In this edition, discover how our talented students are making headlines—from the freshmen team winning the State Elks Drug Awareness Video Contest to the Middle School 8th Grade Band earning a Superior rating at the Maine Concert Festival. Inside, you'll also find a spotlight on Devenny Brickett, SRTC's Student of the Year, community partnership celebrations, and exciting classroom innovations.
Sanford High School Freshmen Win State Elks Drug Awareness Contest
Video Below!
Four Sanford High School freshmen have been recognized as state winners in the annual Elks Drug Awareness Video Contest. The group of ninth-grade students—Joshua Fogarty, Anna Brown, Allison Horton, and Adeline Fraser—created a video centered around this year's theme: "Don't Let Drugs Ruin Your Future."
The winning team learned about their victory on February 27th. Their achievement continues a remarkable streak of success, as members of the group have previously won at the state level in sixth and seventh grades as well.
What began as a school activity during the COVID pandemic has evolved into both a creative outlet and a strengthening bond for these four friends.
"We've done it in years past," Fogarty said. "It was originally just us three—me, Allison, and Maddie—and then we won states. We did it again the next year, and Anna actually made a separate video with a couple of her other friends. She won states over us that year."
Sanford Middle School 8th Grade Band Earns Superior Rating at Maine Concert Festival
Sanford Middle School's 8th grade Band has achieved the highest honor possible at the Maine Band Director's Association Concert Festival in South Portland, earning a Superior rating for their outstanding performance.
The talented ensemble, which included some exceptional 7th graders, traveled to South Portland High School on Wednesday, March 26th to showcase their musical abilities before a panel of three judges.
"I could not be more proud of their hard work in preparation, their focus during the performance, and the way they represented Sanford at the festival," 7th and 8th Grade Band Teacher Erica Scarano said. "This is the only festival of its kind in Maine, providing an excellent opportunity for students to perfect their musical pieces and perform under pressure."
Sights Around Our Schools
Carl J. Lamb
At Carl J. Lamb's recent assembly, students celebrated their successful American Heart Association fundraiser by "pieing" teachers, while also enjoying a presentation from top BMX performer Mannie Nogueira who spoke about kindness and perseverance. The event ended with six brave staff members volunteering to receive whipped cream pies from top student fundraisers.
Margaret Chase Smith
Margaret Chase Smith fourth grade students had their chance to showcase their new skills about geology. Families came to see their projects on how weather affects various pieces of Earth. Teachers were impressed by the creative demonstrations that illustrated erosion, weathering, and the formation of various landforms.
Sanford Middle School
WMTW Channel 8 Meteorologist Ted McInerney visited Sanford Middle School recently to do his "Weather at Your School" segment. Later in the day, Ted came to the school to do a presentation for 5th graders on meteorology. Click here to watch to the segment.
Sanford Pride
Mr. Benham's 3rd graders at Sanford Pride are exploring homophones, homographs, and homonyms, creating illustrated "playful" sentences using Google Slides to demonstrate their understanding of these words. Meanwhile, his 4th grade students are investigating the Collatz Conjecture, visualizing these sequences through creative "Collatz Trees."
Celebrating Partnerships at SRTC
Sanford Regional Technical Center held its annual Celebrating Partnerships event on Wednesday, March 19th. The gathering brought together local business partners, educators, and students to highlight successful individual program advisory councils, internships and strengthen community connections.
SRTC Director Matt Petermann welcomed attendees, expressing his gratitude for their support and emphasizing the importance of community partnerships for student success. Sally Quarles, SRTC's Career Aspirations and ELO Coordinator, then introduced herself and explained her role in coordinating internships, apprenticeships, and extended learning opportunities.
Devenny Brickett Named SRTC Student of the Year
Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) proudly announces Devenny Brickett, a junior at Massabesic High School, as its Student of the Year. Enrolled in the Health Occupations program, Devenny has distinguished herself through academic excellence, leadership, community service, and exemplary clinical skills while working toward her CNA license.
Devenny's accomplishments extend far beyond the classroom. As the current Class President for the Class of 2026 and Vice President of the Student Council, she demonstrates natural leadership abilities among her peers. Her academic achievements have earned her membership in both the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society, reflecting her commitment to scholarly excellence.
The Spartan Times
The Spartan Times, SHS's online student newspaper, features articles by student reporters enrolled in CCP
Journalism or School Newspaper Enrichment courses. Below is an article on Sanford High School's NAHS students painting at mural at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary.
Stronger Connections at Sanford Middle School
Every Thursday afternoon at Sanford Middle School, the cafeteria buzzes with excitement as students gather around four large drums. The student leadership team reaches in to draw names, and cheers erupt as the lucky winners make their way to the office to select their prizes – some even earning the coveted opportunity to feed the classroom tortoises.
This weekly raffle is just one of several innovative programs implemented through the Stronger Connections Grant at Sanford Middle School. Now in its first year of implementation, this three-year grant aims to create a more positive, supportive environment where students feel respected, responsible, and connected to their school community.
First 10 April Newsletter
Click here for First 10's April Newsletter.
The First 10 Sanford April newsletter is a resource connecting families with valuable early childhood opportunities. This month features important kindergarten registration information, exciting events including a Pajama Pop-up on Zoom, plus the Spring Play and Learn series starting April 30th. First 10 continues its mission of building partnerships between schools, communities, and families to help all children learn and thrive.
The newsletter also highlights "The Basics Sanford" program, which offers free brain development tips for families with children ages 0-4. Don't miss the Week of the Young Child celebration from April 5-11th, and check out the various ways you can get involved in supporting early childhood initiatives in the Sanford community.
Scholarships Available For Sanford High School Students
The Sanford High School general scholarship application is available now. All seniors planning to attend a post-secondary educational program are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is Friday, 4/18.
Click here to access the application.
Announcements
Community Announcements
Are you looking to share your organization’s events and activities with the Sanford school community? The Sanford School Department website offers a Community Announcements page to help you reach students, families, and staff members.
The process is simple: complete our online approval form (click here for the form), submit it to the Superintendent's Office along with your promotional materials for review
Free Meals
Have you heard all school meals are free in Maine?This includes breakfast. Don’t have time to prepare breakfast in the morning? Let us do the work. We’d be happy to provide your son or daughter with a delicious, nutritionally balanced breakfast every day, free
of charge.
Breakfast Service Times by School:
- CJL: breakfast is 8:00 - 8:30
- MCS: breakfast is from 8:00 - 8:20
- SPE: breakfast is 8:00 - 8:20
- SMS: breakfast is 7:10 - 7:40
- SHS: breakfast is 6:45 - 8:15
Community Resource Guide
The Sanford School Department's new community resource guide is a valuable resource for residents, offering a comprehensive array of essential services.
Click the link below to access the community resource guide.
School Budget Info
The school committee has begun the process of approving the budget for the 2025-2026 school year.
You can view budget information by clicking here. Or scan the QR code below.
Budget workshops are also streamed on WSSRTV’s YouTube channel.
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Follow us on the Sanford School Department App!
Looking for news and notes about events at your child's school? Hoping to keep track of a traveling sports team? Download the Sanford School Department App directly to your mobile device, and you'll be on top of the freshest news from any and all of the Sanford Schools.
Need a tutorial on how to
download our app? Watch the video below.
download our app? Watch the video below.
Additional Links to Stay Updated with the Community
SANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Alumni Achievements
Contact Us PO Box 1424 Sanford, ME 04073 [email protected]
