Sanford High School's Jobs for Maine Graduates program organized an opportunity for students to explore STEM careers through the U.S. Navy's innovative "Strike Group" mixed-reality experience on Wednesday, September 24th. This mobile demonstration, which has been traveling up and down the coast for about a year, made a stop at SHS to provide JMG students and Civics class participants with hands-on exposure to advanced military technology and potential career pathways. The experience used state-of-the-art virtual reality technology to immerse students in realistic Navy scenarios. Students worked together in teams of five, wearing special headsets to coordinate aircraft launches on a Navy aircraft carrier, explored global humanitarian missions through interactive mapping, and piloted fighter jets in full-motion flight simulators. "If you can see it, you can be it," said JMG Specialist Cheryl Gifford, who helped coordinate the event. This philosophy drove the hands-on approach that allowed students to experience military technology firsthand rather than just learning about it in traditional classroom settings. Sanford senior Essence Veilleux-Camara, who is in the SRTC law enforcement program and is pursuing a military career after graduation, was particularly enthusiastic about the flight simulator experience. "I really love the flight simulator," she shared. "You get controls and you start to kind of learn about what they have to do, especially with targeting." She appreciated how the hands-on simulations provided actual experience rather than just classroom discussion, drawing parallels to the driving simulators used in her law enforcement classes. "I'm actually going to be meeting with a recruiter today and go over questions for the ASVAB.” she said. The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a test that helps determine which military career fields a person might be best suited for. The interactive experience included a badge system where students earned recognition for participating in each component. Students also received performance scores on activities like the flight simulator, giving them concrete feedback on their skills and abilities. With discussions underway to potentially bring the program back to Sanford High School on November 17, more students may have the chance to benefit from this opportunity.

Sanford High School Students Get Hands-On Look at Navy Technology

September 26, 2025
Sanford High School's Jobs for Maine Graduates program organized an opportunity for students to explore STEM careers through the U.S. Navy's innovative "Strike Group" mixed-reali...
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Daily Announcements

Daily Announcements

September 24, 2025
SHS Daily Announcements 9/24/2025 Red Day Homecoming Spirit Week: October 6-10 Monday, October 6 – Adam Sandler Day Tuesday, October 7 - Soc...
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Daily Announcements

Daily Announcements

September 23, 2025
SHS Daily Announcements 9/23/2025 White Day Homecoming Spirit Week: October 6-10 Monday, October 6 – Adam Sandler Day Tuesday, October 7 - S...
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Sanford Pride Elementary School PTA is hosting a Halloween event on Oct. 23rd. 5-6PM. We are looking for groups to join us with decorated tables to hand out candy. If you are a group/team/business or a HS student in need of volunteer hours, please contact: Tricia Boivin, tboivin@sanford.org Looking for volunteers to help with this years’ annual Spree of Trees in December. The Sanford Alumni Association is looking for people to help as many hours as possible for set-up, during the event, and pick-up on the last day. Hours will be available from 12/1 through 12/7. If interested, please see Mrs. Pattershall in A237. Carl J Lamb School is looking for volunteers to help with the annual Halloween Trick or Treat Event on October 23rd! You could help run games or a table for the trick or treaters. This event will run from 5-7 and please email lydiaclehoux@gmail.com if interested. SSYAA football has some volunteer availabilities for home games on Oct. 5 and 25th. If interested, email kpulley@sanford.org St. Thomas School is seeking an energetic individual to help with our after-school program. This can start as a volunteer opportunity and turn into employment. Available times are Monday-Friday 3:00pm-5:30pm. You can choose one day a week, multiple days per week, or Monday-Friday. If interested, please reach out to Principal Angela Madigan at (207) 324-5832 or angela.madigan@portlanddiocese.org. Find out more information about St. Thomas School at stsme.org. The Sanford-Springvale Historical Society is looking for people willing to help with many administrative needs throughout the year to earn community service hours. If this interests you please reach out to Patricia Violette-Adams @ 207-490-1028 or go to www.sanfordhistory.org Attention All Students! Looking for an opportunity to earn community service hours while helping your local newspaper? The Sanford Springvale News is looking for student volunteers with a vehicle and a driver’s license to serve as substitute newspaper delivery drivers. This role involves delivering newspapers on a specific route on Fridays in the late morning or early afternoon, as needed. It’s a simple 1 to 2-hour commitment on weeks you’re available. If you’re interested in joining our team and making a difference in the community, email Kendra at kendra.williams9@icloud.com today! Sanford Alumni Association is looking for individuals willing to spray paint roughly 150 wire plant cages. If you are interested, please see Mrs. Pattershall in A237 There is a local elderly couple looking for students willing to help move and stack wood. If you are interested, please see Mrs. Pattershall in the Assistant Principals office (A237). A local elderly couple is looking for someone to commit to helping with doing yard work and shoveling. If interested please see Mrs. Pattershall for contact info.

Community Service Opportunities for Sanford High School Students

September 22, 2025
Sanford Pride Elementary School PTA is hosting a Halloween event on Oct. 23rd. 5-6PM. We are looking for groups to join us with decorated tables to hand out candy. If you are a...
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Daily Announcements

Daily Announcements

September 22, 2025
SHS Daily Announcements 9/22/2025 Red Day Homecoming Spirit Week: October 6-10 Monday, October 6 – Adam Sandler Day Tuesday, October 7 - Soc...
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SHS Counselors Launch New "Senior Sessions" Program for Post-Graduation Planning

SHS Counselors Launch New "Senior Sessions" Program for Post-Graduation Planning

September 19, 2025
Sanford High School seniors filled the Performing Arts Center Wednesday, September 17, as school counselors presented essential information about post-secondary planning. The ...
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Over twenty Sanford High School students were inducted into the National Honor Society Wednesday, September 17, in the Performing Arts Center. The induction ceremony honored students who have demonstrated commitment to the four pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. The ceremony brought together families, faculty, and friends to celebrate these students' achievements. The evening featured the traditional candle lighting ceremony, symbolizing the illumination of knowledge and the commitment these students make to uphold the values of NHS. "The evening was truly amazing. It is such a privilege to honor and work alongside such an extraordinary group of students," NHS Advisor Liz White said. To qualify for National Honor Society membership, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and demonstrate significant involvement in school and community service activities. Beyond academic excellence, candidates undergo a selection process that evaluates their leadership roles, character references, and service contributions. The newly inducted members represented a diverse group of students with achievements across many areas. The inductees include dedicated performers in theater, marching band, and choir and varsity athletes in soccer, baseball, tennis, and track and field, as well as Many are pursuing specialized programs through Sanford Regional Technical Center, including welding, health occupations, and engineering design. Their post-graduation plans are equally impressive, ranging from aerospace engineering and medicine to musical theater and education, demonstrating the breadth of talent and ambition within this exceptional group. "The students' unwavering support for one another truly shines through," White reflected. "Moments like this reveal the remarkable caliber of character that defines our chapter. Their actions speak louder than any speech could, and honestly, it doesn't get much better than that." Following the ceremony, families and inductees gathered in the cafeteria for refreshments, celebrating this achievement together. Congratulations to the following inductees: Eliza Allen, Morgan Bailey, Alessandra Castro, Adam Cote, Tyler Do, Gavin Ericson, Ava Fagan, Keaghan Gagnon, Kaylee Gauthier, Addison Hoenig, Ami Kane, Michael Kiley, Nathan Maloney, Levi Mann, Hazel Marcinowski, Zoey McCann, Yashvi Patel, Lily Peters, Belinda Rivard, Paige Sevigny, Veerasak Sungvean.

Sanford High School Inducts Over 20 Students into National Honor Society

September 19, 2025
Over twenty Sanford High School students were inducted into the National Honor Society Wednesday, September 17, in the Performing Arts Center. The induction ceremony honored stud...
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Daily Announcements

Daily Announcements

September 19, 2025
SHS Daily Announcements 9/19/2025 White Day Homecoming Spirit Week: October 6-10 Monday, October 6 - Hawaiian Day Tuesday, October 7 - Soccer ...
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Daily Announcements

Daily Announcements

September 18, 2025
SHS Daily Announcements 9/18/2025 Red Day Homecoming Spirit Week: October 6-10 Monday, October 6 - Hawaiian Day Tuesday, October 7 - Soccer Mo...
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From meeting the governor to landing full-time careers, Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center students are turning classroom learning into real-world success through the Extended Learning Opportunities Program. Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO’s) provide students with the chance to have meaningful learning experiences at local businesses, community organizations, or with community experts in particular fields. ELO Coordinator Sally MacDougal helps students navigate four distinct types of opportunities: internships, co-op programs which allow students to earn credit for existing jobs, job shadowing experiences, and structured extended learning opportunities that function like additional classes. “A lot of students are excited to know that this is available to them,” MacDougal said. The program, which spans all 25 programs offered between SHS and SRTC, is showing early results this school year. Currently, 18 students have completed their paperwork and are actively participating in various ELO opportunities, with many more applications still in progress. Over the summer, eight students continued their internships, demonstrating the program’s year-round potential and the strong relationships built between students and employers. Several local businesses have embraced their role as educational partners for SHS and SRTC students. Rubb Building Systems has been particularly instrumental in supporting students, especially those in welding programs. SRTC junior Anderson White began working with Rubb at just 16 years old and he even got to share his experience with Governor Janet Mills when she toured the technical center last week. “Anderson is a rock star,” MacDougal said. The program's impact on career outcomes is already becoming evident. Several welding students from the Regional Technical Center have transitioned seamlessly from classroom learning to full-time employment, often with the same companies where they completed their ELOs. Plumbing students have similarly moved from their technical center programs into professional positions. Current opportunities showcase the program's diversity. Students are pursuing nursing experience at Goodall Hospital, exploring education through hands-on teaching experience, and gaining library science exposure across multiple school districts. SHS student Rory White completed a summer staff writer position with the Sanford Springvale News and is continuing that work through an internship this school year. Understanding that not every placement is perfect from the start, the program builds in checkpoints at each semester to evaluate whether students and employers are a good fit. This approach ensures students get the most from their experience while maintaining positive relationships with community partners. “If it is a good fit, we continue with it,” MacDougal said. “If it's not, we'll look for another business or let the student settle where they need to be in their classes." We will soon be highlighting individual student ELO's in future editions of the 'Sanford Spotlight' District Newsletter.

Sanford's ELO Program Bridges Classroom and Career

September 17, 2025
From meeting the governor to landing full-time careers, Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center students are turning classroom learning into real-world success through ...
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Daily Announcements

Daily Announcements

September 17, 2025
SHS Daily Announcements 9/16/2025 White Day Homecoming Spirit Week: October 6-10 Monday, October 6 - Hawaiian Day Tuesday, October 7 - Soccer ...
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Daily Announcements

Daily Announcements

September 16, 2025
SHS Daily Announcements 9/16/2025 Red Day Homecoming Spirit Week: October 6-10 Monday, October 6 - Hawaiian Day Tuesday, October 7 - Soccer Mo...
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Daily Announcements

Daily Announcements

September 15, 2025
SHS Daily Announcements 9/15/2025 White Day Activity buses are now available. Please reference the following for more information: https://www....
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Daily Announcements

Daily Announcements

September 12, 2025
SHS Daily Announcements 9/12/2025 Red Day SHS will be offering the PSAT/NMSQT on Tuesday, October 21st at 8 AM. The cost is $18 and is due at ti...
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Sanford High Marching Band Ready for Another Strong Season

Sanford High Marching Band Ready for Another Strong Season

September 11, 2025
Sanford High School's marching band is positioned for another standout season. The program, which has nearly 60 members, continues to set the standard in Maine's marching band co...
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https://5il.co/3plog

After-School Activity Bus Schedule

September 11, 2025
Sanford High School and Sanford Middle School will begin offering an after-school activity bus on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays beginning Monday, September 15th. Please view ...
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September is School Attendance Awareness Month!

September is School Attendance Awareness Month!

September 11, 2025
Governor Janet Mills has proclaimed September as School Attendance Awareness Month in Maine, and we are excited to join schools across our state in celebrating the importance of b...
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Your Right to Know: Teacher and Paraprofessional Qualification Information

Your Right to Know: Teacher and Paraprofessional Qualification Information

September 11, 2025
On December 10, 2015, President Barack Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law. ESSA replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). In accordance with ESSA, sc...
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Daily Announcements

Daily Announcements

September 11, 2025
SHS Daily Announcements 9/11/2025 White Day Studio by the Pond will be doing photos this Friday, September 12 th for anyone that missed ...
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Daily Announcements

Daily Announcements

September 10, 2025
SHS Daily Announcements 9/10/2025 Red Day JUNIORS: Applications are currently being accepted for student representative to the School Committee...
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