Sanford Family Newsletter

March 13, 2026

Good People,

As an IB/MYP School, all students globally are required to complete a Community Project as a way to put all of your learning together into a final project of your middle school experience. This week during Advisory students began discussing: If you could change anything about the world, what would it be? Across the globe, change is directly impacted by citizens who strive for a hopeful, equitable future.

Community Project Schedule:

Investigating: March 2026
Planning: April-May 2026
Taking Action: Community Service/Project Day-Friday May 22nd
Reflecting/Sharing/Celebrating: Last 2 weeks of school

More details on the schedule/event

In Partnership,

Naida Grussing-Neitzel, Ed.S.

Principal

Maria Sanford Middle School

Updates: the field trip forms will stay open through this weekend and close at 8:00am on Monday March 16, 2026.

The movie for Riverview is Angry Birds

The day before Spring Break, March 26, we will host an Activity Day. The purpose of Activity Day is to reward positive behavior and achievement. Student eligibility will begin on Monday March 2 and continue up to March 26, 2026. During the month of March, students need to have:

good behavior, defined as no suspensions or lunch detentions,
good attendance, defined as no unexcused absences and fewer than 3 tardies
good academics, defined as passing all classes

Teachers have planned two field trips - both of these trips have lots of availiblility but permission needs to be completed as soon as possible and no later than March 16, 2026. Field trip money is to be turned into Advisory Teacher by March 23, 2026 - scholarships available (please send extra to cover scholarships if you are able):

Skateville Bus Field Trip Permission Form for any eligible student

Riverview Theater Walking Field Trip Permission Form for any eligible student

Parent Education Night: March 24, 2026. 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Parent Education Night has been rescheduled to Tuesday, March 24th. We will meet in the Sanford cafeteria. Our featured speaker, Sarah Cowan, will present on the topic we think continues to be extremely relevant in the midst of this wild school year: Her presentation is titled "From Chaos to Connection with your Middle Schooler; How to be an empathetic and steady presence."

The presentation will focus on our children's needs as they move into adolescence, how we can support them during this transition, and how we take care of ourselves to make this support sustainable.

Please join us for a night of conversation and connection. Light refreshments will be provided by the PTA. We're excited to have this presentation back on the calendar!

Gertens Fundraiser

It feels like spring and that means it’s time to start planning spring gardens! Save yourself a trip out to Gerten’s and pick your plants up right in the neighborhood while supporting the Sanford PTA. Order plants and veggies using our code [930] and a portion of all sales will help support the Sanford PTA as we plan for 8th grade graduation, purchase recess equipment, fund field trips, and plan future events and activities!

Ordering is easy. Just visit www.gertens fundraising.com, enter our store code 930 and choose your beautiful Gerten’s plants or gift cards. The website closes on April 2nd and quantities are limited, so get your order in today!!

Plants will be available for pickup at Sanford on Wednesday, May 6th. Keep in mind, this is a few days before Mothers Day and plants make perfect gifts! :)

Come to our next Meeting

Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 17th from 6:00p-7:30p in the media center at Sanford. Enter through the main entrance - Door 12. All are welcome!

To sign up for our email communications contact: sanfordmspta@gmail.com.

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