pack! It is a great day to be a coyote! https://5il.co/3pb7f

We are so grateful that Pratt and Whitney donated some back to school items for our coyotes! Our community partnership is ideal as students enter the next year prepared and ready to learn! Chase is excited to deliver the new items on Tuesday.

Dear MCS Families,

We are excited to welcome you to Open House tomorrow night! This is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to get ready for the new school year, connect with staff, and take part in some fun activities.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

📝 Math Scavenger Hunt (bring a pencil!) – complete it to earn a prize

🐾 Say hello to Chase and receive a special “Welcome Back to School” gift

📸 Use our photo wall for family pictures

✍️ Sign up for Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts

💲 Meet representatives from the Finance Authority of Maine

🍎 Visit your classroom and meet your teacher

🚗 Pick up car placards & confirm transportation with the front office

💊 Visit the nurse & drop off medication

🍧 Enjoy popsicles on the playground with our PTA

💌 Parents: Write a positive message on our “Den Postcards” to inspire our students and staff

We can’t wait to see you soon and kick off a great school year together!

It is a great day to be a coyote!
Mrs. Hallissey

Hello MCS Coyotes! We hope you’ve received your Welcome Back to School letter. As we prepare for families who use Drop Off/Pick Up in grades K–4, we kindly ask that you take a moment to complete the placard request form if you haven’t already. This helps us ensure dismissal is safe and runs smoothly for everyone. https://forms.gle/CG1svH9FxzWQdMmM9

Have a great summer coyotes! Our pack leaders are excited to see you next fall!

Some lucky students bought tickets to pie their favorite staff member at field day! So many laughs and memories to end our year.

Friday=Field Day 2025

Mrs. Williams' students enjoyed an end of year BBQ as she heads off to retirement! Best of luck in your next adventure!

Our staff were pumped to hit the back field on Friday for our 2nd annual inflatable race. The students cheered on their favorite character as we rolled, skipped and danced our way to the finish line.

The students met their new teachers today at Step Up Day! Each class held a morning meeting to greet and welcome one another. We are excited for the 2025-2026 school year!

It was so sweet to see all of our MCS families on Wednesday evening at our annual end of year ice cream social!

The high school art club students came to visit our current art enthusiasts this afternoon to share their passion. They gave us advice on what classes to take the next few years and to persevere when it may get tough!

This morning, Sanford High School Class of 2025 made their ceremonial walk through our schools in their caps and gowns! The graduates visited Sanford Middle School, Sanford Pride Elementary, Carl J. Lamb Elementary, and Margaret Chase Smith Elementary before finishing their journey at Sanford High School. What a heartwarming tradition! Seniors got to reconnect with former teachers who helped shape their journey, while current students lined the hallways cheering and celebrating the Class of 2025.

Check out our Girls on the Run participants who attended the Maine race on Sunday afternoon in Brunswick! Who are we? Coyotes! What do we do? Run with the Pack!

Check out these dynamic singers who hit the stage this evening! Our second and third grade students have been busy practicing their musical numbers since February.