Margaret Chase Smith School

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 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 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

Employee Spotlight

September 5, 2025

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@san...

MCS Picture day

September 3, 2025

Picture day September 16th in the morning.

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...

MCS Staff

August 28, 2025

Opening day 2025/2026 school year

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...

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...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XFfi5wK5kA

Watch Margaret Chase Smith's Spring Concerts

June 9, 2025

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

Margaret Chase Smith Elementary Shines in Student Variety Show

May 15, 2025

Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School was buzzing with excitement as 3rd and 4th grade students took to the stage for this year's variety show. The event showcased 15 outstanding...

Students had a blast during our recent Wellness Fair, which was packed with engaging and hands-on activities that promoted health, safety, and social-emotional learning. They explored a variety of exciting sessions, including fire safety demonstrations, cosmetology tips, and interactive presentations from JMG, our School Resource Officer, and local EMTs. The smoothie bike was a big hit, letting students pedal their way to a healthy treat, while others enjoyed planting seeds, learning about bike safety, and participating in creative SEL activities. The day wrapped up with a lively and meaningful assembly with local legend, Marvin, focused on our theme of the month—cooperation—bringing everyone together to celebrate teamwork, community, and wellness.

Sanford Middle School Students Participate in Margaret Chase Smith Wellness Fair

April 29, 2025

Margaret Chase Smith Students had a blast during its recent Wellness Fair, which was packed with engaging and hands-on activities that promoted health, safety, and social-emotiona...

Margaret Chase Smith Weekly Newsletter

April 25, 2025

Click here for Margaret Chase Smith's weekly newsletter.

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, ...

Margaret Chase Smith Weekly Newsletter

April 4, 2025

Character Carnival Brings Books to Life at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary

March 31, 2025

Last Thursday evening, Margaret Chase Smith Elementary was transformed into a celebration of literacy and positive values as families gathered for the annual Character Carnival. T...

Margaret Chase Smith Weekly Newsletter

March 21, 2025

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 ...

Margaret Chase Smith 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...