Maple Run Connection

I hope everyone had a good weekend, even with the cold rain.

Across Maple Run, it was another busy few days, and there’s a lot happening as we head into the first full week of May. It’s hard to believe we’re down to just over seven weeks left in the school year. This time always seems to fly by.

National Teacher Appreciation Week
National Teacher Appreciation Week starts today, and here at Maple Run, we’re celebrating all staff who show up for our students each and every day.

Whether you work directly with students in classrooms, drive a bus, prepare meals, support learning, keep our buildings running, or help families and students in countless other ways—thank you. What you do matters, and our schools would not be the same without you.

To our families and community members, if there’s a staff member who has made a difference in your child’s life, I encourage you to take a minute this week to send them a quick thank-you message. A few kind words can really mean a lot.

Staff directories with “Send Message” links can be found on all MapleRun.org school websites.

District I Middle School Music Festival
This past weekend, Maple Run was proud to host the Vermont Music Educators Association District I Middle School Music Festival.

More than 300 middle school musicians from across northwestern Vermont spent all day Friday rehearsing at SATEC, then were back at it Saturday morning at Collins Perley.

At 2 PM on Saturday, they performed for nearly 1,000 people who came out on a cold, rainy afternoon and they absolutely delivered.

You could see how much work these students put in, and how proud they were to be up there performing.

A big thank you to our music educators, school staff, families, parents, and everyone in the community who helped support these students and the arts. We’re proud Maple Run had the opportunity to host this year’s festival.

AP Testing at BFA
This week also marks the start of AP testing at BFA.

Our students have been putting in a lot of work leading up to these exams, and now it’s their time to show what they know. We’re proud of them, and we wish them all the best this week and in the weeks ahead.

Weekly Inspiration
This time of year always moves fast. There’s a lot happening across Maple Run right now, and a lot to be proud of.

Let’s keep supporting one another, celebrating our students, and finishing the year strong together.

Stay informed. Stay connected. New issue every 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 behind-the-scenes improvement happening across Maple Run—our newly aligned Harassment, Hazing, Bullying, and Retaliation (HHBR) forms.

While forms and procedures may not always be the most visible part of school life, they matter. Clear, consistent systems help us respond thoughtfully, support students and families, and ensure staff have the tools they need when concerns arise.

Our new HHBR forms are now aligned across the district, giving all Maple Run schools one shared process and one shared set of documents. Having everything centralized makes forms easier to access, easier to share with staff, and easier to use consistently across buildings, grade levels, and school teams.

This work is part of a larger effort to continue aligning practices, procedures, and systems across our one Maple Run district, so no matter which school a student attends, families and staff can count on clear, consistent support.

Thank you to the many staff members helping move this important work forward each day.

This week, schools across the country are celebrating National Teacher Appreciation Week, and here at Maple Run, we’re proud to celebrate all of the incredible staff members who make our schools such special places for students.

While the week carries the name “Teacher Appreciation Week,” we know it takes every one of us working together to support kids—teachers, paraeducators, administrative assistants, nurses, counselors, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria teams, maintenance staff, technology staff, school leaders, and so many others.

Throughout the week, our schools will be recognizing staff in fun and meaningful ways as a small thank-you for the care, energy, and heart they bring to Maple Run each and every day.

To every member of our Maple Run team—thank you. The difference you make in the lives of our students and families is seen, felt, and deeply appreciated.

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: Darcy Millette | (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!

Hope everyone had a good April Break and some time to recharge.

We’re now into the final stretch of the school year. Attendance continues to be one of the biggest factors in student success. Our goal is 95% attendance, which over a 177-day school year means missing fewer than 9 days total.

That adds up quickly. When students are in school, they’re getting instruction, staying connected to routines, and keeping up with learning that builds day to day.

We understand that illness and unexpected things come up. When possible, it really does help students to limit extended absences and schedule appointments outside of school hours.

Thanks for your continued partnership with this. Every day really does matter.

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.