Maple Run Connection

Message from Superintendent Bill Kimball

As we move into our third week of school, it’s wonderful to see our routines taking hold. Classrooms are settled, learning is in full swing, and the energy in our buildings remains strong. Smiles are present in the hallways, reminding us that a positive start sets the tone for the year ahead.

Sports and after-school activities are now underway across all of our schools. Whether on the field, in the gym, on the stage, or in clubs, students are finding opportunities to connect with one another and pursue their passions. These experiences help build a sense of belonging and allow students to grow beyond the classroom.

Communication is key to keeping this momentum going. Please don’t hesitate to share your questions, suggestions, or concerns at TapIn@MapleRun.org. Staying connected ensures we continue to create a supportive and engaging environment for every student.

and grow.

Here’s to another great week ahead!

Test on Monday, September 8th at 5:00 PM

Maple Run Unified School District will be conducting a test of our BrightArrow communication system on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM. This test helps us ensure we can communicate quickly and effectively with all staff and families when important information or emergencies arise.

What is BrightArrow?
BrightArrow is Maple Run’s system for sending important updates to families and staff. It keeps everyone informed about school events, schedule changes, emergencies, and other essential information.

How Maple Run uses BrightArrow:

Non-urgent messages (announcements, reminders, updates) are sent Monday–Friday at 5:00 PM via email only.
Urgent or time-sensitive messages (school closings, emergencies, attendance alerts) are sent by email, text, and phone call—but only when necessary.

Action Needed – Please Check Your Contact Information
Our test will only be successful if your family’s contact information is correct. It is your responsibility to review and update your information in PowerSchool every year.

Log into your PowerSchool account and go to: Forms → Contact Information – Annual Verification Form
Confirm, adjust, or change your contact information before the Monday, September 8th, 5:00 PM test.

If you cannot access PowerSchool, please contact your student’s school registrar for assistance.

Need help with PowerSchool?

Visit: https://maplerun.powerschool.com
If you forgot your password, click Forgot Password and follow the instructions.
If you cannot log in, contact MRUSDHelpDesk@MapleRun.org or your school registrar.

School Registrar Contacts:

Maple Run Early Childhood Programs: Jessica Barnes – jbarnes@maplerun.org | 802-524-3613
Fairfield Center School: Judy Magnan – jmagnan@maplerun.org | 802-827-6639
St. Albans City School: Desiree Stevens – dstevens@maplerun.org | 802-527-0565
St. Albans Town Educational Center: Michelle Dow – mdow@maplerun.org | 802-752-2600
Bellows Free Academy: Martina Newell – mnewell@maplerun.org | 802-527-6570
Northwest Career & Technical Center: Diana Langlois – dlanglois@maplerun.org | 802-527-6433

Thank you for taking the time to confirm your information. We can only reach you with school closures, snow days, emergencies, and critical updates if your contact information is correct.

Please log in, review, and update today!

We need your help ...

We’re excited to share that Maple Run now has a new ChatBot on our website! You’ll find it in the bottom right corner of our homepage, labeled:

“Ask the Maple Run Unified School District ChatBot!”

This tool is designed to help families, staff, and community members quickly find information. Here’s the important part, we need your help to teach it.

The ChatBot only searches our Maple Run website for answers. It will not look elsewhere on the internet.

That means:

At first, the ChatBot may give you the wrong answer or not find an answer at all.
Over time, as we add more information to our website and as you interact with it, the ChatBot will improve.

Here’s how you can help:

Ask the ChatBot questions.
Tell it if the answer was correct.
Let us know what’s missing. If the ChatBot can’t find an answer, it means we may need to update or add content to our website.

We know it will take time, patience, and practice to get this right, but together we can build a tool that makes it easier for everyone to find the information they need.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please reach out to us at TapIn@MapleRun.org.

BrightChat Update - Stay Connected with Maple Run: Communication Matters

We know that starting something new can take time and BrightChat is no exception. As we continue rolling out this tool, we recognize that the integration has not been problem-free. It’s been a learning curve for all of us, and we want to thank families and staff for your patience as we work through challenges together.

Please don’t feel frustrated if you run into issues or have questions. We are here to support you, and your feedback helps us improve. BrightChat is designed to make two-way communication between families and staff easier and more secure, and with everyone’s help, we’re confident it will become a strong resource for our district.

If you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance, please reach out, we don’t want anyone to give up on BrightChat. Contact your school directly or our IT Help Desk at MRUSDHelpDesk@MapleRun.org.

Together, we’ll continue to grow and strengthen the way we connect across Maple Run.

Podcast Update

The first episode of the 2025–2026 school year is here! This week’s release features our new Assistant Superintendent, Megan Grube, as the guest. Bill Kimball asked Megan our signature guest questions, giving listeners a chance to learn more about her role and her vision for Maple Run.

🎧 You can now listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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 excitement of the school year’s true beginning as routines settle in and energy continues to build across our schools.

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.

Fuel Your Day with Breakfast

A healthy breakfast sets the tone for learning, focus, and energy throughout the day. Students (and adults!) who eat a balanced breakfast are more alert, have better concentration, and are less likely to feel sluggish or distracted.

The best part? Breakfast is available for free to ALL Maple Run students every morning at school, no cost, no sign-up required. Encourage your child to start the day with a nutritious meal to give their body and brain the fuel they need to succeed.

Taking a few extra minutes to eat well each morning is an investment in both health and learning.

One message, many ways to connect, choose what works for you.

We are often asked: Why share the same information in so many places? The answer is simple, everyone has their own preferred way of staying connected. Some families love listening to a podcast on their drive, others prefer a quick weekly newsletter in their inbox, while some check social media for updates or attend board meetings and community conversations.

Our goal is not to overwhelm you, but to make sure important information is accessible where and how you prefer to receive it. By repeating messages across different platforms, we can reach everyone, whether you like a reminder in your email, a short post on Facebook, or a chance to hear directly from district leaders in person.

You get to choose what works best for you. Too much information? That’s okay, pick the format that fits your life, and know that the same key messages will be there when you need them.

At Maple Run, communication is about connection. We want every student, family, and staff member to feel informed, included, and involved.

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