Sanford Family Newsletter Logo

From the Principal

August 7, 2026

Good People,

We look forward to welcoming your student (back) to Sanford this fall! We have a new student & caregiver self-tour on August 24, 2026 and our fall open house on September 2, 2026. More information about these events is below in this newsletter.

If you have a rising 7th or 8th grader, please note that they are eligible to play "up" in high school sports with the Minnesota State High School League. Registration for fall sports at Roosevelt closes at midnight on Thursday, August 13th. We want to ensure everyone is fully registered and cleared prior to the first day of mandatory practice on Monday, August 17th.

Lastly, while Principal Naida and AP Miller are in the office working hard to get the school year ready, most of our staff is still on summer break. This newsletter will be sent weekly on Fridays after school. Caregivers, you can also connect with us on instagram where we share photos and information from time to time. You can let your students know that Principal Naida (nay-da) is looking forward to high fives later this month!

In Partnership,

Naida Grussing-Neitzel, Ed.S.

Principal

Maria Sanford Middle School

Fall Open House & State of the School Presentation

State of the School Presentations: Wednesday September 2, 2026: 4:30-5:00pm and 7:00-7:30pm

Fall Open House: Wednesday September 2, 2026: 5:00-7:00pm

We are thrilled to welcome our families back for our annual Fall Open House and State of the School Presentation! Come join us to hear an exciting update on our goals and vision for the upcoming year, and get a firsthand look at what makes our school community so special. Following the presentation, students and caregivers will have the opportunity to walk through their official schedules, explore the building, and meet their wonderful teachers. It’s a fantastic way to ease those back-to-school jitters, locate classrooms, and kick off the new year together. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

New Student/Caregiver Self Tour

Are you looking for a quiet, low-stress way to get familiar with our building before the school year kicks off? We warmly invite our new students and their caregivers to join us for a self-guided tour on August 24th from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This is a relaxed opportunity to walk the hallways, locate your classrooms, and explore the campus at your own pace without the usual hustle and bustle. Please note that this event is designed strictly for exploring the physical layout of the school; teachers will not be present, and schedules or locker assignments will not be available at this time. However, our principal team and school social workers will be floating around to say hello, answer general questions, and offer a friendly face. We can't wait to see you there!

School Supplies

Must have:

pencils and/or pens (lots and lots!)
5 sturdy spiral notebooks
1 graphing notebook
8 folders (or notebooks with pockets)
wired headphones/earbuds - bluetooth/wireless earbuds are not allowed

Nice to have:

one 3-inch zipper binder
pencil case
highlighters
scotch tape
water bottle (labeled with name)

Donation wish list (turn into the main office to be shared with all students):

disinfectant wipes like clorox
copy paper
facial tissues
colored markers
colored pencils
glue sticks
graphing notebooks
spiral notebooks
single-serving non-perishable snacks (no peanuts)
highlighters
scotch tape

Sanford PTA Supply Drive:

Due to under funding, the PTA is raising money to help support the school's general supply fund. Just $10 per student will meet our goal! To donate, go to https://giving.gofundme.com/campaign/811436/donate

If purchasing supplies is a hardship for your family, please reach out to our School Social Workers for assistance.

Student Handbook

As we prepare for a fantastic school year, it is important that all caregivers and students review the student handbook: Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook

Chromebooks

Please note a change in our technology routine for the upcoming school year: Sanford students will no longer carry individual, student-issued Chromebooks with them throughout the day or bring them home. Instead, devices will remain at school, and students will have convenient access to them in their classrooms as determined by their teachers for specific learning activities. This shift is designed to limit student screen time and access, reduce the weight of heavy backpacks, and ensure that technology is used intentionally to support daily lessons. We appreciate your partnership as we transition to this new setup!

If your family does not have access to a home device and cannot access the public library, please reach out to our School Social Workers for assistance.

Celebrating Our Diverse Community

Even though school is out for the summer, learning and celebration never stop! July and August bring several wonderful opportunities to honor the unique histories and cultures that make our community so vibrant.

Here are the key heritage and awareness months we are celebrating:

Disability Pride Month (July): This month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It’s a time to celebrate the incredible achievements, unique talents, and rights of people with disabilities.
South Asian Heritage Month (July 18 – August 17): Spanning across both months, this observance honors the rich histories, beautiful traditions, and major contributions of people with roots in nations like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and more.
French-American Heritage Month (July): This month highlights the long-standing friendship and cultural ties between the United States and France, aligning with France's famous Bastille Day on July 14th.
National Black Business Month (August): This month is all about recognizing, celebrating, and supporting Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs who help our local economies thrive.

How can students participate? Summer is a perfect time to check out a new book from the local library by a South Asian author, learn a few words in French, or intentionally support a Black-owned business in your neighborhood. Let's keep learning, growing, and celebrating together! ☀️

PTA

Hello Sanford community! We hope you are enjoying your summer and recharging for the upcoming school year. See below for some announcements and important dates.

FIrst PTA Meeting of the year August 25th

Join us in the media center at Sanford on August 25th from 6:00p-7:30p for our first meeting of the year. Principal Naida and our new Vice Principal Ashleigh will be there with updates on next school year as well as discussions on volunteer opportunities and school events. Please enter through the main entrance to the school on 42nd Avenue. All are welcome!

School Grounds Clean up on August 31st

The Sanford PTA is hosting a school grounds clean-up on Monday, August 31, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm to get the school looking its best before Open House. Meet in the school courtyard on 36th Street.

We need volunteers (students and adults!) to make this event happen. Families with Roosevelt students, note that your high schoolers will receive service hours for helping, so bring them along, too!

We've got some specific grounds improvement ideas planned. The PTA will provide materials and some beverages and snacks. Blue Door Pub offers $5 burgers on Mondays for those interested, and we'll bring some gaga balls and basketballs for socializing after the clean up.

Open House is September 2nd

September 2nd from 5:00p-7:00pm is Open House with a Principals State of the School Presentation at 4:30 and 7:00pm. Stop by the PTA table to find out more info about how you can get involved! We will be giving away free Sanford yard signs and selling Sanford Swag . Also enjoy some free ice cream treats outside after you see the school.

School Supply List

Sanford's school supply list is posted here. Due to under funding, the PTA is raising money to help support the school's general supply fund. Just $10 per student will meet our goal! Click here to donate.

Upcoming Dates

September 15th, 6:00p-7:30p - September PTA

October 29th - Sanford Night Out at Arbeiter Brewing

PTA Email Communication

Want to know more about what is happening at Sanford? You can sign up for our email communications by sending an email to: sanfordmspta@gmail.com.

Website

Facebook