School Notes

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan

SHS freshmen perform at the Maine ACDA festival: Sanford High School Choral Director Ryan Geary (left in photo) accompanied five freshmen (left to right, next to Geary: Max Hylton, Ava Allen, Morgan Bailey, Olivia Giles and Avila Cyr) to the Maine American Choral Directors Association State Festival, held at Waterville High School on May 4. The freshmen sang with the Katahdin Choir, a soprano-alto group led by conductor Kenneth Griffith of the Boston Children’s Chorus. The festival invited students from grades 4 to 9. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Geary.)

Maine author visits SMS students: In April, Sanford Middle School welcomed author Lynn Plourde to talk with students. She spoke with each grade about her illustrations in the book “Lost Trail: Nine Days Alone in the Wilderness.” She also discussed her background and her experiences growing up in Maine.

Learning to navigate real-life emergency situations: Assistant Fire Chief Bob Arnold from the Sanford Fire Department recently visited Sanford Community Adult Education (SCAE) classes for multi-language learners. During the interactive session, Arnold delved into topics beyond basic fire safety, engaging learners with practical insights on navigating emergencies effectively. Participants gained insight on how to contact emergency services, the questions they might encounter and what emergency personnel do upon arrival. Arnold announced plans to return to SCAE with a fire engine and firefighters clad in their protective gear. The session will enable participants to familiarize themselves with emergency responders and equipment so they will be more confident and prepared in real-life scenarios.

St. Thomas School students learn about bees and keep tabs on their adopted dairy calf, Recking Ball.

From bees to bovine: A St. Thomas School volunteer, Sam Cetrano, recently shared a lesson on bees with the school’s kindergarten students. They learned about the anatomy of the bee, the pollination process and how bees make honey. Learning at the school also focused on cows as fourth graders participated in a live chat with farmers at their adopt-a-cow farm and learned about their class pet, Recking Ball. In October 2023, the class formally adopted a dairy calf and has been watching her grow and develop on the host dairy farm. The students track her health and well-being, just like the farmer does, and learn about her life on the farm and her future role as a milk producer.

Don’t be late for kindergarten: June 1 is the deadline to register children for kindergarten in Sanford public schools for the upcoming school year. Children 5 years of age on or before October 15 are eligible to register. Go here to complete the registration process.

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