This issue celebrates the school spirit of Homecoming Week at Sanford High School, where students competed grade against grade through themed days, sporting events, and the annual parade. You'll find stories including BRIDGE Program students building connections with seniors at Summer Commons Nursing Home, and Carl J. Lamb’s Show Choir performing at a state conference. The newsletter also features the new Baking and Pastry Program at SRTC, student journalism through The Spartan Times and SMS Times, and important information about free flu vaccinations and ways to stay connected with Sanford Schools
Spirit Runs High for Homecoming Week
Homecoming Spirit Week at Sanford High School took place October 6–11, bringing students, staff, and families together for a week of school pride, themed dress-up days, and exciting home games.
Throughout the week, high school students competed grade against grade to win the spirit stick—a tradition passed down through generations of alumni. Each grade earned points by dressing up for spirit days, attending weeknight sporting events, painting large posters and crash-through banners, building floats, and participating in the parade.
Watch the Class of 2026 Senior Entrance at the Pep Rally on WSSRTV's Youtube below.
BRIDGE Students Build Connections at Summer Commons
On the first Friday of each month, elementary and middle school students from Sanford’s BRIDGE Program visit Summer Commons Nursing Home to play games and make crafts with senior residents. It’s a partnership that started last year and has quickly become a highlight for both the students and the residents.
During last year’s visits, students prepared crafts in advance, then taught the residents how to make them – a process that built confidence and communication skills while bringing joy to the seniors.
"This visit is part of helping them interact and learn appropriate social skills," said Sandra Hewitt, an Ed Tech at the BRIDGE program.
Carl J. Lamb Show Choir Performs at Maine ACDA Fall Conference
Carl J. Lamb School's Spartan Show Choir made their mark at the Maine chapter of the American Choral Directors Association's annual Fall Conference, earning an invitation that represents a tremendous honor, particularly for a group at the elementary level.
On October 10, more than 70 music educators from across Maine gathered at Windham High School for the Maine ACDA Fall Conference. Among the day's highlights was a performance by CJL's Spartan Show Choir, personally invited by MEACDA President Julia Edwards. This year's conference carried additional significance with Robyn Hilger, Executive Director of ACDA National, serving as keynote speaker, placing the CJL students on both a statewide and national stage.
Sights Around Our Schools
Carl J. Lamb
Congratulations to recent attendance winners at Carl J. Lamb! Mrs. Marley, Mrs. Brann, Mrs. Giberti, Mrs. Camire, Ms. Belanger, and Miss Hurlburt's classes have demonstrated outstanding commitment to being present and ready to learn each day. Click here for the school's newsletter.
Margaret Chase Smith
Second graders at Margaret Chase Smith are learning and sharing ways they can be proud of their accomplishments. They have started their second unit in Second Step as we target responsibility. Click here for the school's newsletter.
Sanford Pride
Students Mrs. Spencer’s Kindergarten classroom have been doing center days like barber shop, cup building, slime and Q-Tip fall paintings. Click here for the school's newsletter.
Sanford Middle School
JMG students at Sanford Middle School were recently presented a grant to support their SnackDash initiative - a project that helps supply classrooms at SMS with snacks for students. Click here for the school’s newsletter.
New Baking and Pastry Program on a Roll at SRTC
From mastering quickbreads to creating custom cakes and everything in between, the new Baking and Pastry Program at Sanford Regional Technical Center gives students comprehensive training in one of the culinary world's most creative and in-demand fields.
This program, led by Chef Kristen Perry, provides hands-on experience in a professional kitchen environment where students don't just learn recipes—they work in a real production setting, mixing, forming, and shaping baked goods and pastry items to practice their craft and produce items for sale.
Meet Alessandra Castro, the New School Committee Student Representative
The Sanford School Committee has welcomed a new student representative, SHS junior Alessandra Castro, who brings a strong academic record and deep commitment to community service to her new role.
Castro joins seniors Matthew Melvin and Zachary Moores on the student representative committee. As a founder of one of the school's newest service clubs and a dedicated member of multiple extracurricular activities, Castro brings both leadership experience and a strong connection to student life.
For Castro, the motivation to become a student representative stems from curiosity and a desire to grow as a leader. "I was interested in seeing the inner workings of the school committee and how they use teamwork to make decisions. I also wanted to gain more leadership experience and meet new people,” she said.
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 written by Aiden Cote on Sanford Hall of Honor's second class of inductees.
Journalism or School Newspaper Enrichment courses. Below is an article written by Aiden Cote on Sanford Hall of Honor's second class of inductees.
Officer Jourdain Receives Community Action Award from Sanford Police Department
Sanford School Resource Officer Joseph Jourdain was recognized with the Community Action Award at the Sanford Police Department's Annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, October 1.
The Community Action Award is given to a member of the department who has made a significant impact on quality of life within the community by identifying and resolving problems.
Recipients demonstrate exemplary effort to address conditions that may lead to crime, show consistent dedication to improving quality of life for citizens affected by social problems, or assist in developing community-based programs.
Heather Hastings Receives National Recognition for Original Composition
Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School music teacher Heather Hastings recently received national recognition for her work in music composition. Hastings recently traveled to Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, where her original piece "Unwavering" received its premiere performance by the school's top wind ensemble.
During her visit, she had the opportunity to work directly with the student musicians, attending their rehearsal and offering feedback on their interpretation of the work.
“For a composer, it is always a wonderful experience to have one’s music performed by a live ensemble and to hear the art come to life,” Hastings said.
Sanford Performing Arts Center Presents Catapult "Magic Shadows"
SANFORD — An America’s Got Talent finalist from Season 8 will stop by Sanford Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, with their magical production that features incredible dancers who work behind a screen to create shadow silhouettes of shapes from the world around us.
With the arc of an arm, the point of a toe or the twist of a torso, Catapult’s dancers stretch their bodies, and your imaginations, telling stories with humor and pathos by transforming magically from one shape to another.
See Vivaldi’s Four Seasons spring to life, be amazed as you watch their bodies transform into a mountain, an elephant, a dragon, even a helicopter, and travel the world from Paris to Beijing in under 10 minutes!
See Something Say Something
As a school system, we are committed to creating and sustaining a comprehensive, coordinated effort to maintain the overall safety and well-being of our students, educators and administrators. Therefore we utilize the “Say Something Anonymous Reporting System” (SS-ARS), a system fully funded by the national nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise. The SS-ARS allows youth and adults to securely submit anonymous safety concerns – anytime, from anywhere – to help identify and intervene upon at-risk individuals before they hurt themselves or others. The system enables school administrators and law enforcement (if needed) to create effective interventions and to help prevent violence, suicide, bullying, self-harm and other forms of threatening behavior.
How to submit a tip to the Say Something program:
- Say Something website (SaySomething.net)
- Say Something mobile app (App Store | Google Play)
- Say Something hotline (1-844-5-SAY NOW | 1-844-572-9669)
Stay Connected with Sanford Schools
Download Our 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.
Follow SHS Athletics
Sanford High School has launched a new mobile app designed to keep the Spartan community connected to all things athletics and school activities. The official Sanford Spartans app is now available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
The new app, powered by Snap! Mobile technology serves as a comprehensive hub for Spartans fans, students, families, and community members. Key features include:
- Real-time game information and schedules - Never miss an important matchup with up-to-date scheduling
- Team updates and news - Follow your favorite Spartans teams throughout their seasons
- Push notifications - Sign up for alerts about games, events, and important announcements
Watch Home Games
Families and fans can now watch Sanford home athletic contests through Hudl's streaming platform. This service allows you to stream games live or catch up on contests you missed.
The Hudl platform provides a convenient way to support our student-athletes from anywhere, whether you're traveling, at work, or simply can't make it to the game in person. Games are typically available for viewing shortly after they conclude as well.
To watch Sanford games, follow the link below. You'll need to sign up for a free Hudl account to access the streams. You can bookmark this link for easy access to all upcoming streams.
Additional Links to Stay Updated with the Community
