School Notes

St. Thomas School students gain hands-on experience with flight simulators with the guidance of Ed Cormier, FAA analyst.

Photo: St. Thomas School

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan

The sky’s the limit when discussing career possibilities: On Nov.12, Ed Cormier, an analyst with the Aviation and Space Education Program at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), visited the students at St. Thomas School for the second time. Cormier discussed careers as a pilot as well as opportunities for young people in southern Maine, including summer camp at Sanford Airport. Third through eighth-grade students even had a chance to experience hands-on work with flight simulators. Cormier will provide a total of six lessons to the students since the school is an “adopted school” under the FAA’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Aviation and Space Education Program. Through the program, the FAA helps students learn more about civil and commercial aviation as well as the critical role that STEM plays in aeronautics.

MCS music teacher wins national award: Heather Hastings, music teacher at Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School, has been named winner of the prestigious 2025 Commission Competition by Women Band Directors International (WBDI). Hastings’ original compositions for the concert band, submitted in August, emerged victorious — over 53 other submissions — after two rounds of blind judging. As the winner, she will create a new musical piece honoring Gladys Stone Wright, the trailblazing founding president of WBDI. The new composition will debut at a special world premiere performance. As part of a consortium project, multiple ensembles across the country will then present regional performances. Hastings will receive her honorary WBDI membership at a ceremony next winter in Chicago, where she will also attend the premiere.

SMS students learn about the dangers of vaping: Nationally recognized youth advocate Rob Holla spoke to Sanford Middle School’s seventh- and eighth-grade students on Nov. 8 about the serious health risks of vaping and the importance of resisting peer pressure. Holla discussed the health impacts of e-cigarettes and vaping while keeping students engaged with powerful real-world examples and interactive elements. Key points from his presentation included the dangers of believing unverified information about vaping; the fact that vaping can cause inflammation of airways regardless of nicotine content; the link between vaping and increased risks of stroke, heart attack, and cancer; and information about free, confidential resources for students who want to quit vaping. Holla encouraged the students to make independent decisions rather than following the crowd. Holla’s message was clear: students don’t need “alternatives” to smoking if they never start in the first place.

Winter gear needed for SPE kids: Throughout the month of November, Sanford Pride Elementary (SPE) PTA is hosting a Winter Gear Clothing Drive for students, collecting any new or gently worn winter gear, including coats, ski pants, boots, hats, and gloves. Items can be dropped off in the SPE lobby between 8 am and 3 pm.

SMS food drive to help Sanford students and families: The Sanford Middle School Holiday Food Drive Competition ends Dec. 6. Items needed are instant potatoes, canned fruit, cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, peanut butter, rice, canned soup, pie crusts and filling, mac-n-cheese, desserts, boxed cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, and snack bars. All food items collected will benefit Sanford students and families.

Helping local families enjoy a warm holiday meal: The Sanford High School Peer Helpers Thanksgiving Food Drive benefited from a $1,000 donation from Eastern Propane — a generous act in this season of giving.