Maple Run Connection
Weekly Update from Superintendent Bill Kimball Aug 25, 2025
Message from Superintendent Bill Kimball
Happy Monday, Maple Run Community!
What a wonderful week last week was! On Wednesday, our first-ever district-wide VEHI PATH Flavor Throwdown brought staff together for friendly competition, creativity, and wellness. From Protein Energy Balls to Chocolate Hummus and Maple Meringues, our Maple Run Master Cooks showcased talent, teamwork, and plenty of smiles. Congratulations again to Cathy Branon, our first-ever district champion, and a huge thank you to all staff and students who made the day so fun and special!
We also celebrated the democratic spirit of our community with Town Meeting Day. All Maple Run articles passed, including our budget, and we welcomed Jennifer Williamson to the School Board representing St. Albans Town, while congratulating Suzanne Kenyon and Jack McCarthy on their re-elections. Thank you to everyone who came out to vote—Our Students. Your Voice. Your Vote. Your participation matters!
On Thursday, staff had the chance to connect and learn at the Great Schools Partnership, collaborating with colleagues from across the state and bringing fresh ideas back to our schools.
As we head into this week, take a moment to carry that energy, community spirit, and positivity with you. Pausing even for a few minutes each day to reset can help you stay focused, feel grounded, and notice the small joys around you.
Practical Suggestions to Try This Week:
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Take a short walk outside to enjoy the warming sunshine and melting snow.
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Share a kind word or compliment with someone—it spreads positivity fast.
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Pause for 3 deep breaths before starting a task to reset your mind and body.
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Celebrate one small success each day, whether it’s a project completed, a smile shared, or a goal reached.
Thank you to our students, staff, and community for bringing wellness, creativity, and energy to Maple Run every day. Let’s keep that momentum going this week!
Town Meeting Day Unofficial Results
The FY27 Maple Run Unified School District Budget Has Passed!
We are so thankful to everyone who came out to vote and support our schools. Your voice matters—Our Students. Your Voice. Your Vote. Thank you for helping us continue providing strong, supportive, and thriving learning opportunities for every student in our district!
ARTICLE I
To elect, at large, by the legal voters of the Maple Run Unified School District, two (2) Directors
from St. Albans Town for a three (3) year term.
Jack McCarthy won unopposed
Jen Williamson won by write-ins
To elect, at large, by the legal voters of the Maple Run Unified School District, one (1) Director
from St. Albans City for a three (3) year term.
Suzanne Kenyon won unopposed
ARTICLE II
Shall the legal voters of the Maple Run Unified School District #57 authorize the Board of
Directors to borrow money not in excess of anticipated revenue for the school year, pursuant to
Title 16 V.S.A. § 562(9)?
Yes – 1104 No – 570
ARTICLE III
Shall the voters of the Maple Run Unified School District #57 authorize the Board of School
Directors to allocate its current fund balance, without effect upon the District tax levy, as
follows: allocate $1,200,000 as revenue for the 2026-2027 operating budget, allocate $1,250,000
as revenue for future budgets and to transfer all remaining funds, to a Capital Reserve Fund, to
be used for capital improvements and operations of the Maple Run Unified School District #57?
Yes – 1169 No – 508
ARTICLE IV
Shall the voters of the school district approve the school board to expend $79,653,912, which is
the amount the school board has determined to be necessary for the ensuing fiscal year?
The Maple Run Unified School District #57 estimates that this proposed budget, if approved,
will result in per pupil education spending of $14,503, which is (3.36%) lower than per pupil
education spending for the current year.
Yes – 1045 No – 635
A Guide for Families and Community
Maple Run Unified School District recently celebrated creativity, wellness and community through its first-ever VEHI PATH Maple Run Flavor Throwdown, a district-wide cooking competition designed to highlight healthy living and bring staff together in a fun and engaging way.
The event is part of the VEHI PATH Wellness Program, a statewide initiative offered through the Vermont Education Health Initiative (VEHI). PATH (Planned Action Toward Health) is a wellness program that helps school employees build healthy habits through activities, challenges, and wellness resources. VEHI is a nonprofit organization that has supported Vermont school districts for more than two decades by providing employee benefit programs and wellness initiatives that help educators and staff focus on their health and well-being.
Each Maple Run school has a VEHI PATH Building Wellness Leader, supported by a District Champion, who helps organize wellness opportunities for staff, including health challenges and coaching, as well as community-building events such as the Flavor Throwdown.
For this friendly culinary competition, each school held a building-level cook-off, using the same judging rubric to select a winner. Those winners advanced to the districtwide final, where students from Northwest Career & Technical Center (NCTC) served as judges.
2026 Building Winners:
Central Office / Spring Academy: Keith Franchetti – Chicken Tortilla Soup
Bellows Free Academy (BFA): Barbara Tenney – Maple Meringues
Fairfield Center School (FCS): Samantha Fletcher – Chocolate Hummus
Northwest Career & Technical Center (NCTC): Paul Rocque – Chinese Chicken Salad
Saint Albans City School (SACS): Zachary Kelley – Turkish Red Lentil Soup
Saint Albans Town Educational Center (SATEC): Cathy Branon – Protein Energy Balls
From this group of finalists, Cathy Branon of SATEC was selected as the first-ever Maple Run VEHI PATH Flavor Throwdown Champion for her Protein Energy Balls, earning the title of 2026 Maple Run Mastercook.
The event highlighted not only delicious and creative recipes, but also the strong sense of community among Maple Run staff and students.
Medals were awarded to each building winner, and the Maple Run Champion, Cathy Branon, received the district trophy. With the success of this first Flavor Throwdown, Maple Run hopes to continue the tradition in the years ahead, celebrating wellness, creativity, and community across its schools.
We are pleased to share that Kindergarten registration is now open for the 2026–2027 school year at Maple Run Unified School District.
Kindergarten Eligibility
Children must be five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2026, to enroll in Kindergarten.
If Your Child Is New to Maple Run (and not currently enrolled in an Act 166 preschool program)
Please complete the full registration process as soon as possible.
Step 1: Complete the School Interest Form
https://www.maplerun.org/page/school-registration
Once your form is reviewed and approved, you will receive an email with instructions to create a Parent Portal account.
Step 2: Complete Kindergarten Enrollment Forms
Log in to the Parent Portal, select your student, and complete all required Kindergarten forms.
Parent Portal: https://maplerun.powerschool.com
Use your existing username and password
If needed, select “Forgot Password.”
If you cannot access your account, please contact registrar@maplerun.org
If you would like to add your incoming Kindergartener to an existing PowerSchool account, please email registrar@maplerun.org
Please update your child’s information and complete the enrollment forms. If you see annual forms, you may ignore those.
Timing Matters
We strongly encourage families to complete registration as soon as possible.
Early completion helps our schools:
Build Kindergarten rosters
Plan staffing and classroom supports
Schedule Kindergarten evaluations and meet-and-greet opportunities across the district
Completing paperwork early helps ensure a smooth, welcoming start for every child.
Required Documentation
During enrollment, you may be asked to upload documents such as:
A birth certificate
Proof of residency
If uploading documents is difficult:
You may bring paperwork to your school or the district office, or
Contact your school to discuss other options
A full list of required documents is available at:
https://www.maplerun.org/page/school-registration
Questions or Need Support?
Please contact your school directly. Our staff is happy to help.
Fairfield Center School:
Judy Magnan (802) 827-6639 | jmagnan@maplerun.org
Saint Albans City School:
Darcy Millette (802) 527-0565 | sacsregistrar@maplerun.org
Saint Albans Town Educational Center:
Michelle Dow (802) 752-2600 | mdow@maplerun.org
Thank you for your partnership as we prepare for the upcoming school year. We look forward to welcoming our newest Kindergarten students to Maple Run.
Spring Ahead, Mindfully
As we move our clocks forward this weekend for Daylight Saving Time, the extra daylight can lift our spirits—but the time change can also throw off sleep and routines. Taking a few mindful steps can help your body and mind adjust smoothly, so you start the week feeling grounded and energized.
Practical Suggestions to Try This Week:
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Adjust gradually: Try going to bed 10–15 minutes earlier the next couple of nights to ease the transition.
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Soak up sunlight: Morning light helps reset your internal clock—step outside for a short walk or stretch.
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Mindful pause: Take a few deep breaths when you feel groggy or rushed, acknowledging the shift without judgment.
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Celebrate the extra daylight: Notice the longer afternoons and use them for a mindful walk, reading outside, or connecting with others.
Why It Matters:
Even small, intentional moments help your mind and body adjust to the time change, reduce stress, and boost energy. Taking care of yourself during this seasonal shift reflects Maple Run’s values of Wellness, Community, and Respect, helping us show up fully for ourselves and those around us.
You Belong Here
Attendance Matters – Every Day Counts
At Maple Run, attendance is key to learning, growth, and community. Our district goal is to have 70% of students attending school 95% of the time, and every day counts toward that goal.
With just 10 more school days before winter break, now is the perfect time to reflect on how consistent attendance supports student learning, classroom engagement, and social connections.
Students who attend regularly are more likely to:
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Stay on track academically
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Build strong relationships with peers and teachers
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Develop routines that support focus and well-being
Attendance is important for staff, too. When educators are present and engaged, classrooms are calmer, learning is stronger, and students feel supported and ready to thrive.
Every member of our Maple Run community contributes to a culture of presence, connection, and belonging. Small efforts like arriving on time, staying engaged, and supporting each other make a meaningful difference for everyone.
Let’s make these next 10 days count! Together, we can keep learning on track, build community, and finish the week before break strong.
Be Here. Be Engaged. Be Inspired.
Who We Are
Maple Run ensures a meaningful, flexible, rigorous, and safe education for all to thrive and excel.
Maple Run VISION Statement
At Maple Run Unified School District, we are committed to cultivating a welcoming environment where our students and community can tap into their love of learning.
OUR CORE VALUES
In partnership with our families and community we value:
Children, first and foremost;
Safety and security;
Collaboration and relationships,
Joy and curiosity;
Relevance and rigor;
Independence and perseverance;
Flexibility and adaptability;
Respect and diversity;
Accountability and integrity;
And commit to provide equity in access to a quality education.