This edition highlights Sanford High School's 133rd Commencement Ceremony and the Annual Awards Ceremony celebrating our seniors. We also spotlight Carl J. Lamb's Adaptive Track and Field Festival, Sanford Middle School's Annual JMG Closing Ceremony, and Middle School Leaders spreading hope through the Yellow Tulip Project. You'll find Sights Around Our Schools, highlights from each school, important updates, and ways to stay connected with Sanford Schools.
Sanford High School Celebrates 133rd Commencement Ceremony
Sanford High School held its 133rd Commencement Ceremony on Wednesday, June 3, at Alumni Stadium, gathering graduates from the Class of 2026 alongside their families, faculty, and friends for an evening of celebration and reflection.
The ceremony opened with music, as the SHS Chorus performed "May the Road Rise to Meet You," followed by the SHS Band with "Salvation Is Created." Teacher Erin Murphy-Putnam then delivered the charge to the graduates before the evening's student speakers took the stage.
Salutatorian Annalise Stimmell opened her address by walking her classmates through the shared journey of their school years: the excitement of kindergarten, the eagerness to reach middle school, the anticipation of high school, and the long countdown to graduation.
Carl J. Lamb Adaptive Hosts Third Annual Track and Field Festival
Carl J. Lamb Elementary School hosted its third annual Adaptive Track and Field Festival on Thursday, May 28, bringing together students, families, staff, and community members for a day of competition, camaraderie, and celebration.
Preparation for the event began well before the big day. Throughout the year, the team used adaptive P.E. classes to teach and practice the skills athletes would need for the festival, while also coordinating with case managers to tailor the event to each student's individual strengths and goals.
Sights Around Our Schools
Carl J. Lamb Elementary
Carl J. Lamb School recently hosted its annual Career Day. Students had the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of careers as local professionals visited to share information about their jobs and answer questions. The event gave students a chance to explore potential future paths, sparking curiosity and inspiring meaningful conversations about the world of work.
Margaret Chase Smith Elementary
Margaret Chase Smith School's second grade students proudly showcased their learning during a special Insect Celebration. Families were invited into the classroom to admire the students' creative and colorful insect sculptures, crafted with care and imagination. Students also took the spotlight by sharing their informative writing pieces, demonstrating just how much they had learned about the fascinating world of insects.
Sanford Middle School
Sanford Middle School's 5th and 6th grade students took center stage recently for their annual Spring Concert, held in the school's Performing Arts Center. Young musicians and performers delighted an audience of family and friends with an impressive showcase of their hard work and talent throughout the school year. Missed the show? A full recording of the concert will be available soon on WSSRTV's YouTube channel.
Sanford Pride Elementary
Sanford Pride Elementary recently welcomed Sparks Art for a special visit with its second-grade classes. Students had the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of animals and the important work of animal rehabilitation. The engaging presentation gave young learners a deeper appreciation for wildlife and the dedicated efforts of those who care for injured and orphaned animals in need.
Sanford High School
Sanford High donned their caps and gowns the day before graduation to complete the annual senior walkthrough. The graduates toured each school, retracing the hallways of tone final time before graduation day. Students and staff lined the corridors to cheer them on, celebrating the milestone.
Sanford Regional Technical Center
Congratulations to SRTC student Brayden St. Onge, who recently accepted a one-year apprenticeship opportunity with Pratt & Whitney during a special signing event at Sanford Regional Technical Center. Brayden, a student in the Precision Machining program, will begin his professional career with Pratt & Whitney in North Berwick this September.
Sanford Middle School Hosts Annual JMG Closing Ceremony
Sanford Middle School hosted its annual Jobs for Maine's Graduates (JMG) Closing Ceremony recently, bringing together students, families, and community members to celebrate another successful year of personal growth, leadership development, and career readiness. The evening event, held in the SMS cafeteria, showcased the program's ongoing commitment to helping Maine students graduate, discover their potential, and build meaningful futures.
The program opened with a welcome from students Colt Daigle-Clarke and Shane Andrews, followed by opening remarks from Hannalise Medico, Trevor Lannigan, Isybella Laurion, and Navina Allen. Student Samantha Trufant then introduced guest speaker Mr. Eric Moore, a seventh and eighth grade math teacher at SMS.
Sanford Girls Complete 'Girls on the Run' 5k
Girls from four Sanford schools headed to the Topsham Fairgrounds to compete in the 'Girls on the Run 5K', joining participants from across the state of Maine.
Students and staff from Sanford Pride Elementary, Margaret Chase Smith Elementary, Carl J. Lamb Elementary, and Sanford Middle School represented the Sanford School Department at the event.
Sanford High School Celebrates Seniors at Annual Awards Ceremony
Sanford High School held its annual Senior Awards Night on Monday, June 1, in the Performing Arts Center, honoring the Class of 2026 for academic achievement, athletic excellence, and community involvement.
Principal Tracy Gibson opened the evening with a welcome and introduction. "I want to take a moment to recognize everyone in this room and beyond who has helped bring this class to where they are tonight," Gibson said.
"To the families and friends here this evening, your love, your sacrifice, and your support have made all the difference."
Sanford High School Seniors Sign To Play College Sports
Sanford High School celebrated 16 students during a Senior Athlete Signing Ceremony held Wednesday, May 27, 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 these student-athletes have invested in their sports before introducing each senior with remarks from their coaches.
"These student-athletes have spent countless hours working to improve their skills and abilities, all while gaining accolades across the SMAA and the State of Maine."
Sanford Middle School Leaders Spread Hope With Yellow Tulip Project
Sanford Middle School's Sources of Strength Peer Leaders welcomed the school community to a bright and meaningful celebration on Monday, May 18, as students gathered outside near the flagpole during Spartan Time for the school's Yellow Tulip Project Mental Health Celebration.
As students arrived for the day, they were greeted with yellow smiley face stickers before heading outside at 7:50 a.m. to admire tulips that had been quietly growing since October. Student speakers addressed their peers on the importance of mental health, and the group took a few moments to simply enjoy the morning and the cheerful blooms before heading back inside, short, sweet, and right on time.
Sanford Elementary Students Give Back Through Sneaker Drive
This spring, students across all three of Sanford's elementary schools took part in a meaningful service learning project.
As part of a school-wide Sneaker Drive that ran throughout March and April, students came together to sort and organize 41 pairs of new and gently used sneakers, ranging from child size 10 to youth size 7.5.
That's enough to put a new pair of sneakers on the feet of two full classrooms of kids.
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)
Announcements
Community Announcements
Sanford Parks and Recreation offers Summer Vacation Day Camp, a program for school age children which runs the length of a vacation week when school is not in session. Campers are kept safe and busy with a variety of activities. Click here to learn more.
Do you have an event or activity to share? Simply complete our online form (here) and submit it to the Superintendent's Office for review.
Sanford Community Resource Guide
Click here to access the Sanford Community Resource guide. The Sanford Community Resource Guide is a comprehensive directory designed to connect families with local services and support. From food pantries and healthcare providers to childcare assistance and crisis support, this guide includes hundreds of resources across York County to help meet your family's needs throughout the year
Summer Nutrition Program For Kids
The Sanford School Department will be offering free meals to children and teens this summer through the Summer Food Service Program, kicking off Monday, June 22, 2026.
Eight sites across the community will be serving meals, including Carl Lamb School, Sanford High School, Sanford Middle School, and Sanford Pride Elementary, as well as Curtis Lake Church, Carpentier Park, Springvale Playground, and the YMCA.
Most locations serve breakfast from 7:30–8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:00 a.m.–noon.
The program is open to all children and teens 18 and under, and no registration is required.
2026-2027 School Calendar
Click here or scan the QR code below to access the 2026-2027 School Calendar. Please use this calendar for planning purposes for personal business and appointments when possible.
Additional Links to Stay Updated With the Community
