Sanford Spotlight Newsletter
Stay informed about the latest news and happenings in the Sanford School Department.
This issue celebrates student achievements and community connections throughout the Sanford School Department. You'll find inspiring stories of academic excellence, including the annual JMG Closing Ceremony at Sanford High School and recognition events at SRTC. The newsletter highlights innovative programs like the expanded Walking School Bus initiative, showcases athletic commitments with 17 seniors signing National Letters of Intent, and features student journalism through The Spartan Times and SMS Times. Also included are important updates about the upcoming school budget referendum, summer meal programs, community resources, and ways to stay connected through the Sanford School Department app.
Sanford High School Honors JMG Students at Annual Ceremony
Sanford High School recently held its annual Jobs for Maine's Graduates (JMG) Closing Ceremony on Tuesday, May 20th, celebrating student achievements in the program. The event was led by student co-presidents Alissa Letourneau and Emily Letourneau, beginning with a 2024-2025 JMG video presentation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by student Rylee LaPierre.
Students Sophia DeVoe and Camille Decato recognized program volunteers, while Amber Campbell acknowledged Principal Tracy Gibson’s support. English teacher Mrs. Roy delivered a speech after being introduced by student Natalie Green. Roy emphasized how JMG equips students with essential life skills beyond the classroom, teaching them about finances, credit cards, loans, and job skills while building meaningful connections.
"Consider your people, the last time you connected with them," Mrs. Roy advised, sharing a valuable teaching practice of taking inventory of relationships and following up with those who need connection most.
Sanford School Department Budget Referendum
Election Day in Sanford is Tuesday, June 10th, 2025 for the State Primary & School Budget Validation Referendum. Absentee ballot requests are not available for the school budget election. In-Person absentee voting is available until June 5th Monday-Thursday 7:30 am-5:30 pm.
Voting Location for ALL Voters: Sanford High School (100 Alumni Blvd, Sanford, ME, Door #41)
Read below for more information about Sanford School Department's budget:
Loading...
Sights Around Our Schools
Carl J. Lamb
Carl J. Lamb had its annual Ice Cream social on Thursday, May 29th, hosted by the school's PTA. The event brought together family and friends to enjoy a refreshing treat. The Sanford Backpack Program was also there providing free food to families.
Margaret Chase Smith
2nd grade students were excited to share their knowledge during the CKLA Insect Learning Showcase! Families explored student-created projects, writing pieces, and hands-on displays highlighting the fascinating world of insects. It was a wonderful celebration of learning, curiosity, and creativity.
Sanford Middle School
Fifteen eighth-grade students from Sanford Middle School's Jobs for Maine's Graduates program recently completed a two-day adventure trip on May 21-22, showcasing the leadership and career skills they've developed over the past 1-2 years in the program.
Sanford Pride
Three SPE staff members recently graduated from their Master’s and Doctorate programs. Congratulations to Miss Gagnon, Master of Social Work from the University of Southern Maine, Ms. Flannery, Doctorate of Educational Leadership from the University of New England, and Miss Thomson, Master of Literacy Education from the University of Southern Maine.
Walking School Bus Program Expands to Carl J. Lamb Elementary
Building on Sanford Pride Elementary's Walking School Bus Program, Carl J. Lamb Elementary has launched its own version of this community-building initiative that's already transforming morning routines for local families.
The program represents a collaborative effort between Carl J. Lamb and Pride Elementary, combining resources and volunteers to serve students in the carefully selected Brook Street and Lafayette Street neighborhood. The location was chosen based on two key factors: the number of students at the bus stop and the walkability and proximity of the neighborhood. 
"We decided to join forces and have it be like a combined site," explains Leah Marks, outreach worker from the Sanford School Department. "It's almost equal to Pride kids and CJL kids."
17 SHS Seniors Sign National Letters of Intent
Sanford High School celebrated 17 students during a Senior Athlete Signing Ceremony held in the Performing Arts Center Wednesday afternoon as these seniors officially committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.
Athletic Director Zach Lemelin opened the ceremony by recognizing the dedication and countless hours of hard work these athletes have put into their sports. Lemelin then introduced each senior individually with quotes from their respective coaches.
Brady Adams will attend Thomas College to study actuarial science while playing basketball, bringing his dedication and strong work ethic to the court.
The event was also covered by WMTW Channel 8. Watch the story below!

WMTW

Sanford hosts commitment ceremony for athletes

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 SHS students attending a Doc 4 a Day field trip.

The Spartan Times

Students attend Doc 4 a Day field trip

Students were given the opportunity to further their knowledge of the medical field By Grace Pearson, Editor-in-Chief “Doc 4 A Day” Participating students with school counselor Conor Ki…

The SMS Times
The fourth edition of The SMS Times features the classic poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae in recognition of Memorial Day. Readers can learn about the importance of Mental Health Awareness Month and celebrate School Lunch Hero Day honoring our dedicated nutrition professionals. The issue also highlights summer camp opportunities including SMS Theater Camp and Spartan Basketball Camps, recognizes Teacher Appreciation Day and School Nurse Day celebrating Nurse Gray, and provides information about National Best Friends Day, Flag Day, and Juneteenth as students prepare for summer break.
Loading...
Sanford Students Honored at SRTC Recognition Night
Watch the Recognition Night below!
Loading...
Sanford Regional Technical Center honored students and achievements at their annual Recognition Night ceremony held Thursday, May 22nd, at Partners Bank Gymnasium.
SRTC Director Matt Petermann welcomed families and guests to the evening celebration, followed by greetings from Superintendent Matt Nelson.
Director Petermann and Assistant Director Michael Redmond presented awards for the SkillsUSA and National Technical Honor Society programs, recognizing students who demonstrated excellence in technical skills competitions and maintained high academic standards. The evening also featured scholarship presentations to deserving students, supported by numerous community partners.
Download Our App!
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.
Loading...
Announcements
2025-2026 School Calendar
Scan the QR code below to access the 2025-2026 School Calendar. The calendar, recently approved by the Sanford School Committee, is very similar to this year’s calendar. Our school calendar is guided by Sanford Regional Technical Center and all of its sending schools as we are not allowed to have more than five dissimilar days among the schools. Please use this calendar for planning purposes for personal business and appointments when possible.
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
Summer Meals
The Sanford School Department’s School Nutrition Program is once again sponsoring the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program.  The program is open to all children and teens 18 and under.  There are no eligibility requirements and registration is not required.
Nutritious and appealing no cost meals will be available at sites throughout the community on Monday through Friday beginning June 17th through August 8th at the following locations and times:
Carl Lamb School Breakfast 7:30 to 8:30; Lunch 11:00 to 12:00
Carpentier Park Lunch 11:15 to 11:45
Curtis Lake Church – Breakfast 7:30 to 8:30; Lunch 11:45 to 12:30
Sanford High School – Breakfast 7:30-8:30 and Lunch 11:00-12:00
Sanford Middle School – Breakfast 7:30-8:30 and Lunch 11:00-12:00
Sanford Pride Elementary Breakfast 7:30 to 8:30; Lunch 11:00 to 12:00
Springvale Playground Breakfast 8:45 to 9:15; Lunch 11:30 to 12:15
YMCA 7:30 to 8:30; 11:00 to 11:45
Additional Links to Stay Updated With the Community

Sanford Springvale News

Sanford Springvale News

The Sanford Springvale News is a volunteer organization committed to reporting the local news in the Sanford and Springvale Maine area.

www.sanfordmaine.org

City Of Sanford, Maine

© 2025 ·    919 Main Street Sanford, ME 04073    · Powered by revize., the Government Website Experts • Login

YouTube

WSSR TV

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world