Margaret Chase Smith School

Margaret Chase Smith Weekly Newsletter

March 11, 2025

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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...

Fourth graders at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary are currently exploring CKLA Unit 4, "Eureka!" This exciting unit focuses on discovery and innovation through engaging stories and activities. Students are learning about famous inventions, groundbreaking ideas, and problem-solving approaches. They're discussing historical breakthroughs, analyzing how inventions have changed our world, and even brainstorming their own creative solutions. The unit encourages students to make connections to real-life innovations while nurturing the curiosity that drives great discoveries. Most importantly, our young learners are being inspired to think like inventors and innovators themselves!

Margaret Chase Smith 4th Grade Adventures in Discovery and Innovation

February 24, 2025

Fourth graders at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary are currently exploring CKLA Unit 4, "Eureka!" This exciting unit focuses on discovery and innovation through engaging stories an...

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 ...

Food Distribution

February 12, 2025

Big Winter Food Distribution Sanford High School, 100 Alumni Blvd. February 27th, 3:00-6:00pm This is for anyone in the Sanford/Springvale area

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Pre-K Lottery Information

February 4, 2025

We are excited to share information with you regarding the Sanford Public School Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) programs for the 2025-2026 school year. In September, we expect to conti...

February First 10 Newsletter

February 3, 2025

Join First 10 Sanford for an exciting February filled with community events and family engagement opportunities. Our spotlight features the Community Wide Kindergarten Registratio...

Kindergarten students at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School transformed into eager teachers during their recent showcase event, demonstrating their learning through hands-on activities. Students guided their families through various interactive stations, showing confidence in sharing their knowledge and skills. The showcase, part of the K for ME curriculum, drew an impressive turnout, with parents, grandparents, and siblings filling the kindergarten classrooms. The strong family participation created an energetic atmosphere as students led their visitors through each learning station, proudly sharing their work and understanding.

Kindergarten Showcase at Margaret Chase Smith

January 31, 2025

Kindergarten students showcased their amazing learning from the Fish and Frogs, Owls, and Wolves unit at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School's recent Parent Showcase. The eve...

Pre-K students at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School recently welcomed their families to a special Literacy Showcase, demonstrating the impressive progress they've made in developing early reading and writing skills. Throughout the classroom, students guided their families through various hands-on learning stations. At the letter-building station, children used mini erasers to construct letters, strengthening both their understanding of letter formation and their fine motor skills. Other stations featured winter-themed word activities where students practiced identifying letters and building pre-writing skills. The showcase highlighted how our youngest learners develop literacy through engaging, developmentally appropriate activities. Students demonstrated their growing skills by identifying uppercase and lowercase letters, exploring rhyming words, and sorting letters by their shapes—straight lines, curvy lines, or combinations of both. The event provided families with a firsthand look at how their children are building strong foundations in early literacy through play-based learning and hands-on exploration. The enthusiasm and confidence displayed by our Pre-K students showed just how much progress they've made in developing these essential skills.

Pre-K Students Showcase Early Literacy Skills at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary

January 30, 2025

Pre-K students at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School recently welcomed their families to a special Literacy Showcase, demonstrating the impressive progress they've made in dev...

Kindergarten registration night

January 17, 2025

Community wide K registration night. February 26, 2025, 3:30-6:00 pm. Sanford Pride Elementary 708 Main St. Sanford Me

Valentine's Dance

January 17, 2025

MCS PTA presents: Valentine's Dance. This is a free event for all MCS families with a suggested donation of $2.00 per family. Includes dancing, refreshments and photos. Where:...

Community Boot Donation Supports Sanford Students

Community Boot Donation Supports Sanford Elementary Students

January 15, 2025

PHOTO FROM YORK COUNTY HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START Sanford elementary school students are stepping into winter confidence thanks to a generous donation from Kittery Trad...

Screens lit up across Sanford on Monday evening as more than 50 elementary school families joined the district's first-ever Virtual Family Math Night. Under the guidance of three title math teachers and the elementary math coach, what could have been a routine video call transformed into an interactive mathematical playground, with parents and children collaborating on engaging puzzles and games. The evening featured engaging activities that encouraged mathematical thinking and family collaboration. Students exercised their problem-solving skills with "Be Curious," a creative dice pattern activity, and participated in an interactive number guessing game using colorful visuals and strategic clues. One particularly popular activity involved a mystery number game where students used clues to eliminate numbers and narrow down possibilities – a perfect blend of logic and mathematics. The teaching team also introduced families to PIG, an exciting dice game that reinforced number sense and strategic thinking. Each activity was thoughtfully adapted to suit different grade levels, ensuring that every student could participate and learn at their appropriate level. Throughout the evening, students eagerly shared their answers and mathematical thinking with the group. The enthusiasm was evident right up to the final moments, with one student asking hopefully, "Are you going to do these every month?" Ms. Daniels happily confirmed that monthly sessions are indeed the plan.

Virtual Math Night Brings Sanford Elementary Families Together for Fun and Learning

January 14, 2025

Screens lit up across Sanford on Monday evening as more than 50 elementary school families joined the district's first-ever Virtual Family Math Night. Under the guidance of thr...

Nominations are now open for the 2025 York County Teacher of the Year and 2026 Teacher of the Year. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate educators who demonstrate exemplary skills that inspire students and colleagues, and who help focus attention on the importance of public schools among everyone in the Sanford community. Nominations can be made through a form on the Maine Teacher of the Year Website from now until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31st, 2025. (Click here for the form) They are accepted by students, parents, caregivers, community members, school administrators, colleagues, college faculty members, and associations/organizations. Recognize an educator today who has continued to inspire, educate and care for their students!

Nominations Open For Maine Teacher of the Year

January 6, 2025

Nominations are now open for the 2025 York County Teacher of the Year and 2026 Teacher of the Year. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate educators who demonstrate e...

First 10 January Newsletter

January 2, 2025

First 10 Sanford's January newsletter announces its 2025-2026 Kindergarten Trail, beginning with a Community-Wide Registration Night on February 26th from 5:30-6:00 PM at 790 Main...

PTA Santa Night

December 18, 2024

Thursday December 19th , Enter through Cafeteria doors Pictures with Santa 5:00-5:30- Pre K and Kindergarten 5:30-6:00- 1st & 2nd Grade 6:00-6:30- 3rd & 4th Grade Free event ...

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 Literacy Ed Tech Angela Kepner How long have you been working in the Sanford School Department? Since August of this year What is your favorite part about working in Sanford? How welcoming everyone is, being close to home and working in the same district as my daughter. What’s your favorite TV show or movie? It's a toss up between Friends and Dawson's Creek If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be? Loving, optimistic and energetic If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be? Italy Hot Coffee or Iced Coffee? Iced Coffee Podcasts or Playlists? Playlists Lake or Ocean? Ocean Sunrise or Sunset? Sunset Facebook or Instagram? Facebook

Employee Spotlight

December 13, 2024

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...

First 10 December Newsletter

December 11, 2024

First 10 Sanford's December newsletter spotlights early childhood initiatives that help our youngest learners thrive. From free Play and Learn sessions to brain-boosting activitie...

Turkey Trot

November 20, 2024

November 23rd at 12PM, Cobb Stadium. Pease sponsor our Coyotes!