Maple Run Connection

Happy Monday, Maple Run!

This week marks our Fall Break, and I want to begin by wishing every student, staff member, and family a restful and joyful week ahead. With no school all week, I hope you take this time to rest, recharge, spend time with the people who bring you joy, and do the activities that help you feel renewed and balanced. After 59 school days filled with growth, learning, and connection, you have all earned this well-deserved break.

When we return next Monday, December 1st, we’ll kick off the start of winter sports, always an exciting time for our athletes, families, and school communities.

Last week was a wonderful example of what makes Maple Run such a vibrant and connected district. Our buildings were full of students, families, and community members. Each event highlighting the strength of our partnerships.

ExperienceNCTC was a major highlight. Through both the evening event for families and the school-day visits for 8th-grade students, our community explored the incredible opportunities available at our Career & Technical Center. Programs in Automotive Technology, Building Trades, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Digital Media, Engineering Technologies, Human Services, Medical Professions, Outdoor Technology, and Public Safety & Law Enforcement offered hands-on demonstrations and showcased the outstanding work happening every day at NCTC. We are proud of all that our CTE has to offer.

Our schools also hosted parent-teacher conferences, and it was wonderful to see so many families in our buildings connecting with staff, celebrating student progress, and looking ahead to the next part of the school year.

The Maple Run Art Show at Collins Perley Sports & Fitness Center has been a tremendous success, beautifully displaying artwork from students in PreK through Grade 12. Last Thursday’s reception was a highlight, as guests enjoyed refreshments, met our talented art educators, and celebrated the creativity and expression of our students.

We also held a well-attended School Board meeting on Wednesday evening at Central Office. The Board is working diligently on the FY27 budget; the first draft will be presented at the next meeting on December 3rd.

And finally, what an incredible weekend for BFA’s production of Little Shop of Horrors! All four shows were sold out, and the energy in the Performing Arts Center was tremendous. Thank you to our students, staff, families, and the entire community for supporting the arts and celebrating the talent of our performers.

As we step into this week of rest, I want to thank each of you for being an essential part of Maple Run. Your support and dedication make our schools places where students can learn, grow, and thrive.

Wishing you all a peaceful, restorative Fall Break.
Stay informed. Stay connected.

In this episode of Tap Into Maple Run, we celebrate the power of student leadership and the role independence and perseverance play in helping students thrive. Hosts Bill and Megan highlight student voice in action, recognizing student council members, classroom leaders, and athletic captains who are making a difference across our schools.

Our guests, BFA English teacher MaryEllen Tourville and BFA sophomore Grace Vining, share insights on leadership, goal-setting, and perseverance, offering real-life examples of students stepping up and leading with confidence. Listeners will hear a lively Q&A exploring student experiences and lessons learned, as well as a community shout-out celebrating positive, student-led initiatives.

Wellness Tip: Movement fuels leadership! Even a short walk, stretch, or standing break between tasks can recharge focus, boost energy, and increase confidence, helping students (and adults!) tackle challenges with a clearer, more positive mindset.

Don’t miss the discussion on:

• How students develop independence and persevere through challenges

• Leadership lessons from classroom and extracurricular experiences

• Ways families and the community can support student leaders

Teaser for Episode 8 – Service & Community:
Coming Thursday, December 4, we’ll explore the core value of Collaboration & Relationships, highlighting holiday giving and community service projects. Our wellness tip: Acts of kindness are a wellness boost, helping someone else lowers stress and increases happiness.

Join us and tap into the stories, lessons, and energy that make our schools and community thrive!

Leadership takes energy, focus, and confidence. Did you know a few minutes of movement can help you sharpen all three?

Even short breaks, like a 5-minute walk, a few stretches, or simply standing up between tasks can recharge your mind and body. These small moments of movement can improve focus, boost energy, and increase confidence, helping you approach challenges with a clearer, more positive mindset.

Try this week:

• Set a reminder to stand or stretch every hour.

• Take a quick walk outside or around your home/workspace.

• Try a few deep stretches while reading emails or waiting on calls.

Remember: moving your body isn’t just good for your health—it fuels your leadership, helping you perform at your best and tackle the day with renewed energy.

At Maple Run, we know that getting to school every day can sometimes feel challenging. Between early mornings, transportation, schedules, and family responsibilities, it’s not always easy but you are not alone. We see you, we hear you, and we are here to help.

Attendance is more than just being in the classroom, it’s a key part of a child’s learning, growth, and overall well-being. Missing just a few days here and there can add up quickly. Nationally, more than 1 in 4 students misses 10% or more of the school year and many of these absences are tied to health, family, or social challenges, not a lack of care or commitment.

At Maple Run, we take a new approach to chronic absence, seeing it as a public health and community issue, not just an education one. Chronic absence can be an early warning sign that a child or family may need support, whether that’s around physical or mental health, transportation, or other challenges.

We believe families and young people are the experts in their own lives, and our job is to engage, listen, and partner with you. Together, we can build trust, connect to resources, and create the conditions that help students be present, engaged, and inspired.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Engage your village: Work with the people and organizations you trust, both inside and outside of school.

• Consider root causes: Look beyond attendance to understand what might be getting in the way, whether health, housing, or family stress.

• Focus on relationships: Build trust with students and families, then put that trust into action to support consistent attendance.

Every school day matters, and every effort counts. Whether your child is in PreK or 12th grade, we are committed to supporting your student’s success and we want to work alongside you to remove barriers and celebrate progress.

Let’s make every day count.
Be Here. Be Engaged. Be Inspired.

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us last week at Saint Albans City School for our first FY27 Budget Forum a few weeks ago. It was inspiring to see families, community members, and staff come together to share ideas, ask questions, and provide thoughtful feedback to guide our School Board in planning for next year.

Participants explored spending priorities, ways to align resources with district goals, and discussed what matters most to our students, families, and community. Attendees also ranked our five district goals: Rigorous Academics, Support Services for Students and Families, Consistent Policies on Bias & Behavior, Family & Community Engagement, and Community Education on Inclusion helping shape the focus of our work in FY27.

Didn’t make it to the forum? Your input is still welcome! Complete the [Maple Run FY27 Budget Feedback Form] to share your thoughts and help ensure the budget reflects the needs and priorities of our entire community.

Looking ahead, the School Board will present the draft FY27 budget at the next meeting on Wednesday, December 3, at 6:00 p.m. at Central Office. This is another great opportunity to see how your feedback is shaping our plans for next year.

Thank you for your engagement, support, and dedication—together, we can make sure every student has the resources they need to thrive.

Questions? Email TapIn@MapleRun.org
Our Students. Your Voice. Your Vote.

Even though schools are closed this week, Maple Run families can stay prepared for winter weather as the season continues. When school delays or closures happen, notifications are sent via email, text, phone, and posted on our official social media accounts and school websites.

Make sure your contact information is up to date and that you’ve opted in for text alerts by texting YES to 79041. Your child’s safety is always our top priority!

December 1st

• Welcome Back!
• Winter Sports Begin
• BFA Modern Band and SATEC Modern Band @ City Hall 7PM

December 3rd

• BFA District Music Auditions
• MRUSD Board Meeting @ Central Office 6PM

December 4th

• BFA FAFSA Financial Aid Night
• SACS Drama Performance: Pirates Past Noon

December 5th

• SACS Drama Performance: Pirates Past Noon

December 6th

• All New England Festival Auditions

December 8th

• SACS Healthy Relationships Project Caregiver Information Night

December 9th

• BFA Fine Arts Night

December 10th

• SACS Walking Wednesday