School Notes: December 10, 2023

A Sanford Regional Technical Center student prepares a festive holiday wreath to sell at the Holiday Botanical Bonanza.

Photo: Sanford School Department

By Carolyn Cadigan

Deck the halls: Plants Plus is holding its Holiday Botanical Bonanza sale through Friday, Dec. 22, at the Sanford Regional Technical Center. The greenhouse is open while students are there from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. In addition to wreaths, poinsettias, succulents, and kissing balls, houseplants are available for sale. FMI, email pdurack@sanford.org. If you’d like to pre-order, go here.

Scoring toys for those in need: The National Honor Society has been conducting its annual Toys for Tots collection at Sanford High School. They will be collecting toys outside of Partners Bank Gymnasium on Tuesday, Dec. 12, during the girls’ basketball games. There are also boxes outside the main office for collection. The toy drive ends after the varsity girls’ game on Dec. 12.

Empowering middle school students to make informed decisions: Sanford Middle School recently organized a series of informative panels to educate students about the dangers of vaping. During the sessions, panelists presented information and engaged with the students, encouraging them to ask questions and share their thoughts related to the topic. Students gained a deeper understanding of the risks associated with vaping. These educational sessions aim to empower students to make positive choices and take control of their well-being. FMI on the panels, go here.

Stockings filled with Christmas cheer: In partnership with the Sanford Dollar Tree and Operation Homefront, middle school students at St. Thomas School sorted and stuffed Christmas stockings for more than 50 local military families. The stockings will be distributed during their holiday celebration at the Sanford Armory. Additional toy donations will be distributed to military families across the state. For photos, go here.

Bill Ferguson’s teaching legacy lives on: Three school rooms were recently dedicated to the late Bill “Ferg” Ferguson, a beloved Honors English teacher with a 37-year career at Sanford High School. An English classroom and library conference room at the high school, as well as his old classroom, now in the Middle School, were named after him thanks to donations to the Sanford Legacy Foundation from friends and family. FMI, go here. 

And the winners are: Put on by the Sanford Alumni Association, the 2023 Spree of Trees, in its fifth year, was held Nov. 30 through Dec. 3 at the Sanford Memorial Gym Cafeteria. More than 100 trees, with gift values estimated to be from $100 to $2,500, were displayed. Tickets were sold in sheets of chances to win the trees. The event is held each year as a fundraiser that helps to support school-based initiatives. FMI on the event and a list of the 2023 winners, go here.