School Notes

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan

Who you gonna call? Reminiscent of a scene from “Ghostbusters,” the York County Hazmat team recently visited the Sanford Regional Technical Center to work with the firefighting program. The students were able to gear up in full hazmat suits to experience how difficult it is to walk and communicate with each other while dealing with hazardous materials.

Food donations needed: The staff at several local salons and barbershops are working with the Sanford Backpack Program to collect food for Sanford students. Specifically, cans of pasta meals (SpaghettiOs, ravioli, Beefaroni, etc.) and pasta sauces are needed for the program to fill weekly food bags for over 200 students. Cans must be 16 oz. or smaller. No glass, please. Donations can be dropped off at these participating businesses: 4 Gen Barbershop, The Best Little Hair House in Town, The Downtown Shagg, Hollywood Hair, Magnolias Salon & Spa, Hair Extreme Barber Shop, Rand & Co. House of Beauty and Shine Hair & Nails.

Who knew learning could be so fun? The Board Game Club started last month at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School. Through strategic challenges and collaborative activities, students are developing crucial skills such as critical thinking, decision making, teamwork and communication, all while having fun.

Grade 8 band excels at Maine festival: Sanford Middle School’s Grade 8 band received the highest rating at the Concert Band Festival, sponsored by the Maine Band Directors’ Association, on March 27. The band received a 5 out of 5 in sight reading and a Superior rating overall, which is very difficult to get at the middle school level. Sanford High School’s Honors Wind Ensemble, which has 14 members, also traveled to the festival and earned an Excellent rating.

When dinosaurs roamed the classroom: Students from Ms. McGuiggin’s Grade 2 classroom at Sanford Pride Elementary School have been learning about dinosaurs. On March 28, they put their knowledge on display in a Dinosaur Museum.

It’s time for some springtime color: The Spring Pansy Sale will be held April 8 – 14 at Sanford Regional Technical Center’s greenhouse. Along with pansies, a variety of houseplants, early spring herbs and veggies will be sold. The greenhouse is open most school days from 8:30 am to 1 pm. For this sale, it will also be open during vacation week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 4 pm. To pre-order, go here.

Elementary school reading fosters connections: More than 120 students and families participated in the Reading Under the Sea event last month at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School. The enthusiasm and excitement among parents and children added a unique charm to the atmosphere as they explored marine-themed displays. Families bonded over a shared love for reading and learning about marine life.

Shipyard presentations at SRTC: Bath Iron Works (BIW) visited Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) on March 26. The sessions were tailored to cater to SRTC students interested in exploring careers in shipbuilding and repair processes. Among the representatives were a former welder and trades inspector and a seasoned professional at BIW. Discussions covered shipbuilding, defense contracting and lifecycle support. The representatives also highlighted the BIW shipyard’s five unions, which include mechanics, designers, security, firefighters and engineers, as well as the trades covered by each union. The presentations shed light on job opportunities within the shipyard as well as BIW’s hiring process.