On Thursday, March 19th, members of the Sanford Middle School Environmental Club traveled to Wolfe's Neck Farm for a hands-on look at sustainable farming. The tour began with a walk from the main lodge to the dairy farm area, taking in the ocean views and open fields along the way. Right away, the baby cows stole the show. Students learned that calves on the farm are separated by gender, with females given names and males assigned numbers. The reason? The females stay on to join the dairy herd, while the males eventually move on. There's even a fun naming tradition: when a calf is born, its name begins with the same letter as its mother's. So if mom is named Jasmine, her calf might be called Jane. From there, the group made their way to the milking room, where they watched the entire milking process from start to finish, including how the equipment works, how the milk is cleaned and collected, and how the operation runs so smoothly that the cows know their own spots and walk right to them each day. After leaving the dairy barn, students watched the calves being fed using a "Milk Bar," a device designed to mimic nursing from their mothers. The tour wrapped up with a visit to a greenhouse, where several beds of seeds were already beginning to sprout, and then to the petting barn. There, students mingled with goats, sheep, chickens, and a resident barn cat, all accompanied by the cheerful chirping of sparrows and starlings nesting among the rafters. The club would like to extend a huge thank you to Mr. Mastraccio for covering the entry fees to Wolfe's Neck Farm, and to Mr. Peterman for providing the van and gas for the trip. None of it would have been possible without their generosity!

Sanford Middle School Environmental Club Visits Wolfe's Neck Farm

April 6, 2026
On Thursday, March 19th, members of the Sanford Middle School Environmental Club traveled to Wolfe's Neck Farm for a hands-on look at sustainable farming. The tour began with a wa...
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attendance

Monday 4/6 Announcements

April 6, 2026
*This afternoon’s rehearsal for the Wizard of Oz is being held at SPAC until 4:30. It is a full cast & crew call rehearsal. Students will be called down to the cafeteria to wait...
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Sanford Middle School's Monthly Newsletter

April 3, 2026
Check out Sanford Middle School's Monthly Newsletter at the following link: Or check it out below!
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flowers

Friday 4/3 Announcements

April 3, 2026
LIBRARIAN APPRECIATION DAY!!! *Shout out to Mrs. Williams for making our library a warm and welcoming place! *Reminder to check the lost and found for items you may be...
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Sanford Middle School reached a historic milestone recently, hosting its first-ever Unified Basketball scrimmage. Unified Sports is a Special Olympics program that pairs students with and without intellectual disabilities as teammates. This is the program's first year at Sanford Middle School. The team practiced once a week, with 17 athletes and 11 partners, 28 participants in all, spanning grades 6 through 8. Sanford’s scrimmage against Massabesic Middle School was the team's first time competing, with Massabesic edging out a close 82-80 win. Massabesic accepted the invitation to play after school administration reached out to neighboring schools, and their coach provided valuable guidance as coach Meagan Collupy worked to get the program off the ground. Collupy said the effort involved coordination with administrators, Special Olympics Maine, life skills teachers, service providers, wellness teachers, and school counselors. "I was a little nervous going into game day, but then actually seeing it unfold, I was like this was awesome," said Collupy. "Talking to some of the other staff members, they said it was hard not to cry watching it, seeing the crowd and the families." Sixth grader Blake Russell said the atmosphere on the court captured what the program is all about. "Everyone was happy for everybody," he said. Collupy shared that sentiment. "Two partners walked by the morning after the game and said, 'Why does it have to be over? Why can't we still practice?'" she recalled. "That was actually the sweetest thing I'd heard." Principal Joe Mastraccio credited the work of several staff members in getting the program launched. "Sanford Middle School's Unified Basketball program was many years in the making. This year, we were able to get it off the ground. Meagan wrote a proposal that included equipment, staff oversight, practice and game logistics, and athlete/partner requirements. Many meetings later between Meagan, Sanford Middle School Athletic Liaison Josh Allen, and Joe Mastraccio, in collaboration with SHS Unified coach and Special Education Teacher Stephanie Boisonnault, we were given the green light by SHS Athletic Director Zach Lemelin to have a pilot year to see the interest in the program, and it really took off!" Lemelin echoed that enthusiasm. "The opportunity for our middle school student-athletes to participate in and experience a unified basketball game will be one of the best things that happens in the Athletic Department this year," he said. "It is a special event that I hope will continue, and I appreciate having dedicated staff and coworkers willing to give our students a great experience." The future of the program looks bright. Lemelin has already approved Unified Basketball as an official winter sport next year, with a full schedule of regular games against other middle schools. Fellow sixth grader Luke Levesque is already looking ahead. "Next year we're going to have a full season. We're very excited about that," he said. In the meantime, the team plans to continue building connections through activities like lunch buddies and outdoor play as the weather improves. "We're really happy to have it here," Collupy said. "We're very excited it all worked out."

Sanford Middle School Unified Basketball takes the court for the first time

April 2, 2026
Sanford Middle School reached a historic milestone recently, hosting its first-ever Unified Basketball scrimmage. Unified Sports is a Special Olympics program that pairs stude...
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flowers

Thursday 4/2 Announcements

April 2, 2026
*Reminder to staff that grades close for students on FRIDAY for Quarter 3!!! The grading window is now open. Grades are due in IC at 8am on Friday, April 10th. *Today is a ...
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SMS 8th Grade JMG Students Shine at Statewide Leadership Conference

Sanford Middle School 8th Grade JMG Students Shine at Statewide Leadership Conference

April 1, 2026
On March 19th and 20th, 8th grade JMG students from Sanford Middle School traveled to Central Maine Community College in Auburn to take part in the Maine Youth Action Network Lead...
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music

Wednesday 4/1 Announcements

April 1, 2026
🎉 ED TECH APPRECIATION DAY! *SHOUT OUT TO ALL OUR AMAZING ED-TECHS! We have 21 Ed techs in our building and we could not manage the day to day activities without the...
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The SMS Times April Newsletter

April 1, 2026
Check out Sanford Middle School's SMS Times April Newsletter below!
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flowers

Tuesday 3/31 Announcements

March 31, 2026
*No Student Leadership today. *Doctor Who club will be held today in Ms. Hanson's room today until 4pm. *The Tech Hub will be open until 9:30 this morning. ...
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Youth health advocate Robb Holla visited Sanford Middle School last Friday to speak with 6th and 7th graders about the very real dangers of vaping. Known for his ability to connect with young audiences across North America, Holla brought his signature blend of straight talk, humor, and hard-hitting facts to engage students on one of today's most pressing health issues. Principal Joe Mastraccio was enthusiastic about the visit: "We are excited to share an impactful visit from our guest speaker this past Friday! Robb's message was empowering and aimed to help students realize the power they have to be healthy, successful and happy. We are incredibly grateful to Robb for taking the time to speak with our students and for sharing such an important and motivating message. His words truly make an impact!" Holla, who has dedicated his career to empowering teens to make smart, independent choices, drew on real stories to drive his message home. His presentation covered the science behind why developing brains are especially vulnerable to nicotine addiction, how vaping restricts blood flow and hurts athletic performance, and why products marketed as "safe alternatives" are anything but — producing harmful aerosol particles and metals rather than harmless vapor. Throughout, Holla kept the focus on empowering students to think for themselves. "I'm not here to scare you or give you one little answer," he told students. "I want you to make it your own mind, your own life." Holla also reminded students that help is available and free. Those looking to quit can text DITCH VAPE to 88709 for confidential, research-backed support shown to increase quit rates significantly. Parents are encouraged to keep the conversation going at home. Ask your child what resonated with them, and remind them that trusted adults — whether a parent, teacher, nurse, or counselor — are always there to help

Nationally Recognized Youth Advocate Robb Holla Visits Sanford Middle School

March 30, 2026
Youth health advocate Robb Holla visited Sanford Middle School last Friday to speak with 6th and 7th graders about the very real dangers of vaping. Known for his ability to connec...
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spring

Thursday 3/26 Announcements

March 26, 2026
*Environmental Club meets this afternoon in Miss Allen's room. *There will be a meeting for those who are thinking about doing track, but have questions about track tomorrow...
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spring

Wednesday 3/25 Announcements

March 25, 2026
*The library will be closed after 11:00 today. *Good luck to the SMS Volleyball Team as they play in Kennebunk today at 3:30! Team members should meet in the gym at 1:30,...
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spring

Tuesday 3/24 Announcements

March 24, 2026
*Reminder that student leadership will meet today after school until 3:20 in room 2217 *It's See Something, Say Something Week! This week we are reminding you that we have th...
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spring

Monday 3/23 Announcements

March 23, 2026
*It's See Something, Say Something Week! This week we are reminding you that we have the Sandy Hook Promise anonymous reporting system. If you are worried about someone after s...
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flowers

Friday 3/20 Announcements

March 20, 2026
*Pick up time for Butter Braids Pastries is today from 2-6pm here at SMS at the front entrance outside. This includes any orders that were made on-line. *Tech Hub is clos...
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Sanford's student musicians took the stage on March 10th for the 37th Annual Sanford Band Fest, showcasing the talents of students from 5th grade through high school. March is Music in Our Schools Month, and there was no better way to celebrate than with a night full of live music performed by Sanford's own talented young musicians! From 5th graders performing their first melodies to high schoolers tackling complex film scores, the evening was a wonderful reminder of the vibrant music community thriving in Sanford's schools. The evening opened with the 5th Grade Band, directed by Mr. Jacob Morese, performing "Hot Cross Buns" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb." The 6th Grade Band, also under Mr. Morese's direction, followed with "Base-Six" by Laura Estes. The 7th and 8th Grade Bands, led by Mr. Josh Hyssong, brought more advanced repertoire to the stage. The 7th graders performed "Above and Beyond" by James Swearingen and "Ever-Hope" by Carol Brittin Chambers, while the 8th graders took on "Invincible" by Robert W. Smith and "Celtic Air and Dance" by Michael Sweeney. The High School Band, directed by Ms. Hailey Francoeur, closed out the individual performances with "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" by Hans Zimmer and the crowd-pleasing "The Great Rubber Chicken Gallop" by Randall Standridge. The concert concluded with a combined performance featuring all 6th through 12th grade students coming together to perform the "6 Note Folk Song Suite," arranged by Joseph Compello — a fitting finale celebrating the breadth of Sanford's music program.

Musicians Shine at 37th Annual Band Fest

March 19, 2026
Sanford's student musicians took the stage at Partners Bank Gymnasium on March 10 for the 37th Annual Sanford Band Fest, showcasing the talents of students from 5th grade through ...
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spring

Thursday 3/19 Announcements

March 19, 2026
*Today’s Wizard of Oz rehearsal is for Jitterbugs Ensemble Cast Members. This includes all double casted students except Glindas. It will run until 4 o’clock in the cafeteria. ...
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flowers

Wednesday 3/18 Announcements

March 18, 2026
*5th grade girls, there is still time to join girls on the run. See Mrs. Minchin in room 1200 during spartan time tomorrow or if you have questions or need another flyer to regis...
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Sanford's Got Talent Returns to Sanford Middle School for Another Spectacular Night

Sanford's Got Talent Returns to Sanford Middle School for Another Spectacular Night

March 17, 2026
Sanford Middle School had a great night as Sanford's Got Talent brought nearly 20 acts to the stage for a packed and enthusiastic crowd. The student talent competition featured a ...
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