Sanford Middle School science teacher Diana Allen has been named among 336 educators nationwide to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the highest recognition a K-12 mathematics or science teacher can receive from the U.S. government. Allen, who was initially selected as one of three Maine state finalists, completed an intensive application process that required demonstrating deep content knowledge and adaptability to diverse learning environments. Her application included a recorded teaching demonstration at a local brook, where she partnered with Maine Audubon to teach students about macroinvertebrates. "It's an amazing reflection process," Allen said of the application requirements. "You have to look at yourself... you have to look at it through all the lenses of all these dimensions." The process required detailed analysis of teaching practices, addressing student misconceptions, managing classroom diversity, and demonstrating educational leadership at local, state, and national levels. Allen learned of her honor while driving, when she received an unexpected call from a friend who was a previous award recipient. "I was actually driving in my car, and a friend of mine called who was an awardee from the year before me," Allen recalled. "She said, 'Oh, I don't want to be the one to tell you, just check your email.' I was like, 'I can't check my email. I'm driving.'" When she finally pulled over to read the congratulatory message from the White House, the significance of the moment began to sink in. Allen's journey to this achievement is particularly inspiring, as she overcame early challenges through perseverance and determination. Rising above these obstacles, she has consistently pushed herself to excel, serving as chair of the Wells-Ogunquit School Committee and president of the Maine Science Teachers Association. She has also presented at the National Science Teachers Association Conference. "I need to work harder than most of my colleagues because I didn't have a good education foundation to work with," Allen shared. She often uses her own experience to inspire students, showing them that with dedication and perseverance, they can achieve their goals regardless of their starting point. The announcement has sparked celebration throughout the community, particularly among Allen's former students, many of whom now have children of their own. "When I see their comments, that's what really gets me... their words mean a ton.” As a PAEMST recipient, Allen will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. Reflecting on the recognition, she shared what made the honor feel real to her: "They picked you. Like, yeah, you wrote that. Those were your words. That was your video. They picked you. It's for real. It's legitimate."

Diana Allen Receives Presidential Teaching Award

January 21, 2025
Sanford Middle School science teacher Diana Allen has been named among 336 educators nationwide to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teachi...
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winter

Tuesday 1/21 Announcements

January 21, 2025
Tuesday, January 21st *The Boys to Men program will be here from 11am-1pm today. Please check the email sent by Mr. Coleman and dismiss those students listed at their desig...
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MLK

Friday 1/17 Announcements

January 17, 2025
Friday, January 17 th * NO SCHOOL on Monday in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. *Are you interesting in coding? The state of Maine has started a progr...
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art

Thursday 1/16 Announcements

January 16, 2025
Thursday, January 16 th * NO SCHOOL on Monday in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. *Family Art Night is tonight from 4:00 – 5:30pm in the Art rooms. A...
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sun

Wednesday 1/15 Announcements

January 15, 2025
Wednesday, January 15 th *Mechanical Advantage Club meets this Thursday from 2:15-3:30 in room 1228 with Miss Nason. *The Sanford Backpack Program is gearing up for ...
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skiing

Tuesday 1/14 Announcements

January 14, 2025
Tuesday, January 14 th *The Sanford Backpack Program is gearing up for the Winter Break Food Distribution! They are collecting boxes of Cereal staring now until Feb. 6...
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Sanford Middle School Librarian and Media Specialist Julie Williams has been selected to serve on the School Library Journal's Mock Newbery Committee, joining librarians from across the nation in evaluating the best children's literature of 2024. The Mock Newbery Committee mirrors the official Newbery Award process, which Williams describes as "the most distinguished award for children's literature in the US." Since 1922, the Newbery Award has recognized excellence in children's books, creating a legacy of literary classics that many remember from their elementary school days. "I follow it all year long," said Williams, who was selected for the committee in mid-December after demonstrating she had already read six required books from the nomination list. "I had already read a lot of the books I knew were going to be nominated because I try to keep up.” The committee is currently evaluating 15 books published in 2024, with members engaging in daily online discussions about each title's merits. "We read the books, and they do a blog entry every day," Williams explained. "All of us who are on this committee can chime in and say, 'This is what I like, this is what I didn't like, this is why I think we should pick this one.'" The process is rigorous and time-intensive. Williams spent much of her holiday break immersed in books, even reading during car trips. "My husband's like, 'What are you doing tonight?' What do you think? I'm sitting and reading," she said. Committee members must read physical copies rather than listen to audiobooks. "They don't like you to use audio books," Williams explained, "because it can depend on the narrator. If the narrator is really good, it can kind of make you think that the book might be better than it is." The committee will soon narrow down their selections to five finalists, which they'll discuss in detail during an online meeting on January 24th. Their final selection will be announced shortly before the official Newbery Award announcement on January 27th. Williams sees this committee work as part of a cherished tradition in children's literature. "It helps me because I read so much. When kids ask for book recommendations, I've read a lot," she said. "It's kind of like our Oscars for the best book, and they get a big gold medal on the cover when they win."

Sanford Middle School Librarian Selected for Mock Newbery Committee

January 13, 2025
Sanford Middle School Librarian and Media Specialist Julie Williams has been selected to serve on the School Library Journal's Mock Newbery Committee, joining librarians from acr...
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Seventh-grader Paityn Ricker's dedication to helping her fellow students has earned Sanford Middle School a grant from a national foundation. Through her leadership in the school's JMG program, Paityn developed "SnackDash," an innovative project to support student wellness throughout the school day. The program complements the Sanford School Department’s existing meal services, which include free breakfast and lunch for all students as part of the Maine’s Department of Education’s universal free meal program. While breakfast and lunch are available at no cost, SnackDash helps bridge the gap between these meals for students who may need additional support. "I know how hard it is to focus when you're hungry," says Paityn. "Sometimes I don't have a snack to eat, so I'm starving for hours before lunch. I realized many of my classmates face the same challenge, and some may not have access to food at home either." Working with her JMG classmates and teacher Tara Houle, Paityn helped create "SnackDash," a program that provides free snacks to students between meals. The project caught the attention of the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning (FILL) and Albertsons Companies Foundation's Nourishing Neighbors Program, earning the school a grant to expand their efforts. "My favorite part was working with my friends in JMG," Paityn shares. "They were really cooperative and had great ideas.” The project has opened her eyes to community needs. "I've learned how many students might need extra nutritional support during the school day," she explains. "Some students have lunch periods early in the day, and others might not have access to snacks from home. That's why programs like SnackDash are so important." The grant comes through the Explore.Act.Tell. Program, which teaches middle and high school students to identify and solve problems in their communities. Paityn's project was selected from among hundreds of student initiatives nationwide.

Sanford Middle School Student's Solution To Student Hunger Earns National Recognition

January 13, 2025
Seventh-grader Paityn Ricker's dedication to helping her fellow students has earned Sanford Middle School a grant from a national foundation. Through her leadership in the school...
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sledding

Monday 1/13 Announcements

January 13, 2025
Monday, January 13 th *Chess club today in Mr. Pyle's room 2211 in the 6th grade wing and will be in session from 2:15-3:15. *Beauty and the Beast Jr. has rehearsal ...
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paint

Friday 1/10 Announcements

January 10, 2025
Friday, January 10th *Beauty and the Beast Jr has vocal rehearsal today in Mr. Bellefeuille’s room until 3:30. Please see our website for the call list and for next week...
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dog

Thursday 1/9 Announcements

January 9, 2025
Thursday, January 9th *The Sources of Strength students will meet today during Spartan time. *Today, Section 5A will be meeting for Chorus during Spartan Time. *Studen...
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winter

Wednesday 1/8 Announcements

January 8, 2025
Wednesday, January 8th *No Mechanical Advantage Club this week. *The Sources of Strength students are meeting tomorrow/today (Thursday) during Spartan time *PTA Meeti...
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Be Kind

Tuesday 1/7 Announcements

January 7, 2025
Tuesday, January 7th *Math club will meet today until 3:00. *Beauty and the Beast Jr has rehearsal until 3:30 today in the cafeteria. Please see our website for detail...
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Nominations are now open for the 2025 York County Teacher of the Year and 2026 Teacher of the Year. 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 can be made through a form on the Maine Teacher of the Year Website from now until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31st, 2025. (Click here for the form) 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

January 6, 2025
Nominations are now open for the 2025 York County Teacher of the Year and 2026 Teacher of the Year. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate educators who demonstrate e...
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snowman

Announcements 1/6

January 6, 2025
Monday, January 6th * If you signed up to participate in the Great Maine Book Tournament or are interested please see Mrs. Williams in the library before the end of the we...
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snow

Friday 1/3 Announcements

January 3, 2025
Friday, January 3rd *Today’s Beauty and the Beast Junior Rehearsal is a vocal practice. Only those listed on our websites call list should to be in attendance. It will be ...
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The Sanford School Department is starting to spotlight employees at all of our schools. If you know an employee who you think should be highlighted, please email communications coordinator Sam Bonsey at sbonsey@sanford.org. This spotlight is on Sanford Middle School’s Support and Transition Room teacher Barbara Noone. What's your name and position in the Sanford School Department? Barbara Noone, Support and Transition Room at SMS How long have you been working in the Sanford School Department? I completed my student teaching at Willard School when it was a 4-6 school with the late, great Rose Marie Ryan, so counting that year I guess it's been about 35 years! What's your favorite part about working in Sanford? The students and families here are the reason why I came to work during my time as a classroom teacher, and they are the reason I came back to work a few years ago after "retiring!" What's your favorite TV show or movie? Forensic Files & Pimple Popper If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be? Determined, Open Minded, Adaptable If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be? I want to see Mt. Rushmore in the Black Hills of SD. Iced coffee or hot coffee? Iced Coffee Podcasts or Playlists? Playlists Lake or Ocean? Lake Sunrise or Sunset? Sunset Facebook or Instagram? Instagram

Employee Spotlight

January 2, 2025
The Sanford School Department is starting to spotlight employees at all of our schools. If you know an employee who you think should be highlighted, please email communications ...
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happy new year

Thursday 1/2 Announcements

January 2, 2025
Thursday, January 2 nd Happy New Year & Welcome Back ! *There is no Mechanical Advantage Club today. *Beauty and the Beast Junior will have its first rehearsal t...
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Students Spread Holiday Cheer with Toys for Tots

Sanford High School and Middle School Students Spread Holiday Cheer with Toys for Tots

December 20, 2024
Students from Sanford High School and Sanford Middle School's Jobs for Maine's Graduates (JMG) program embraced the spirit of giving this holiday season during a special two-day v...
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snoopy

12/20 Announcements

December 20, 2024
Friday, December 20 th *Today is Festive Sweater Day! *Tech Hub is closed today. *Q2 progress reports will be going home this afternoon. Staff, please make sure ...
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