Maple Run Connection

As we step into our second week of the 2025–2026 school year, I want to pause and recognize what an outstanding start we’ve had. Our schools are already filled with energy, curiosity, and connection, signs that we are truly living our Vision: to cultivate a welcoming environment where all students can tap into their love of learning.

Our Mission reminds us to provide a meaningful, flexible, rigorous, and safe education for all so that every student can thrive and excel. Each day last week, I saw this mission in action: teachers creating engaging lessons, students challenging themselves, and families partnering with us to support learning. These moments reflect our Core Values: respect, responsibility, empathy, and growth, and remind us that together, we are stronger.

Communication is an important part of this partnership. I encourage you to stay connected, and if you ever have questions or need support, please reach out at TapIn@maplerun.org. Your voice helps us build the strong, supportive school culture that makes Maple Run such a special place to learn and grow.

Here’s to another great week ahead!

- Bill

Monday and Tuesday marked days three and four of inservice for Maple Run staff. After returning the prior week on Thursday and Friday, educators used these additional days to collaborate, prepare classrooms, and engage in professional learning before students arrived. Inservice is always a valuable time to reconnect as a district, align our work with our Mission and Vision, and ensure that every student is met with a strong, supportive start to the school year.

The 2025–2026 school year is off to a strong start! Before students arrived on Wednesday, August 27th, our schools were already buzzing with family events and community gatherings. Here are a few highlights before students returned:

Bellows Free Academy
On Monday, August 25th, BFA proudly welcomed the Class of 2029 and their families for 9th Grade Orientation. The evening began in the gym with a warm welcome from Principal Polly Rico, Assistant Principals Johnathan Bratko and Sara Kattam, Dean of Students Mark Ginsburg, and Superintendent Bill Kimball. Students connected with their advisors, reviewed the BFA Playbook (a condensed version of the Maple Run Student & Family Handbook), and set clear expectations for the year ahead. Families and students then rotated through all seven class periods, meeting teachers, reviewing class expectations, and getting a feel for high school life. The night was filled with excitement, curiosity, and anticipation. We can’t wait to watch the Class of 2029 thrive!

Northwest Career & Technical Center
NCTC hosted its Alumni & Community Barbecue on Monday, Auguat 25th, bringing together students, families, alumni, faculty, advisory board members, employer partners, and friends of NCTC. It was a wonderful evening of reconnecting, celebrating, and looking forward to a strong year ahead. Events like this remind us how powerful our partnerships are in building opportunities for students.

Saint Albans Town Educational Center
SATEC welcomed first grade parents for an informational night on Monday, August 25th. Families met teachers and staff, completed paperwork, visited classrooms, and learned more about what a 1st grader’s day looks like. It was a great chance to connect, ask questions, and begin the year together.

Fairfield Center School
Fairfield was buzzing with activity on Tuesday, August 26th, hosting Middle School Engagement Night, an Open House, Kindergarten Night, and PreK Night. Families explored classrooms, met teachers, and started building connections for the year ahead.

Students in grades Kindergarten through 9 began on Wednesday, August 27th, with BFA’s freshmen enjoying their first day all to themselves. On Thursday, August 28th, BFA welcomed back grades 10–12, officially bringing our whole Maple Run community together for another year of learning, growth, and connection.

Bellows Free Academy (BFA)
The start of school also means the start of fall athletics, and BFA is off to a strong season with nine different sports being offered this fall: football, boys golf, girls golf, cheerleading, girls soccer, boys soccer, boys volleyball, girls volleyball, and cross-country running. An incredible number of our students are participating, and it’s inspiring to see so many Comet student-athletes busy after school—whether in the BFA gym, on the fields at Collins Perley, in the weight room, or running the trails at Hard’ack. Athletics are an important part of our school culture, building teamwork, leadership, and school spirit.

Fairfield Center School (FCS)
There’s nothing better than the first days of school on Fairfield’s beautiful campus. Students and teachers have been reconnecting in classrooms, enjoying learning outdoors, playing on the playground, and taking in the rolling hills that make Fairfield such a special place to learn and grow.

Northwest Career & Technical Center (NCTC)
NCTC is back in full swing, offering 11 different programs for students in grades 9–12: Automotive Technology, Building Trades, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Digital Media, Engineering Technologies, Electrical Trades, Human Services, Medical Professions, Outdoor Technology, and Public Safety & Law Enforcement. These programs provide hands-on, career-focused learning that helps students build real-world skills, explore their interests, and prepare for future opportunities.

Saint Albans Town Educational Center (SATEC)
SATEC students kicked off the year with engaging lessons, collaborative projects, and hands-on learning experiences across all grade levels. The energy in classrooms and around campus has been incredible, with students excited to explore new topics and develop their skills in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Saint Albans City School (SACS)
SACS launched the year with their annual PBIS “Be Your BEST” kickoff assemblies in the big gym. Grades 5–8 gathered first, followed by Grades K–4 later in the afternoon. Students learned what it means to “Be Your BEST,” reviewed expectations for school assemblies, and discovered how the new token system will support both class and whole-school celebrations throughout the year. Fun, interactive activities—including “Granny Pants,” “Hungry Hippo,” cheerleading, and a Bingo raffle—had students and staff laughing, cheering, and celebrating together. These opening assemblies set a positive tone for the year ahead, reminding everyone that at City School, “Being Your BEST” means learning, growing, and supporting one another as a community.

Podcast Update

Our first episode of the 2025–2026 school year is on its way! The release has been delayed slightly, but it will be available this week. This episode features our new Assistant Superintendent, Megan Grube, as the guest. Bill Kimball asked Megan the weekly guest questions, offering a great look into her role and vision for Maple Run.

Wellness Tip: Ease into routines by setting a consistent bedtime and wake-up time—sleep is the foundation of learning and well-being.

Celebrate: The start of school and the excitement of those first days!

Remember, Tap Into Maple Run is now biweekly, co-hosted by Bill Kimball and Megan Grube, and continues to bring you engaging stories, district news, helpful tips, and insights from across Maple Run.

Have suggestions, comments, or ideas for guests? Reach out anytime at TapIn@MapleRun.org

Superintendent Bill Kimball and Assistant Superintendent Megan Grube recently shared the “State of Maple Run” with staff, highlighting the district’s accomplishments and priorities for the year ahead.

Maple Run’s mission is to ensure a meaningful, flexible, rigorous, and safe education for all to thrive, and the vision focuses on cultivating a welcoming environment where students and the community can tap into their love of learning.

Key highlights from the district:

• 98% staff retention: Our highest contract return rate in years.

• 89% of students report positive support at school: Maple Run ranks in the 80th–90th percentile nationally for student sense of belonging.

• 1,000+ students accessed free or low-cost summer programs, including half-day camps and meal distribution.

• 75% of families describe schools as safe places, with ongoing efforts to enhance safety and reporting systems.

This year, Maple Run will continue focusing on literacy and math, student behavioral supports, staff guidance, and building safety. Initiatives include new reporting systems, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) at St. Albans City School, and piloting a harassment and bias reporting system.

For a detailed look at the district’s accomplishments and goals,

The safety and well-being of our students and staff is always a top priority at Maple Run. Every day, our schools implement multiple measures to keep our community secure, including secure entrances, trained staff, safety teams, and regular drills designed to prepare everyone for a variety of situations.

We also work closely with local law enforcement and community partners to strengthen communication, prevention, and response. Students receive age-appropriate guidance so they understand how to stay safe while feeling supported and confident at school.

Safety is a shared responsibility, and your awareness and engagement are key. Encourage your children to speak up if something feels unsafe, and know that staff are always ready to listen, guide, and respond. Together, we can ensure our schools remain safe, welcoming, and inspiring places to learn. www.maplerun.org/page/district-safety

At Maple Run, we know how important it is to stay connected. Clear, timely, and two-way communication strengthens our schools and our community, helps families stay informed, and ensures students have the support they need to thrive.

This year, we’re expanding the ways you can reach us and stay up to date:

BrightChat – New!
BrightChat is a secure, two-way messaging tool available through the BrightArrow ParentHub app. It allows families and students to communicate directly with school staff quickly and safely. Whether you have questions, need updates, or want to share feedback, BrightChat makes connecting with your school easier than ever.

Our Other Communication Tools:

• BrightArrow: Receive important alerts via calls, texts, and emails.

• Maple Run Email & Phone: Reach staff directly at their @maplerun.org addresses or call our schools.

• Google Classroom & Google Tools: Stay connected to your child’s assignments and learning.

• Newsletters & Social Media: Updates, stories, and district news delivered right to you.

• In-Person Opportunities & Conferences: Meet staff, share questions, and hear updates directly.

• Tap Into Maple: Our biweekly podcast with news, interviews, and community stories.

• Board & Committee Updates: Stay informed about district decisions and initiatives.

We also want to hear from you! Your questions, feedback, and ideas help us improve and grow as a district. Please reach out through any of our communication channels, including BrightChat, email, phone, or in person.

Together, we can ensure families, students, and staff are informed, engaged, and connected. Communication matters. Let’s keep the conversation going! Reach out at TapIn@MapleRun.org

Questions? Contact our IT team at mrusdHelpDesk@MapleRun.org for help with BrightChat or any other tool.

Sleep is the foundation of both learning and well-being. Establishing a predictable sleep schedule helps students and adults alike feel more rested, focused, and ready to tackle the day.

Try to keep bedtimes and wake-up times consistent, even on weekends, and create a calming bedtime routine—like reading, gentle stretching, or turning off screens early. Small, steady steps can make a big difference in energy, mood, and overall health.

Prioritizing sleep is one of the simplest ways to support a successful and balanced school year!

September 1

• Non-Student Day

September 2

• First Day of School for PreKindergarten students

September 3

• MRUSD Board Meeting | 6:00 – 8:00 PM MRUSD Central Office

September 5

• SATEC First School Assembly

As we continue into the 2025–2026 school year, we want to thank our students, families, and staff for being such an essential part of the Maple Run community. Your energy, engagement, and support make our schools welcoming, inspiring, and full of opportunity for every learner.

Communication is key to our success, and we encourage you to stay connected. In addition to this weekly newsletter and our biweekly Tap Into Maple Run podcast, you now have BrightChat, a secure, two-way messaging tool that allows families and students to communicate directly with school staff. We encourage you to use BrightChat, email, phone calls, or in-person opportunities to ask questions, share feedback, and stay informed.

This week’s wellness tip also reminds us that routines matter, establishing consistent bedtimes and wake-up times supports both learning and overall well-being. Small, steady steps like these help ensure a balanced and successful school year for everyone.

Please reach out with any quesions, thoughts, concerns:

TapIn@MapleRun.org

District Office: 802-524-2600

Bellows Free Academy: 802-527-6555

Collins Perley Sports & Fitness Center: 802-527-1202

Early Childhood Programs: 802-524-3613

Fairfield Center School: 802-827-6639

Northwest Career & Technical Center: 802-527-0614

Saint Albans City School: 802-527-0565

Saint Albans Town Educational Center: 802-527-7191