
Kindergarten Exploration Event for incoming Kindergarten students: APRIL 3RD, 2025 from 5PM-6PM at MCS, CJL & SPE!
Join us to:
Explore your school
See a kindergarten classroom
Meet teachers & staff
Learn about the transition to kindergarten
Still need to register for kindergarten? No problem! Register online or in person at the event.
Questions? Email: spalmer@sanford.org


Fun with Words
Submitted by Mr. Benham
Is it there, their, or they’re? To, too, or two? Does the pronunciation change
when you address a group at your address ? If you’ve found yourself with
these questions and more, then this group of 3rd graders at Sanford Pride
can relate. These students have been working with homophones, homographs,
and homonyms. After exploring how these words can function as nouns, verbs, and even adjectives in sentences they got to work writing their own “playful” sentences. Using Google Slides students were able to illustrate their sentences to show the meanings of each homophone or homograph. Can you think of any playful sentences of your own? How would you draw it?
Fun with Numbers:
If you are familiar with the myth of Icarus, then you know that he ignored his father’s instructions, flew too close to the sun, and ultimately crashed into the sea below. This got Mr. Benham thinking. What if his altitude was controlled by a simple mathematical formula? What if every time Icarus was at an even height we divide it by two. Whenever Icarus is at an odd height we can multiply by three, then add 1. Is it possible to save Icarus? These musings were inspired by the famous Collatz Conjecture. A conjecture in math is a statement that is believed to be true but not yet proven. The Collatz Conjecture states that every positive number will eventually lead to 1 by following a simple rule. If even: x2. If odd: x3, +1. Artists and mathematicians have tried to visualize this problem for years. A group of 4th graders explored these sequences and decided to represent them as “Collatz Trees.”





Hello Pride Families -
Please see the link to this week's SPE Weekly Roar.
Translated Versions (English, Arabic, French, Khmer, Portuguese and Spanish)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RCCLQCKiY0510FuHKQkIXFmmV-SETxNt?usp=sharing

Hello Pride Families -
Please see the link to this week's SPE Weekly Roar.
Translated Versions (English, Arabic, French, Khmer, Portuguese & Spanish)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1X775B_tXh4DggioMzkS8NT11v48wgY5g?usp=sharing

📣 JOIN US FOR FAMILY MATH GAME NIGHT! 📣
Sanford's third virtual Family Math Game Night is happening Tuesday, March 18th at 6:00 PM via Zoom! Families can play fun math games together from the comfort of home.
✅ All materials and Zoom link will be provided to families who RSVP
✅ Registration deadline: March 17th (this Monday!)
✅ Two easy ways to register:
Scan the QR code to access the Google Form (or follow this link: https://forms.gle/GTakXJUaxFL2mVDh7)
Fill out the paper form and return to school


What an incredible turnout for last night's Staff vs. First Responders basketball game at Sanford Pride Elementary! The gym was packed with supporters as our amazing elementary staff took on our dedicated local first responders on the court.
Congratulations to all participants and a BIG THANK YOU to our local first responders who generously gave their time to make this special event possible.

Hello families! We’d like to share a few quick updates about happenings in specials classes at SPE.
In P.E., students had fun and successful sledding days last month. Indoors, students have finished their basketball unit and are now moving onto volleyball. For 3rd and 4th grade girls, the “Girls On The Run” club is starting up. For more information, see Mr. Welch or Ms. Kennedy.
In Health, students in all grades are beginning their safety unit. This portion of the year will cover a variety of safety topics, such as medicine, summer activities, navigating online, biking, and when/how to call 911.
In Art and Music, students are getting prepared for their big Art Show and Concert nights! Students are selecting art pieces to display and also adding the finishing touches to their concert songs. The Art Show and concerts will happen the week before April break. Be on the lookout in your child’s backpack for more information.
Happy Spring!
Mr. Welch, Ms. Leigh, Ms. Smith, and Mrs. Mannino

🏀 COMMUNITY BASKETBALL SHOWDOWN! 🏀
Join us TOMORROW (Thursday, March 13th) from 6:00-7:30PM at the SPE Gym for an exciting basketball game between our local heroes!
FIRST RESPONDERS vs. SCHOOL STAFF
Sanford Police & Fire Department take on the staff from Sanford Pride Elementary, Margaret Chase Smith, and CJ Lamb schools!
Show your support:
Wear BLUE to cheer for our First Responders
Wear RED/SPARTAN GEAR to support our School Staff
📣 FREE ADMISSION! Concession sales will support our elementary PTAs.


Reminder, tomorrow night is our Literacy Night at Sanford Pride Elementary.
The doors will open at 4:45pm. Come in your PJs and enjoy some delicious popcorn while you listen to amazing teachers read some wonderful stories! You will also have a chance to browse our BOOK FAIR where you can find the books you enjoyed listening to and much more!
Literacy Night Flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kBEvY38VLuD-ei_MZ9rkH-vlLZHSduMO/view?usp=sharing


Hello Pride Families,
Please see the link to this week's SPE Weekly Roar.
Translated Versions (English, Arabic, French, Khmer, Portuguese, & Spanish)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QRYvnL7BBeXVk20pMBbno-MAek2O1IDi?usp=sharing

Please join us for our Literacy Night at Sanford Pride Elementary on Monday, March 10th.
The doors will open at 4:45pm. Come in your PJs and enjoy some delicious popcorn while you listen to amazing teachers read some wonderful stories! You will also have a chance to browse our BOOK FAIR where you can find the books you enjoyed listening to and much more!
Literacy Night Flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kBEvY38VLuD-ei_MZ9rkH-vlLZHSduMO/view?usp=sharing


Last night, our Sanford Performing Arts Center was filled with beautiful music as students from grades 4-12 came together for our annual Spring Sing concert!
From the energetic opening by the Spartan Show Choir performing "I'm Still Standing" to the powerful finale of "Oye" by our high school vocalists, the evening showcased the incredible talent and hard work of our young musicians.
A special shoutout to all the parents, family members, and community supporters who filled the auditorium and cheered on our performers!
A full video recording of the concert will be available for those who couldn't attend or would like to relive the magic. Stay tuned for details!

2025 After School Bowling League
Children 8 years of age and up in the area are encouraged to participate in this after school junior bowling program. During the season, the children will learn the fundamentals and basics of candlepin bowling, as well as meet other kids in a friendly and semi-competitive environment. Please see the flyer below for details.
2025 Bowling League Flyer:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BEZwt7Hf-8ztd9YbxntGl7A1-6I6SBv3/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117509646801696801245&rtpof=true&sd=true

Please join us for our Literacy Night at Sanford Pride Elementary on Monday, March 10th.
The doors will open at 4:45pm. Come in your PJs and enjoy some delicious popcorn while you listen to amazing teachers read some wonderful stories! You will also have a chance to browse our BOOK FAIR where you can find the books you enjoyed listening to and much more!
Literacy Night Flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kBEvY38VLuD-ei_MZ9rkH-vlLZHSduMO/view?usp=sharing


TONIGHT!
Join us for "Spring Sing" - Sanford/Springvale's All-Town Chorus Concert!
📆 Date: Wednesday, March 5
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM 📍
Location: Sanford Performing Arts Center
Come experience the harmonious voices of our community's talented singers as they welcome the spring season with beautiful melodies! The All-Town Chorus brings together vocalists from across Sanford and Springvale for this special evening of music.

AM Drop Off Reminder:
AM drop off is between 8:00 - 8:25 AM in the lower parking lot.
At 8:25 and after, all students are to be dropped off at the main door.
Please do not drop students off after 8:25am in the lower parking lot. Staff is not on duty at this time.
Thank you!

A big THANK YOU to all the families who joined us for Kindergarten Registration Night at Sanford Pride Elementary last Wednesday! It was wonderful to see so many excited future kindergartners and their families exploring what our schools have to offer.
Missed the event? No worries! You can still register your child for kindergarten.
Remember: Current Pre-K students in our district are automatically registered (but we loved seeing those who attended)!
Special thanks to our amazing community partners who shared resources: MaineHealth, Sanford Backpack Program, Help Me Grow, Kids Free to Grow, United Way, YCCAC, Headstart, First4ME, local childcare centers, and many more!
Read more about it here: https://www.sanford.org/article/2055301


Hello Pride Families -
Please see the link to this week's SPE Weekly Roar.
Translated Versions (English, Arabic, French, Khmer, Portuguese, & Spanish)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jwrLnxe_lLoCCYi8cJ51SB_NpoEx7RuT?usp=sharing

AM Drop Off Reminder:
AM drop off is between 8:00 - 8:25 AM in the lower parking lot.
At 8:25 and after, all students are to be dropped off at the main door.
Please do not drop students off after 8:25am in the lower parking lot. Staff is not on duty at this time.
Thank you!

Just a reminder to join us tonight at Sanford Pride Elementary for family game night!
Family Game Night at Sanford Pride Elementary on Friday, February 28th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. Join us for an exciting game night in the library. It's an excellent opportunity to enjoy friendly competition, play old favorites, and discover new games together. Get ready for an evening of fun for everyone!
