Sanford School Department

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...

Margaret Chase Smith Elementary students spent the last Friday before Spring Break at the school's annual Wellness Fair, a fun-filled day packed with hands-on activities focused on health, nutrition, safety, and career readiness. Students explored an exciting lineup of sessions throughout the day, including fire safety demonstrations, cosmetology tips, and interactive presentations from JMG, our School Resource Officer, and local EMTs. One of the biggest crowd-pleasers was the smoothie bike, where students pedaled their way to a delicious healthy treat. Students also got their hands dirty planting seeds, practiced bike safety skills, and took part in creative social-emotional learning activities. The Wellness Fair is a beloved school tradition, and this year was no exception. Our coyotes came away with new knowledge, new experiences, and plenty of great memories to carry into the break. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of the volunteers who gave their time and talents to make the day such a success. Your support means the world to our school community!

Margaret Chase Smith Hosts Annual Wellness Fair

April 22, 2026

Margaret Chase Smith Elementary students spent the last Friday before Spring Break at the school's annual Wellness Fair, a fun-filled day packed with hands-on activities focused o...

Sanford Middle School's 7th grade students participated in the school's annual Junior Achievement in a Day event on Wednesday, April 15, bringing together community volunteers and students for a day of hands-on financial literacy learning. Volunteers came in to teach lessons about personal finance, drawing on their own professional experiences to bring the material to life. As Social Studies Department Chair Erin Barry noted, "The volunteers work for various local businesses and share their work experiences and knowledge about money management with students." Organizations represented included Machias Savings Bank, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Atlantic Credit Union, the Sanford Chamber of Commerce, Longfellow Hotel, and Moody's Collision. This year's program, Economics for Success, guided students through four key lessons over the course of the day. Rotating through sessions with a different volunteer for each, students learned about budgeting, the role of credit, how to pay for wants and needs, and how to plan for future income. One highlight came from Cari Qatar of the Sanford Chamber of Commerce, who led the Managing My Money unit. Her session drew creative parallels between managing time and managing money, sparked lively discussion about needs versus wants and short-term versus long-term goals, and got students thinking about their own financial futures. "The kids did a great job brainstorming ways middle-schoolers can earn money," Cari said. "They walked away realizing that making many small purchases add up and could affect their ability to buy something more meaningful down the line." Danielle Moody of Moody's Collision, who led the Planning For My Future Income unit, spoke to the lasting impact of the program. "Kids do look back on this learning opportunity and realize how important financial literacy is," she said. "Even though these sessions are only 45 minutes long, I do think the students take away a lot from them. It's really nice to share some of that terminology and help them understand." Junior Achievement in a Day is a wonderful example of what becomes possible when schools and their surrounding communities come together. Hearing directly from working professionals helps make financial concepts feel real and relevant in a way that goes beyond the classroom. A special thank you goes out to all of the volunteers, the teachers who helped organize and host sessions, and the Sanford Middle School staff who worked behind the scenes to make the day run smoothly.

Sanford Middle School 7th Graders Participate in Junior Achievement in a Day

April 21, 2026

Sanford Middle School's 7th grade students participated in the school's annual Junior Achievement in a Day event on Wednesday, April 15, bringing together community volunteers and...

Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger Scholarship

Sanford High School Senior Awarded Horatio Alger Scholarship

April 21, 2026

Sanford High School senior Leah Soucy has been named a recipient of the Horatio Alger Scholarship. The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans awards this scholarshi...

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Carl J. Lamb Hosts Second Annual Maine Adaptive Music Summit

April 17, 2026

Carl J. Lamb Elementary School opened its doors on Saturday, April 11, to host the second annual Maine Adaptive Music Summit. Organized by Carl J. Lamb music teacher Hattie Skvor...

When Sanford Regional Technical Center launched its new Sports Medicine Program, it opened a door that one Sanford High School senior was ready to walk right through. Now a senior with plans to study exercise science at St. Joseph's College next fall, Isabella McCall has become one of the program's standout participants, pairing her classroom learning with a hands-on internship at Maine Health's Sports Performance Center in Sanford. Isabella admits she wasn't always sure what direction she wanted to take after high school. It was through conversations with teachers and some soul-searching that exercise science started to feel like the right fit. When she spotted the Sports Medicine Program, she jumped, though not without some self-doubt about whether she could handle the realities of a medical setting. "I just was like, no, I'm just going to go for it," she said. "The program was a great way for me to see if I can handle injuries and stuff like that. And it's been good so far." The program had originally been two years, which gave her pause as a senior, but when it was condensed to one year the decision became easy. "And then they switched it to one and I was like, I'll do it," she said. Through the program's Extended Learning Opportunities, Isabella arranged an internship at Maine Health's Sports Performance Center, where she spends two to three days a week observing treatments and supporting staff. The classroom curriculum, covering muscle anatomy, health terminology, and movement mechanics, has translated directly to the gym floor. At the Sports Performance Center, Isabella observes treatments, helps explain exercises to clients, and occasionally sets up workouts under the guidance of staff. She recalled one moment when a client was working through an exercise involving internal rotation with one arm and external rotation with the other. "The person was like, 'I have no clue what this is,'" Isabella said. "And I said, ‘I bet it's going to be like this,’ and then the strength and conditioning specialist demonstrated and it was exactly what I was thinking." A three-sport athlete currently running outdoor track, Isabella has a natural connection to the field and it hasn't gone unnoticed. Her instructor and track coach, Jess Giordano, says it has been "truly an honor" having Isabella in the program, pointing to her outstanding academic performance and her ability to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. What stands out most, though, is the effect she has on those around her. "She leads by example and her peers gravitate to her insights because she demonstrates how to think critically and problem solve things that may be encountered in the field," Giordano said. "I am excited to see what her future brings."

Sanford Senior Excels in New Sports Medicine Program

April 15, 2026

When Sanford Regional Technical Center launched its new Sports Medicine Program, it opened a door that one Sanford High School senior was ready to walk right through. Now a senio...

For the third consecutive year, Sanford High School and the Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) opened their doors to welcome early childhood professionals from across Maine for the York County Early Childhood Coalition's (YCECC) Early Childhood Education Conference. On Saturday, April 4, more than 200 attendees gathered under one roof for a full day of professional growth, including registrants, presenters, vendors, and SRTC's own Early Childhood Education students. Hosting the conference has become a point of pride for Sanford, and this year was no exception. The school's Performing Arts Center, classrooms, café, and Agora were all put to use throughout the day, giving the event a true sense of place and community. From registration through the final door prize drawing, Sanford provided the space and support that made the conference possible. Held under the theme "Seeds of Inspiration: Growing Educators and Young Children with Heart and Guidance," the conference offered seven hours of professional training for those who work directly or indirectly with children from birth through the third grade. The day began in the Performing Arts Center with a welcome and an opening panel discussion titled "Mentorship, Compassion, and Growth," bringing together perspectives from both mentors and mentees and inviting questions from the audience. Attendees then had time to network and explore more than 20 vendor tables before the first of three breakout sessions. Topics across the day included Language and Literacy Strategies, Reframing Behavior as Communication, Universal Design for Learning, and the Regulated Classroom. A catered lunch by local caterer Above and Beyond was served in the café, giving participants a chance to recharge and connect before the afternoon sessions. The day wrapped up in the Agora with door prize drawings featuring items generously donated by vendors and the distribution of certificates recognizing each attendee's seven hours of training. The York County Early Childhood Coalition is dedicated to strengthening the network of professionals and services that support young children and families throughout the region.

Sanford High School Hosts York County Early Childhood Education Conference

April 14, 2026

For the third consecutive year, Sanford High School and the Sanford Regional Technical Center opened their doors to welcome early childhood professionals from across Maine for the...

Sanford Middle School Seventh Graders Research, Build, and Present in Biomes Unit

April 13, 2026

Sanford Middle School seventh graders recently wrapped up a seven-week science unit focused on global biomes, blending ecology research with hands-on building and real-world probl...