Superintendent Update
Tap Into Maple Run Newsletter
As we begin the twelfth week of the school year, I’m excited to share some highlights from this week. BFA hosted the District Wide Strings Festival, an all-day event that brought together middle school students from across Maple Run for a celebration of music and collaboration.
We also cheered on the BFA Girls Comet Volleyball team, who made history by playing in the VPA Finals for the first time on Sunday! Congratulations to the entire team and Coach Bert Berthiaume, named Coach of the Year. Your hard work, dedication, and resilience have inspired us all!
On Wednesday, we held our first Community Conversation on Budget Priorities at Saint Albans City School. Thank you to everyone who joined us! It was wonderful to see so many students actively engage in discussions about the future of our district. Your insights and thoughtful feedback are invaluable as we plan the FY26 budget. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected district.
Thursday brought more musical celebrations with the Saint Albans City School Fall Band and Orchestra Concert. The students’ performances were outstanding and a true testament to their talent and dedication to the arts.
Friday, Saint Albans City School hosted its annual Veterans Breakfast, where students honored local veterans with a heartfelt ceremony in the library and served a delicious breakfast to our Maple Run Community veterans. Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate and recognize the service of our local heroes.
Additionally, Maple Run hosted the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont at The Central Office Board Room and SATEC, with community members engaged in meaningful discussions.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement!
Episode 10: Our First Student Guests from Fairfield Center School
Join Assistant Superintendent John Muldoon, and myself for an exciting episode of Tap Into Maple Run, featuring our first-ever student guests! Bentlee Consentino and Adam Persons, both 8th-grade students at Fairfield Center School (FCS), are joined by their inspiring teacher, Ms. Keeli Garceau. Ms. Garceau, a 7th & 8th-grade Social Studies and Language Arts teacher, is in her sixth year with Maple Run, having previously taught at Saint Albans City School. She lives in Saint Albans and brings a passion for education to her classroom every day.
Bentlee and Adam share a love for cross-country running and spending time outdoors. Bentlee has a fascination with anything mechanical and motor-related, while Adam enjoys Math and playing basketball. Both students express deep affection for Fairfield Center School, describing it as a “school family” where everyone knows and supports each other. They highlight the special YO-YO Buddy program, where older students like them are paired with 3rd graders for meaningful and fun activities, such as reading, games, and crafts.
The episode dives into “Project Sweet Talk,” a unique tradition at FCS that began in 2006, emphasizing the rich maple production heritage of the Fairfield community. Bentlee and Adam explain the importance of this project and share how it connects the school to the broader community. They also talk about the recent Harvest Night at FCS, where students prepared and served chili, cornbread, and apple crisp to guests, including families and community members. The night was full of engaging activities: face painting in the library, crafts in the art room, and student project showcases throughout the school. Adam even captured the excitement by creating a recap video for Fairfield Media’s YouTube channel, “What’s Up Fairfield,” featuring interviews and highlights from both events.
Tune in to hear about these students’ impressive projects, their love for FCS, and what brings them joy. Bill and John also discuss wellness by grounding yourself in your “WHY”—the importance of reconnecting to your purpose and passion in both education and life.
Don’t miss this inspiring episode filled with stories of student creativity, community connection, and the heart of Fairfield Center School! Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
On Monday, November 4th, Bellows Free Academy hosted the District Wide Strings Festival, bringing together middle school musicians from across Franklin County for an unforgettable day of music. Throughout the day, students practiced and rehearsed, honing their skills while collaborating with their peers. This vibrant event culminated in a remarkable performance in the Performing Arts Center, where students showcased their talent and dedication to their craft.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated teachers, staff, and volunteers who made this event possible. Your support helped make the day run smoothly and allowed students to shine. Congratulations to all the student musicians for their hard work and impressive performances. It was truly a celebration of the power of music and community.
The Bellows Free Academy (BFA) Comet Volleyball team made history this season by competing in their first-ever title game. This historic achievement is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and perseverance of every player and coach involved. Under the guidance of Coach Bert Berthiaume, who was recognized as Coach of the Year, the team set a new standard for success, not only achieving a place in the finals but also fostering a culture of excellence and teamwork. Coach Berthiaume’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping this dynamic team, inspiring them to reach new heights.
The incredible season culminated in an unforgettable playoff run that has left a lasting legacy on the program. The BFA Comets have shown the power of resilience, sportsmanship, and unity, and their success serves as a beacon for future teams. Congratulations to the BFA Comet Volleyball team for reaching this historic milestone, and thank you to Coach Berthiaume for his unwavering commitment to the team's development and success. The future of the program looks brighter than ever!
On Wednesday evening, Maple Run Unified School District hosted an engaging Community Conversation on Budget Priorities at Saint Albans City School. It was inspiring to see so many students, School Board members, District Leadership, and representatives from the Student Voice Committee actively participate in shaping the future of our district. Your feedback and insights are invaluable as we begin planning the FY26 budget.
As we continue to work together to meet the needs of our students, families, and staff, we look forward to more opportunities for community involvement. What are your hopes for our district and our students in the future? We want to hear from you and encourage everyone to join us at upcoming community events as we build a stronger, more connected district. Thank you for your continued commitment!
On Friday, November 8th, Saint Albans City School held its annual Veterans Day Breakfast to honor local veterans in our community. Students hosted a ceremony in the school library, where they welcomed veterans with a heartfelt breakfast and shared their gratitude for their service. This special event allowed students to interact with veterans and learn more about their experiences. Thank you to everyone who attended, and to all the veterans who joined us for this meaningful occasion. Your presence made the event truly memorable!
As always ... Tune in to this week's episode of Tap Into Maple Run, where Assistant Superintendent John Muldoon and I, Superintendent Bill Kimball, bring you the latest district updates and community highlights! Each episode features insights from the incredible members of our Maple Run family, sharing their stories and achievements.
Have a question or comment? Reach out to TapIn@MapleRun.org, and you might hear it featured in our “Mail Bag” segment! In Episode 10, we’ll dive into the amazing work happening in our schools and share inspiring conversations with our staff and students. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
