Sanford Family Newsletter

December 5, 2025

Good People,

We are looking forward to December 19! We are planning a whole school Activity Day in which the students will choose their sessions like they do for Flex Friday but all day long. Students will start their day in their Monday Advisory and then follow their schedule in smartpass based on their choices they can make starting 12/15/25.

In order to be eligible for activity day choices, students must be in good standing academically (no failing classes), with behavior (no suspensions, dismissals or lunch detentions) and with attendance (no unexcused absences/skipping, no more than 3 tardies). Students who are not eligible to make choices will be assigned sessions to support their completion of work and/or their relearning of behavior expectations. Should this kind of a schedule be not a good fit for your student, feel free to complete an absence in Infinite Campus Parent Portal and list "other" as the excuse and it will be an excused absence. Teachers regularly update grades AND December 12 is mid-quarter so that will be the official grade we work from for eligibility. As students turn in work after that date, their teachers will update our records regarding eligibility as soon as they are able.

We will have many options during the school day for their choice that include crafts, Bob Ross art activity, games, quiet reading in hammocks and a school dance. Students typically like to coordinate with their friends what they choose. These options will be live in Smartpass on 12/15/25 in advisory for their choosing. Sessions are limited in size and are first come/first serve. We will share a listing of the choices next week with the students through their advisory google classroom. If your student needs accessibility support in choosing sessions or field trips, please reach out to their IEP/504 case manager, their EL teacher or our Social Workers.

During Activity Day there will be 4 off campus field trip options. Here is important information:

There is limited space available and sign up is first come first serve by completing the google forms below.
We will keep a waitlist of no more than 10 students. You will be notified by email if you are on the wait list.
This form is your permission for your student to go off campus on 12/19/25. If they change their mind, please let us know so that we can pull names from the wait list.
Students will be automatically assigned their field trip and payment will be turned into their Advisory Teacher by 12/15/25.
Eligibility for the field trips is dependent on good grades, attendance and behavior during the month of December - eligibility is considered until the field trip leaves. You will be informed by email or text if your student is not eligible.
Here are the links for the field trips(please choose only one per student):

1) Walking Field Trip Riverview Theater (Movie TBD)
2) Walking Field Trip to Dowling Elementary Nature Area
3) Bus Field Trip to Third Lair Skate Park
4) Bus Field Trip to Escape Room

In Partnership,

Naida Grussing-Neitzel, Ed.S.

Principal

Maria Sanford Middle School

Rebellion is nigh in Matilda Jr., a gleefully witty ode to the the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination! This story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the “revolting children” who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson.

Matilda has astonishing wit, intelligence… and special powers! She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace! Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda Jr. is a joyous kid power romp.

During the school day on Friday December 12, we will host both an elementary school preview show and a whole school assembly for Sanford at 2:15pm.

Community Showings of Ronald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr.! are:

Friday December 12 & Saturday December 13

6:00 pm Box Office Opens
7:00 pm Performance

Enter through doors 4 & 12
$5 suggested donation at the door
Featuring Sanford Middle School Cast & Crew

Sanford advisories will participate in Roosevelt's Operation Holiday Basket Food Drive again this year. Students can bring donations to their advisory teacher between December 8 and 15. The advisory with the most donations will win the coveted noodle trophy to display in their classroom for the school year!

Support Art Electives on a Field Trip to the MN Textile Center

Ms. Sam and Mr. Pilon are planning a unit around the fiber arts for two elective classes. They would like to end their unit with a field trip to the MN Textile Center. Click here to help fund this enriching field trip.

Parkway Pizza Fundraiser

Parkway Pizza will give 20% of all dine in orders to the Sanford PTA on the second Monday of every month. Join us on December 8th!

Our next meeting is December 16th from 6:00p-7:30p in the media center at Sanford. Enter through the main entrance - Door 12. All are welcome!

To contact us or to sign up for our email communications, please send an email to: sanfordmspta@gmail.com.

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December 8, 2025: Home Basketball Games 5 & 6pm

December 8-15: Food Drive for Operation Holiday Basket at Roosevelt

December 12, 2025: Matilda the Musical Elementary Performance 10:30am and Sanford Performance 2:15pm (students in the musical will be excused activity all day)

December 12, 2025: Matilda the Musical Performance 7:00pm

December 13, 2025: Matilda the Musical Performance 7:00pm

December 19, 2025: Activity Day for Positive Behaviors, Good Attendance and Grades

January 7, 2026: Home Basketball Games 5 & 6pm

January 14, 2026: Home Basketball Games 5 & 6pm