Maple Run Connection

Happy Monday, Maple Run Community!

February is in full swing, and our schools are buzzing with energy! From spirit weeks, pep rallies, and assemblies to celebrating National Random Acts of Kindness Day, there’s excitement in every hallway. Even with all the fun, our classrooms remain focused on learning and growth, making these last days before break both meaningful and memorable.

Just 5 more school days until February break! Thank you to our students, staff, and families for staying engaged, supporting routines, and finishing strong together.

This Wednesday, February 18, the Maple Run Board will hold its regular meeting the final meeting before Town Meeting Day on March 3. Board meetings are an important way our community stays informed and engaged, and we appreciate the dedication our Board members bring to serving Maple Run.

Last week, Superintendent Bill Kimball attended the AASA National Conference on Education alongside superintendents from Franklin County, across Vermont, and nationwide. The conference focused on preparing every child for success in a fast-changing world. Bill returned with new ideas and best practices to bring innovation, support, and inspiration back to Maple Run.

Our district remains grounded in belonging, collaboration, and care. Together, families, staff, students, and community members continue to make Maple Run a place where learning thrives, relationships matter, and everyone belongs.

Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay supported.

We’re hosting 2 more Coffee & Conversation sessions in this series.

Come out, ask questions, and share your thoughts about the FY27 Maple Run School Budget! These informal gatherings are a great way to connect with your community, learn more, and engage in meaningful dialogue in a relaxed setting.

Upcoming Sessions:

• 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

We look forward to seeing you there!

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.

We are pleased to share that Kindergarten registration is now open for the 2026–2027 school year at Maple Run Unified School District.

Kindergarten Eligibility

Children must be five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2026, to enroll in Kindergarten.

If Your Child Is New to Maple Run (and not currently enrolled in an Act 166 preschool program)

Please complete the full registration process as soon as possible.

Step 1: Complete the School Interest Form

https://www.maplerun.org/page/school-registration

Once your form is reviewed and approved, you will receive an email with instructions to create a Parent Portal account.

Step 2: Complete Kindergarten Enrollment Forms

Log in to the Parent Portal, select your student, and complete all required Kindergarten forms.

Parent Portal: https://maplerun.powerschool.com

• Use your existing username and password

• If needed, select “Forgot Password.”

• If you cannot access your account, please contact registrar@maplerun.org

• If you would like to add your incoming Kindergartener to an existing PowerSchool account, please email registrar@maplerun.org

Please update your child’s information and complete the enrollment forms. If you see annual forms, you may ignore those.

Timing Matters

How you start your morning can set the tone for your entire day. This week, we invite students, staff, and families to try a simple, intentional morning practice to cultivate positivity, focus, and care—before emails, news, or to-do lists take over.

Practical Suggestions to Try This Week:

• Set an intention: Take a quiet moment each morning to decide what kind of day you want to have.

• Journal briefly: Write down one or two thoughts, goals, or things you are grateful for.

• Choose your “yes”: Be mindful of what you say yes to today, focusing on what supports your well-being and values.

Examples in Action:

• Before starting school or work, pause for a deep breath and think: “Today I choose patience, kindness, and focus.”

• Encourage students or colleagues to share one thing they are looking forward to or grateful for each morning.

• Use a mindful moment before checking your phone or emails to ground yourself in intention.

Why It Matters:
Beginning the day on purpose promotes optimism, focus, and emotional balance. These small, intentional practices align with Maple Run’s values of Respect & Community by fostering self-awareness, care for others, and a positive start for everyone in our schools and homes.

A purposeful morning doesn’t need to be long just a few minutes of reflection can make a big difference in how we experience the day.

Conversations Matter

Healthy Tech Tip of the Week

Technology is a part of daily life for many children, and how families talk about it matters. Research suggests that when adults engage children in conversations about technology use, rather than relying only on rules or limits, children benefit from stronger language development, a deeper connection, and a healthier understanding of media.

Studies show that each additional minute of screen time can be linked with fewer back-and-forth conversations between caregivers and young children. Those everyday conversations asking questions, listening, and responding are essential for building communication skills and maintaining strong relationships. When families talk together about technology, they help keep connection at the center.

A simple starting point is curiosity. Ask your child:

• Why are you using this technology right now?

• What are you doing or learning from it?

• How does it make you feel?

These open-ended questions invite reflection and help children think more intentionally about their media use. They also remind children that technology is something we engage with thoughtfully, not just something we consume.

Families approach technology in many different ways, and there is no single “right” approach. What matters most is balance, communication, and compassion. Even brief check-ins or shared moments around technology can support understanding and connection.

Weekly Reminders:

• Conversations strengthen connection and communication.

• Talking with children about technology supports healthy habits.

• Curiosity opens the door to understanding and trust.

• Small moments of connection matter.

• Balance develops over time, not all at once.

At Maple Run Unified School District, we value our partnership with families and recognize that meaningful conversations about technology and beyond play an important role in helping children grow, learn, and thrive.

Tuesday, February 17, is National Random Acts of Kindness Day, a special reminder of the power of small acts to make a big impact. Kindness through compassion, generosity, and care strengthens our community, lifts others up, and reminds us that every action matters.

Across our classrooms, hallways, and schools, we see daily examples of students, staff, and families demonstrating thoughtfulness and empathy. Whether it’s a kind word to a classmate, a helping hand, a welcoming smile, or simply showing up for one another, these intentional acts create spaces where everyone feels valued, safe, and included.

At Maple Run Unified School District, kindness isn’t just something we talk about, it’s part of who we are. It is woven into how we learn together, support each other, and grow as a community. Today and every day, we encourage our students, staff, families, and community members to lead with empathy, respect, and generosity.

Remember: kindness doesn’t have to be big or complicated. It’s about doing what you can, where you are, with what you have. Even the smallest gestures ripple outward, making our schools and community stronger, more connected, and more caring.

Let’s make this Random Acts of Kindness Day and every day a celebration of empathy, thoughtfulness, and connection.

Just 5 more school days until February Vacation!

Maple Run schools will be closed from Monday, February 23rd, through Tuesday, March 3rd, and classes will resume on Wednesday, March 4th.

We hope this break gives you and your family the chance to unplug, relax, and rejuvenate. We are grateful for all that you do each day for your students, for our staff, for each other, and for our community.

Enjoy your February Vacation!

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.