Maple Run Connection

Happy Monday, Maple Run!

We’ve officially reached Week 17, and with it comes the final stretch before Winter Break. Just seven school days to go (this week Monday–Friday and next week Monday and Tuesday). As the pace picks up and excitement builds, I continue to be deeply grateful for the energy, generosity, and togetherness that define our Maple Run community.

This past week was especially full of moments that remind us why our schools are such special places.

A Magical Celebration of the Arts
Bellows Free Academy’s Fine Arts Night was truly magical. Featuring incredible performances in dance, singing, and music, and made even more special by the participation of students from our middle schools the evening showcased the talent, creativity, and collaboration happening across Maple Run. Thank you to the students who performed, the educators and staff who made the night possible, and the many families and community members who attended and filled the space with encouragement and applause. Your presence matters, and it shows our students just how valued their work is.

Serving Our Community: Operation Happiness
This morning, students from across our district delivered an incredible 1,800 food items from St. Albans Town Educational Center and St. Albans City School to the Vermont Army National Guard Armory for Franklin County Operation Happiness.

Operation Happiness is a long-standing community effort that provides food boxes to Franklin County families during the holiday season. Thanks to the generosity, kindness, and care of our students, staff, families, and community members, many of our neighbors will have what they need this winter. Next week, Bellows Free Academy students will continue this tradition of service by volunteering to sort and assemble the food boxes. This is Maple Run at its best. Our students learning the power of compassion and community care.

As we head into these final days before break, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who shows up. By attending events, supporting student learning, volunteering time, or simply cheering our students on. Your involvement strengthens our schools and helps create a place where every student can feel supported, included, and inspired.

Thank you for being part of Maple Run. Together, we continue to build a community where students learn, grow, give back, and thrive.

Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay engaged.

In this week’s episode of Tap Into Maple Run, we highlight Service & Community through the lens of our Core Value of Collaboration & Relationships. This episode was intentionally chosen because it reflects how learning and connection are strengthened when students, staff, and community partners come together across schools, programs, and roles.

Listeners will hear about student-led holiday giving and service efforts happening throughout the district, including food drives at BFA, CP, FCS, SACS, and SATEC supporting Franklin County Operation Happiness and CVOEO Northwest Family Foods. These efforts demonstrate how small, collective actions can create meaningful impact while ensuring students experience purpose, belonging, and connection beyond the classroom.

The episode also features a conversation with Abby Lanfear, highlighting how relationships, teamwork, and shared responsibility support both student growth and personal well-being. A wellness tip reminds us that acts of kindness not only strengthen our community, but also support individual mental health, reinforcing that everyone has a role to play in caring for one another.

This episode reflects Maple Run’s commitment to equity in access, collaboration, and creating welcoming spaces where all students and community members can contribute, connect, and thrive.

This week, we invite everyone in the Maple Run community to experience the simple but powerful benefits of acts of kindness. Helping others not only brightens someone else’s day, it also lowers stress, boosts happiness, and strengthens our sense of connection.

Take a small moment this week to make a positive impact. You might:

• Write a thank-you note to someone who has made a difference.

• Offer a helping hand to a neighbor or community member.

• Contribute to a food or coat drive.

• Encourage students, staff, and families to collaborate and support each other.

Remember, small actions make a big difference. Even a little kindness can ripple through our schools and community, reinforcing relationships, collaboration, and the caring culture that makes Maple Run so special.

Let’s make kindness contagious this week!

We’re now in the final stretch before Winter Break, just seven school days remain. With so much happening in our schools from performances, art shows, winter athletics, and community service projects these last days are filled with incredible learning, connection, and fun. Every day matters, and being present is the key to fully experiencing it all.

We know that coming to school isn’t always easy. Life can throw challenges in the way. Sometimes it’s illness, anxiety, family needs, or just feeling like staying home might be easier. We want every student and staff member to know: you belong here, and we are here to help. Our goal is for students to attend 95% of the school year, and every day in the classroom counts toward growth, learning, and connection.

The classroom is where students:

• Learn new things and grow academically

• Build relationships with peers and educators

• Feel supported and part of something bigger than themselves

• Explore opportunities, challenges, and passions

Tips for supporting attendance:

• Plan ahead – Try to schedule vacations, appointments, or other activities during school breaks, after school, or on non-student days whenever possible.

• Reach out if challenges arise – Our teachers, staff, and school teams are here to help problem-solve and remove barriers that make coming to school hard.

• Celebrate each day – Every time a student shows up, participates, or engages, it’s a win!

These last days before break are an important time to connect, participate, and be part of our vibrant school community. We appreciate all families, students, and staff for helping make every day count.

Be Here. Be Engaged. Be Inspired.

Maple Run Board Meeting: Second Draft of the FY27 Budget

This Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM, the Maple Run Unified School District Board of Directors will meet to review the second draft of the FY27 budget. We encourage all community members to attend, either in person at the Saint Albans Town Educational Center Library, 169 South Main Street, or remotely via Zoom link here.

During the meeting, the Board will:

• Present the second draft of the FY27 budget with preliminary revenue projections.

• Discuss student enrollment, staffing details, and capital plan proposals.

• Hear reports from student representatives and review prior meeting reflections.

• Provide a Visitor/Public Comment section where community members can share input on policy, budget, or ideas for improving our schools.

Your voice matters. Community feedback is an essential part of shaping a budget that reflects the needs and priorities of our students, families, and staff. Whether you attend in person or online, your questions, thoughts, and perspectives are valued.

You can review all materials and previous budget drafts on the FY27 Budget page of our website.

Be Involved. Be Engaged. Make a Difference.

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for the Bellows Free Academy Unified Drama performances of Aisle 13! Both shows were fantastic, and our students truly shined on stage. Your support means so much to them and helped make the day feel extra special.

While all of our school and community events are meaningful, we wanted to take a moment to highlight this one because it reflects the power of bringing students together across classrooms, programs, and abilities. Unified Drama creates space for students to collaborate, learn from one another, and build connections they might not otherwise have the opportunity to make.

For those who may be unfamiliar, Unified Drama brings together students with and without disabilities to create, rehearse, and perform as one inclusive team. It’s all about collaboration, creativity, and celebrating every student’s strengths. These performances were a wonderful reminder of what’s possible when students work side by side toward a shared goal.

We were also thrilled to have Human Services students from Northwest Career & Technical Center join the performance. These students, who are preparing for careers in teaching, counseling, social work, child care, geriatric services, and healthcare, helped support the event while gaining valuable, real-world experience working with children and individuals with disabilities.

A huge thank you to our cast, crew, staff, and families for supporting this meaningful and joyful program. What an incredible day at the BFA Performing Arts Center!

December 15th-19th

• BFA Spirtit Week & SACS Spirit Week

• SATEC Spirtit Week

• Interscholastic Athletic Admin Appreciation Day
  

• MRUSD School Board meeting @ SATEC

December 18th

• BFA Dance Performance

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.