School Notes

In Veterans Day events, students at Sanford’s elementary schools thank and honor those who served. Pictured are celebrations at Carl J. Lamb (top left), Sanford Pride (top right), and Margaret Chase Smith (bottom) elementary schools.

Photo: Sanford School Department

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan

Students at Sanford’s three elementary schools honor those who served: The gymnasium at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School was filled with pride, gratitude and patriotic spirit on Nov. 7 as students and staff welcomed dozens of veterans, who spanned generations from various military branches, for their annual Veterans Day breakfast celebration. Students spent weeks preparing special performances to honor their special guests — from sharing important facts about Veterans Day to reading a touching poem expressing appreciation for veterans’ sacrifices to sharing insights about veterans’ impacts on our country. Following breakfast and the performances, families gathered around the “Our MCS Heroes” wall, which displayed a tribute of military photographs showcasing students’ family members beneath service branch emblems and decorative stars. Read the full story here.

At Carl J. Lamb Elementary School, students, staff and community members gathered for a Veterans Day celebration that combined patriotic music, student performances, and special recognition of local veterans. The school’s cafeteria was transformed for the occasion with red, white and blue balloon arrangements, patriotic banners, and American flags held by students. Concluding the celebration was an educational flag-folding demonstration involving 20 students who participated alongside a military chief. Each precise fold of the flag was explained, representing values such as honor, courage, and sacrifice that are fundamental to military service. The celebration not only honored the veterans but also taught the next generation about service, sacrifice, and the sacred traditions that help us remember and respect those who have served our country. For the complete story, go here.

Grade four chorus students from Sanford Pride Elementary School visited Pinnacle Health & Rehab on Nov. 8 to honor veterans living at the Sanford facility. The chorus students, who began rehearsing in September, performed two selections, “Thank You to Our Veterans” and “On Veterans Day,” focusing on themes of gratitude and recognition of service. The staff at Pinnacle incorporated the performance into the facility’s Veterans Day social event and invited other community members. Through this experience, the students gained a deeper understanding of the vital role veterans have played in our nation’s history. Read more here.

Keeping the art of letter writing alive: Seventh- and eighth-grade students from St. Thomas School paired up with their pen pals at the Trafton Senior Center for the first time this year, kicking off their monthly correspondence program. In addition to chatting and visiting with each other, the pairs enjoyed refreshments and played several rounds of the game Mind Trap. This is the fifth year of the school’s pen pal partnership with Trafton.

Scholarship opportunities abound: Sanford High School now has a school counseling scholarship website, which includes a scholarship database and other helpful resources. Since the database will be updated throughout the school year as more scholarship opportunities become known, be sure to check back often. Access the website here.

Good things come to those who apply: The 2025-2026 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be available on Dec. 1. Be sure to complete the FAFSA to apply for financial aid at any college and to access the Free College Scholarship, covering 100 percent of tuition and mandatory fees at any Maine community college, for those who earned a high school diploma (or its equivalent) in 2022 to 2025. The FAFSA is sometimes required by private scholarships as well. Whether you’re a future chef, electrician, nurse or aspire to any other career, the FAFSA may help cover the costs. Access the FAFSA here.

SHS alum’s return to Sanford is music to our ears: For Andy Austin, success in broadcasting wasn’t just about making it big — it was about coming back home to make a difference. The Sanford alum went from a struggling student to successful broadcaster, having built a career that’s taken him from Boston to Florida. Now he’s back as a partner at Seacoast Oldies with a mission: creating opportunities for local students just like the ones that changed his life. Read the story about Austin’s inspiring full-circle journey and the Sanford Regional Technical Center students he’s mentoring.

Sanford school happenings: For more news from the Sanford school district, read the Nov. 2024 edition of the “Sanford Spotlight” newsletter here.