Maple Run Connection

Happy Monday, Maple Run!

Today, our schools and offices are closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day for reflection, connection, and community.

Dr. King’s life reminds us of the power of kindness, respect, and understanding. In a world that can feel divided or heavy at times, today invites us to pause and reflect on the ways we can contribute to a more compassionate and caring community.

At Maple Run, we are committed to cultivating a welcoming environment where every student and every member of our community can tap into their love of learning. Our work is guided by our core values: valuing children first, fostering collaboration and relationships, embracing joy and curiosity, honoring respect and diversity, and ensuring safety and equity for all. These values are not just words on a page, they are lived every day in our classrooms, hallways, and homes.

As we observe this day, I encourage all of us to carry forward a spirit of reflection, empathy, and connection. Small acts of kindness, thoughtful listening, and care for one another strengthen our community and help every student thrive and excel.

Thank you for being part of Maple Run. A place where students are supported, encouraged, and celebrated, and where together, we create a more peaceful and meaningful future.

Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay supported.

At Maple Run, we are committed to ensuring a safe, welcoming, and meaningful learning environment for all children. We also recognize that families bring many different experiences, cultures, values, and expectations around technology and communication. There is no single “right” approach, and we want to be thoughtful and respectful as we share this message.

Why This Matters

Phones can be powerful tools for connection, creativity, learning, and safety. They can also be challenging to manage, especially when use becomes overwhelming or extends late into the night. Outside-of-school use can sometimes affect sleep, focus, emotional well-being, and peer relationships during the school day.

Our shared goal is not restriction for the sake of control, but balance, well-being, and belonging, so that all students arrive at school ready to learn, connect, and grow.

Maple Run Cell Phone Expectations

During the school day, cell phones are not used by students from bell-to-bell. This approach has helped create calmer classrooms, stronger relationships, and more focused learning time.

Ideas Families May Find Helpful

We recognize that not every strategy works for every household. The following optional ideas are strategies some families have found helpful:

• Create screen-free times, such as during meals, homework, or before bedtime

• Charge phones outside bedrooms at night when possible

• Encourage balance with off-screen activities that fit your family’s routines and interests

• Talk openly with children about their online experiences and how they affect them

• Use the optional parental controls available on most devices

Here are some parental control tools and directions you may find helpful:

For iPhone / iPad (Apple Screen Time)

Set daily app limits, schedule Downtime, and restrict web content: Apple Screen Time Guide

For Android (Digital Wellbeing & Family Link)

Set app timers, screen limits, and manage content: Google Digital Wellbeing

Family Link app for monitoring and setting limits: Google Family Link

Other Recommended Apps

Qustodio: Detailed usage reports, content filters, screen limits (qustodio.com)

Bark: Monitors messages and social media, plus screen time controls (bark.us)

FamilyTime: Set schedules, limits, filter content, and lock devices (familytime.io)

Even small changes can make a meaningful difference in children’s well-being and readiness to learn.

We’re in This Together

We know families are doing their best while balancing work, caregiving, transportation, and many other responsibilities. Children benefit most when the adults in their lives work together with compassion, trust, and shared purpose.

In the coming weeks, we will share optional, family-friendly resources: short tips, tools, and information you can use if helpful. We are also exploring opportunities to offer a family presentation focused on healthy relationships with technology, grounded in care, respect, and real-life experiences.

This work reflects our Maple Run mission, vision, and core values, putting children first, prioritizing safety and well-being, strengthening collaboration and relationships, honoring respect and diversity, remaining flexible and responsive, and upholding our commitment to equity in access to a quality education.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for the many ways you support your children and our school community. We are grateful to be doing this work together.

Celebrating Our School Board Members!

January is School Board Recognition Month, and we want to take another moment to express our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated members of the Maple Run School Board. Their time, expertise, and care help guide our schools, support students, and strengthen our community every day.

We also want to remind our community that on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (Town Meeting Day), three Maple Run School Board seats will be on the ballot: one City seat and two Town seats. This is an important opportunity to get involved and help shape the future of our district.

Learn more about school board service and how to run at VT VSBA: Get on Board or contact your local municipal clerk.

Thank you to our board members and BFA student leaders for their ongoing dedication and leadership. Your contributions make a difference in the lives of every Maple Run student.

Learn more about our board: www.maplerun.org/page/board-of-directors

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.

The Maple Run Unified School District continues careful planning for the FY27 budget, focused on maintaining strong programs and supporting every student’s academic, social, and emotional growth.

The proposed 2.44% budget increase reflects a commitment to quality education while keeping overall growth below the national rate of inflation over the past two years. Tax impacts vary by community: Saint Albans City is expected to see a 10-cent decrease, Fairfield a 3-cent increase, and Saint Albans Town a 9-cent increase.

The Board is expected to adopt the proposed FY27 budget at the upcoming meeting:

• Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026

• Time: 6:00 PM

• Location: Maple Run Central Office

• Attendance: Join in person or watch remotely

For the most up-to-date information on the budget, including details on expenditures and priorities, visit our website: www.maplerun.org.

Thank you for your continued interest and engagement as we plan for a strong year ahead for our students and community.

Today, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we pause to reflect on the values of justice, equity, and community. MLK’s vision reminds us that each of us can contribute to a world where everyone is seen, heard, and respected. A vision that aligns closely with Maple Run’s mission to provide a safe, meaningful, and equitable education for all.

This week, nurture your wellness through reflection, connection, and small acts of care:

• Reflect on values: Take a few moments each day to think about what fairness, kindness, and respect mean in your own life and how you show them in your actions.

• Connect with others: Reach out to someone in your family, neighborhood, or community. Listening, sharing, and offering support strengthens relationships and builds belonging.

• Act intentionally: Small gestures — like helping someone, expressing gratitude, or learning about someone else’s experiences — reinforce empathy, inclusion, and purpose.

• Mindful pause: Journaling, deep breathing, or simply noticing your surroundings can help center your thoughts and emotions amid a busy week.

Remember: Wellness is not just personal, it’s also communal. Supporting yourself and others helps build a stronger, more welcoming, and caring Maple Run community.

As we move into the third week of the 2026 school year, here’s a friendly reminder: being at school every day matters. Attendance supports learning, builds routines, and strengthens connections with teachers and peers.

Did you know?

• Students who miss just 2 days per month can miss nearly 10% of the school year, which can make it harder to keep up with reading, math, and other subjects.

• Regular attendance significantly increases the likelihood of on-time graduation and academic success.

• Students who attend 95% or more of the school year are far more likely to feel connected, engaged, and confident in their learning.

At Maple Run, we understand life happens: appointments, health needs, or family responsibilities. Whenever possible, scheduling outside of school hours helps students stay on track. And if attendance challenges arise, support is available you are not alone.

For tips, resources, or support to make mornings smoother, contact TapIn@MapleRun.org

Be Here. Be Engaged. Be Inspired. Attendance Matters. Every Day Counts.

We hope you’re looking the restorative long weekend!

This is a reminder that there will be no school for students on:

• Monday, January 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Tuesday, January 20 – Teacher In-Service Day

These days offer a chance to pause, reflect, and recharge. We encourage families to take time together to celebrate learning, connection, and community, and to honor Dr. King’s legacy by embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion in your homes and neighborhoods.

While students are off, our educators will be engaged in professional learning to continue strengthening our schools and supporting every student’s growth and success.

Thank you for being part of the Maple Run community and for helping create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where all children can thrive. Enjoy your break and the opportunity to rest, reflect, and connect!

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.