Maple Run Connection

Today, as we observe Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember those who have served and sacrificed for our country. It is a day of reflection, gratitude, and appreciation for the freedoms we are able to enjoy.

As we move through this final stretch of the school year, there is a lot of energy and activity across Maple Run. We are in a busy, meaningful time: field trips, concerts, performances, celebrations, athletic events, and the steady work of finishing the year strong with learning, assessments, and final projects.

These last few weeks are often some of the most memorable for students and staff alike. They are filled with moments that highlight growth, connection, and the accomplishments of the year.

Thank you to our educators and staff for your focus and care during this important season, and to our families for your continued support and partnership.

We are entering the final weeks of the school year, let’s continue to move through them with patience, kindness, and pride in the work of our schools.

Stay informed. Stay connected.

This spring, Maple Run Unified School District is celebrating the retirement of three educators whose careers have had a lasting impact on students, families, and colleagues across our community: Douglas Bell, Barbara Tenney, and Jennifer Callahan.

Each of these educators brings a unique legacy of service, dedication, and care to Maple Run schools.

Barbara Tenney has served as an English Language Learner (ELL) teacher, supporting students and families across all of our schools. Her work has helped ensure that multilingual learners feel welcomed, included, and supported as they build language skills and confidence. Over the years, she has built strong relationships with families and staff throughout the district and has played an important role in helping students access learning across settings.

Douglas Bell is an Engineering Technologies Instructor at the Northwest Career & Technical Center (NCTC). Through hands-on, real-world learning experiences, he has helped students build technical skills, strengthen problem-solving abilities, and gain confidence as they prepare for future careers. His work in career and technical education has supported countless students as they explore pathways beyond high school.

Jennifer Callahan is a beloved kindergarten teacher at Saint Albans Town Educational Center (SATEC) whose influence spans generations of Maple Run families. Known for her warmth, patience, and dedication to early childhood learning, she has helped shape students’ very first school experiences. Her classroom has been a place where young learners feel safe, supported, and excited to learn, and her impact has extended well beyond the classroom to families across the community.

To honor their years of service, the district will host a community retirement celebration on Thursday, June 4th, from 4:00–5:30 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 758, 353 Lake Street in Saint Albans. Community members are warmly invited to attend and join in recognizing these educators.

For questions about the celebration, please contact Germaine Cross at 802-370-3936.

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 Carrie McAdoo, a first and second grade teacher at St. Albans Town Educational Center, as one of our Maple Run Excellence Award recipients.

Carrie brings a calm, steady presence to her classroom each day and creates a learning environment where students know exactly what to expect and feel confident moving through their day. Her classroom is welcoming, structured, and built on clear routines that help young learners feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

What stands out about Carrie is the consistency she provides for her students. She has strong systems in place that allow students to work independently and move through learning stations with purpose. Because of that structure, students are able to maximize learning time and grow in both confidence and independence.

Students in Carrie’s classroom are settled, engaged, and comfortable. They understand expectations, follow routines, and are supported in building strong early learning habits that will serve them well moving forward.

It was a pleasure to surprise Carrie and recognize the calm, consistent, and meaningful learning environment she has built for her students each day.

We are fortunate to have educators like Carrie in Maple Run, and I am grateful for the difference she makes for students at SATEC every day.

This week, I also want to recognize Sarah Biggie, a school counselor at St. Albans Town Educational Center, as one of our Maple Run Excellence Award recipients.

Sarah plays a steady, important role in the life of SATEC each day. Students and staff know they can come to her, and she is always there when support is needed. She steps in when students are struggling and continues to walk alongside them as they work through challenges.

What stands out most about Sarah is the calm, grounded presence she brings to her work. Students trust her because she is consistent, fair, and steady even in difficult moments. She creates a sense of safety and trust that helps students feel supported and understood.

Sarah is also a strong advocate for students, working closely with families and staff to make sure students have what they need both at school and at home. She helps students navigate challenges and move forward with confidence and support.

It was a pleasure to surprise Sarah and recognize the steady, meaningful impact she has on students and families at SATEC each day.

We are fortunate to have educators like Sarah in Maple Run, and I am grateful for the difference she makes every day.

This is a good week to keep things simple and steady.

We’re coming off a long weekend and heading into a short week with Memorial Day, and there’s a lot packed into the final stretch of the school year. With just a few weeks left until summer recess, things can start to feel busy and fast.

This week, try to focus on small, realistic ways to take care of yourself:

• Get outside when you can, even for a few minutes
• Keep routines simple and manageable
• Stay hydrated and take breaks during the day
• Give yourself permission to not do everything at once
• Check in with someone if you need support
• Let things be “good enough” instead of perfect

Memorial Day is also a time to pause and remember those who have served, and to spend time with family and community in whatever way feels meaningful to you.

We’re in the home stretch of the school year. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be steady.

Take care of yourselves and each other this week.

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 an important part of our instructional work that is supporting teaching and learning across all Maple Run schools our district-wide assessment platforms.

These tools are now fully up and running across the district and are giving educators more consistent, timely, and actionable information about student learning than ever before.

Having access to shared assessment data across schools matters. It helps teachers and teams better understand where students are in their learning, identify strengths, and pinpoint areas where additional support may be needed. When we are better informed, we are better able to respond, whether that means extending learning for students who are ready for a challenge or providing targeted intervention and support when it’s needed most.

Another important benefit is consistency. With common platforms in place, educators across Maple Run are able to look at data in similar ways and compare trends across classrooms, grade levels, and schools. This shared understanding helps strengthen collaboration and ensures we are making decisions based on a clearer district-wide picture, not just individual snapshots.

Most importantly, this work is about improving outcomes for students. When we can see learning more clearly and more quickly, we can act more intentionally and that leads to better support, stronger instruction, and more meaningful growth over time.

Thank you to our educators and teams who are engaging with this work, learning the systems, and using the data to inform instruction in thoughtful and purposeful ways.

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.