Tap Into Maple Run

In this episode, Superintendent Bill Kimball and Assistant Superintendent Megan Grube welcome special guest Christopher Moore, Social Studies teacher at BFA. Together, they explore Maple Run’s Core Value of Rigor & Relevance, discussing how meaningful, challenging learning experiences inspire growth and prepare students for success in learning and life.

Wellness Tip:

Stay energized with balanced snacks! Combine protein-rich foods like nuts, cheese, or yogurt with fruits or vegetables to stay focused and fueled throughout the day. Small, nutritious breaks can make a big difference.

Celebrate:

This week, we’re celebrating creative, hands-on learning happening across Maple Run, along with the excitement of fall sports, arts, and community events that connect students and families.

Community Shout-out:

Hear from our mailbag as we highlight voices recognizing innovative teaching and strong classroom connections.

Music:

This episode features music by Gabrielle Dubie, senior at BFA.

Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to send your questions or shout-outs to [email protected]

— your voice may be featured in an upcoming episode!

In this episode, Superintendent Bill Kimball and Assistant Superintendent Megan Grube welcome special guest Rachel Trackim, Restorative Practices and Social Emotional Learning Instructional Coach at Maple Run. Together, they explore the Core Value of Collaboration & Relationships, highlighting how strong connections help our schools and community thrive.

Wellness Tip: Strengthen connections by practicing gratitude. Share one thank-you with a colleague, friend, or family member this week. Small acts of appreciation go a long way.

Celebrate: Early successes of the school year, family involvement, and the power of recent community partnerships.

Community Shout-out: Hear from our mailbag.

Music for this episode is provided by our talented BFA senior, Grant Sheehan-Myers.

Stay tuned to the end as Bill and Megan give a sneak peek at Episode 4: Rigor & Relevance with guest Christopher Moore, Social Studies teacher at BFA.

Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to send your questions or shout-outs to [email protected] Your voice may be featured in an upcoming episode!

Tap Into Maple Run – Season 2, Episode 2: Joy in Learning

In this episode, Superintendent Bill Kimball and Assistant Superintendent Megan Grube sit down with BFA Assistant Athletic Director Jordan O’Grady and senior student-athlete Jonas Wagner. Together, they explore how Maple Run’s Core Value of Joy & Curiosity comes alive through athletics, academics, and student experiences.

Wellness Tip: Take your learning outside! Fresh air and sunlight can give your focus, energy, and mood a much-needed boost.

Celebrate: Fall athletics are underway, and students are diving into their first projects of the year.

Community Shout-out: Hear a special thank-you from our mailbag and learn how you can share your own message with the podcast team.

Stay tuned to the end as Bill and Megan tease Episode 3 — a conversation focused on Collaboration & Relationships.

Music: This episode features Modern Changes by our very talented BFA student, Nate Blouin.

Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to send your questions or shout-outs to [email protected]

— your voice may be featured in an upcoming episode!

Tap Into Maple Run podcast is back for the 2025–2026 school year!

In this first episode of Season 2, Superintendent Bill Kimball sits down with our new Assistant Superintendent, Megan Grube. Listeners will get to know Megan through our signature guest questions, along with her vision and goals for Maple Run.

This year, Tap Into Maple Run shifts to a biweekly schedule, with Bill and Megan co-hosting, bringing you stories, district news, wellness tips, and celebrations from across our schools.

✨ Wellness Tip: Ease into routines by setting a consistent bedtime and wake-up time. Sleep is the foundation of learning and well-being.

🎉 Celebrate: The excitement of settling into routines and the energy that comes with the true beginning of the school year.

Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Have suggestions, comments, or guest ideas? Reach out anytime at [email protected]

pisode 32 – Growing Together: Pre-K and 8th Grade Voices from Saint Albans City School

In this heartwarming episode of Tap Into Maple Run, Assistant Superintendent John Muldoon and Superintendent Bill Kimball continue their end-of-year journey—this time stopping at Saint Albans City School.

With another school year coming to a close, John and Bill sit down with some of the youngest and oldest students in the building: Pre-K learners just beginning their Maple Run story, and 8th graders preparing to step into high school. Through authentic, candid conversations, listeners will hear the wisdom, humor, and hope that come from both ends of the educational journey.

Students share reflections on their favorite experiences, the lessons they've learned, and the people who have impacted them the most. Whether it’s wide-eyed wonder from the Pre-Kers or thoughtful insights from the 8th graders, each voice brings something unique—and deeply human—to the story of growing up in the Maple Run community.

Questions included:

What has this year in Pre-K been like for you?

What’s been the best part of your time at Maple Run and why?

If you could change one thing about your school experience, what would it be and why?

Can you tell us about someone in the school system who’s made a big difference for you?

Once again, it’s the students’ voices that shine the brightest.

Stay with us as Tap Into Maple Run continues this special reflection series with upcoming visits to Bellows Free Academy and the Northwest Career & Technical Center.

Episode 31 – Growing Together: Pre-K and 8th Grade Voices from Fairfield Center School

In this thoughtful and uplifting episode of Tap Into Maple Run, John Muldoon, Assistant Superintendent, and Bill Kimball, Superintendent, continue their end-of-year journey—this time at Fairfield Center School.

With the school year winding down, John and Bill sat down with Pre-K students just beginning their Maple Run adventure, and 8th graders preparing for the transition to high school. Through authentic conversations, you’ll hear about joy, growth, and the powerful connections formed along the way.

Students reflect on their favorite moments, what they’ve learned, and the people who have made a difference in their lives. Their responses are honest, heartwarming, and sometimes humorous, as only students can be.

Questions included:

What has this year in Pre-K been like for you?

What’s been the best part of your time at Maple Run and why?

If you could change one thing about your school experience, what would it be and why?

Can you tell us about someone in the school system who’s made a big difference for you?

As always, it’s the voices of the students that shine the brightest.

Stay tuned as the Tap Into Maple Run series wraps up its student reflections with visits to Saint Albans City School, Bellows Free Academy, and the Northwest Career & Technical Center.

Same questions. Different students. All are exploring what it means to grow within the Maple Run community.

Episode 30 – Transitions and Reflections: From Pre-K to 8th Grade at SATEC

In this heartwarming episode of Tap Into Maple Run, John and Bill visit Saint Albans Town Educational Center to talk with some amazing students at very different stages of their educational journeys. With just 12 days left of school, excitement and reflection are in the air!

You’ll hear from four 8th-grade students preparing to take their next big step to BFA, and five pre-kindergarteners eagerly looking ahead to kindergarten. Through smiles, laughter, and thoughtful conversations, the students share what they’ve loved about their time at Maple Run, what they might change, and who’s made a lasting impact on their learning journey.

Questions included:

Looking back on this year in Pre-K, what has it been like for you?

What’s been the best part of your time at Maple Run and why?

If you could change one thing about your school experience, what would it be and why?

Can you tell us about someone in the school system who’s made a big difference for you?

The kindness, insight, and enthusiasm of these students shine through in every moment.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks as John and Bill continue these powerful student conversations at Saint Albans City School, Fairfield Center School, Bellows Free Academy, and the Northwest Career & Technical Center.

Same questions. Different students. All reflecting on what it means to grow, learn, and transition within Maple Run.

Taking Flight – Abby Demar’s Journey Through Independent Learning

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with BFA senior Abby Demar, who recently earned her private pilot’s license after dedicating a year and a half to flight training - all while still in high school. Abby shares how she turned a dream into reality through BFA's Flexible Pathways and Independent Learning, carving out a school day schedule that allowed her to pursue flight lessons, apply for scholarships, and master aviation theory.

From a simple idea at the end of her sophomore year to being accepted into 13 out of 14 colleges, Abby’s story shows how self-direction, time management, and taking initiative can unlock life-changing opportunities. She also talks about her aviation roots, including family connections to commercial and military flight, and her recent feature on the FAA’s Air Up There podcast.

💡 Wellness Tip of the Week: Take The Controls

Wellness grows from confidence and independence. When you step outside your comfort zone and take initiative, just like Abby, you’re not only chasing your goals, you’re also building purpose, resilience, and well-being.

🎙️ Whether you’re a student with a big idea, a parent, or an educator, this episode is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when schools support real-world learning.

Celebrating Community, Compassion, and the 10th Annual Autism Walk with Danielle Roberts and Shawna Shappy

In this episode of Tap Into Maple Run, we are joined by Danielle Roberts, Director of Community Relations at Northwestern Counseling & Support Services (NCSS), and Shawna Shappy, Team Leader of NCSS’s School-Based Adaptive Program.

Danielle, who joined NCSS in June 2024, shares her journey from studying accounting and management to finding her passion for community work right here in Franklin County—where her entire family lives within a one-block radius! With a love for travel, animals, kids, and exploring new cultures, Danielle brings energy, compassion, and a deep connection to the NCSS mission of supporting the physical and emotional well-being of our community.

Shawna, a BFA Saint Albans graduate from Georgia, Vermont, left briefly to earn her bachelor's degree from UMass Amherst before returning to her roots. She tells us about the incredible growth of NCSS’s school-based programs—from just five people in 2008 to 55 team members today—highlighting how these partnerships strengthen families and schools. Shawna’s vibrant personality (and her 40+ pairs of fun, funky glasses!) make her a beloved part of the NCSS family.

Together, Danielle and Shawna talk about the 10th Annual Autism Awareness Walk, happening May 18th at Collins Perley—the only walk of its kind in Vermont! This full day of family fun will feature community partners, free neurodiversity resources, and lots of opportunities to celebrate small wins that are truly big victories. It’s a day to come together, create a team, and make joyful memories.

Special thanks to all the sponsors, donors, and families who make this event so special. Come join us - show up and be part of something meaningful!

Wellness Tip of the Week:

Celebrate Small Wins! Whether it's showing up for a community event, making a new connection, or simply taking time to enjoy the moment, small victories build a stronger, happier you.

Tune in and get inspired!

Tap Into Maple Run - Episode 25

In this episode, we welcome Beth Hayford, Maple Run’s Wellness Coordinator, and Tim Viens, Director of Collins Perley Sports & Fitness Center. Beth has dedicated 11 years to promoting wellness at Collins Perley and in our schools, and Tim has been an integral part of Collins Perley for three decades, starting as Assistant Director before stepping into his current leadership role.

Beth shares her journey into fitness, revealing how movement has helped her manage depression and how she sees herself in her work every day. She knows our community needs to move more to combat anxiety, depression, and obesity in both kids and adults. What you might not know—Beth is also a poet! Maybe one day, she’ll even publish her work.

Tim reflects on his 30 years at Collins Perley, calling it the "Diamond of Franklin County" and a true hub for the community. From field maintenance to budget planning, no two days are the same, and he loves every aspect of his job. His passion for the center shines through, knowing it provides something for everyone—kids, adults, and families alike.

Special thanks to the talented BFA student Grant Sheehan-Myers for our intro and outro music!

Wellness Tip of the Week: Spring Into Action!

With warmer weather here, get outside with family and friends! Whether it’s walking, hiking, or simply enjoying the fresh air, movement boosts mental health and strengthens connections. Let’s embrace the beauty of Vermont and make wellness a group effort!

Tune in and get inspired!