Sanford Middle School

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...

Monday 1/5 Announcements

January 5, 2026

WELCOME BACK! HAPPY NEW YEAR! *We’re off to See the Wizard! Our first Wizard of Oz Youth Edition rehearsal is this afternoon, for all cast, including ensemble, and CURRENT-...

Bus Safety Reminders as Students Return from Holiday Break

December 31, 2025

As students return to school following the holiday break, we want to remind families that winter conditions make bus stop safety more important than ever. School bus safety is one...

Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program. 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 are open now through Friday, January 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. To nominate, please fill out this form. Self-nominations and nominations from family members will not be accepted. 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

December 29, 2025

Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate educators who demonstrate exemplary skills that inspire stude...

Tuesday 12/23 Announcements

December 23, 2025

*6th grade beginner band lessons, 5th grade band, and jazz band are all canceled for today. *Shout out to Ms. Noone who graciously tidied up the lost and found so you can f...

Monday 12/22 Announcements

December 22, 2025

*There will be NO Math Club, Chess Club or Art club today. *No 7th grade band lessons today. *Mechanical Advantage Club meets this afternoon. *Today is an 8th grade ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQiGr7lNAAw

Middle School Musicians Shine in Winter Performances

December 19, 2025

The Performing Arts Center has been filled with the sounds of the season as Sanford Middle School students showcased their musical talents in two winter performances. On Wednesday...

Friday 12/19 Announcements

December 19, 2025

*The Tech Hub is closed today. *Reminder the check the lost and found for any items you may be missing including lunch boxes, jackets, sweatshirts and water bottles. All ite...

When Sanford Middle School 7th graders returned from the Ecology School this fall with ideas about making outdoor time more engaging, the teachers listened and students are now building the solution themselves. Students in the Environmental Club and Mechanical Advantage Clubs are assembling a storage shed funded by the Stronger Connections Committee grant, creating a resource that will benefit the entire school community while gaining valuable hands-on construction experience. The project began with student feedback. During their week-long trip to the Ecology School, 7th graders experienced outdoor activities like volleyball, giant Jenga, and oversized Connect Four that kept them active and engaged. Diana Allen, who serves on the Stronger Connections Committee with colleague Ms. Mason, recognized an opportunity to translate student input into action. "We have this space out here that's not going to be effective for use during flex time," Allen noted during a recent presentation to students. "Instead of just walking around in circles around the building... how can we make that better for all of us?" Rather than simply purchasing and installing equipment, the school turned the project into a learning opportunity. Students from two clubs joined forces to construct the shed that would house the new outdoor equipment. Ms. Mason's Mechanical Advantage Club has been building giant Jenga blocks from two-by-fours, while both clubs have worked together on shed assembly. Allen acknowledged the collaborative effort. "Ms. Mason and I are on the Stronger Connections committee. We got permission to put it outside. And we are using the Environmental Club and Mechanical Advantage Club to put the shed together," she said. The hands-on work has resonated with students across grade levels. "Building the shed is really fun. I like the hands on. It's also a good idea and I like helping the community," said Owen Jutras, an 8th grader in the Environmental Club. Jediah Bowden, also in 8th grade, reflected on the project's lasting impact: "I am very happy to be a part of building the shed to store equipment so we can have fun outside during FLEX time. And the school can enjoy it for years to come!" Fellow 8th grader Eamon McGuckin Welsch added, "I have found the shed building to be extremely rewarding, finding it to be a great use of our time and resources to make something for the school." Sixth grader Jordan Barron appreciated the practical skills: "It's been fun, I really liked putting on the siding with a screwdriver." The shed will soon be stocked with volleyball nets, giant games, and PTA-donated activity totes, ready to transform how students experience outdoor time at Sanford Middle School.

Sanford Middle School Students Build Solution for More Active Outdoor Time

December 18, 2025

When Sanford Middle School 7th graders returned from the Ecology School this fall with ideas about making outdoor time more engaging, the teachers listened and students are now bu...