School Notes

Mrs. Harmon’s Grade 5 students at St. Thomas School learn about young chicks, hatched only weeks ago.

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan and Zendelle Bouchard

Hands-on learning is a big hit with St. Thomas students: Mrs. Harmon and her Grade 5 students at St. Thomas School are tending to their recently hatched chicks as they wait for their quail eggs to hatch. The students, who have learned to identify the chicks by their feathers, happily shared them with the Grade 2 class. They also presented their flip books, explaining everything from embryo development within the egg to the hatching process. For fun photos, go here.

SHS Math Team earns top-third ranking at State Meet: Earlier this month, the Sanford High School (SHS) Math Team, led by coaches Kailee Colbeth and Adam Soule, participated at the Maine State Math Meet, held at the Augusta Civic Center. Representing Sanford were 11 of the school’s best math students, including Zach Parison (captain), Lamar Amoakohene (captain), Aidan Gendron (captain), Corinna Vitale, Rowan Winchell, Quang Lam, Elsie Gendron, Jennifer Danis, Samone Gallagher, Rishi Patel and Ethan Davie (alternate). With 89 teams competing from schools throughout Maine, the meet challenged participants during rounds at the individual, relay and team level. Overall, Sanford fared well with three mathletes scoring over 40 points in the individual rounds but struggled in the team and relay rounds. Nevertheless, the team placed in the top third of the competition, ranking 29th overall. The State Math Meet marked the end of a successful season and the start of recruiting efforts for next year. Those interested in joining the Math Team should contact Mrs. Colbeth at kcolbeth@sanford.org. FMI on the Math Team’s achievements, go here.

SMS student advocates to end sale of flavored tobacco: Kyla Robinson, a Grade 8 student at Sanford Middle School, recently attended the Maine Youth Action Network’s Leadership Summit where she met people working with Flavors Hook Kids Maine (FHKM). The organization aims to give young adults and youth a fair shot at a productive and healthy future free from tobacco addiction. Kyla joined FHKM at the Maine State House on February 15 to advocate for a bill to end the sale of flavored tobacco products. While at the State House, Kyla spoke with Maine state representatives and senators, including Representative Anne-Marie Mastraccio, Representative Ann Fredericks and Senator Matt Harrington. Kyla has also met with Sanford’s City Council and has worked with the prevention staff at Southern Maine Health Care in York County. Kyla noted, “With this work, I hope to help create a healthier environment and end the cycle of childhood tobacco use.”

High school students attend regional conference: Members of the Sanford High School (SHS) Key Club attended the annual District Key Club Education Conference (DECON) on April 6-7 in Springfield, MA. DECON is a conference for all the New England and Bermuda Key Clubs. Participants came together to take part in workshops and learn more about how to get involved with Key Club and their surrounding communities. The formal event includes several activities, such as dinners, awards, speeches and dances. “We were able to hear from speakers about leadership strengthening and how to continue to positively impact our school and Key Club,” said Sophia Tounge, president of the SHS Key Club. Congratulations to Braeden Landry, who was awarded second place in the Oratorical Contest with his essay on the significance of Key Club. FMI, go here.

Webb wins Golden Apple Award: Sanford High School Alternative Education Director Karen Webb was recently named a Binnie Media Golden Apple Award recipient. The award was created to recognize individuals dedicated to the intellectual and emotional growth of Maine’s children and young adults. Webb was one of 10 recipients who received the award for the 2023-2024 school year. “Getting this award was a total surprise,” Webb said. “I was completely shocked by it.” Webb was honored with a certificate of appreciation, flowers delivered to her, a restaurant gift certificate from Muddy Rudder in Yarmouth, a Staples gift card and a personal chauffeured limousine ride to and from school.

Playground upgrades continue at CJL: Thanks to a generous donation from the Gerard and Gertrude Genest Charitable Trust, the Sanford Schools Legacy Foundation has approved a $50,000 donation to purchase new playground equipment for the Carl J. Lamb Elementary School (CJL). “This is Phase 2 of the recent upgrades at the CJL playground. Their donation will help fill in the gaps between our current equipment there and making it more equitable between other playgrounds in town,” said CJL PTA President Lydia Lehoux. The team thoughtfully chose structures that will also benefit the special education students at the school.

St. Thomas Pre-K registration: Enrollment for St. Thomas School’s Pre-K program is open now. Options include three or five day programs and whole or half days. Before and after school care is also available. Call 207-324-5832 to get more info, schedule a tour or arrange a shadow day.

SRTC Student of the Year Mercedes Swanson is congratulated by Law Enforcement teacher Michael Thornton (L) and SRTC Director Matt Petermann (R).

SRTC Student of the Year: Traip Academy senior Mercedes Swanson has been named Sanford Regional Technical School’s Student of the Year for 2024. Mercedes, who lives in Kittery, is enrolled in the SRTC Law Enforcement program. She has set her sights on a career in public service and aspires to work as a full-time dispatcher while pursuing her college degree. Her ultimate goal is to become a victim’s advocate. Mercedes will be honored in Lewiston next week, along with 26 other Career and Technical Education students from across the state.

Defibrillator donation: Sanford Middle School received a boost to its safety measures on April 11, as Cintas, a leader in workplace safety solutions, generously donated an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the school. AEDs are crucial devices designed to aid individuals experiencing cardiac arrest, a condition that can strike without warning. These portable devices analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electric shock to restore normal heart function. The AED will be mounted outside the gym doors, and coaches will also be equipped with the AED during practices and games to reduce the response time in case of a cardiac emergency.