Sanford School Department

Students had a blast during our recent Wellness Fair, which was packed with engaging and hands-on activities that promoted health, safety, and social-emotional learning. They explored a variety of exciting sessions, including fire safety demonstrations, cosmetology tips, and interactive presentations from JMG, our School Resource Officer, and local EMTs. The smoothie bike was a big hit, letting students pedal their way to a healthy treat, while others enjoyed planting seeds, learning about bike safety, and participating in creative SEL activities. The day wrapped up with a lively and meaningful assembly with local legend, Marvin, focused on our theme of the month—cooperation—bringing everyone together to celebrate teamwork, community, and wellness.

Sanford Middle School Students Participate in Margaret Chase Smith Wellness Fair

April 29, 2025

Margaret Chase Smith Students had a blast during its recent Wellness Fair, which was packed with engaging and hands-on activities that promoted health, safety, and social-emotiona...

Sanford Middle School students recently demonstrated their financial savvy in a statewide stock market competition, with an impressive five students placing in the top 10 across the entire state. The six-week competition, which began in early 2025, gave students $100,000 in virtual money to invest in the stock market. The challenge? Do what investors everywhere try to accomplish: buy low and sell high. Matthew Bourassa claimed the first-place position in the competition, winning $100 and a box of prizes. His fellow Sanford Middle School students followed close behind, with Jacob Hill taking second place ($75 and prizes), Izzy Burns securing third, Jarezz Jackson in fourth, and Madi Dulle rounding out the school's showing at sixth. "I was definitely pretty excited. I was really happy because I was hoping I would win," Matthew said about his first-place finish. "I wasn't expecting to win at all. I was in like 40th place, I think, the day before." What changed his fortunes? A volatile market day and some timely advice from SMS Jobs For Maine Graduates (JMG) teacher Tara Houle. "The stock market, everything just went crazy, and Miss Houlel told us all to sell," Matthew explained. "So I sold, and I woke up the next morning, checked my ranking... I was in first." The competition tracks two different rankings - one for all schools in the state and another for all individual participants. Matthew achieved first place in the overall individual rankings, an impressive feat considering the competition included students from colleges and high schools as well. Fellow eighth-grader Izzy also participated in the competition, sharing that the experience wasn't always predictable. "Honestly, I thought I was going to go down in rank because I was buying a lot of things that were going down," Izzy said. The students joined the competition as part of their financial literacy education, where they've been learning about savings, checking, investing, debit, credit, and other financial concepts before participating in the stock market game. According to the students, Sanford Middle School joined the competition shortly after the presidential election, which they believed gave them certain advantages in their investment strategies. When asked about the most enjoyable part of the competition, Matthew didn't hesitate: "Definitely the day I placed first." Izzy added that she enjoyed "taking the chances" involved in stock market investing. Both students emphasized that the biggest lesson they learned was to "trust your gut" and follow the classic investment advice: "buy low and sell high."

Sanford' Middle School's Matthew Bourassa Wins State Stock Market Game; Four Classmates Join Him in Top 10

April 24, 2025

Sanford Middle School students recently demonstrated their financial savvy in a statewide stock market competition, with an impressive five students placing in the top 10 across ...

Sanford Pride Elementary School recently held its annual Celebration of Learning event, featuring a vibrant art show and grade-level concerts showcasing student talent and creativity. The week-long celebration took place April 14-17, just before April vacation. Families were invited to explore the school's hallways, which were transformed into art galleries displaying student artwork and classroom exhibits that had been months in the making. Each evening featured musical performances from different grade levels, with kindergarten and first grade performing Monday, second and third grades on Tuesday, and fourth grade closing the celebration on Thursday. Music teacher Meghan Mannino expressed her pride in the students' accomplishments: "Students in grades K-4 work on concert music, art projects, and classroom exhibits over several months. This week, students finally had their special nights to share their learning with family members, friends, teachers, and the community." The event was well-attended across all three evenings, with packed audiences enjoying the fruits of the students' hard work. "Their excitement and smiles were contagious during the performances," noted Mannino. "The art- and project-filled hallways also looked colorful and absolutely amazing."

Celebration of Learning at Sanford Pride Elementary

April 24, 2025

Sanford Pride Elementary School recently held its annual Celebration of Learning event, featuring a vibrant art show and grade-level concerts showcasing student talent and creativ...

Seventh-grade students at Sanford Middle School participated in the annual "JA in a Day: Economics for Success" program on Wednesday. The day-long event immersed students in essential financial literacy concepts as they rotated through interactive sessions designed to prepare them for future financial independence. "Sanford Middle School has been partnering with the organization Jr. Achievement of Maine for over 10 years," explains social studies teacher Erin Barry. "Jr. Achievement pairs volunteers from the business community with classrooms to teach students lessons about personal finance. These lessons include topics such as credit scores, budgeting, saving and spending, etc... These authentic lessons prepare students for financial success in the real world." The program brought financial professionals from the local community into classrooms, including representatives from Tyler Technologies, Atlantic Federal Credit Union, Partners Bank, United Way, and Kennebunk Savings Bank. These volunteers guided students through practical workshops focusing on budgeting, distinguishing between needs and wants, understanding credit, and planning for future income. "When you live on your own, you'll find that very little things are going to be free," one volunteer explained to students during a session on essential versus non-essential expenses. This revelation sparked thoughtful discussions as students began to grasp the financial responsibilities of adulthood. Students explored important questions about saving, spending, and career planning throughout the day. Volunteers shared personal experiences from their professional journeys, emphasizing how skills and interests can translate into career paths. The presentations encouraged students to reflect on their own strengths and consider how these might shape their future opportunities. The social studies department coordinated the event as part of the school's ongoing commitment to financial education. Department members prepared all materials in advance and ensured students were ready to engage with presenters throughout the day's four sessions: Managing My Money, Paying For My Needs and Wants, My Credit and Spending, and Planning For My Future Income. As students moved from session to session between 8:30 am and 1:05 pm, they gained valuable insights into the connections between education, career choices, and financial well-being—essential knowledge that complements the school's own financial literacy curriculum and provides practical context for academic learning.

Sanford Middle School Students Navigate Financial Futures with Junior Achievement

April 23, 2025

Seventh-grade students at Sanford Middle School participated in the annual "JA in a Day: Economics for Success" program on Wednesday. The day-long event immersed students in esse...

Sanford High School's National Honor Society Hosts Successful Spartan Showcase

April 18, 2025

The Sanford High School National Honor Society hosted their Spartan Showcase on April 16th, 2025, at the Sanford Performing Arts Center (SPAC). The annual variety show drew an ent...

Curriculum Corner

April 17, 2025

Click here for the latest Curriculum Newsletter from Sanford Schools! Inside you'll find updates on our social studies curriculum, important information about spring Maine Educ...

Sanford High Students Guide 8th Graders Through Transition Experience

April 15, 2025

A group of Sanford High School students recently visited Sanford Middle School to participate in a panel discussion aimed at helping 8th graders prepare for their transition to h...

The National Honor Society's recent Red Cross blood drive was a tremendous success, with an impressive 38 first-time donors among our students and staff and a total of 50 donations. This remarkable turnout not only helps save lives in our community—with each donation potentially helping up to three patients—but also establishes a foundation for ongoing blood donation within our school community. A huge shout out to staff and students for their work in making this happen.

Sanford High School NHS Hosts Blood Drive

April 14, 2025

The National Honor Society's recent Red Cross blood drive was a tremendous success, with an impressive 38 first-time donors among our students and staff and a total of 50 donatio...

Sanford Pride Elementary School hosted its first Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony on Friday morning, April 11th, in the school cafeteria. The event recognized dedicated individuals who have given their time and talents to support students and staff throughout the school year. The ceremony highlighted the diverse volunteers who contribute to the school community, including parents, former employees, Sanford High School and Middle School students, PTA members, and participants in the school's mentorship program. Classroom teachers took turns honoring their volunteers. Pre-K teacher Gwynne Tounge recognized Paul Casavant, known as "Mr. C," describing him as "the most dedicated and caring person" who "brings smiles, joy, and happiness to our pre-K every day." His impact extends beyond current students, as former Pre-K student Abby Plumpton shared, "I love to see Mr. C in the morning and give him a hug!" High school seniors pursuing education careers were among those recognized. 3rd Grade Teacher Haley Kennedy honored Hazel Bouchard, who helps with math while maintaining "a smile and a great attitude." Arianna Ramini was praised for her work completing the SRTC program in elementary education before attending the University of Maine at Orono this fall. Cole Adawadkar, who volunteers in Grade 4, was recognized for supporting students both in the classroom and through sports activities. The school's PTA officers—Sara Gildart, Niki Langlois, Kaity Getchell, and Robyn Howe—were acknowledged for organizing school activities, providing supplies, and supporting field trips. "We're very fortunate and grateful to have such a supportive PTA at Pride," Daly said. Principal Inman also highlighted the school's mentoring program, which pairs adults with third-grade students during lunch and recess. Ben England was recognized for his mentorship, along with Elissa Brewster and Michelle Vessels who were unable to attend. The mentors help "build students' aspirations, build their confidence, and let them think about how school is important." Although not all volunteers could attend, each will receive a certificate of appreciation through their respective classroom teachers. The complete list of recognized volunteers included classroom helpers across all grade levels, from Pre-K through Grade 4. The ceremony concluded with Principal Inman thanking all volunteers "for giving so generously of your time and talents" before students returned to their classrooms.

Sanford Pride Elementary Honors Dedicated Volunteers at First Recognition Ceremony

April 11, 2025

Sanford Pride Elementary School hosted its first Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony on Friday morning, April 11th, in the school cafeteria. The event recognized dedicated individual...

Sanford Athletic Director Zach Lemelin Receives Past President Rising Star Award

April 11, 2025

Sanford High School Athletic Director Zach Lemelin has been honored with the Past President Rising Star Award from the Maine Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, r...

Students from the Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) program at Sanford High School (SHS) organized and hosted the first-ever Special Olympics Cornhole tournament in the state of Maine. The event welcomed 70 athletes from nearby schools and adult agencies who came together to compete and celebrate the spirit of inclusivity through this increasingly popular sport. The tournament, which took place at Sanford High School, was entirely student-organized and operated, showcasing the leadership abilities and community commitment of the JMG participants. Their efforts paid off tremendously, with Special Olympics officials already extending an invitation for SHS to host the event again next year.

Sanford High School Hosts Special Olympics Corn Hole Tournament

April 11, 2025

Students from the Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) program at Sanford High School (SHS) organized and hosted the first-ever Special Olympics Cornhole tournament in the state of Mai...

Carl J. Lamb Elementary Lights Up the Night with First Annual Glow Run

Carl J. Lamb Elementary Lights Up the Night with Glow Run Event

April 11, 2025

Carl J. Lamb Elementary School was aglow with excitement last night as students, families, and staff gathered for the school's Glow Run event. The gymnasium was transformed into a...

Sanford Spotlight Newsletter

April 10, 2025

Click here for to access the Sanford Spotlight Newsletter.

Sanford Key Club Shines at 76th Annual District Educational Conference

April 10, 2025

Sanford High School's Key Club recently made an impressive mark at the 76th Annual District Educational Conference in Portland, bringing home multiple awards and creating lasting ...

Congratulations to Sanford High School’s Math Team who represented us proudly at the State competition on April 1st at the Augusta Civic Center! Ten of our top Spartans participated among nearly 1,000 mathletes from across the state. Read more about it on The Spartan Times here: https://spartan-times.com/2025/04/07/shs-mathletes-attend-state-competition/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJh9WhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHt9wgW_nX9NXuQm265hRSOb81s66Bax

SHS Math Team Competes at State Competition

April 8, 2025

Congratulations to Sanford High School’s Math Team who represented us proudly at the State competition on April 1st at the Augusta Civic Center! Ten of our top Spartans particip...

Kindergarten Exploration Event Draws Strong Turnout

April 8, 2025

The Sanford School Department successfully hosted its Kindergarten Exploration Event last Thursday, April 3, welcoming over 50 families across its elementary schools. The event, ...

SRTC Academy of Business Students Shine at Junior Achievement Titan Challenge

April 7, 2025

Sanford Regional Technical Center’s Academy of Business had their strongest showing yet at this year's Junior Achievement Titan Challenge on April 3rd, with 28 students forming t...

SHS Musicians Excel at District Jazz Festival, New England Percussion Finals, and State Championships

April 7, 2025

Last week, Sanford High School had the privilege of hosting the District 1 Honors Jazz Festival on Thursday and Friday. Several talented students participated in this prestigious...

An exciting day for Sanford Middle School 5th graders began before sunrise on Wednesday as they welcomed WMTW Channel 8 Meteorologist Ted McInerney to campus. Several students had the unique opportunity to participate in McInerney's live morning weather broadcast as part of the station's popular "Weather At Your School" program. The educational experience didn't end with the morning broadcast. Later in the day, McInerney returned to SMS to deliver a comprehensive presentation on meteorology to the entire 5th grade. Students learned about weather patterns, forecasting techniques, and the science behind meteorology during the engaging session. The visit provided students with both an inside look at television broadcasting and valuable science education from one of Maine's well-known meteorologists. To watch the segment featuring our SMS students, visit: [LINK]

WMTW Weather at Your School Visits SMS

April 3, 2025

An exciting day for Sanford Middle School 5th graders began before sunrise on Wednesday as they welcomed WMTW Channel 8 Meteorologist Ted McInerney to campus. Several students had...

BMX Stunt Star & Heart Health Heroes: Excitement at Carl J. Lamb Assembly!

April 2, 2025

Carl J. Lamb’s recent assembly was filled with excitement, inspiration, and plenty of whipped cream! Students showed incredible generosity by raising funds for the American Heart...