Sanford Pride Elementary School

Children's Author Visits Sanford Fourth Graders

February 12, 2026

Fourth grade students at Margaret Chase Smith, Carl J. Lamb, and Sanford Pride Elementary Schools were treated to a visit from children's author Frank Cole, who shared his journey...

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First 10 February Newsletter

February 2, 2026

Feb 2026 News.pdf

Sanford Pride Elementary Fourth Graders Embrace Debate in Study of Julius Caesar

Sanford Pride Elementary Third Graders Embrace Debate in Study of Julius Caesar

January 30, 2026

Third graders in Mrs. Brannan’s class at Sanford Pride Elementary recently held a lively classroom debate on the historical legacy of the ancient Roman leader Julius Caesar. The d...

We are excited to share information with you regarding the Sanford Public School Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) programs for the 2026-2027 school year. In September, we expect to continue offering full-day Pre-K programming at Carl J. Lamb School, Margaret Chase Smith School, Sanford Pride Elementary School, Sanford Regional Technical Center, Sanford-Springvale YMCA and a new partnership with Kid’s Kove Early Learning Center. Sanford and Springvale families with children 4 years old on or before October 15, 2026 and not of kindergarten age are eligible. Children who are 5 years old by October 15th, 2026 and not enrolled in Sanford’s Pre-K program can enroll in kindergarten by calling one of our elementary schools. The Pre-K program is free and will include free breakfast, lunch and transportation. We anticipate 128 Pre-K slots will be available for the 2026-2027 school year. To provide equal opportunity for families to enroll their children, students will be chosen using a lottery system. Here is the link to the form that you will need to complete in order to be considered for admittance to our Pre-K program: Registration Link - The lottery registration will close at the end of the day on Friday, February 13, 2026.. If you have any questions about how to fill out the form, please contact our central office at 324-2810. Our goal is to make program notifications the week of March 6th. All students that are placed in a district Pre-K program will need to complete registration prior to Pre-K screening. Once all openings have been filled by lottery, the remaining names will be drawn to create a waiting list, should space become available. If you know of any families who may have an eligible student, please feel free to share this information. If you have any questions, please contact us at the Sanford School Department’s Central Office at 324-2810.

Pre-K Lottery Information

January 13, 2026

We are excited to share information with you regarding the Sanford Public School Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) programs for the 2026-2027 school year. In September, we expect to contin...

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First 10 January Newsletter

January 5, 2026

Bus Safety Reminders as Students Return from Holiday Break

December 31, 2025

As students return to school following the holiday break, we want to remind families that winter conditions make bus stop safety more important than ever. School bus safety is one...

Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program. 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 are open now through Friday, January 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. To nominate, please fill out this form. Self-nominations and nominations from family members will not be accepted. 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

December 29, 2025

Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate educators who demonstrate exemplary skills that inspire stude...

Sanford School Department to Host Pre-K Information Sessions

December 17, 2025

The Sanford School Department will hold a series of informational sessions in January for parents and guardians interested in enrolling their children in the Pre-K program for the...

When educators from other school districts want to see excellent literacy instruction in action, they don't have to look far. They're coming right here to Sanford. Recently, teachers from Sebago and Yarmouth spent time in classrooms at Sanford Middle School and Sanford Pride Elementary, observing lessons and taking notes on what makes our reading program so successful. The Sanford School Department has been using a comprehensive reading program designed to help all students become strong readers. The program uses research-based methods that teach reading skills in a structured, step-by-step way — from letter sounds and phonics to reading comprehension and building knowledge about the world. The approach is working, and other districts want to learn from Sanford’s success. Educators from Sebago Elementary School and the Yarmouth School Department visited Sanford Pride Elementary and the Middle School to see our literacy instruction in action. They observed lessons, asked questions, and saw firsthand how our students are learning to read and write. A big thank you to the Sanford teachers who opened their classrooms to visitors: Laurie Flannery, Lindsey Jenkins, Michelle Payeur, Hunter Brannan, Dan Fernandez, Kristy Peters, and Jessi Allaire. The visiting educators were impressed by both the quality of teaching and the engaged learning they witnessed. This recognition reflects the hard work of our entire school community. We're proud that Sanford is becoming a leader in literacy education and helping other districts improve their reading instruction.

Sanford Teachers Share Literacy Success with Visiting Schools

December 16, 2025

When educators from other school districts want to see excellent literacy instruction in action, they don't have to look far. They're coming right here to Sanford. Recently, teache...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_nPv3KRam-OPylAbgG-4xy3ca-TYMt-R/view?usp=sharing

December First 10 News

December 1, 2025

Click here to read the First 10 news for December.

On Veterans Day, Sanford Pride's 4th grade chorus students traveled to Pinnacle Health in Sanford to honor local veterans with a special musical performance. What began as a simple visit turned into an unforgettable experience for both students and residents alike. The young singers delivered beautiful performances that filled the facility with joy, and each student had prepared handmade cards and letters to present to the veterans. While some children were initially shy about speaking with the residents, those hesitations quickly melted away as conversations began to flow naturally. By the time the bus arrived to take the students back to school, teachers found it nearly impossible to gather the group—the 4th graders were so engaged in their conversations with the veterans that they didn't want to leave! The feeling was clearly mutual, as several residents seemed delighted to welcome their "35 new grandchildren" for the afternoon. "It was a heartwarming, eye-opening, and positive experience for our students to have," said music teacher Meaghan Mannino. This intergenerational connection provided students with meaningful lessons that extended far beyond the music—about taking time to listen, connect, and show appreciation to those who have served our country.

Sanford Pride Chorus Students Honor Veterans Through Song at Pinnacle Health and Rehab

November 12, 2025

On Veterans Day, Sanford Pride's chorus students traveled to Pinnacle Health in Sanford to honor local veterans with a special musical performance. What began as a simple visit tu...

Making Every Day Count: Attendance During the Holiday Season

November 10, 2025

Dear Families, As we approach the busy holiday season, we want to remind you of the importance of regular school attendance. We know this time of year brings many celebrations, f...

Sanford schools came together to celebrate Halloween with a series of community events that brought families, students, and staff together for evenings of fun and festivities. On Thursday, October 23, Sanford Middle School hosted their annual JMG Haunted Woods, offering students a thrilling walk through the shadows. That same evening, Sanford Pride Elementary welcomed families for Trick or Treat in their gymnasium, providing a safe and festive environment for young students to collect candy. Carl J. Lamb Elementary rounded out the night with their Trunk or Treat event, where creatively decorated car trunks delighted students and families alike. On Thursday, October 30, Margaret Chase Smith School hosted their PTA Halloween event, continuing the week of Halloween celebrations across the district. These events showcase the strong sense of community across the Sanford School Department, with staff and volunteers working together to create memorable experiences for our students and their families.

Sanford Schools Celebrate Halloween in Style

October 31, 2025

Sanford schools came together to celebrate Halloween with a series of community events that brought families, students, and staff together for evenings of fun and festivities. O...

Dear Families, We're reaching out today because we know that many families in our community may have questions about how the recent federal government shutdown could affect household resources. Please know that our school is here to support you, and we want to make sure you have the most current information and know where to turn for help if you need it. If you or your family are worried about food during the government shutdown, help is available. School Meals will Remain Available for All Students All students can still get free breakfast and lunch at school every day. Find Local Food Assistance If your family needs food support, call 211, or visit the Good Shepherd Food Bank’s Food Pantry Locator to find help near you. Visit www.gsfb.org/get-help/food-map or scan the QR code. General Assistance Families can apply for General Assistance, which can help meet basic needs including food, housing, utilities, medical costs and more. Visit www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services/general-assistance. Continue to Apply or Renew SNAP Benefits You can still apply for or renew SNAP during the shutdown. If you qualify, doing this now will help make sure your benefits are ready as soon as funding resumes. Apply or renew at: www.mymaineconnection.gov. For Federal Employees: If you or someone in your household is a federal employee impact by the shutdown, additional resources and support information are available at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/bdzdsu2p We understand this news may be stressful, and we are here to support our students and families however we can. Sanford Schools will continue to monitor the situation and share updates as more information becomes available. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school’s school counselor, outreach staff or administrative office if you need help connecting to local resources.

Resources During the Government Shutdown

October 30, 2025

Dear Families, We're reaching out because we know that many families in our community may have questions about how the recent federal government shutdown could affect household ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I9PNpy6gh0

Sanford School Department Hosts Safety Information Night

October 30, 2025

The Sanford School Department hosted a Safety Night in the Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, October 21, offering families and community members an opportunity to learn about the...

Teachers Invest in Professional Learning During In-Service Day

October 16, 2025

On Friday October 10, while students enjoyed a day off, Sanford School Department teachers and staff were hard at work—investing in their own learning to better support our studen...

https://www.applitrack.com/sanford/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Maintenance%2fCustodial

Sanford School Department Safety Informational Night

October 6, 2025

Please join our student resource officers and Central Office administration for an overview of school safety in our schools on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 6 pm in the Sanford Per...

Upcoming Free Flu Vaccinations

October 3, 2025

We are pleased to announce that the Sanford School Department is partnering with MaineHealth to offer free flu vaccinations for students this fall. Protecting our student's healt...

School Connected Play and Learns have started Weekly one kicked offlast week with 14 children in attendance! It was a wonderful opportunity for ourlittle learners to explore and grow together. Monthly one will start onOctober 6th, 2025 and run the first Monday of eachmonth! Joint Professional LearningOpportunity: Thismonth, stafffromour Sanford Public Pre-K classrooms will collaborate with community Early Learning Centers, including All Friends, Curtis Lake Church ELC,Headstart, Little World 2, and Kids Kove ELC. Together, we will engage in a day of collaborative learning around a new earlymath programcalled Young Mathematicians. Learnmore here.

October First 10 News

October 2, 2025

Welcome to the October edition of First 10 Sanford's newsletter! This month brings exciting developments as our School Connected Play and Learns kick off, welcoming families with ...

As the new school year got underway, students and staff walked into clean, safe, and refreshed buildings thanks to the summer efforts of the Sanford School Department's custodial and facilities team. October 2 marked National Custodian Appreciation Day—a perfect opportunity to recognize their commitment to creating welcoming learning environments. The Sanford School Department oversees an impressive array of properties, including multiple buildings that require year-round management for cleaning, maintenance, and grounds care. This summer marked a significant milestone as the team entered the season fully staffed for the first time in years, and the results speak for themselves. At the heart of the summer preparation efforts was the hardworking custodial team, who undertook comprehensive cleaning of all district buildings. Their work went far beyond routine maintenance, involving a process that touched every corner of each school. Staff completed deep cleaning throughout every building—tackling furniture, walls, windows, and light fixtures. They repaired walls, touched up paint, stripped and refinished floors, and thoroughly cleaned tiles and carpets. "It's exciting to hear how the work that the team has done directly impacts the students," shared Director of Facilities and Maintenance Jason Dudley at a recent school committee meeting. The custodial team faced and overcame challenges during their summer work, navigating scheduling conflicts with summer programs, food services, sports camps, and community events. They demonstrated flexibility in coordinating all this work while accommodating the busy summer schedule. While the custodial staff focused on deep cleaning, the maintenance team was equally busy with infrastructure upgrades that directly impact student safety and learning environments. At Sanford Middle School, they addressed wastewater drainage issues and upgraded the library with modern LED lighting that can be dimmed for Promethean board use. Sanford Pride Elementary School received new HVAC starter motors, with a complete rooftop unit replacement scheduled for October. At Carl J. Lamb School, the team replaced an HVAC expansion tank and painted fresh blue hallways on the first floor. Safety improvements were a major priority this summer. At Cobb Stadium, the crew upgraded five tiered aluminum bleachers and removed outdated home and away bleachers. Working alongside the Parks and Recreation Department and Public Works, they transformed the space into a safer facility for student athletes and community members. At Carl J. Lamb, they installed a safety fence separating the parking area from the bus drop-off lane, directing everyone to use the designated crosswalk. Dudley emphasized the importance of this work: "Staff is able to monitor that and monitor when the buses are coming. So it's a definite safety upgrade for us." Margaret Chase Smith School received upgraded handicap bollards and repainted bus lane signage to improve traffic flow and safety. The team also supported expanding academic opportunities by retrofitting a classroom for the new sports medicine program at SRTC and extending compressed air lines in the welding and machine shops. They even helped the IT department modernize classroom technology by removing outdated display boards and installing new mounting brackets. Superintendent Matt Nelson shared his appreciation for the custodial work during the school committee meeting, emphasizing that "our facilities are the first step to having good education." The combined efforts of the custodial and maintenance staff ensured that Sanford schools were not only clean and safe but 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.

Celebrating Sanford's Custodial Team

October 2, 2025

As the new school year got underway, students and staff walked into clean, safe, and refreshed buildings thanks to the summer efforts of the Sanford School Department's custodial...