Maple Run Connection

I hope everyone was able to enjoy the beautiful sunny weekend and spend a little time outside. It was a welcome change after a stretch of busy and challenging days.

Last week was a hard one for our Maple Run community. In times like these, we are reminded just how connected we are across our schools, and how much we rely on one another.

What stands out most is the way people show up for each other, staff supporting staff, families supporting schools, and everyone looking out for our students. That care and connection is one of the strengths of Maple Run.

As we move into another week, I encourage us all to continue that same spirit: checking in on one another, offering patience and kindness, and remembering that small gestures can make a real difference.

There is still a lot of important work happening in our schools as we head into the final weeks of the year. Students are learning, creating, performing, and growing every day.

Thank you to our staff for your steady commitment, and to our families for your continued partnership.

We are stronger together.

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 Isabelle LeBlanc, a special educator working with seventh and eighth grade students at Saint Albans City School , as one of our Maple Run Excellence Award recipients.

Isabelle brings a calm, steady presence to her work each day and provides meaningful support to students who need both academic and behavioral guidance. She has a remarkable ability to build trust with students, meet them where they are, and help them keep moving forward, even when the work feels challenging.

What stands out most about Isabelle is the strength of the relationships she builds. Students clearly feel comfortable with her, rely on her support, and know they have someone in their corner. Whether she is working with students in small groups, one-on-one, or helping them navigate difficult moments, she brings consistency, patience, and genuine care to every interaction.

Isabelle also has deep roots in this community as a former Saint Albans City School student who has returned to serve the next generation of learners. Through her work in our schools and her continued connections with students beyond the classroom, she represents the very best of what it means to give back to your community.

It was a pleasure to surprise Isabelle and recognize the steady, meaningful impact she is making each day with students.

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

This week, I also want to recognize Tony Lewis, a first and second grade teacher at Saint Albans City School , as one of our Maple Run Excellence Award recipients.

Tony has created a classroom environment where even our youngest learners know what is expected, feel comfortable taking risks, and build confidence through strong daily routines and purposeful learning.

Walking into Tony’s classroom, what stands out immediately is the calm, organized atmosphere. Students move smoothly through learning stations, work independently with confidence, and stay engaged in meaningful math learning. There is a clear sense of structure, consistency, and purpose throughout the room.

What makes Tony’s classroom especially impressive is the level of independence his first and second grade students demonstrate. They know their routines, support their own learning, and take pride in their work, all made possible by the steady, thoughtful environment Tony has built.

It was a pleasure to surprise Tony in his classroom and recognize the positive impact he is making each day with students.

We are fortunate to have educators like Tony in Maple Run, and I am grateful for the difference he makes for our students every day.

As we head into a long weekend, this may be a good time to simply take care of yourself and the people around you.

After difficult weeks, it’s okay if you feel tired. It’s okay if you need quiet. It’s okay if you need connection.

This weekend, try to make space for one thing that helps refill your cup:

• Take a walk outside and get some fresh air
• Spend time with family or friends
• Put your phone away for a little while
• Sit in the sunshine with your morning coffee
• Check in on someone who may need a friend
• Give yourself permission to rest

Healing doesn’t always happen in big moments. Sometimes it happens in quiet ones.

Take care of yourselves, and take care of each other.

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 a tool that has quietly made a big difference for both families and staff this school year—PickUp Patrol.

This year, both Saint Albans Town Educational Center and Saint Albans City School began using PickUp Patrol to help manage student absences, early dismissals, and after-school transportation changes, and the feedback has been incredibly positive.

For families, it has created a simple, user-friendly way to communicate important changes—whether a student will be absent, needs to leave early for an appointment, or has a last-minute change in after-school plans.

For our staff, it has helped ensure information gets to the right people quickly, clearly, and in real time. That means fewer phone calls, fewer handwritten notes, less confusion, and more confidence that students are getting where they need to be safely and efficiently.

What may seem like a small change has had a meaningful impact on daily operations in our schools. It has helped streamline communication, improve efficiency, and make busy school days run a little smoother for everyone involved.

It’s been exciting to see how well this system is working at SATEC and SACS, and it may be something we explore in other Maple Run schools in the future.

Thank you to our office staff, school teams, and families for embracing new tools that help us communicate better and support our students each day.

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!

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.