Tap Into Maple Run

In Episode 14 of Tap Into Maple Run, hosts Superintendent Bill Kimball and Assistant Superintendent John Muldoon sit down with Meg Jarvis and Kaeley Bachand, Home to School Coordinators at Saint Albans City School. Meg and Kaeley discuss their roles in connecting students, families, and the community, sharing insights on the support they provide to ensure everyone feels heard and valued. From offering mental health resources to building trust and empowering families, they are dedicated to making a positive impact within the Maple Run community.

This week’s wellness tip encourages you to "Make One Small Upgrade to Your Day." Whether it’s adding an extra glass of water to your routine, taking a five-minute walk, or replying to that text you’ve been meaning to send, small changes can lead to big improvements over time. Simple steps like these can enhance your physical, mental, or social well-being and set a positive tone for your day and week ahead.

Tune in for an uplifting conversation and a reminder that even small upgrades can make a meaningful difference. The music for the podcast is provided by BFA student Grant Sheehan. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

In Episode 13 of Tap Into Maple Run, Superintendent Bill Kimball and Assistant Superintendent John Muldoon welcome Samantha Gagne, a Math Teacher at Saint Albans Town Educational Center (SATEC) and Maple Run Math Coordinator. Samantha shares insights about the new Illustrative Mathematics

(IM Math) program is implemented in Maple Run schools. This innovative approach emphasizes problem-based exploration and hands-on learning, utilizing new tools to engage students and deepen their understanding of math concepts.

This week’s wellness tip encourages you to Embrace the Chill! Step outside to enjoy some natural sunlight and fresh air—a simple way to boost your mood and overall wellness during the colder months.

Tune in for an engaging discussion about how Maple Run is embracing new educational strategies while keeping wellness at the forefront. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Episode 12: Gratitude and Growth – A Conversation with John Muldoon and Bill Kimball

In this heartwarming episode of Tap Into Maple Run, Assistant Superintendent John Muldoon and Superintendent Bill Kimball come together to reflect on the season and the spirit of thankfulness. Tune in to hear their insights, personal reflections, and what they are most thankful for as they continue to support students, staff, and families in this thriving district.

This week, we’re excited to welcome special guests Andy Crossman and Stephanie Hodgeman. We’ll explore tips and strategies for maintaining personal wellness during the busy holiday season, and of course, we’ll share updates on what Bill and John have been up to lately.

Our conversation with Andy and Stephanie dives into the impactful Tech Discovery Day event held at the Collis Perley Sports & Fitness Center. Designed for 8th graders from all Maple Run schools, this hands-on STEM experience is all about inspiring the next generation of innovators. Andy and Stephanie, who organized the event, will share stories and insights from the day.

Meet our guests: Andy Crossman, a retired Pfizer professional who now resides in St. Albans Bay, serves on the FCIDC Board of Directors and chairs the Workforce Development Committee. He plays a key role as a network integrator, helping to address regional workforce challenges and drive economic progress in Franklin County. Stephanie Hodgeman, a dedicated BFA school counselor for the past decade, also brings years of experience from her time at MVU, making her a cornerstone in student support and development.

Plus, we’re proud to feature music by our very own BFA student, Victor Dunbar, adding a special touch to the episode. Tune in for an episode packed with community impact, educational innovation, and holiday wellness advice!

Episode 10: Our First Student Guests from Fairfield Center School

Join Superintendent Bill Kimball and Assistant Superintendent John Muldoon for an exciting episode of Tap Into Maple Run, featuring our first-ever student guests! Bentlee Consentino and Adam Persons, both 8th-grade students at Fairfield Center School (FCS), are joined by their inspiring teacher, Ms. Keeli Garceau. Ms. Garceau, a 7th & 8th-grade Social Studies and Language Arts teacher, is in her sixth year with Maple Run, having previously taught at Saint Albans City School. She lives in Saint Albans and brings a passion for education to her classroom every day.

Bentlee and Adam share a love for cross-country running and spending time outdoors. Bentlee has a fascination with anything mechanical and motor-related, while Adam enjoys Math and playing basketball. Both students express deep affection for Fairfield Center School, describing it as a school family where everyone knows and supports each other. They highlight the special YO-YO Buddy program, where older students like them are paired with 3rd graders for meaningful and fun activities, such as reading, games, and crafts.

The episode dives into Project Sweet Talk, a unique tradition at FCS that began in 2006, emphasizing the rich maple production heritage of the Fairfield community. Bentlee and Adam explain the importance of this project and share how it connects the school to the broader community. They also talk about the recent Harvest Night at FCS, where students prepared and served chili, cornbread, and apple crisp to guests, including families and community members. The night was full of engaging activities: face painting in the library, crafts in the art room, and student project showcases throughout the school. Adam even captured the excitement by creating a recap video for Fairfield Media’s YouTube channel, What’s Up Fairfield, featuring interviews, highlights from both events, and original intro music by BFA student Nate Blouin..

Tune in to hear about these students’ impressive projects, their love for FCS, and what brings them joy. Bill and John also discuss wellness by grounding yourself in your WHY the importance of reconnecting to your purpose and passion in both education and life.

Don’t miss this inspiring episode filled with stories of student creativity, community connection, and the heart of Fairfield Center School! Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Episode 9: Embracing AI in Education

In this week’s episode of Tap Into Maple Run, join Superintendent Bill Kimball and Assistant Superintendent John Muldoon as they sit down with BFA Social Studies teachers Justin Bedell and Caitlin Madeiros. Justin and Caitlin discuss how they’re incorporating AI into their classrooms to enhance student learning, sharing insights on both the benefits and challenges. Hear how AI is transforming student research, making complex topics more accessible, and why ethical use and curiosity are key to navigating new tech in education. Special thanks to BFA student Nate Blouin for the intro music, Podcast Intro1!

Tune in on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

In Episode 8 of Tap Into Maple Run, we welcome Nakuma Palczewski, a dedicated Maple Run Unified School District Board of Directors member, who shares her inspiring journey. Nakuma reflects on balancing life as a working mom homeschooling her two young boys, while managing her full-time career. From her upbringing in Texas, where she was raised by a single mother, to her time in rural Maine, Nakuma’s experiences bring unique perspectives to our Maple Run community.

This week’s wellness tip encourages a Technology Detox, highlighting the benefits of unplugging. In the Mail Bag, Bill answers four questions from the Maple Run Early Childhood Program (ECP) team.

A special thanks to BFA student Victor Dunbar for the music featured in this episode, Synth Intro!

In Episode 7 of Tap Into Maple Run, we are joined by Ross Levoie, Building Trades teacher at Northwest Career & Technical Center and alumnus of both NCTC and Vermont Technical College. Ross shares how he and his students recently gave back to the community by renovating Martha’s Community Kitchen, while also discussing his dedication to hands-on learning and balancing family life.

This week’s wellness tip focuses on the power of gratitude. John and Bill also address Caroline Fitzgerald’s Mail Bag question about first-time voters, explaining how civics is taught across all Maple Run schools to prepare students for voting.

A special thanks to Gabrielle “Gabby” Dubie, a junior at BFA, for the amazing music featured in this week’s episode!

Episode 6: Celebrating Judy Magnan – The Heart of Fairfield Center School

This week on Tap Into Maple Run, we celebrate Judy Magnan, the dedicated Administrative Assistant at Fairfield Center School. Judy’s kindness, support, and ability to keep things running smoothly have made her an invaluable part of the school. Known for her generosity, she’s always ready to offer help to students and staff—or even a sweet treat!

Judy has been recognized for her service with the 2022 Maple Run Superintendent Award and named one of WOKO’s 20 Outstanding Women. Outside of school, she’s a dedicated volunteer, crafting blankets, sewing masks, and giving her time to local nonprofits and her son’s hockey games.

In this episode, we also share this week’s wellness tip on the benefits of volunteering. Giving back to others is not only rewarding but can also reduce stress and boost happiness. Plus, don’t miss our Mail Bag segment featuring listener questions, and thanks to Grant Sheehan-Myers, a talented freshman at BFA, for providing our intro and outro music!

Got questions or comments? Reach out at [email protected].

Episode 5: A Literary Journey with Desiree Stevens

In this week’s episode of Tap Into Maple Run, we spotlight Desiree Stevens, a key figure in our Maple Run community and the founder of the new Maple Run Readers book club. Since joining us in 2007, Desiree has dedicated herself to fostering a love of reading among our staff and community, making literature accessible and enjoyable for all. You might also catch a glimpse of her adorable French Bulldog, Vito, who adds a touch of joy to her life!

We’ll also share this week’s wellness tip: the benefits of mindful reading. Taking time to immerse yourself in a book can reduce stress, improve focus, and boost overall mental well-being. It’s a simple yet powerful way to prioritize self-care!

Plus, don’t miss our Mail Bag segment, featuring thoughtful questions from Desiree and other community members. And a big thank you to Grant Sheehan-Myers, a talented freshman at BFA, for providing our intro and outro music!

Got questions or comments? We’d love to hear from you at [email protected]. Tune in to discover how Desiree is making a difference and find inspiration for your own reading journey!