Maple Run Connection

Happy Monday, Maple Run Community,

February has settled in with cold mornings, short days, and the kind of winter weather that reminds us we are very much in Vermont. Even on the coldest days, our schools continue to be places of warmth filled with learning, laughter, curiosity, and meaningful connection.

Over the past week, I’ve had the opportunity to spend time in classrooms across our district, and it’s been energizing to see our educators and students working so hard together. In every building, there is a shared sense of purpose: students engaged in learning, educators dedicated to their craft, and school communities supporting one another each day. These moments both big and small are a powerful reminder of the care, commitment, and professionalism that define Maple Run.

As we move through these winter weeks, our classrooms remain busy and vibrant. Learning is happening in many forms: problem-solving, reading and discussion, creativity, collaboration, and relationship-building. Even during a season that can feel long, there is momentum and focus across our schools.

We are now two weeks away from winter break, with ten important learning days ahead. These days matter. They are opportunities to celebrate effort, recognize growth, and continue building strong routines and connections. Thank you to our staff for the dedication and care you bring every day, and to our families for your partnership, encouragement, and support.

Maple Run is a community rooted in belonging. We honor the diverse experiences, strengths, and perspectives that our students, families, and staff bring into our schools. It is through this shared commitment to respect, care, and collaboration that our schools remain welcoming, supportive places no matter the season.

Thank you for all you do to make Maple Run a district where learning thrives, relationships matter, and everyone belongs.

Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay supported.

In Episode 10 of Tap Into Maple Run, we turn our focus to the Maple Run Core Value of Respect & Diversity, exploring how empathy, understanding, and strong relationships shape our schools and our community. This episode highlights the intentional work happening across Maple Run to create learning environments where every student and adult feels valued, heard, and supported.

A central part of this work is Restorative Practices (RP). Restorative Practices is an approach that focuses on building relationships, strengthening community, and addressing challenges through reflection, accountability, and repair rather than punishment.

At its heart, RP asks important questions: Who was impacted? What do they need? How do we move forward together? This approach supports students and adults in developing empathy, responsibility, and problem-solving skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Maple Run has made a sustained commitment to Restorative Practices because relationships matter. When people feel respected and connected, learning thrives. Through dedicated time, training, and shared language, Restorative Practices are now visible across our district in classrooms, hallways, on buses, on athletic fields, and in offices. Every member of our Maple Run community is trained in Restorative Practices and trusted to use these strategies thoughtfully and consistently within their schools.

This episode features Madison Sanguinetti and Stacey Tully, educators at Fairfield Center School and certified Restorative Practices trainers for Maple Run. Madison and Stacey took additional time and care to become certified trainers so they could share their knowledge, experience, and learning with colleagues and students throughout the district. Their work helps ensure that Restorative Practices are implemented with integrity, consistency, and compassion.

During the conversation, Madison and Stacey share how Restorative Practices support conflict resolution, student leadership, and inclusive school cultures rooted in respect and understanding. They also reflect on what it means to lead this work alongside colleagues, modeling the very values they help teach.

Episode 10 also includes celebrations of the many ways staff and students demonstrate respect and embrace diversity each day, along with a wellness tip focused on active listening a simple but powerful practice that strengthens relationships and deepens understanding.

We close with gratitude for Madison and Stacey, and for the students, staff, families, and community partners who continue to model care, inclusion, and respect across Maple Run.

Tap Into Maple Run continues to highlight the Core Values that guide our district, collaboration and relationships, joy and curiosity, relevance and rigor, independence and perseverance, flexibility and adaptability, respect and diversity, accountability and integrity, and our shared commitment to equity in access to a quality education for all.

We invite you to listen, reflect, and continue tapping into the heart of Maple Run.

Thank You for Joining Coffee & Conversation

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their Saturday morning to join us for Coffee & Conversation at The Traveled Cup. We’re grateful to the community members who came to share thoughtful questions, perspectives, and ideas, and to engage in meaningful dialogue about the FY27 Maple Run School Budget.

A special thank you to Charlie Brooks, Vice Chair of the Maple Run Unified School District School Board, for hosting these conversations and creating a welcoming space for open, respectful discussion. Opportunities like these strengthen trust, understanding, and connection between our schools and the community we serve.

If you weren’t able to attend, there are two more Coffee & Conversation opportunities coming up before Town Meeting Day on Tuesday, March 3rd:

Your Questions. Your Voice. Over Coffee.

• Sunday, February 22 | 9:00–10:00 AM

• Saturday, February 28 | 9:00–10:00 AM

Location:
The Traveled Cup
94 North Main Street, Saint Albans City

These informal gatherings are a chance to ask questions, learn more about the FY27 budget, and share your thoughts in a relaxed, community-centered setting.

We also encourage all eligible voters to vote on or before Town Meeting Day. Please contact your local Town Clerk for information about early voting options.

As always, we welcome your questions and input. You can reach us anytime at TapIn@MapleRun.org or by contacting School Board members directly mrusdboard@maplerun.org 802-370-3931

Thank you for staying informed, engaged, and involved in Maple Run.

Our students. Your voice. Your vote. March 3rd.

The FY27 Maple Run Unified School District budget is moving forward, and now it’s your chance to dig in, ask questions, and see how our shared priorities take shape in our schools.

With the proposed budget adopted by the School Board, we invite families, staff, and community members to explore how resources are being invested to support student learning, well-being, and thriving school communities.

Visit the FY27 Budget Information website to learn more:
www.maplerun.org

There you’ll find our FY27 Annual Report, offering clear, detailed insight into:

• Budget priorities and key investments

• How resources support students academically, socially, and emotionally

• Staffing, programming, and operations

• What this means for every school in our district

Upcoming Opportunities to Learn & Engage

• Maple Run School Board Meeting
  Tuesday, February 18, 2026

• FY27 Budget Information Meeting
  Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 6:00 PM
  Maple Run Central Office, 28 Catherine Street, Saint Albans

These gatherings are your chance to ask questions, share feedback, and hear directly from the Board and district leaders. Community engagement is what makes our schools stronger—your voice truly matters!

Community Vote — Town Meeting Day
Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Residents of Saint Albans City, Saint Albans Town, and the Town of Fairfield are encouraged to vote on or before Town Meeting Day. Early voting is available—contact your Town Clerk to plan ahead.

The FY27 budget reflects our shared commitment to providing strong, supportive schools where all learners can grow, explore, and succeed. Every decision is made with students at the center—academically, socially, and emotionally.

We are grateful to our community for staying informed, asking questions, and supporting the work happening in our schools every day.

Our Students. Your Voice. Your Vote.

As always, if you have questions, reach out! Email: TapIn@MapleRun.org or connect directly with School Board members mrusdboard@maplerun.org.

Vermont’s system for funding public education is unique and can feel complicated.

Decisions made at the local level by our school boards and community voters are connected to statewide processes that determine how education is paid for and how property tax rates are set. In short, local budget decisions influence what we invest in our schools and how the funding is generated across the state.

This topic is especially important right now because lawmakers are considering changes to the system that could affect school funding and property taxes in the coming years. One potential shift is toward a “foundation formula,” which would set base funding amounts per student and reshape how supplemental local spending works.

We know this can be a lot to take in, and it matters to families across our communities. That’s why we’re sharing these trusted resources that explain Vermont’s current approach to school funding and how it works:

• Vermont Public explainer on school funding - A clear overview of how our statewide system works, including common terms and key ideas people hear during budget conversations.

• Vermont Agency of Education report on education finance - A detailed look at how the Education Fund combines revenue sources and supports schools across the state.

• Legislative Joint Fiscal Office “Education Finance 101” documents - Nonpartisan resources that provide a foundational understanding of how education financing is structured in Vermont.

Understanding how our schools are funded helps families and community members engage with local and state decisions that impact students, classrooms, and tax rates.

We hope these resources support your questions and conversations about school budgets, education funding, and what it means for all of us.

This week, our Maple Run wellness focus is on active listening a simple, powerful way to strengthen relationships, build understanding, and foster respect in every part of our lives.

Active listening helps create a positive, inclusive environment, whether in school, at home, or in the community. By intentionally slowing down to hear others, we can connect more deeply, support one another, and model empathy and care.

Practical Suggestions to Try This Week:

• Choose one person each day to listen fully, without interrupting or planning your response.

• Pay attention not just to the words, but to the feelings and perspective behind them.

• Reflect what you heard to confirm understanding (e.g., “It sounds like you’re saying…”).

• Encourage students or colleagues to practice active listening during discussions or group activities.

Examples in Action:

• During a meeting or class discussion, let someone finish their thought before responding.

• In conversations with friends or family, put aside distractions like phones or other tasks.

• Ask open-ended questions to show genuine interest, e.g., “How did that make you feel?”

• Model active listening for students by acknowledging their ideas, perspectives, and experiences.

Why It Matters:

Active listening aligns with Maple Run’s Core Value of Respect & Diversity by showing that each person’s voice and experience is valued. These small, intentional listening moments promote empathy, collaboration, and thoughtful communication for students, staff, and families alike.

Even brief, purposeful pauses to truly listen can make a meaningful difference building understanding, connection, and inclusion across our schools and community.

Sleep, Focus & Readiness to Learn

Sleep plays a critical role in students’ focus, emotional regulation, and learning. Research from the National Sleep Foundation shows that children with less screen time often sleep better and maintain more consistent bedtime routines—helping them arrive at school ready to engage and succeed.

Small, intentional screen-free moments—like during meals, homework, or the hour before bed—create space for rest, connection, and calm. These gentle pauses from technology allow children to reset, support healthy sleep habits, and start the day with focus and energy.

Families approach these routines in many different ways. Some charge phones outside bedrooms at night, while others create alternative routines that work best for their household. There is no single “right” solution—what matters most is consistency, intention, and compassion as children learn to balance rest and technology.

Daily Reminders:

• Sleep supports focus, learning, and emotional well-being.

• Evening routines shape how students feel the next school day.

• Families juggle many responsibilities—compassion matters.

• Healthy habits develop over time, not overnight.

• Readiness to learn begins before the first bell.

At Maple Run, we are grateful to partner with families in supporting small, meaningful habits that help children thrive both at home and at school.

Attendance Matters – Every Day Counts

At Maple Run, attendance is key to learning, growth, and community. Our district goal is to have 70% of students attending school 95% of the time, and every day counts toward that goal.

With just 10 more school days before winter break, now is the perfect time to reflect on how consistent attendance supports student learning, classroom engagement, and social connections.

Students who attend regularly are more likely to:

• Stay on track academically

• Build strong relationships with peers and teachers

• Develop routines that support focus and well-being

Attendance is important for staff, too. When educators are present and engaged, classrooms are calmer, learning is stronger, and students feel supported and ready to thrive.

Every member of our Maple Run community contributes to a culture of presence, connection, and belonging. Small efforts like arriving on time, staying engaged, and supporting each other make a meaningful difference for everyone.

Let’s make these next 10 days count! Together, we can keep learning on track, build community, and finish the week before break strong.

Be Here. Be Engaged. Be Inspired.

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.