Sanford schools report lower disciplinary incidents, STEM nights and parent internet-safety sessions ahead of testing

Sanford-area school leaders told residents at a community meeting that student discipline incidents and skipping referrals are down compared with the prior year, and they previewed spring events for students and families.

School leaders from Markham, Sanford Middle School and several elementary sites said the decline in aggressive incidents and skipping referrals reflects improved student attendance and classroom behavior as spring testing approaches. The officials also described recent extracurricular and recognition activities — including induction of about 50 students into a national junior honor society — and upcoming events intended for families.

Why this matters: lower rates of aggressive incidents and skipping are presented by school staff as positive indicators ahead of state testing windows. Schools are also using outreach events to involve families and manage student online behavior as more students receive personal devices.

At Markham, staff reported that aggressive, violent acts and skipping referrals are down year over year and said the school has focused on punctuality and getting students to class. The Markham speaker also announced a parent internet-safety session and a discipline presentation on April 15 intended to help parents talk with children about online risks and the potential disciplinary consequences of behaviors such as recording peers. The school additionally noted spring athletics results and invited families to an April 8 robotics event, “Megatronic Madness,” from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Sanford Middle School staff said the school recently resumed an in-person STEM night, partnering with local businesses to provide hands-on activities (drones, craft stations and career demonstrations). Teachers analyzed nine-week assessment data and reported Sanford Middle ranks third in the district on its current tracking metrics. The school also listed upcoming eighth-grade activities including awards night, yearbook signing and a “grad venture.”

Early childhood programs: a representative for the Early Learning Center (called VPK in the meeting) described a full-day program running 8 a.m.–3 p.m. that provides breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack, smaller class sizes (about 15 students per two teachers), four certified teachers on campus and a STEM and computer lab. Officials said the site is free for VPK-eligible children who are age-eligible before Sept. 1, 2025, and gave the center address as 1101 Bay Avenue.

Officials also encouraged residents to spread the word about kindergarten registration opening and a hiring fair on April 26 at Seminole High School where principals will be present and some candidates may be hired on the spot.

School leaders emphasized that many of these activities are intended to increase family engagement, support students ahead of testing and expose younger students to STEM and career pathways.

A closing note: the speakers asked families to attend the listed sessions and to contact school staff or district human resources for questions about programs or employment opportunities.