Maple Run Connection

Happy Monday, Maple Run Community!

We hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful February break! It’s been great to see students, staff, and families taking time to relax, recharge, and connect with friends and loved ones. Whether through outdoor adventures, reading, or simply enjoying some downtime, these days are an important chance to refresh before returning to school.

As we enjoy the last day of February break, please remember to vote tomorrow, Tuesday, March 3rd, for Town Meeting Day in Vermont. Your voice matters!

Our Students. Your Voice. Your Vote. Every vote helps shape our schools and community.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Wednesday, March 4th, energized and ready to continue learning, growing, and celebrating together.

Thank you to our students, staff, families, and community for making Maple Run such a vibrant place every day!

The FY27 Maple Run Unified School District budget is moving forward, and now it’s your chance to dig in, ask questions, and see how our shared priorities take shape in our schools.

With the proposed budget adopted by the School Board, we invite families, staff, and community members to explore how resources are being invested to support student learning, well-being, and thriving school communities.

Visit the FY27 Budget Information website to learn more:
www.maplerun.org

There you’ll find our FY27 Annual Report, offering clear, detailed insight into:

• Budget priorities and key investments

• How resources support students academically, socially, and emotionally

• Staffing, programming, and operations

• What this means for every school in our district

These gatherings are your chance to ask questions, share feedback, and hear directly from the Board and district leaders. Community engagement is what makes our schools stronger—your voice truly matters!

Community Vote — Town Meeting Day
Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Residents of Saint Albans City, Saint Albans Town, and the Town of Fairfield are encouraged to vote on or before Town Meeting Day. Early voting is available—contact your Town Clerk to plan ahead.

The FY27 budget reflects our shared commitment to providing strong, supportive schools where all learners can grow, explore, and succeed. Every decision is made with students at the center—academically, socially, and emotionally.

We are grateful to our community for staying informed, asking questions, and supporting the work happening in our schools every day.

Our Students. Your Voice. Your Vote.

As always, if you have questions, reach out! Email: TapIn@MapleRun.org or connect directly with School Board members mrusdboard@maplerun.org.

Vermont’s system for funding public education is unique and can feel complicated.

Decisions made at the local level by our school boards and community voters are connected to statewide processes that determine how education is paid for and how property tax rates are set. In short, local budget decisions influence what we invest in our schools and how the funding is generated across the state.

This topic is especially important right now because lawmakers are considering changes to the system that could affect school funding and property taxes in the coming years. One potential shift is toward a “foundation formula,” which would set base funding amounts per student and reshape how supplemental local spending works.

We know this can be a lot to take in, and it matters to families across our communities. That’s why we’re sharing these trusted resources that explain Vermont’s current approach to school funding and how it works:

• Vermont Public explainer on school funding - A clear overview of how our statewide system works, including common terms and key ideas people hear during budget conversations.

• Vermont Agency of Education report on education finance - A detailed look at how the Education Fund combines revenue sources and supports schools across the state.

• Legislative Joint Fiscal Office “Education Finance 101” documents - Nonpartisan resources that provide a foundational understanding of how education financing is structured in Vermont.

Understanding how our schools are funded helps families and community members engage with local and state decisions that impact students, classrooms, and tax rates.

We hope these resources support your questions and conversations about school budgets, education funding, and what it means for all of us.

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

As February break winds down, it’s a perfect time to slow down, check in with yourself, and connect with your thoughts, your body, and the people around you. With just a couple of days left before school resumes and Town Meeting Day tomorrow, these small intentional moments can help you finish the break feeling grounded and ready for the week ahead.

Practical Suggestions to Try This Week:

• Mindful check-in: Take a few deep breaths and notice how your body and mind feel. Acknowledge any tension or excitement without judgment.

• Connect with someone: Share a story, laugh, or even a quiet moment with a friend, family member, or colleague. Connection helps reduce stress and strengthens relationships.

• Reflect on gratitude: Identify one thing you’re grateful for today—big or small—and savor the feeling.

Examples in Action:

• Pause mid-morning or mid-afternoon for a 2-minute stretch or mindful breath before returning to tasks.

• During a walk, notice your surroundings and share something you appreciate with a friend or family member.

• Take a moment before bed to think about one positive memory from the break or one thing you’re looking forward to this week.

Why It Matters:
Slowing down and connecting supports mental and emotional well-being, improves focus, and fosters care for ourselves and others. These practices reflect Maple Run’s values of Respect & Community by helping us pause, appreciate, and engage meaningfully with the world around us.

Even a few minutes of mindful connection each day can help you approach the rest of the week with clarity, calm, and energy.

Just 5 more school days until February Vacation!

Maple Run schools will be closed from Monday, February 23rd, through Tuesday, March 3rd, and classes will resume on Wednesday, March 4th.

We hope this break gives you and your family the chance to unplug, relax, and rejuvenate. We are grateful for all that you do each day for your students, for our staff, for each other, and for our community.

Enjoy your February Vacation!

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:

• Stay on track academically

• Build strong relationships with peers and teachers

• 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.

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.