Children sitting in a circle on a rug during a read-aloud.

Play & Learn: Easing the Transition to School

August 21, 2026
Transition to Kindergarten Play & Learn Sessions The transition to a new school can often feel daunting, particularly for families who are sending their children off to the clas...
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A school bus with a sign reading K-12.

Access Your Child’s Bus Route Information with My Ride K-12

August 19, 2026
A New Resource for the 2026–2027 School Year The Sanford School Department is excited to introduce My Ride K-12, a new resource that provides families with convenient access to st...
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Students

Important Change Regarding Special Education Services for Children Ages 3 to 5

August 3, 2026
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Providers, We're reaching out to share some important news about a change in state law that may impact your family. Under this new law, responsibil...
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Stuff the Bus

Stuff the Bus

July 22, 2026
A message from Stuff the Bus.... On Saturday, August 22nd, 2026, Stuff the Bus Maine will hold its annual school supplies distribution event at Curtis Lake Church in Sanford. No ...
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The Sanford School Department accepts funding through the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) of 1965. As part of ESEA, the Sanford School Department is required to provide a reasonable opportunity for public comment on the consolidated application and consider such comment prior to the submission of the application. To view the proposed projects in our application click HERE The Sanford School Department is now accepting public comment on the ESEA application through July 15, 2026. Click HERE to share your thoughts about the application’s projects.

ESEA Public Comment

June 16, 2026
The Sanford School Department accepts funding through the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) of 1965. As part of ESEA, the Sanford School Department is required to provide a reas...
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Sanford Girls Complete Girls on the Run 5K at Topsham Fairgrounds

Sanford Girls Complete 'Girls on the Run' 5K at Topsham Fairgrounds

June 5, 2026
Girls from four Sanford schools headed to the Topsham Fairgrounds to compete in the Girls on the Run 5K, joining participants from across the state of Maine. Students and staff f...
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Students Give Back Through Sneaker Drive Service Learning Project

Sanford Elementary Students Give Back Through Sneaker Drive Service Learning Project

May 29, 2026
This spring, students across all three of Sanford's elementary schools took part in a meaningful service learning project. As part of a school-wide Sneaker Drive that ran throug...
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The Sanford School Department will be offering free meals to children and teens this summer through the Summer Food Service Program, kicking off Monday, June 22, 2026. Eight sites across the community will be serving meals, including Carl Lamb School, Sanford High School, Sanford Middle School, and Sanford Pride Elementary, as well as Curtis Lake Church, Carpentier Park, Springvale Playground, and the YMCA. Most locations serve breakfast from 7:30–8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:00 a.m.–noon, with slight variations at some sites. The program is open to all children and teens 18 and under, and no registration is required. For more information, contact the Sanford School Department.

Summer Nutrition Program For Kids

May 28, 2026
The Sanford School Department will be offering free meals to children and teens this summer through the Summer Food Service Program, kicking off Monday, June 22, 2026. Eight sites...
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Two Sanford School Department Staff Members Honored For Youth Support Work

Two Sanford School Department Staff Members Honored For Youth Support Work

May 21, 2026
Two staff members of the Sanford School Department were recognized at the Maine Prevention Network of York County's Annual Community Meeting, held Tuesday, May 19, at the Nonantum...
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Sanford Fourth Graders Visit Moody's Collision, Sanford Airport

Sanford Fourth Graders Visit Moody's Collision, Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport

May 18, 2026
Fourth grade students from Carl J. Lamb Elementary, Sanford Pride Elementary, and Margaret Chase Smith Elementary Schools stepped outside the classroom Friday morning for an excit...
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Sanford Pride Elementary Weekly Newsletter

May 11, 2026
Click here to read Sanford Pride's latest newsletter.
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First 10 May Newsletter

May 4, 2026
Check out First 10's May Newsletter below!
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Sanford Pride Elementary wrapped up the week before April vacation with its Celebration of Learning, a series of spring concerts showcasing the musical talents of students in Kindergarten through Fourth Grade. The events gave families a chance to see firsthand the hard work students have put in throughout the school year. Each evening featured live performances in the school's café, with students singing songs ranging from upbeat favorites to classical pieces. Kindergartners performed songs like "Honey Bee" and "The Bunny Boogie," while First Graders sang numbers including "If It Walks Like a Duck" and "Hey Bunny." Second Graders took on songs such as "If I Could Catch a Rainbow" and "It Starts With Me," and Third Graders performed "Big Blue Marble" and "Earthlings, Unite!" alongside ukulele demonstrations. Fourth Grade families enjoyed a special SPE Chorus performance as well as recorder demonstrations, and the evening included crowd favorites like "Best Day of My Life" and "Raining Tacos." The concert series kicked off on April 13 with Kindergarten and First Grade, followed by Second and Third Grade on April 14. The series concluded on April 16 with the Fourth Grade concert. In addition to the concerts, families were invited to visit the Art Room to view student artwork and projects, and a Library Book Fair was open for browsing throughout the week. The Celebration of Learning was made possible through the support of SPE staff, the Sanford Music Boosters, the SPE PTA, and many community partners.

Celebration of Learning at Sanford Pride Elementary

April 24, 2026
Sanford Pride Elementary wrapped up the week before April vacation with its Celebration of Learning, a series of spring concerts showcasing the musical talents of students in Kind...
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Pride Elementary Hosts Second Annual Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony

Sanford Pride Elementary Hosts Second Annual Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony

April 9, 2026
Sanford Pride Elementary School honored its dedicated volunteers last Friday during the school's monthly assembly, held in the school cafeteria. The second annual Volunteer Apprec...
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How Sanford Is Getting Kids Ready to Read Before Kindergarten

How Sanford Is Getting Kids Ready to Read Before Kindergarten

March 24, 2026
Long before a child sounds out their first word, the seeds of reading are already being planted in songs, rhymes, and sound games that have nothing to do with the alphabet. That's...
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The Sanford Pride Elementary gymnasium was once again filled with excitement and community spirit on Thursday, March 12, as teachers and staff faced off against local first responders in a charity basketball game uniting all three elementary schools in the district. The third annual Staff vs. First Responders basketball game drew a large, loud, and fully engaged crowd of students, parents, and community members who packed the bleachers to cheer on both teams. Adding a special touch to the evening, members of Carl J. Lamb Elementary's show choir performed the national anthem prior to tip-off, setting the tone for the night ahead. "As a teacher who had the opportunity to play in this game, it was incredible to see our entire community come together in support of such a great cause," said Sanford Pride Fourth Grade Teacher Dan Fernandez. "Thank you to the Sanford Maine Police Department and all of the other first responders who took the time to come out and play alongside the teachers and other staff. Your participation helped make the event truly special for everyone involved. Looking forward to next year." The game featured teachers and staff members from across Sanford's elementary schools competing against a team of local police officers, firefighters, and other emergency personnel. Carl J. Lamb’s show choir came back out onto the court again for a special performance during halftime. While the first responders ultimately took home the first-place trophy, the real win was the incredible school spirit in the stands. Sanford Police Chief Eric Small spoke to the spirit of the evening: "This event is a great community tradition that our officers look forward to each year. It's always great to see our teachers and first responders come together under one roof for a night of fun and community spirit." "The crowd was large, loud, and fully engaged, which made for a great atmosphere," Chief Small added. "Sanford really does know how to come together for a good time. On behalf of the Police Department, thank you to everyone who played and to all who came out to support the game. We appreciate our community showing up to cheer on the players." Funds raised during the event will support PTA initiatives across all three elementary schools, directly benefiting students through additional resources, activities, and educational opportunities throughout the year.

Sanford Elementary Schools Unite With First Responders For Charity Basketball Game

March 16, 2026
The Sanford Pride Elementary gymnasium was once again filled with excitement and community spirit on Thursday, March 12, as teachers and staff faced off against local first respon...
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Spring Sing at the Performing Arts Center

Spring Sing at the Performing Arts Center

March 12, 2026
The Sanford Performing Arts Center filled with families and friends on Wednesday, March 4, as students from across the district showcased their talents at the annual Spring Sing ...
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When Shana Palmer, First 10 Coordinator for the Sanford School Department, launched her Play and Learn sessions, she designed them with the youngest learners in mind: children from birth to age five and their families. But what she's found is that the program's warmth and energy have a way of drawing in the whole family, regardless of age. ​​First 10 is an early childhood initiative that supports children and families during the critical first ten years of life. Palmer's Play and Learn sessions are a cornerstone of that work. Sanford Pride Ed Tech Terri Gerrish has also been instrumental in assisting with the Play and Learn sessions, which are welcoming gatherings where young children and their caregivers can enjoy story time, music and movement, hands-on educational activities, and the chance to connect with school staff, community providers, and other parents. Fallon Cote, a 3rd grader at Pride Elementary, has become a fixture at the monthly Play and Learn sessions. She shows up on the first Monday of each month, helps Palmer run the activities, and engages with the younger children, which is entirely on her own initiative. Her mom Samantha Mercier brings the whole family, but it's Fallon who has taken on a helper's role and made it her own. When asked about her experience, she was straightforward: "I'd say my favorite part is the coloring. I also like learning as well. That's fun." Her mom has noticed the program's impact on the whole family. "It's always been nice," she shared. "Some of the games that Ms. Shana does on the Wednesday sessions, I had to go home and recreate them." For Palmer, that's exactly the point: building connections and sparking learning that families carry with them long after the session ends. Play and Learn sessions feature themed, hands-on activities blending storytelling, movement, and creative exploration. At a recent dinosaur-themed evening, families stretched a long string down the hallway to measure the length of a seismosaurus, made dinosaur shapes with blocks, and colored. The turnout was one of the biggest the Monday series has seen. The monthly sessions run from 3:30 – 5 p.m. the first Monday of the month in the Pride Elementary library and are open to all Sanford families. The weekly Wednesday morning sessions are held from 9:30–11 a.m. at Springvale First Baptist Church, which generously provides both the space and snacks. Those sessions are co-facilitated by MaineHealth Sanford Pediatrics and Kids Kove Childcare and Early Learning Center, with additional support from Marisa Stam through the John T. Gorman Foundation grant. Both series are completely free and open to all Sanford families. To learn more or sign up, email Shana Palmer at spalmer@sanford.org.

First 10's Play and Learn Program Connects Sanford Families Through Hands-On Learning

March 11, 2026
When Shana Palmer, First 10 Coordinator for the Sanford School Department, launched her Play and Learn sessions, she designed them with the youngest learners in mind: children fro...
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The Sanford School Department hosted its second District-Wide Kindergarten Registration event on Wednesday, March 4th at Sanford Pride Elementary School, welcoming incoming kindergarten families from across the community. The event provided families with the opportunity to register their child for kindergarten while also connecting directly with school staff who will play an important role in their child’s school experience. Staff members in red shirts were stationed throughout the room to guide families through the registration process and answer questions. Additionally, members of Sanford High School’s new Interact Club volunteered their time to help. Parents had the chance to speak with Kindergarten teachers, administrators, school counselors, nurses, social workers, and special education staff, making it easier to ask questions and begin building relationships before the first day of school. In addition to completing registration, families were able to learn about a wide range of resources available throughout the Sanford community. Representatives from more than a dozen local organizations attended to share information and connect with families, including MaineHealth – Partners for a Healthier Community (HEAL Team), the Sanford Backpack Program, Kids Free to Grow, United Way, Springvale Library, SSYAA, Sanford Community Adult Education (SCAE), York County Community Action Corporation (YCCAC), Head Start, Kids Kove Childcare and Learning Center, Curtis Lake Church Early Learning Center, YMCA, and all three Sanford elementary school PTAs. The Sanford School Department thanks these community partners for helping make the evening such a valuable experience for families. Children were also welcomed into the event, enjoying a snack provided by the school nutrition team and leaving with a book from Sanford’s 10 High Quality Book Campaign to take home, helping make the evening a positive first step toward their kindergarten experience. Families who were unable to attend registration night can still register their incoming kindergartner by calling the Sanford School Department at (207) 324-2810. Current Pre-K students are automatically registered but are always welcome to attend events like this for an early glimpse of what lies ahead. The next stop on the Kindergarten Trail is the Kindergarten Exploration on Wednesday, April 9th, from 5:00–6:00 p.m. at each elementary school, where students will have the opportunity to visit a kindergarten classroom and get a hands-on look at what’s ahead.

Sanford Pride Elementary Hosts District-Wide Kindergarten Registration Event

March 6, 2026
The Sanford School Department hosted its second District-Wide Kindergarten Registration event on Wednesday, March 4 at Sanford Pride Elementary School, welcoming incoming kinderga...
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Sanford Pride's Weekly Newsletter

March 6, 2026
Check out Sanford Pride's Weekly Newsletter below!
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