Sanford Pride Elementary School

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

Sanford Pride's Weekly Newsletter

March 6, 2026

Check out Sanford Pride's Weekly Newsletter below!

More than 140 third and fourth graders participated in Sanford Pride Elementary School's first annual Student Health Fair earlier this month — and by all accounts, it was a huge success. Students spent the day rotating through a rich variety of hands-on experiences, with each grade level receiving a different series of guest presentations covering personal safety, fire safety, dental care, mindfulness, nutrition, and illness prevention. Beyond the presentations, students went sledding, planted seeds, and tasted new foods throughout the day. MaineHealth educators Casey Marcotte and Stephanie Masters-Plamondon led two standout sessions. Marcotte's "Sugar Shocker" demonstration challenged students to read nutrition labels, compare food choices, and recognize how marketing shapes perceptions of what's healthy — reinforcing that water is always the best thirst quencher. Masters-Plamondon drew on the MindUP curriculum to introduce mindfulness strategies, helping students understand how their brains work and building skills in focus and self-regulation. A fan favorite was the Smoothie Bike, set up in the cafeteria during all lunch periods, where students cheered each other on as they pedaled to power their own smoothies. The fair was made possible through the generous contributions of many community partners: Casey Marcotte and Stephanie Masters-Plamondon from MaineHealth; Drew Fitzgibbon of Healthy Smiles Dentistry; Dr. Liz Jones of Sanford Family Dentistry; Mike Froning and dental assistants from Nasson Health Care; David Boger of Sanford School Nutrition; McDougal's Orchard; Michelle Johnson and Early Childhood Education students from Sanford High School; the Sanford Fire Department; Officer Joe Jourdain; Elise Miller of Acton Library; and Valerie Sullivan, Sanford Library Media Specialist.

Sanford Pride Hosts Student Health Fair

March 5, 2026

More than 140 third and fourth graders participated in Sanford Pride Elementary School's first annual Student Health Fair earlier this month — and by all accounts, it was a huge s...

<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/12UYtBB1T0eKX7i1M1jtjdq1Eh_U0_QTc/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>

March First 10 Newsletter

March 2, 2026

Check out the latest updates from First 10 below!

Exciting Changes to Early Childhood Special Education Services

February 23, 2026

February 23, 2026 Dear Sanford Families: We are writing to share exciting news about an important change coming to early childhood special education services in Sanford. Effecti...

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...

<div style="position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-top: 129.4118%; padding-bottom: 0; box-shadow: 0 2px 8px 0 rgba(63,69,81,0.16); margin-top: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.9em; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 8px; will-change: transform;"> <iframe loading="lazy" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; border: none; padding: 0;margin: 0;" src="https://www.canva.com/design/DAHAM4Qbn6w/Yn2BvnBOcg-TpdZo_zJaeg/view?embed" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allow="fullscreen"> </iframe> </div> <a href="https://www.canva.com/design/DAHAM4Qbn6w/Yn2BvnBOcg-TpdZo_zJaeg/view?utm_content=DAHAM4Qbn6w&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=embeds&utm_source=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Feb 2026 News.pdf</a> by Samuel Bonsey

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...

<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qJ_tOLlN9y7L2mfS_934zLPZ8WrdY_9T/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>

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...