Sanford School Department

SRTC Students Recognized at Annual Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club Breakfast

May 21, 2026

Fourteen Sanford Regional Technical Center students were celebrated during a breakfast hosted by the Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club. The event, held in SRTC's café, featured a mea...

Two Sanford School Department Staff Members Honored For Youth Support Work

May 21, 2026

Two staff members of the Sanford School Department were recognized at the Maine Prevention Network of York County's Annual Community Meeting, held Tuesday, May 19, at the Nonantum...

Sanford High School recently held its annual Jobs for Maine's Graduates Closing Ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, at the Performing Arts Center, celebrating student achievements and recognizing graduates as they prepare for life after high school. The event was welcomed by JMG Leadership Council President Lulu Morris and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by student Essence Veilleux-Camara, followed by an opening statement from Izzy Mitchell. Vice President Tiffany Mitchell reflected on first joining the program in seventh grade, crediting JMG with giving her the confidence and interview skills to earn a spot in the early childhood SRTC program. "I could not imagine myself standing in front of all of you now more confident about myself and what I want to do for a career," she said. Students Fiona Zachko and Brooklyn Skaltsis recognized the many community volunteers and guest speakers who visited the JMG classroom throughout the year, while Landon Stone, Lucien Curry, and Michael Rodriguez highlighted a busy year of community service that included volunteering at Special Olympics events, distributing holiday toys locally, and field trips to three college campuses and Maine Health's medical simulation lab in Portland. Social studies teacher Mr. O'Brien delivered the keynote address, speaking on the theme of independence and encouraging students to keep pushing forward through life's challenges. Lacey Kimball, who introduced him, described O'Brien as someone who "always checks in on us about school and outside of school to make sure we're doing okay." Lulu Morris and Izzy Mitchell recognized students who earned digital badges through Maine's Career Exploration Model, a framework through which students demonstrate mastery in self-awareness and job attainment skills. Certificates of completion were also awarded to multi-year participants, with several students recognized for involvement stretching back to middle school. Underclassmen speaker Leah Lagueux honored JMG teacher Ms. Gifford ahead of the senior spotlights. "She doesn't just teach lessons from a textbook. She teaches us how to succeed in the real world," Lagueux said. "What makes her truly special is the way she connects with her students. Because of that, our classroom feels like a safe space where we can be ourselves, ask questions, and grow." Each graduating senior was recognized by JMG teacher Cheryl Gifford alongside a team of underclassmen readers, with seniors sharing their favorite JMG memories and future plans spanning fields from cosmetology and graphic design to criminal justice, social work, and the Coast Guard. Lulu Morris delivered the senior speaker address, reflecting on four years in the program. "She guided me through creating my very first resume, helped me apply for my first job, and encouraged me to enroll in the SRTC program," Morris said of Ms. Gifford. "But beyond all those accomplishments, what mattered even more was that she helped me believe in myself."

Sanford High Schools Holds Annual JMG Closing Ceremony

May 20, 2026

Sanford High School recently held its annual Jobs for Maine's Graduates Closing Ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, at the Performing Arts Center, celebrating student achievements and re...

SMS JMG Students Make Their Mark at Statewide Career Event

Sanford Middle School JMG Students Make Their Mark at Statewide Career Event

May 20, 2026

Sanford Middle School's 8th grade JMG students recently set off on their annual Adventure Trip, a two-day experience designed to bring leadership training, career exploration, and...

Sanford Middle School's 7th Grade Jobs for Maine's Graduates (JMG) students and the SMS Student Leadership Team recently traveled to the University of New England for the annual Middle School Leadership Summit. The event brought together students from across southern Maine to tackle real issues affecting their schools and communities. SMS students had the opportunity to collaborate with their peers, brainstorm creative solutions, share what has and hasn't worked in their own school, and exchange ideas for positive change. The experience didn't end when students returned to Sanford — those who attended will be carrying their new ideas and insights into next year, working to identify what can be implemented right here at home. On May 11th, SMS students did an incredible job representing their school and community with enthusiasm, collaboration, and school pride.

Sanford Middle School Seventh Graders Attend UNE Leadership Summit

May 20, 2026

Sanford Middle School's 7th Grade Jobs for Maine's Graduates (JMG) students and the SMS Student Leadership Team recently traveled to the University of New England for the annual M...

Sanford Fourth Graders Visit Moody's Collision, Sanford Airport

Sanford Fourth Graders Visit Moody's Collision, Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport

May 18, 2026

Fourth grade students from Carl J. Lamb Elementary, Sanford Pride Elementary, and Margaret Chase Smith Elementary Schools stepped outside the classroom Friday morning for an excit...

Sanford Spotlight Newsletter

May 18, 2026

Click here to read the latest edition of the Sanford Spotlight Newsletter.

SRTC Health Occupations Students Earn CNA Credentials at Annual Pinning Ceremony

May 15, 2026

Sanford Regional Technical Center held its Health Occupations Pinning Ceremony at the Sanford Performing Arts Center Wednesday, May 13, celebrating 56 students who have achieved a...

Sanford Middle School Students Build Outdoor Equipment Shed from the Ground Up

May 14, 2026

Sanford Middle School marked a major milestone this week with the ribbon cutting of a brand-new outdoor equipment shed, one that students designed and constructed themselves. Me...

Margaret Chase Smith Elementary held its annual Variety Show last Thursday, and the evening was nothing short of spectacular. More than 40 third and fourth grade students took to the stage, treating the audience to an impressive showcase of dancing, singing, gymnastics, comedy sketches, and clogging performances. The event was a testament to weeks of dedicated preparation and the spirit of encouragement students showed one another throughout the process. Their hard work, creativity, and courage were on full display from the first act to the last.

Margaret Chase Smith students steal the spotlight at annual Variety Show

May 13, 2026

Margaret Chase Smith Elementary held its annual Variety Show last Thursday, and the evening was nothing short of spectacular. More than 40 third and fourth grade students took to ...

Sanford Students Shine at Annual Elks Youth Banquet

May 8, 2026

The Sanford Elks Lodge hosted its annual Youth Banquet on Wednesday, May 6, bringing together students, families, and community members for an evening dedicated to celebrating aca...

SRTC Inducts More Than 80 Students into National Technical Honor Society

May 7, 2026

More than 80 Sanford Regional Technical Center students were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) during a ceremony held Wednesday, May 6, at the San...

Sanford Regional Technical Center Administrative Assistant Darlene Breton has been named the 2026 Maine Principals' Association Administrative Assistant of the Year. The award recognizes school administrative professionals across Maine who demonstrate exceptional dedication, leadership, and service to their school communities. Breton has served SRTC since November of 1983, making her one of the longest-serving staff members in the center's history. Over that time, she has worked alongside every director the school has had and has witnessed SRTC grow from approximately 300 students to nearly 800 today, serving families across eight partner communities throughout York County. "I am deeply honored to receive the MPA Administrative Assistant of the Year award. I am sincerely grateful to be part of the Sanford Regional Technical Center, where I have proudly served since 1983," Breton said. "This recognition is a reflection of the collaborative spirit and dedication of my colleagues. Most importantly, I remain thankful for the students we serve, who continue to inspire and remind us of the importance of our work." In his nomination letter, SRTC Director Matthew Petermann credited Breton with keeping the school's complex day-to-day operations running seamlessly across all 25 of its programs. "Her leadership is steady, reliable, and indispensable," Petermann wrote. "She does so without fanfare, ensuring that every teacher, every student, and every program has what it needs to succeed. That is leadership in its truest form." Petermann also spoke to the personal qualities that make Breton such a valued member of the SRTC community. "She is an exceptional listener who takes the time to truly hear the needs of those around her — whether it is a staff member navigating a difficult situation, a student seeking support, or an administrator working through a challenge. Her patience is remarkable, and her ability to remain calm and composed in the face of a demanding, fast-paced environment sets a tone of stability and trust throughout our building." "The Sanford Regional Technical Center is a better school because of Darlene Breton," Petermann added, "and Maine's students are better served because of people like her."

SRTC's Darlene Breton Named 2026 MPA Administrative Assistant of the Year

May 6, 2026

Sanford Regional Technical Center Administrative Assistant Darlene Breton has been named the 2026 Maine Principals' Association Administrative Assistant of the Year. The award rec...

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First 10 May Newsletter

May 4, 2026

Check out First 10's May Newsletter below!

BRIDGE Program Elementary Students Tour Hannaford's in Sanford

May 4, 2026

Students in the Sanford School Department's BRIDGE Program elementary division traded their classrooms for the aisles of Hannaford's in Sanford for a fun and educational field tri...

Sanford Spotlight Newsletter

May 1, 2026

Click here to read the latest Sanford Spotlight Newsletter.

Sanford Middle School JMG students step outside the classroom for career exploration

April 30, 2026

Over the past six weeks, 7th and 8th grade Jobs for Maine's Graduates (JMG) students at Sanford Middle School took part in three career exploration experiences, giving them a firs...

Three Sanford Middle School Students Place in Top 11 of State Stock Market Game

April 30, 2026

Sanford Middle School had another strong showing in this year's statewide SIFMA Stock Market Game, with three students finishing in the top 11 in Maine. Billy Chaplain led the way...

The Sanford High School Performing Arts Center has a new Allen & Heath digital mixing console, thanks to a generous gift from the Gerard and Gertrude Genest Charitable Trust, and the upgrade is already making a difference for students, staff, and audiences alike. The foundation reached out to the school, asking simply what was needed. Brett Williams, Director of the Sanford Performing Arts Center, said the answer came down to sound. The center had been working with a soundboard installed when the building opened in 2018, one that wasn't quite built for the scale of programming the center has grown into. "Most high school Performing Arts Centers don't really take the room out for a ride the way we do," Williams said. "We're bringing in national tours, doing the Newsies mix with 25 wireless microphones plus 15 inputs for the orchestra, and bringing in tribute acts and big bands that require a really great live mix. We weren't able to provide that." The gift addressed two needs at once. The center's outgoing Soundcraft board was repurposed for the cafetorium at Sanford Middle School, which already had quality ceiling speakers but no way to connect a microphone to them. Pro AV completed the full installation over April vacation, giving the middle school a functioning audio system for the first time. "This will be a big help for presentations, small assemblies, faculty meetings, parent nights, the talent show, theatre company, and so much more," said Sanford Middle School Principal Joe Mastraccio. "We kind of hit two targets with one shot," Williams said. "This gift allowed us to fix the deficiencies at the Sanford Middle School Cafeteria at the same time that we're fixing the deficiency with the soundboard at the Performing Arts Center. It was exactly what we needed." Williams said the new board is the right tool for the job. he said. "This Allen & Heath board is appropriate for what we need, and it does it with excellence. It's what we need to continue the quality of programming that we're bringing here." The board arrived just two weeks before Newsies opened, so the school brought in a sound engineer already familiar with the Allen & Heath model, to train students and staff before opening night. Williams called the experience a learning curve worth climbing. "It really brings us up to where we should be with our capabilities with mixing sound,” he said. For Williams, the gift reflects something larger than a single piece of equipment. The Genest family has remained a consistent presence at the Performing Arts Center and continues to check in on what the school needs next. "When they reach out to say, 'What do you need now? What's the next step for the Performing Arts Center?' It means a lot to have neighbors and community who understand what we're doing here," Williams said. "We're really grateful for their generosity."

Performing Arts Center, Sanford Middle School Turn Up the Volume Thanks to Genest Family Gift

April 29, 2026

The Sanford High School Performing Arts Center has a new Allen & Heath digital mixing console, thanks to a generous gift from the Gerard and Gertrude Genest Charitable Trust, and ...

Sanford Pride Elementary wrapped up the week before April vacation with its Celebration of Learning, a series of spring concerts showcasing the musical talents of students in Kindergarten through Fourth Grade. The events gave families a chance to see firsthand the hard work students have put in throughout the school year. Each evening featured live performances in the school's café, with students singing songs ranging from upbeat favorites to classical pieces. Kindergartners performed songs like "Honey Bee" and "The Bunny Boogie," while First Graders sang numbers including "If It Walks Like a Duck" and "Hey Bunny." Second Graders took on songs such as "If I Could Catch a Rainbow" and "It Starts With Me," and Third Graders performed "Big Blue Marble" and "Earthlings, Unite!" alongside ukulele demonstrations. Fourth Grade families enjoyed a special SPE Chorus performance as well as recorder demonstrations, and the evening included crowd favorites like "Best Day of My Life" and "Raining Tacos." The concert series kicked off on April 13 with Kindergarten and First Grade, followed by Second and Third Grade on April 14. The series concluded on April 16 with the Fourth Grade concert. In addition to the concerts, families were invited to visit the Art Room to view student artwork and projects, and a Library Book Fair was open for browsing throughout the week. The Celebration of Learning was made possible through the support of SPE staff, the Sanford Music Boosters, the SPE PTA, and many community partners.

Celebration of Learning at Sanford Pride Elementary

April 24, 2026

Sanford Pride Elementary wrapped up the week before April vacation with its Celebration of Learning, a series of spring concerts showcasing the musical talents of students in Kind...