Sanford Middle School joined communities across the nation in observing Red Ribbon Week recently, demonstrating their commitment to promoting drug-free living among youth. The school organized multiple engaging activities to reinforce this important message. Students had opportunities to make personal pledges toward living drug-free and show their support by adding stickers to a community pledge board. A highlight of this year's week was the vaping prevention panel designed specifically for sixth-grade students. The panel addressed critical issues facing today's youth, diving deep into why some students turn to vaping and how peer pressure influences these decisions. Experts discussed the science behind vaping's negative effects on developing brains, bodies, and emotional well-being. The interactive session also focused on positive alternatives, highlighting constructive ways to manage stress and anxiety, such as participating in sports, joining YMCA activities, and engaging in other healthy recreational pursuits. Students learned about available resources both within the school and the broader community, empowering them to seek help or support friends who might be struggling with substance use. Fifth-grade students participated in specialized classroom sessions focused on vaping prevention and developing strategies to respond to peer pressure, while seventh and eighth-grade students benefited from guest speaker presentations. Daily morning announcements shared messages about maintaining a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Students participated in interactive activities including word searches and an "Above the Influence" clouds project. The school also showed their solidarity by wearing red on Wednesday. The week culminated with a powerful presentation by nationally recognized youth advocate Rob Holla, who spoke to seventh and eighth-grade students about the serious health risks of vaping. Drawing from his background as an X-ray technician, Holla combined medical knowledge with engaging, real-world examples that resonated with students. His presentation included video testimonials, statistics about vaping-related health risks, and practical information about free, confidential resources for those seeking help to quit. Holla's tech-savvy approach and ability to connect with young audiences helped make serious medical information accessible and memorable for middle school students. The success of Red Ribbon Week was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the school counseling team, including Angela Avery and Reuben Christie, along with Brent Coleman and outreach worker Cecilia Sirianni, who worked together to coordinate these important awareness and prevention activities for Sanford's middle school students.

Red Ribbon Week at Sanford Middle School

November 19, 2024
Sanford Middle School joined communities across the nation in observing Red Ribbon Week recently, demonstrating their commitment to promoting drug-free living among youth. The s...
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leaves

Tuesday 11/19 Announcements

November 19, 2024
Tuesday, November 19 th *Math club will take place today after school until 3:00. *Dragon Ball Z Club will meet today until 3pm. Please have rides ready at 3pm. ...
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fall

Monday 11/18 Announcements

November 18, 2024
Monday, November 18 th *The Holiday Food Drive competition continues this week!!! Let’s fill those boxes!! In the 5th grade wing, the competition is pretty fierce. Remember...
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pie

Pie Winners!

November 15, 2024
Top Pie Sellers were Kendrick Guillemette and Kya Owen!! They earned the opportunity to pie a teacher of their choice. A big thank you to Mr. Stefanilo and Mr. Pyle for being ...
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kids

Friday 11/15 Announcements

November 15, 2024
Friday, November 15 th * Winter Sports Try-outs continue today after school! *Chess club will begin this Monday in Mr. Pyle's room 2211 in the 6th grade wing and will b...
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pie

Thursday 11/14 Announcements

November 14, 2024
Thursday, November 14 th *Good morning, everyone! The SMS food drive continues! From now through next Tuesday, there will be an opportunity to bring in BONUS point item...
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Anti-Vaping Expert Rob Holla Speaks to Sanford Middle School Students

Anti-Vaping Expert Rob Holla Speaks to Sanford Middle School Students

November 12, 2024
Nationally recognized youth advocate Rob Holla spoke to Sanford Middle School's 7th and 8th-grade students on Friday, November 8th, about the serious health risks of vaping and th...
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Holiday Assistance For Sanford Families

November 12, 2024
Looking for help with holiday gifts and meals? Several local organizations in the Sanford area are stepping up to ensure every family can celebrate this holiday season. Here's wha...
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book fair

Tuesday 11/12 Announcements

November 12, 2024
Tuesday, November 12 th *There will be no math club this week due to conferences. Math club will resume 11/19. *There is no STEAM team Tuesday due to the book fair...
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pies

PIES

November 8, 2024
Pie order pickup will be Thursday, November 14th, 4:00-6:00pm in front of SMS.
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Veterans Day / NO SCHOOL

Friday 11/8 Announcements

November 8, 2024
Friday, November 8 th *NO SCHOOL MONDAY in observance of Veterans Day! To our Staff member Veterans, THANK YOU for your service!! *The SMS Food Drive competition ...
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spartan

Thursday 11/7 Announcements

November 7, 2024
Thursday, November 7th *The food drive began TODAY!! If any student brought in a food item today, with permission from your teacher, ask to see Mrs. Houle in room 1227 for...
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Sanford Middle School has kicked off its annual Holiday Food Drive Competition, running from November 6th through December 6th. The initiative aims to collect essential food items to support Sanford students and their families during the holiday season. The drive is focusing on collecting high-need items including instant potatoes, canned fruit, cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, peanut butter, rice, canned soup, pie crusts and filling, mac and cheese, desserts, boxed cereal/oatmeal, and granola bars. Students are encouraged to listen to school announcements for information about bonus point items that will earn extra credit toward the competition. All donated items will directly benefit Sanford students and their families. The school emphasizes that any food donation, whether on the priority list or not, will help support the community initiative

Sanford Middle School Annual Holiday Food Drive Competition

November 6, 2024
Sanford Middle School is kicking off its annual Holiday Food Drive Competition, running from November 6th through December 6th. The initiative aims to collect essential food items...
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kind

Wednesday 11/6 Announcements

November 6, 2024
Wednesday, November 6th *Happy Red Ribbon Week! You don’t have to use drugs to fit in. There are other ways to belong…Sports, Clubs, Arts and Music to name a few. Celebr...
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stars

Tuesday 11/5 Announcements

November 5, 2024
Tuesday, November 5th ELECTION DAY! *DAY 2 of Red Ribbon WEEK: Reminder that by staying drug free, you are sending a message to yourself and others about how much ...
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grades

Monday 11/4 Announcements

November 4, 2024
Monday, November 4th *It is RED RIBBON week… The theme is BE KIND TO YOUR MIND LIVE DRUG FREE: The theme is a call to action to speak out in support of healthy choices....
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Sanford Middle School's Newsletter

November 1, 2024
Click here for Sanford Middle School's Newsletter.
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Students at Sanford Middle School transformed the woods at Gowen Park into a Halloween attraction on Tuesday, October 29th, continuing its annual Haunted Woods event. The event, organized by students in the Jobs for Maine’s Graduates (JMG) program, allows students to experience a real-life example of project planning, leadership, and teamwork. The kids did a fantastic job prepping for the Area 51 Haunts, and the enthusiasm of the volunteer staff is so appreciated. Students begin planning over a month before the event, brainstorming different ideas for the theme. From there, students need to work together to plan each section of the woods, roles, costumes, decorations, and more. The students thought of the idea of a Haunted Walk, and after navigating red tape and a presentation to the school committee, the event was born. “To see all their work result in something that so many people enjoy, they have said it helps them understand what it really means to work as a team in the ‘real work’ and gives them an idea of what people can accomplish when they work together,” said Tara Houle who is Sanford Middle School’s JMG Specialist.

Sanford Middle School's Haunted Woods

November 1, 2024
Students at Sanford Middle School transformed the woods at Gowen Park into a Halloween attraction on Tuesday, October 29th, continuing its annual Haunted Woods event. The event, ...
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Nov

Friday 11/1 Announcements

November 1, 2024
Friday, November 1st * Sources of Strength Peer Leaders- please remember to come to the room next to Ms. Lynn's. Students in band or chorus, please go to band or chorus. ...
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PUMPKIN

Thursday 10/31 Announcements

October 31, 2024
Thursday, October 31st HAPPY HALLOWEEN! *Just a reminder for today and tomorrow ...no costumes today and all candy should be put away in backpacks until after s...
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