Margaret Chase Smith School

Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School’s music teacher Heather Hastings has been named winner of the prestigious Women Band Directors Commission Competition. Hastings’ original compositions for the concert band, submitted in August, emerged victorious after two rounds of blind judging. Her music won against 53 other submissions. As the winner, she will create a new musical piece honoring Gladys Stone Wright, who is the founding president of Women Band Directors International (WBDI). “I am honored to be chosen to write this work in honor of Gladys Stone Wright, an incredible and groundbreaking woman in the field of music education,” Hastings said. The new composition will debut next school year at a special world premiere performance. As part of a consortium project, multiple ensembles across the country will then present regional performances. Hastings will receive her honorary WBDI membership at a ceremony next winter in Chicago, where she will also attend the premiere.

Margaret Chase Smith Music Teacher Wins National Band Composition Award

November 20, 2024

Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School’s music teacher Heather Hastings has been named winner of the prestigious Women Band Directors Commission Competition. Hastings’ original ...

Margaret Chase Smith Pre-K Students Share Family Learning Journey at Special Showcase

November 14, 2024

Mrs. Devine's Pre-K class at Margaret Chase Smith welcomed families on Wednesday afternoon for their first showcase of the year. Students proudly presented their month-long explor...

Holiday Assistance For Sanford Families

November 12, 2024

Looking for help with holiday gifts and meals? Several local organizations in the Sanford area are stepping up to ensure every family can celebrate this holiday season. Here's wha...

The gymnasium at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary was filled with pride, gratitude and patriotic spirit Thursday morning as students and staff welcomed dozens of veterans for their annual Veterans Day breakfast celebration. The morning brought together generations of service members from military branches, creating a memorable experience for both the veterans and their young family members. Students had spent weeks preparing special performances to honor their special guests. The gymnasium, decorated in patriotic blue tablecloths and American flag accents, became a stage for multiple grade-level presentations that showcased both learning and gratitude. The school's Den Ambassadors, a group of fourth-grade student leaders, led the ceremony by sharing important facts about Veterans Day and its significance. In a display of recognition, veterans were asked to stand and be acknowledged for their service. The morning's performances included heartfelt presentations from multiple grade levels. Mrs. Morrison's first-grade class delivered a touching poem expressing their appreciation for veterans' sacrifices. Second graders shared insights from their recent studies about veterans' impacts on our country, demonstrating how even young students can grasp the importance of military service and sacrifice. Following the breakfast and performances, families gathered around the "Our MCS Heroes" wall, which displayed a tribute of military photographs showcasing the proud service history of students' family members beneath service branch emblems and decorative stars. The collection of images spanning different eras of military service provided a visual reminder of the continuing legacy of military service within the Sanford community. Principal Tracie Hallissey expressed the school's gratitude for the veterans' service and emphasized the importance of helping students understand the significance of Veterans Day. The morning offered students a personal connection to military service through their interaction with family members who had served.

Veterans Honored at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary's Annual Breakfast Celebration

November 8, 2024

The gymnasium at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary was filled with pride, gratitude and patriotic spirit Thursday morning as students and staff welcomed dozens of veterans for thei...

November is alive with the sound of music at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School as students across all grades explore various instruments in their music classes and clubs. Our youngest musicians in Kindergarten and first grade are developing their rhythm skills with colorful Boomwhackers and percussion instruments. These hands-on experiences help build their musical foundation while having fun making music together. Second graders have an exciting opportunity this year with the Drumming Club. To accommodate the enthusiastic response, seven sessions are planned to ensure every interested student can participate. Moving up to third grade, students are beginning their unit on the glockenspiel, learning to play this melodic percussion instrument. Fourth graders are stretching their musical abilities as they start their ukulele instruction. Our dedicated Ukulele and Chorus Clubs are preparing for upcoming performances. The Chorus will make its debut performance of the school year at the Veterans Breakfast.

Making Music at Margaret Chase Smith

November 5, 2024

November is alive with the sound of music at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School as students across all grades explore various instruments in their music classes and clubs. Ou...

Margaret Chase Smith's Weekly Newsletter

October 29, 2024

Click here for Margaret Chase Smith's weekly newsletter.

Margaret Chase Smith's Weekly Newsletter

October 22, 2024

Click here for Margaret Chase Smith's weekly newsletter.

Margaret Chase Smith students participated in Fire Prevention activities. 3rd and 4th graders created home fire escape plans with two exit routes and designated meeting places. Younger students learned the “stop, drop, and roll” technique and how to avoid smoke by staying low. Kindergarteners enjoyed a visit from local firefighters, who gave an engaging presentation on fire safety signs and protective gear. The event gave students valuable knowledge and a close-up look at the important work of firefighters.

Sanford Fire Department Visit Margaret Chase Smith

October 18, 2024

Margaret Chase Smith students participated in Fire Prevention activities. 3rd and 4th graders created home fire escape plans with two exit routes and designated meeting places. ...

Margaret Chase Smith's Weekly Newsletter

October 15, 2024

Click here for Margaret Chase Smith's weekly newsletter.

3rd graders at Margaret Chase Smith recently marked the completion of their first unit, “Classic Tales,” with a celebration that brought literature to life. The young learners immersed themselves in timeless stories, honing their skills and encouraging a love for reading. Throughout the unit, students delved into two renowned works: “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame and “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp” from “One Thousand and One Nights.” The unit culminated in the students’ first major writing assignment. Students showcased their newfound skills by publishing their work and then had a picnic lunch, like the book characters, to compare and contrast versions from the classic tales.

Margaret Chase Smith 3rd Graders Celebrate Learning Unit

October 11, 2024

3rd graders at Margaret Chase Smith recently marked the completion of their first unit, “Classic Tales,” with a celebration that brought literature to life. The young learners imm...

Upcoming Free Flu Vaccination Clinics

October 1, 2024

The Sanford School Department, in partnership with Northern Light Home Care & Hospice, will be offering influenza vaccination clinics for students this October. Parents are encou...

Title I Parents Right to Know Letter

September 30, 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@sanford.org) or fill out the employee spotlight form here. Maria Cote, a Kindergarten Teacher at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School How long have you been working in the Sanford School Department? This is my 14th year in Sanford. What's your favorite part about working in Sanford? I love that I have the opportunity to collaborate with so many passionate and talented educators. What's your favorite TV show or movie? Modern Family If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be? Dedicated, Organized, Reflective If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be? Italy Iced coffee or hot coffee? Iced Coffee Podcasts or Playlists? Playlists Lake or Ocean? Ocean Sunrise or Sunset? Sunrise Facebook or Instagram? Instagram

Employee Spotlight

September 30, 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@sanf...

Food distribution

September 26, 2024

Food distribution : October 17th , 5:30-7:00pm During our Halloween event. All are welcome!

Halloween Event

September 26, 2024

The PTA invites you to a spooky Halloween celebration! Thursday October 17th, 5:30-7:00pm Place: MCS front Hallway Wear costumes and bring a bag for treats. Please consider do...

Critical Information about Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

September 20, 2024

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) have reported an elevated risk of mosquito-bor...

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!

Sanford Schools Shine: Custodial and Facilities Teams Prepare for New School Year

September 19, 2024

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 custodia...

On Tuesday, September 17, Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School buzzed with excitement as it kicked off its participation in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). The kick-off event took place in the MCS cafeteria at 11:00 a.m., serving as an introduction to the program for students. Students learned about FFVP and its benefits for their health and academic performance. “At the kickoff event students were excited to share feedback around their strawberry snack,” said David Boger, who is the School Nutrition Program Director for the Sanford School Department. “Students were overwhelmingly in favor of the sweet, juicy berries.” The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, a federally assisted initiative, provides free fresh fruits and vegetables to children at eligible elementary schools. This U.S. The Department of Agriculture program aims to improve children's overall diet and create healthier eating habits that impact their present and future well-being. Thanks to this new partnership, all 380 students at MCS are now invited to enjoy a daily fresh fruit or vegetable snack provided in their classrooms by the nutrition team throughout the entire school year. With the addition of Margaret Chase Smith to the program, all elementary schools in the district are now participating in FFVP. This means every elementary student in the district will receive a fresh fruit or vegetable snack daily between breakfast and lunch service.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Kick-Off at Margaret Chase Smith

September 18, 2024

On Tuesday, September 17, Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School buzzed with excitement as it kicked off its participation in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). The ...

Fruit and Vegetable Program

September 12, 2024

All three of Sanford’s elementary schools were awarded a Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP) USDA grant for the 2024-25 school year. The grant is administered through the Main...

Attendance Awareness

September 11, 2024

September is Attendance Awareness Month, a time for individuals and organizations to learn about attendance issues and absenteeism. The Sanford School Department recognizes th...