Ms. McGuiggin's 2nd graders invited parents, friends, and other students in the school to visit their Dinosaur Museum. The 2nd grade scientists were eager to share their knowledge and research with everyone.
Debi Hartford from Thurston and Peters Sugar House in Shapleigh visited MCS second graders to share the process of making maple syrup. The kids learned the different ways sap is collected and that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make just one gallon of syrup! The students also tasted maple syrup and learned the difference between store bought syrup and real maple...
This year our kindergarten teachers are piloting a phonics program by Lucy Calkin. This program fits in well with her reading and writing programs that we use. Part of what our students are learning to do is to quickly recognize high frequency words. The quick recognition of these high frequency words or "Snap Words" enables readers to quickly read and then...
What a delight it was when Mrs. Ackroyd brought her students to visit the office today. Her students have been learning how words work and their latest victory was leaning about the word part "ing". Mrs. Ackroyd's kindergarten students demonstrated for us that by knowing "ing" they were able to create new words when they add "ing" to the end such as run -...
The Sanford Schools Annual Art Show will be held at the new Sanford High School/Sanford Regional Vocational Center on Friday and Saturday, April 5th and 6th from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. On Tuesday, April 9th and Wednesday, April 10th, the show will run from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Margaret Chase Smith School held their annual “ Reading Under the Stars” event on the evening of March 26th. Upon arrival, each family received a bag filled with a variety of wonderful books to enjoy at home. Each bag contained an assortment of genres and interest. Students and their families had a fun filled evening of reading, participating in a book swap...
1st graders have been learning about different reading strategies they can use and to add these strategies to their "reading tool box". This Thursday I had the opportunity to hear some of Mrs. Morrison's 1st graders read. When I asked them which strategy they were using, the students were excited to share that they might have been using a "running start",...
Margaret Chase Smith School's PTA hosted a Family Paint Night this Thursday. For a very low cost students and their family came to MCS and had the chains to express their creativity through painting. The event was limited to only 40 participants and everything went smoothly. It was noted that we had many creative painters attend this great event.
Monday we were treated to a wonderful lesson on how maple syrup is made. High school students Julia, Kayla, and Lindsay read a story about making maple syrup, brought us REAL maple syrup to try and made us maple syrup scented play dough that was made in the colors of the natural grade of the syrup. The high schools students are from SRTC ‘s Horticulture...
Students from the SRTC Landscaping program and the Early Childhood Education program visited several classrooms at MCS and read the book "Maple Syrup from the Sugarhouse", by Laurie Lazarro Knowlton and illustrated by Kathryn Mitter. After the read aloud, the students were able to taste test two types of maple syrup (real and fake), and then the students charted...
To bring some sunshine into this cold, long winter Mrs. Carman's First graders decided it would be fun to read at the beach. We had a big sun, a picture of the beach on the board, and our beach was complete with the sound of waves crashing on to the shore. The first graders spread out their beach towels, put on their sun glasses, and grabbed a good book to read. ...
After reading the book, Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler, Mrs. Deschambault's students had a homework assignment to do 5 acts of kindness at home each night for 3 nights. The rainbow is a collection of their acts of kindness.
The Green and Yellow Rooms read non-fiction books about penguins. There are 17 species of penguins; one being the crested penguin like these Rockhoppers.Mrs. Parker’s classMs. Michaud’s class
As I was walking through the building I came upon Mrs. Werner's kindergartners learning about "Force and Motion" through our Mystery Science. I watched as Mrs. Werner's students heard a story about a student bowling with his family and then the students Ade the connection that the further a ball is moved back, it is released with more force. One students was...
Our second graders are starting or getting ready to start their next unit in writing which is about poetry. One of the skills being taught is to look at the world around us through a different lens or perspective. Mrs. Longfish provided her students with some fancy eyewear so, that her students could get the idea of looking through a different lens.
On Friday afternoon the students and staff gathered at the new addition to watch the last beam being lifted into position.
During the early half of February our PTA had a Coin Clash Challenge. The Challenge was for every class to decorate a jug to collect coins and to see which class could collect the most money. It was a fun challenge and our school raised $741.67
The winner for the BEST DECORATED COLLECTION JUG was Mrs Morrison's class! They won a basket full of art supplies. ...
Second graders in Mrs. Arnold’s room celebrated Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Friday by participating in Read Across America. Families joined and read with the children, listened to poetry they wrote, and enjoyed projects they made in Celebration of Dr. Seuss books. He would have been 115 years old this year.
Before our February break the students and staff at our school were participating in Kindness Activities. As a school, students and staff were sending notes, cards and snacks to the workers assigned to the construction of our new addition. The project is progressing and the construction crew is getting ready to hang the last major beam to the additions’ frame. ...
The Kindergartener’s celebrated the 100th day of school in different ways.
Mrs. Parker’s class made crowns that said “100 days smarter”
Mrs. Civiello’s class made trail mix by counting 10 of 10 different snacks to make 100.
Students in Ms. Michaud’s class decorated t-shirts with 100 dots and made crowns.Mrs. Ackroyd’s students also made crowns. The pictures...
We are pleased to see the progress that is being made with the construction to the addition to Margaret Chase Smith School. Additional steel has been hung that has expanded to the back of our school. When looking at the construction project from a distance you can really see the outline of the school's addition taking shape.
Last week brought in the phase where the process of hanging steel began. It is exciting to see the shape of the addition take place. Pictured is steel being hung for our new gym.
Today is the 100th day of school for our students in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. To celebrate this benchmark in the school year students and staff were encouraged to dress up to look like they wee 100 years old. Some of our students and staff members got right into the spirit of the day. We even had two students dress up; one as Jackie Robinson since he would have...
Last week I posted some pictures from a lesson where our 3rd graders were linking the Maine Learning Result standard about weaving to the work by artist Gustav Klimpt. Above is an example of Gustav Klimpt's work comparing a model's portrait to his version using weaves and symbols. Below are some pictures of our 3rd graders' art work in this style. Enjoy! ...
This Friday will be the 100th day of school for students in grades 1-3. To celebrate, students and staff are encouraged to dress up like they are 100 years old. The tooth day of kindergarteners will be the Tuesday after winter break, February 26th. Pictured are some of Mrs. Arnold's second graders where she used an app that shows what someone looks like when...
Kindergarten
Welcome to Sanford Public Schools! We are excited to have your child join us for Kindergarten. If your child turns 5 on or before October 15, 2019, you are welcome to register him/her for school beginning February 14th. To register please call the elementary school closest to your home address.
Lafayette School: Principal Sharon Remick at...
Here is the list of Terrific Kids for the week ending on February 8th.
Terrific Kids:
Kindergarten – Dylan Thomas, Lily Burnell, Ian Wells, Gabriella Bradwell
1stgrade– Yanellis Escobar, Brasin Harriman
2nd grade – Michael Scofield, Cael Gagne, Austin Frazier, Jayden Attardi
Trinity White
3rdgrade– Jackson Stimmell, Gen McInerney, Olivia...
This a reminder that our PTA is sponsoring a "Coin Clash" between the classrooms. All coins collected will help the PTA in their efforts to support enrichment activities for our students via: field trips, guest speakers, family events and more. The challenge begins February 1st and ends this Tuesday, February 12th. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated...
Students are already mid-way through this years Chickadee Award book nominees. Students will submit their vote for favorite book and the winner will be announced this spring. The annual Chickadee Award began back in 2005 and is named after Maine’s state bird. The goal of the award is for children to develop an appreciation of outstanding writing and illustration in...
Second graders at MCS enjoyed a lesson about hedgehogs and then created a fused glass animal with Mrs. Cheryl Rhoda from Glasworx in Sanford. The day before, the students watched a Mystery Science lesson about glassmaking. The hedgehog has to be baked at over 1,500 degrees before it's complete. Did you know that they have 5,000-6,000 spikes on their back and a...
Even with the adverse weather conditions construction on the addition to Margaret Chase Smith School continues. Last week brought below zero days and a snow storm. However, the crews working on the project kept plugging along. Enjoy the next two photos. One of the photos shows the rebar work that has been placed on one of the structural pads. The other photo...
As I was walking around the school I came upon a third grade art lesson. The art standard was to learn about weaving. Mrs. Lewin-Grover, our art teacher, had the students learn about weaving and then create their own paper weave. To expand upon this standard the students then learned about an artist whose technique was to draw portraits of people and their hands...
With the Super Bowl just days away, many of our students (and staff) are thinking about the New England Patriots playing in the big game. To build on this exciting time, students and staff had the chance to wear their favorite NFL team's apparel. It was not surprising to see that the most popular team apparel worn was for the Patriots.
While I was walking through classroom I came upon Mrs. Werner's kindergarten class. What drew me in was the discussion the class was having about dinosaurs. Mrs. Werner was reading the book "Dinosaur, Dinosaur" aloud to the class. after each page Mrs. Werner would prompt the students to notice the special feature each dinosaur had such as spikes, horns or...
This a reminder that our PTA is sponsoring a "Coin Clash" between the classrooms. All coins collected will help the PTA in their efforts to support enrichment activities for our students via: field trips, guest speakers, family events and more. The challenge begins February 1st and ends February 12th. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated coin collection...
The second grade science unit is Material Magic this trimester. The science unit develops the idea that by taking advantage of the properties of materials we can solve many problems in our lives. Through this unit students have been exploring the material properties involved in meeting basic needs. In this lesson the students used materials to invent something that...
In an effort to help her students become better readers and writers, Mrs. Arnold invited Mrs. Butler, our speech teacher, to speak to her students about hearing and recording sounds. Mrs. Butler led the students through several exercises where students not only recognized sounds auditory but by how their mouths were formed when making the sounds. The students...
During MCS's Christmas event, one of the raffle prizes was a lunch date with our mayor. Emma (pictured standing next to Mayor Cote) was the winner of this raffle prize. Today Mayor Cote arrived at MCS and provided lunch for Emma and three of her friends. When I asked Emma what was her favorite part of her lunch with Mayor Cote. She said the smile on his face...
This is a list of our Terrific Kids from last Friday, January 19th.Terrific Kids:
Kindergarten – Jordan Charlton, Baylaa Allen, Abe Plumer, Ben Fowler,
Tommy Watkins, Henry Neil
1stgrade– Emma Higgins, Remington Marshall, Eamon McGuckin-Welsch
2nd grade – Michael Scofield, Carter Skahan, Avery Wedge, Tyler Otis,
...
Even with the cold weather the work continues on the addition to our school. Pictured below are construction workers setting reinforcing rods for the foundation. The next picture is of construction workers pouring concrete for another structural pad.
Despite the cold weather, snow and ice progress is happening for the foundation to our new addition. Pictured is one of the pads that was poured. A poured pad for our addition.
Here is the list of last week's Terrific Kids.Terrific Kids:
Kindergarten – Owen Janousek, Sydney Antkowski, Andrew Purdy, Zariah Ricker, Drew Werner, Crew Chasse
1st grade – Vivian Olivo, Heyden Van Nest, Caleb Smith, Tyler Termath
Evalynn Christovao, Carson Lester, Camden Randall
2nd grade – Daivik Chase, Tucker Bailey, Raven Cormiea,...
Margaret Chase Smith first graders celebrated the end of their Learning About the World nonfiction reading unit by becoming teachers. They worked on reading their books, marking interesting spots, and adding drama into their read alouds. They planned their expert read alouds for a kindergarten class. First graders took their job very seriously, and the ...
In kindergarten, the students learn strategies that all good readers use. In our reading program these strategies are referred to as super powers. The picture is of Mrs. Ackroyd's kindergarten class's bulletin board where the students are asking everyone to inquire about their super powers.
Students in Mrs. Hussey's class were counting, comparing, and adding sets using the appropriate math symbols in their project based learning activity. This student is explaining his math problem to Willow.
Mrs. Parker’s kindergarten class was studying “capacity” during their math lesson. They used different containers and water to show which has more capacity.
Kindergarten at Margaret Chase Smith School received a visit from Wildlife Encounters out of Barrington, NH on Friday. Derek, the presenter introduced 6 animals to the students, discussed their habitats and the adaptations the animals use to survive. Students were given the opportunity to touch two of the animals. What a great experience for all!
Mr. Potter read the book "Over the Snow, Under the Snow" to all the students. Mrs. Butler and Mr. Pickering led the school in singing holiday songs.
Tuesday, Ms. McGuiggin's second grade students invited family and friends to see their Space Museum. Ms. McGuiggin's had to research and find facts about a planet they selected. Her students worked on how to use secondary research resources; take down notes; work collaboratively; and organize their writing to educate the visitors to their museum. Ms. McGuiggin's...
While I was walking about the building I came upon Mr. Bell's kindergarten students working on their stories. I watched as Mr. Bell and his ed tech, Mrs. Smith, go to each table to assist students in organizing their thoughts for their stories, how to use their SNAP words (High frequency words) to help them write the words in their stories; and to help students...
I had the opportunity to watch Mrs. Werner's kindergarten students retell the story, The Gingerbread Man. During this unit students practiced retelling a story identifying characters and settings. The students also learned to sound like the characters, feel what the characters are feeling and thinking of punctuation to figure these things out. Pictured is the...
Mrs. Longfish’s second graders shared their “How to” writing with their parents and guests. This event was a celebration for finishing their non-fiction writing unit. Each student wrote and illustrated a book that shared facts about a chosen topic or how to do something such as make a PB&J sandwich. It was great to see so many adults taking an interest in the...
Margaret Chase Smith School
Weekly Update
December 17, 2018
Hello, this is the last week of school before the holiday break. Students will be off from school from December 24th to January 1st. Everyone returns on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. This will also be the last newsletter too. When we return I will be posting all our updates on the new Sanford School...
That was the theme for last Friday’s “Do The Right Thing” rally. Led by Ms. Perrin’s third grade students, everyone learned several ways to be kind. Students also had the opportunity to observe an experiment that was led by Marvin aka. Steve Butler, where he used candy Skittles and hot water to show us how kindness can be spread to everyone. He then challenged...
While walking around the building I stopped into Mrs. Leigh's second grade class. Her students were working on their nonfiction writing. The boys and girls wrote facts about a topic or a "How to" book about a topic they know well. Pictured are some of Mrs. Leigh's students sharing their writing with her.
Kindergarten students in Mrs. Michaud's and Mrs. Parker's classes practiced following directions and their fine motor skills by cutting and folding to make these festive Christmas trees.
Mrs. Suratt’s students were working on patterns, following directions, and having fun so, the student created their own sweaters.
Exciting news. Yesterday PC Construction started having concrete poured for the foundation to our addition.
Pictured is Mr. Wilson who is one of Sanford School Department's technology experts making a teaching point to Mrs. Arnold's second grade students.
Above is one of Mrs. Arnold's second grade students using an Osmo for practicing skills learned in class.
Students in second grade had an amazing opportunity to learn about and experience the amazing Osmo learning games. Mr. Wilson, one of the district’s technology experts, set up Osmos for the students to practice coding, counting money, spelling, creative thinking and drawing, as well as adding and subtracting. Submitted by Mrs. Arnold.
On Friday, Ms Badger's kindergarten students were learning how to read and write the number 9.
Pictured is Mr. Wilkins, one of our P.E. and health teachers, teaching some kindergarten students about nutrition.
During a walk-through Mrs. Daly came upon Mrs. Parker's kindergarten students who were reviewing what syllables are.
The K students in Mrs. Werner’s class we’re learning about the uppercase letter P.
Pictured is one of the sections for the foundation of our school's addition.
Progress is occurring for Margaret Chase Smith School's addition. For the last two weeks the site for the addition has had work to prepare for the pouring of the footings and foundation. The footings have been framed; the ground prepared; steel tied in; and since there has been winter like temperatures the ground has to be heated and a heating blanket placed over...
Sanford’s kindergarten teacher are piloting a phonics program by Lucy Calkins that dovetails well with the writing and reading strategies her programs teach. One of the phonic units has students learning to be “Word Scientists”. This is where students explore letter sounds and how words work. Sophia and Amelia are Kindergarten “word scientists" from Ms. Badger's...
Mrs. Ackroy’s kindergarteners are using their iPads to practice their rhyming.
Our kindergarten students are learning to be Super Readers. Their teachers are teaching them some strategies to help their students become readers. One of the first strategies students are taught is to point and match each word on the page with a word that he/she reads. Pictured is one of Mrs. Ackroyd's student practicing his one to one matching as he reads.
Mrs. Daly's 3rd graders introduced to our kindergartners all about our "The Right Thing to Do" Rally.
Building Construction Update:
The construction of our addition has slowed down. PC Construction has been looking for a company that can put in the footing and foundation for our school. The good news is that PC Construction has found a company and they are projecting that work on the foundation will begin after Thanksgiving. Shaw’s Brothers continues to...
Ms. Hastings, Margaret Chase Smith's music teacher, led the third graders through a variety of songs that celebrated our veterans' service to our country.
Pictured are some of the decorations students made for the school's Veteran's Day Ceremony.
Wednesday, November 7th, Margaret Chase Smith School honored military personnel during their annual Veteran's Day Ceremony. Pictured is all of MCS's students, faculty and honored guests outside and in front of the school's flagpole to watch the raising of our U.S., State of Maine and M.I.A./P.O.W. flags raised by SAD 57's ROTC students. After everyone recited the...
MCS students honor our veterans at a ceremony held at the school on Wednesday, November 7th. Watch the video by clicking here.
Please see the links below for drone videos of construction at the MCS site produced by Sarah Schnell at WSSR-TV and part of the video production class at Sanford Regional Technical Center. Sarah produces these videos about every two weeks.
Click this link to watch video
First Day of Kindergarten at MCS
Submitted by MCS Principal Chuck Potter.
Last Thursday was the first day of school for our kindergarteners. The day before was an Open House at Margaret Chase Smith School which was just for our kindergarten students and their parents. The Open House allowed students and parents to meet their teachers for the year and start to...