Welcome image

Welcome Letter

Theresa Callan

August 10, 2026

August 6, 2026

Dear BFA Students and Families,

Welcome to BFA! I hope you had a restful and fun summer and are ready to embark on the new school year.    A new school year brings about so many emotions, some being excitement and nervousness.  I am extremely excited for you all to be back to school since BFA is just a building without you in it.  Over the last few years, we have worked hard to improve our sense of community, and we all have our part to play in it. That is why we put communication, showing up, and strong academics as a priority. 

Here at BFA, we are committed to providing an education that equips students with skills needed in a rapidly changing world.  A well-rounded education is more than handing in assignments and taking quizzes.  It is about communicating and engaging with others while problem solving and learning.  It is this commitment that led us to the decision to remove cell phones last year.   The State of Vermont has passed legislation that prohibits the use of cell phones and personal electronic devices at school from arrival to dismissal starting this year.   With the removal of these devices from the learning environment, we saw increases in our attendance and proficiency scores and decreases in our behavioral referrals.   I know you all have many questions, so please take time to read through the BFA Phone Procedures and Frequently Asked Questions.  If your questions have not been answered, please reach out so we can clarify. 

As I stated, we value community as well as communication, showing up, and strong academics.  This has led us to focus on class and school attendance this year.  Our community isn’t nearly as strong without you here.  Being present allows you to develop the necessary skills for the future, such as working with others, how to handle conflict, as well as the necessity of showing up to work consistently. If there are barriers to demonstrating consistent attendance, we have many supports that can help you achieve this expectation.  

  As principal, I believe in high expectations with support in place so that we can all meet the expectations before us.  It is our goal to make sure those expectations are clearly communicated.  Some expectations, among others, that I plan to discuss during the first few days of school are:  Phone Procedures, which I just outlined, and Students are not to use, or be in possession of, Tobacco, Alcohol, or Drugs on school grounds  At BFA, we utilize Vape Detectors in our bathrooms, so please read the section on search and seizure as well as consequences for use and possession in our MRUSD/BFA handbook which will be posted on our website   

I would also like to highlight our Harassment, Hazing & Bullying policy.  At BFA, we believe in, and take seriously, treating people with respect, regardless of background. Please familiarize yourself with our policy. 

 Again, I believe high expectations should include high support, so if anyone is in need of support, please reach out to us. 

 BFA communicates information in a multitude of ways, such as the BFA Webpage, www.maplerun.org/o/bfa, where you can find Daily Announcements, Student/Parent Handbook, Events, News, Administrative Newsletter/Blog, as well as a link to our BFA Facebook page. 

You will be receiving an email from the BFA Information Technology Department with your Powerschool Login information. Once you have received this Login information, you can access all the necessary forms needed for the start of the year. There are directions on how to access it on our webpage titled Start of Year Info & Forms. Please fill out the following forms to ensure we have up to date information.  

  • Demographics & Contact Information 

  • Household Income Form

  • Health Office Form

 While the school year is fast approaching, there is some essential information relevant to the beginning of school. Please take the time to read through this letter as it contains many details.

9th Grade Orientation is on Monday, August 24, 2026, 5:00-7:30 pm

  • Orientation is designed to have students and families:

    • Meet with Advisors, staff, and teachers and tour the building.

    • Understand BFA expectations and the supports available to reach them. 

The first day of school for 9th grade is August 26th.

  • 9th Grade students will be the only students in the building on this day. (See attached schedule.)

All BFA students attend on August 27th.

  • Here is the schedule for the first week of school. 

First Days Schedule

Bus Schedules(Click on link to see detailed schedule)

BFA Schedule

The school day is from 8:10am- 2:50pm except on Wednesday, which is 9:00am- 2:50pm. On Wednesdays, the bus schedule does not change.  If students enter the building before the start of school, they have to wait in the cafeteria to eat breakfast or the library to work quietly.  Students are to enter through the Connector and may exit at the end of the day through the Connector, Main Office exit, and Principal’s Office exit. 

Bell Schedule

Lunch

The State of Vermont has enabled schools to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students.  For Cafeteria information, click the link.  Students are expected to follow the cafeteria rules outlined in the MRUSD/BFA Handbook. 

Lockers

Lockers will not be assigned but may be requested on an individual basis.  Students or families may contact Peg Goldsbury in the main office. 

Guidance Office

If you need any forms or need to schedule an appointment, please visit BFA’s Guidance Department page on the website. Counselor assignments are based alphabetically by last name.

Guidance Office Contact: 

All schools in the Maple Run Unified School District use the same School Year Calendar.  Click the link to see the calendar or visit the BFA Website. 

Important Contacts 

Main Office

802-527-6555

Principal’s Office

802-527-6400

Guidance Office

802-527-6571

We are so excited to start this new school year. Please contact us if you have any questions.  We look forward to seeing you all in the next few weeks.  

Sincerely, Principal Rico