Sanford Middle School

Thursday 1/29 Announcements

January 29, 2026

KINDNESS SPIRIT WEEK! THURS - Ya’ll Be Kind and wear your western clothes, boots, and hats! FRI - Make Kindness a Pattern - Wear any and all patterns - polka do...

Wednesday 1/28 Announcements

January 28, 2026

WED - Dream of Kindness - Wear PJs today THURS - Ya’ll Be Kind and wear your western clothes, boots, and hats! FRI - Make Kindness a Pattern - Wear any and all patter...

Tuesday 1/27 Announcements

January 27, 2026

Kindness Week/Spirit Week! TUES - Global Kindness Day! We all live together so wear blues and greens to represent the earth and sky WED - Dream of Kindness - Wear PJs to...

For the fourth year running, Sanford Middle School students are experiencing the thrill of winter through the school's popular Ski Club, and this year has seen the highest participation yet with 36 students. Sanford Middle School Math Teacher Penny Christie is the club's advisor, and has been passionate about bringing skiing back to Sanford schools since she arrived. "I've been wanting to start the ski club since I got here," Christie said. She previously taught at Willard, where Mr. Levasseur ran a similar program years ago. With strong support from administrators, Christie's vision became reality once COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. The club takes students to Pleasant Mountain for four trips throughout the winter, welcoming both skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. With nearly 40 students on the mountain, safety remains a top priority. The program employs a comprehensive buddy system and hourly check-ins using a tracking system. Eight adult volunteers participate each trip, with four teachers stationed in the lodge and four on the mountain. For students like Jaxson Tranchemontagne and Rylan Delafontaine, the ski club offers a chance to spend time with friends and classmates. "It's been fun because when you go on the bus, you have people you know," Delafontaine said. Tranchemontagne, who snowboards, shared that his favorite part is "just snowboarding at the mountain." Both students plan to continue with the club throughout middle school. When asked if it's scary going down the mountain, Delafontaine acknowledged the challenge. "Not on the bunny ones, but like, halfway up the mountain, it's kind of steep," he said. "It's just because you can see everything around." The program welcomes complete beginners who take their first lessons on the conveyor belt in the beginner area, as well as more experienced students who tackle challenging runs higher up the mountain. Christie finds special joy in watching newcomers discover the sport. "Just the pride in their face. Some will say 'oh, Miss Christie, come look and see what I'm doing,'" she said. "It's so cool." After students complete their lessons, Christie often joins them on the chairlift, sometimes even accompanying them all the way to the summit. All eight adults who make the trips possible are volunteers, something Christie doesn't take for granted. "We're all volunteers, so it's really great. I feel really lucky that we get to do it," she said. The trips also provide a welcome break during the winter months for both students and staff. "It's nice to see the kids in a different light," Christie explained. "It's different when you're skiing."

Sanford Middle School Ski Club Hits the Slopes

January 23, 2026

For the fourth year running, Sanford Middle School students are experiencing the thrill of winter through the school's popular Ski Club, and this year has seen the highest partici...

Friday 1/23 Announcements

January 23, 2026

*The Tech Hub is CLOSED again today. *Today is a 7th grade Chorus Day. *The library will be closed after 11:00 today. *Wizard of Oz Youth Edition has vocal rehea...

Thursday 1/22 Announcements

January 22, 2026

*Audition sign ups for Sanford's Got Talent 2026 begin today! Pick up a form in the library, office, or from Mrs. Houle in room 1227. Your homeroom teachers may have a copy, too! ...

SMS Spirit Week 1/26 - 1/30

January 21, 2026

Next week starts the Great Kindness challenge. Among other fun events, there will be a spirit week. MON - Kindness Rocks! Dress up like a rockstar! You can also double yo...

Wednesday 1/21 Announcements

January 21, 2026

The Tech Hub is CLOSED today *Wizard of Oz has rehearsal tomorrow until 3:30 for the full cast and crew. Calendar sales end this Friday and all money is also due by ...

Tuesday 1/20 Announcements

January 20, 2026

*The next Wizard of Oz Youth Edition will be Thursday afternoon until 3:30 in the cafeteria. It is a full cast rehearsal. See Google Classroom, Remind, or our website for more i...

Friday, 1/16/26 Announcements

January 16, 2026

NO SCHOOL MONDAY 1/19 *Mechanical Advantage Club meets next Tuesday afternoon. *Mr. Allen will hold a sports meeting for 7th- and 8th-grade girls' volleyball and 6th-8t...

Students at Sanford Middle School were treated to a visit from New York Times bestselling author Sarah Albee, who shared her passion for nonfiction writing. Albee, who has written numerous books for middle grade readers including Poop Happened, Why'd They Wear That?, and Accidental Archaeologist, met with each grade level in the gymnasium for 50-minute sessions. During these presentations, she pulled back the curtain on her writing process, demonstrating how writers make countless choices about what to include, where to start a story, and how to make complex topics accessible to young readers. Using her biography of George Washington as an example, Albee invited student volunteers to become "human note cards," arranging them to show how she structures her books. The demonstration revealed that good writing isn't just about gathering facts, it's about deciding which details matter most and organizing them in a compelling way. Students were surprised to learn that her 24-page picture book required just as much research as her longer works, but demanded even more careful decision-making about what to include. The presentation sparked plenty of curiosity from students. "How do you go to the bathroom in a suit of armor?" one student asked, referencing Albee's book about historical fashion and daily life. Another wanted to know, "What's your name?" in Arabic, after learning about Albee's year living in Cairo. Later in the afternoon, Albee met with student medallion holders in the library for two half-hour question and answer sessions. These gatherings allowed students to dive deeper into both her writing life and personal experiences. Questions ranged from practical inquiries about how long it takes to write a picture book to personal questions about what it was like living in Egypt. When asked about her favorite book to write, Albee shared her enthusiasm for Fairy Tale Science, which allowed her to work with fifth grade classes across the country who tested her experiments. Students also learned that she's currently juggling multiple projects at once—a necessity in children's publishing where illustrators may take months or even years to complete artwork. One student wanted to know what it's like being an author. Albee explained that while people don't recognize her on the street, the job comes with its own challenges, including rejections and the frustrations of the long publishing timeline.. Throughout the day, Albee emphasized the importance of revision, showing students that professional writers often produce many drafts before sharing their work. She encouraged students to view teachers' feedback as a gift, explaining that detailed comments show teachers care enough to invest time in helping students improve.

New York Times Bestselling Author Sarah Albee Visits Sanford Middle school

January 16, 2026

Students at Sanford Middle School were treated to a visit from New York Times bestselling author Sarah Albee, who shared her passion for nonfiction writing. Albee, who has writt...

Winter Two & Spring Sports Registration Now Open

Spring Sports & Winter Two Registration Now Open

January 15, 2026

The Middle School Winter Two Season is now open for registration. The sports offered during Season Two are Girls Volleyball for grades 7 and 8 and Wrestling for grades 6, 7, 8. ...

Thursday 1/15 Announcements

January 15, 2026

*Wizard of Oz Cast and Crew: rehearsal this afternoon is our first limited call list rehearsal in the cafeteria after school until 3:30. Please check Google Classroom if you don...

Wednesday 1/14 Announcements

January 14, 2026

*No SCHOOL on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day! *The library will be closed all day Thursday due to the author visit. If you are getting low on reading mate...

Tuesday 1/13 Announcements

January 13, 2026

*Mechanical Advantage Club meets this afternoon in Miss Nason's room. *Doctor Who club will be meeting today in Ms. Hanson's room until 4pm. *Today is a 6th grade Chorus da...

Monday 1/12 Announcements

January 12, 2026

*Math Club, Chess Club and Lego club are canceled for today. *No Art Club today. *Mechanical Advantage Club meets Tuesday afternoon in Miss Nason's room. *Sk...

Friday 1/9 Announcements

January 9, 2026

*Math & Chess Clubs are canceled for Monday. *Today is a 7th grade Chorus day. *SOS will meet this morning in room-1243 right after announcements. *Ra...

Thursday 1/8 Announcements

January 8, 2026

*Would you consider yourself a positive influence on others? Do you have ideas about how to have fun in Middle School? We are talking to you then. On Tuesday January 20th, come ...

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The SMS Times

January 6, 2026

Check out the January edition of The SMS Times below! The SMS Times January Issue

Tuesday 1/6 Announcements

January 6, 2026

*Doctor Who club will be held today in Ms. Hanson's room until 4pm. *STEAM will meet after school today. *There is no student leadership this week. See google classroom f...