Maple Run Connection

As the sunshine returns and we head into the last full week of school, there is a special energy across Maple Run. It's hard to believe we are in the final stretch of the 2025-2026 school year.

Today, marks the last day of classes for our BFA Class of 2026 students. We look forward to celebrating our seniors in the days ahead as they graduate and take the next steps toward college, careers, military service, and other exciting opportunities. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished during their time in Maple Run.

Over the next seven and a half days, our schools will be filled with exams, concerts, field days, award ceremonies, graduations, classroom celebrations, and plenty of laughter, hard work, and fun. These final days of school are always special as we reflect on how much our students have learned and grown throughout the year while enjoying time with classmates, colleagues, and friends.

I want to thank our students, staff, families, and community members for your continued support throughout the school year. Your encouragement, partnership, and commitment to our schools help make Maple Run such a special place for our students to learn and grow.

Let's enjoy these final days together, celebrate the many accomplishments of this school year, and finish strong. I wish everyone a wonderful week ahead.

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Thursday to celebrate the retirements of Barbara Tenney, Douglas Bell, and Jennifer Callahan. It was a wonderful evening filled with memories, laughter, and appreciation as we honored three outstanding educators who have dedicated so much of their careers to serving Maple Run students and families.

We were especially touched to see current and former colleagues, community members, friends, family members, and alumni come together to celebrate the lasting impact Barb, Doug, and Jen have had on our schools and community. Their years of service have made a difference in the lives of countless students, and it was truly special to recognize their contributions together.

A special thank you to Busey & Bedell for providing the music, which added so much joy and created such a festive atmosphere throughout the celebration. We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the Maple Run Human Resources team for organizing this meaningful event and ensuring it was a fitting tribute to these remarkable educators.

Congratulations again to Barb, Doug, and Jen. Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and commitment to Maple Run. We wish you all the very best in your well-earned retirements.

We are continuing to celebrate the launch of the Maple Run Excellence Award this spring, recognizing educators across our district for the impact they make every day in our schools.

Each week, we are highlighting staff who go above and beyond for students, colleagues, and our school communities.

This week’s recipients are:

Congratulations, and thank you for the difference you make every day for our students.

This week, I also want to recognize Jennifer Konrad, Human Services instructor at Northwest Career & Technical Center, as one of our Maple Run Excellence Award recipients.

Jennifer builds strong relationships with her students throughout their two years in the Human Services program, creating a classroom environment where students feel supported, encouraged, and challenged to do their best. She sets high expectations while providing the guidance and encouragement students need to succeed.

What stands out about Jennifer is her commitment to providing meaningful, real-world learning experiences. Through the NCTC preschool program and community involvement opportunities, students gain hands-on experiences that help prepare them for future careers in education, counseling, health care, social work, and other human services fields.

Jennifer is also someone who consistently supports the larger NCTC community. Whether assisting with committees, school events, or student needs, she is always willing to step up and contribute. Most importantly, her students know she genuinely cares about them and their future success.

It was a pleasure to surprise Jennifer and recognize the lasting impact she has on her students and the dedication she brings to NCTC each day.

We are fortunate to have educators like Jennifer in Maple Run, and I am grateful for the difference she makes in the lives of students and the broader NCTC community every day.

This week, I also want to recognize Joe Zaffuts, school counselor at Spring Academy, as one of our Maple Run Excellence Award recipients.

Although Joe is new to Maple Run, he has already made a meaningful impact at Spring Academy, our alternative program serving students in grades 5-8. He has quickly built positive relationships with students and families, helping create an environment where students feel heard, respected, and supported.

What stands out about Joe is his calm, patient, and understanding approach. As a school counselor working with middle school students in an alternative setting, he helps students navigate challenges, build positive coping skills, and develop confidence in themselves. Joe consistently meets students where they are, providing encouragement, guidance, and support while helping them find success both academically and socially.

Joe has become an important member of the Spring Academy team, contributing to a positive school culture and working collaboratively with staff and families to support student growth and well-being.

It was a pleasure to surprise Joe and recognize the positive difference he is already making in the lives of students and families at Spring Academy.

We are fortunate to have staff members like Joe in Maple Run, and I am grateful for the compassion, dedication, and support he brings to Spring Academy every day.

As we head into the final full week of the school year, it's easy to focus on everything that still needs to be done. Between end-of-year events, celebrations, exams, and busy schedules, remember to take a few moments to pause and appreciate the accomplishments of the past year.

Wellness isn't always about adding something new to your routine. Sometimes it's simply taking time to recognize progress, celebrate small victories, and acknowledge the effort you've put in along the way.

Whether it's enjoying a walk outside, sharing a laugh with a colleague, spending time with family, or reflecting on a positive moment from the school year, make space this week for something that fills your cup.

As we approach summer, I hope you find opportunities to slow down, recharge, and appreciate all that has been accomplished this year.

Wishing you a wonderful week filled with moments of joy, gratitude, and connection.

Each week in the Maple Run Connection, we highlight something positive happening in our schools or across the district. It’s a chance to recognize the everyday work of students, staff, and families.

This week, I want to highlight the growing use of STAR assessments across Maple Run and how they are helping us better understand and support student learning.

Throughout this school year, students across the district have been taking STAR assessments in reading and math. These short, computer-based assessments help teachers understand where students are in their learning and how they are progressing over time. The goal is not just a score, but a clearer picture of each student’s growth and needs so instruction can be tailored and supportive.

One of the biggest benefits this year has been how accessible and useful the data has become for both educators and families. Teachers are using STAR results to guide instruction, set goals with students, and identify areas where additional support or enrichment may be needed. In many schools, these reports are also being shared and discussed during parent and family meetings, helping create a stronger partnership between home and school around student progress.

STAR is also helping us look at growth over time, not just a single moment in a student’s learning. This allows us to celebrate progress, no matter where a student starts, and focus on next steps in their learning journey.

Across Maple Run, STAR is becoming a valuable tool that supports more informed conversations, more targeted instruction, and a clearer understanding of student growth.

We appreciate the ongoing collaboration between teachers, families, and students as we continue using these tools to support learning and celebrate progress across the district.

Last Wednesday, we came together to celebrate and recognize the 11 recipients of the 2026 Maple Run Excellence Award. It was a meaningful evening of appreciation, reflection, and gratitude as our Board, colleagues, and guests had the opportunity to personally thank these educators for the impact they make every day.

I continue to feel so proud and grateful to work alongside this group of professionals. Each of them helps make Maple Run what it is. Their work, their care for students, and their commitment to their schools are felt across our district every single day.

This award was created to recognize educators whose practice reflects the very best of Maple Run. Over the past several weeks, I had the privilege of visiting each recipient in their school to surprise them and share my appreciation directly. It was a reminder, once again, of the incredible work happening in classrooms, programs, and schools across our district.

On Wednesday evening, they came together with members of our Board and district leadership for a simple celebration—conversation, recognition, a few shared moments, and a chance for our Board to personally thank them. While the gathering was modest in size, the impact of their work is anything but.

These 11 educators represent different schools, different roles, and different students—but they share the same commitment: students come first.

They build strong relationships.

They create safe, supportive learning environments.
They hold high expectations while providing the support students need to meet them.
They work closely with families and colleagues.
And they support students academically, socially, and emotionally.

Across Maple Run, their work reflects many of the priorities that guide our district, including:

• Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
• Restorative Practices (RP)
• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
• Highly Reliable Schools (HRS) practices
• Project-Based Learning (PBL)

These are not just initiatives, they are reflected in the daily work happening in classrooms across our district.

What stands out most is this: excellence doesn’t look the same everywhere.

Sometimes it’s a young child walking into school with confidence for the first time.
Sometimes it’s a student finding their voice.
Sometimes it’s helping a student through a difficult moment.
And sometimes it’s simply showing up every day and making sure students feel they belong.

That is what we celebrated on Wednesday night.

I want to briefly recognize our recipients once again:

Sarah Biggie, for her steady presence and strong support for students and families at SATEC.
Melanie Carswell, for giving our youngest learners a strong, joyful start.
Keeli Garceau, for her leadership and commitment to meaningful, engaging learning.
Jennifer Konrad, for connecting students to real-world learning and future careers in human services.
Isabelle LeBlanc, for her unwavering belief in every student she supports.
Tony Lewis, for building confidence and independence in young learners.
Carrie McAdoo, for creating a calm, caring classroom where students thrive.
Glenn McCabe, for strong relationships and engaging learning experiences across grade levels.
Geoffrey Murray, for his decades of service and commitment to student citizenship and community.
Sherry Peyrat, for the warmth, belonging, and care she brings to her classroom every day.
Joe Zaffuts, for his patience, empathy, and strong connections with students at Spring Academy.

Together, they represent what makes Maple Run special.

It is not our buildings or programs that define us, it is our people.

On behalf of Maple Run and our entire community, thank you to these educators for your dedication, your professionalism, and your commitment to students.

Congratulations again to the 2026 Maple Run Excellence Award recipients. We are truly better because of you.

As we wrap up another school year, we're asking for your feedback to help us improve how we share important information with families and our community. Whether it's school updates, district news, or information from the Vermont Agency of Education, we want to communicate in ways that work best for you.

Please take a few minutes to complete our brief survey and let us know how you prefer to stay informed. Your input will help shape Maple Run's communication efforts moving forward.

Complete the survey here: https://forms.gle/DFhUahLGNvLAMT5T8

Thank you for your partnership, support, and for being an important part of the Maple Run community.

Did you know Maple Run offers an Early Childhood Program for children ages 3 and 4?

Our preschool programs are located in five schools across the district and help our youngest learners build confidence, routines, friendships, and the skills they need for a strong start in kindergarten.

Registration for next school year is now open.

Because we have a limited number of spots, student placement is done through a lottery system, so I encourage families to register early.

If you have a child who will be preschool age next year or know a friend, neighbor, or family member who does—now is a great time to learn more.

Registration information can be found on the Maple Run Unified School District website. If you have questions, please reach out to Jessica Barnes jbarnes@maplerun.org or 802-370-3951.

We’d love to welcome your child to Maple Run!

We’re excited to welcome new Kindergarten students to Maple Run Unified School District! Children must be five years old on or before September 1, 2026, to enroll.

If your child is new to Maple Run, please complete the School Interest Form: School Registration

Once approved, you’ll receive instructions to create a Parent Portal account and complete enrollment forms: Parent Portal

Timing Matters: Early registration helps our schools plan staffing, classroom supports, and meet-and-greet opportunities—ensuring a smooth, welcoming start for every child.

Required Documents: You may be asked to provide a birth certificate and proof of residency. If uploading is difficult, you can bring documents to your school or contact your school to discuss other options.

Contact Your School for Support:

Fairfield Center School: Judy Magnan | (802) 827-6639 | jmagnan@maplerun.org

Saint Albans City School: Sue Smith | (802) 527-0565 | sacsregistrar@maplerun.org

Saint Albans Town Educational Center: Michelle Dow | (802) 752-2600 | mdow@maplerun.org

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure every child has a strong, welcoming start to Kindergarten!

Maple Run MISSION Statement

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.