This issue celebrates the achievements and transitions marking the end of another successful school year in Sanford. You'll find stories including the announcement of Joe Mastraccio as the new Principal of Sanford Middle School after nearly two decades of dedicated service, and Sanford Community Adult Education's largest graduating class in five years with over 30 graduates. The newsletter highlights student excellence through SRTC's outstanding performance at SkillsUSA Nationals, where Myles Seckler claimed first place in Technical Drafting, and showcases innovative programming like the new Fishing Club at Sanford Middle School. We honor our retiring staff members, celebrate the YMCA's first-ever Pre-K graduation in partnership with the school department, and provide essential summer information including meal programs, office hours, and community resources to keep families connected throughout the break.
Joe Mastraccio Named New Principal of Sanford Middle School
The Sanford School Department is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Mastraccio as the new Principal of Sanford Middle School.
The selection process included input from the entire school community, with surveys sent to both staff and families, as well as student focus groups, to identify the qualities most important for the next principal. Seven candidates applied for the position, and four were interviewed by a comprehensive committee that included teachers, counselors, administrators, and parents.
Mastraccio's career in the Sanford School Department spans nearly two decades. He served as a Math Teacher at Sanford Junior High from 2006-2015, where he also led the Math Team as advisor for those same nine years and taught summer school mathematics from 2006-2011.
His transition into administration began with an Administrative Internship at Sanford Junior High from 2010-2015, where he assisted with the administration of a 700-student middle school, followed by his decade of service as Assistant Principal at Sanford Middle School.
Sanford Community Adult Education Celebrates Class of 2025
Sanford Community Adult Education celebrated its Class of 2025 graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 11th, marking a milestone achievement with over 30 graduates —their largest class in five years. The evening brought together families, friends, educators, and community members to honor the perseverance and dedication of students who refused to give up on their educational dreams.
The ceremony opened with a performance of the national anthem by graduate Isabella Verissiomo. Superintendent Matt Nelson welcomed attendees and praised the graduates for their "toughness"—not physical strength, but the resilience to overcome obstacles and bounce back from setbacks.
"Your experience at SCAE has helped you build that toughness and move toward your goals," Nelson told the graduates.
SRTC Student Wins Technical Drafting Competition at SkillsUSA Nationals
SRTC student Myles Seckler from Traip Academy claimed first place in Technical Drafting at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, bringing home gold and highlighting an outstanding week of competition for the entire SRTC team.
Students wrapped up their impressive showing across multiple categories. Booker Sylvain earned an impressive fifth place finish in CNC Programming, while Rielly Glidden (Marshwood) secured eighth place in Firefighting. The Crime Scene Investigation team of Elaina Gagnon (Noble), Harmonee Shaw (Massabesic), and Macie Tardiff worked together to achieve 14th place, and Brody Worth (Massabesic) finished 15th in Collision Damage Appraisal.
Thank You to Our Retiring Staff
Russell Clark
Russell Clark has served as a Computer Aided Design Instructor since 2013, bringing 12 years of technical expertise to SRTC students. His instruction has prepared students for careers in engineering and design fields.
John Couture
John Couture brought his culinary expertise to SRTC as a Culinary Arts Instructor in 2018, spending 7 years preparing students for careers in the food service industry.
Susan Coveney
After 29 years with Sanford schools since 1996, Susan Coveney retires having made a lasting impact on students and colleagues throughout her teaching career.
Frederick Gluck
Frederick Gluck joined SRTC in 2019 as a Computer Network System Instructor, dedicating 6 years to preparing students for careers in information technology and networking.
Roberta Hurley
Roberta Hurley has served as a Secretary at Carl J. Lamb Elementary for 35 years since 1990. Her dedication to the school community has provided essential support to students, families, and staff throughout her career."
Anders Larson
Anders Larson has taught Social Studies at Sanford Middle School for 27 years since 1998, helping students understand history and develop critical thinking skills.
Margo Longfish
Margo Longfish has served as an Elementary School Teacher for 22 years since 2003, fostering learning and growth in young students throughout her career with Sanford schools
Colleen McGuiggin
Colleen McGuiggin has nurtured young learners as a Kindergarten Teacher for 38 years since 1987, providing countless children with a strong foundation for their educational journey.
Vicki Payeur
Vicki Payeur has dedicated 37 years to supporting students with special needs since joining Sanford schools in 1988. Her commitment as a Special Education Aide has made a meaningful difference in countless students' lives.
Deb Smith
Deb Smith has dedicated 42 years to Sanford schools, joining Carl J. Lamb when it opened in 1990 as a founding PTA member. She taught in every Sanford school except the high school, including English/language arts and sewing at the middle school. Colleagues named her the inaugural Outstanding Staff Person in 2018.
Kathleen Spencer
Kathleen Spencer has served as an Educational Technician I in Literacy at Willard since 2015, dedicating 10 years to supporting student learning and literacy development.
Herbert Stitson
Herbert Stitson has taught Mathematics at Sanford High School for 25 years since 2000, helping students develop problem-solving skills and mathematical understanding.
Margaret Warner
Margaret Warner has dedicated 20 years to Sanford High School as an Art Teacher since joining in 2005. She has inspired countless students to explore their creativity and artistic talents.
Lenore Williams
Lenore Williams has supported multilingual students as an ESOL Teacher at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary since 2023, bringing 2 years of dedicated service to help students succeed. Lenore started her career in Sanford when Carl J. Lamb first opened as a classroom teacher. She was also a long-time administrator for the Portland School Department before she came to Sanford
YMCA Celebrates First-Ever Pre-K Graduation in Partnership with Sanford School Department
The Sanford-Springvale YMCA recently celebrated a milestone with its very first Pre-K graduation ceremony on Tuesday June 10th, marking the successful completion of the inaugural year of its partnership with the Sanford School Department.
Sixteen young graduates gathered with their families to commemorate their educational journey and prepare for the next chapter—kindergarten.
"Our first year as a pilot site for the Public Pre-K program was outstanding," said Cassandra Lunderville, Early Learning Center Coordinator for the Sanford-Springvale YMCA. "Thriving with the support of the Sanford School Department and under the guidance of Elizabeth Reynolds and Cayla Bleakney, we were able to foster school readiness through developing the foundational skills for continued school success for 16 students. "
New Fishing Club Reels in Success at Sanford Middle School
Sanford Middle School's brand-new Fishing Club has wrapped up a successful inaugural season as the school year came to a close. The student-initiated club attracted more than 25 participants from fifth through eighth grade during its first run.
Social Worker Brent Coleman helped launch the club after a sixth-grade student he was working with expressed interest in fishing.
"He came up with the idea. He says, 'I wish there was like a fishing club,'" Coleman recalled. "And I said, 'Well, there can be.' You know, not just adults, but students can create a club."
Central Office Summer Hours
NOW THROUGH AUGUST 3: We're open Monday-Thursday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Please note we're closed on Fridays during this period.
AUGUST 4-24: We'll be open Monday-Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
STARTING AUGUST 25: We return to regular school year hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Announcements
The Sanford School Department's 2025-2026 school budget was approved at the June 10th voter referendum. A big THANK YOU to everyone who voted. We appreciate and are grateful for everyone's support.
2025-2026 School Calendar
Scan the QR code below to access the 2025-2026 School Calendar. The calendar, recently approved by the Sanford School Committee, is very similar to this year’s calendar. Our school calendar is guided by Sanford Regional Technical Center and all of its sending schools as we are not allowed to have more than five dissimilar days among the schools. Please use this calendar for planning purposes for personal business and appointments when possible.
Community Announcements
Are you looking to share your organization’s events and activities with the Sanford school community? The Sanford School Department website offers a Community Announcements page to help you reach students, families, and staff members.
The process is simple: complete our online approval form (click here for the form), submit it to the Superintendent's Office along with your promotional materials for review
Summer Meals
The Sanford School Department’s School Nutrition Program is once again sponsoring the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program. The program is open to all children and teens 18 and under. There are no eligibility requirements and registration is not required.
Nutritious and appealing no cost meals will be available at sites throughout the community on Monday through Friday beginning June 17th through August 8th at the following locations and times:
Carl Lamb School – Breakfast 7:30 to 8:30; Lunch 11:00 to 12:00
Carpentier Park – Lunch 11:15 to 11:45
Curtis Lake Church – Breakfast 7:30 to 8:30; Lunch 11:45 to 12:30
Sanford High School – Breakfast 7:30-8:30 and Lunch 11:00-12:00
Sanford Middle School – Breakfast 7:30-8:30 and Lunch 11:00-12:00
Sanford Pride Elementary – Breakfast 7:30 to 8:30; Lunch 11:00 to 12:00
Springvale Playground – Breakfast 8:45 to 9:15; Lunch 11:30 to 12:15
YMCA – 7:30 to 8:30; 11:00 to 11:45
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