Stephany Ripley, former preschool SLP with Maple Run, is the District's new Early Childhood Director.
Stephanie grew up in the Northeast Kingdom, where most of her family still lives, and graduated from North Country Union High School. Her brother is NCUHS's soccer coach, but she has no problem cheering against him since that will irritate him, and she sees that as her role as a sister!
Stephanie went to UVM for both undergraduate and graduate school, and graduated in 2004 with her master's in speech pathology. Her first internship as a graduate student was at the Baird School in Burlington, and she loved it so much she stayed until her husband was transferred to a year-long position in Lyndonville with the Army Guard.
She began working in Maple Run in 2010, and has been in preschool ever since!
On a personal note, she lives in Fairfield with her family, three cats, a dog, and woodland animals who don't know she has adopted and named them.
As many of you who know her will attest, she is passionate about early childhood and collaboration, so she is very excited to get to work with everyone.
Great news! The Summer Feeding Program has been extended through this year so long as the allocated funds don't run out. This means that all children under age 18 in our district can receive free meals. We do still need families to complete the Free & Reduced Lunch Applications as we do not know exactly when the free meals will stop if the Fed's run out of money before Dec 31st. Watch your school's Daily Announcements and other communications to see how pick-ups will work.
Martin Kattam has been hired as Maple Run's new Technology & Innovation Director. This is a District-wide position which will oversee the district's technology needs.
Martin was born in Volgograd Russia to a Russian mother and Kenyan father. In his teens, his family moved to the USA. Martin’s passion and work have led him to the bridging of technology and education, locally and internationally. He has worked in Kazakhstan, Morocco, Venezuela, and the US in schools most sought by American expatriates. For the last 10 years, he has taught all ages, kindergarten to adults. He has been an elementary technology teacher, a secondary school technology teacher, a technology integrationist, educational technology director, and technology director. He has had the opportunity to triple technology class offerings, debut AP and other computer science classes, hackerspaces, and maker spaces, win robotics competitions, and make major systemic changes that improve student's and teacher's lives, and has had the privilege to work in an IB system. Martin is thrilled to be back in Vermont, with his wife and two boys - 5 and 8 years old. When off the technology, he loves to birdwatch - 200+ species logged; fish, play chess, badminton, and tennis.
From Seven Days VT: Tensions are running high as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage across the country and Vermont students prepare to head back to school. A group of students called the BFA Speak Choir have been performing the keynote at the Maple Run Unified School District convocation for the past two years. This summer, instead of preparing a live performance, the group of 22 students from grades 6-12 decided to make a film. Their movie addresses issues that are important to young people today, such as the Black Lives Matter protests, climate change and, of course, COVID-19. They filmed while maintaining physical distance and wearing masks. This multidisciplinary piece includes original music and dance — and many teachers participated, as well.
https://youtu.be/aMfNc9cVUPs
We are all in this together! Supporting ourselves and our children
through uncertain times.
Dr. Joelle van Lent will join us to discuss how we can support ourselves
and our children as we navigate the challenges of restarting school.
Joelle will share key concepts that can guide our efforts and provide
meaningful supports during this uncertain time.
Here is the link to the document with more information and a link to register. https://5il.co/k073
Here is a video link produced by SACS and shows students dealing with the changes at school. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RYkcuHvvxAQaDYzs9w5AFC10HSIlRq6G/view?usp=sharing
Here is our latest video update from the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Health Coordinator and Principals. They answer some of the questions we are being asked. https://youtu.be/-6X_NgqPdfU
Below are links to a letter from Superintendent Dirth with answers to some of the most recent questions we've been asked.
Letter English https://5il.co/jh61
Letter Spanish https://5il.co/jh62
Maple Run Unified School District has openings for Custodians, Support Staff, Paraeducators, Bus Monitors and Substitutes.
Here is the link to more details: https://www.maplerun.org/o/mrusd/page/careers--82
Contact Aron Smith asmith@maplerun.org with specific questions.
Here is the newest video update from Dr. Dirth:
https://youtu.be/OmaQhso1eMk
The detailed Reopening Guide and the Enrollment Forms for Maple Run are now available. Here are the links to the Guide: English:https://5il.co/iy7k and Spanish: https://5il.co/j0eu.
The Enrollment Form can be found at https://maplerun.org and click on Covid19 Resources.
PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for Enrollment Forms is August 11, 2020.
Below are links to a letter from Dr. Dirth with some updated information.
English Letter: https://5il.co/ism0
Spanish Letter: https://5il.co/isn9
We appreciate your patience and will continue to keep you updated as we all prepare for the start of school.
You can check often at https://www.maplerun.org/ when you click on COVID-19 Resources for answers as we update it when we get answers. If your question isn't answered there you can email covid19@maplerun.org or leave a message at (802)370-3966 with school re-opening questions or concerns.
I have posted a Spanish version of the letter to Families here: https://5il.co/il5m
At 5:00pm tonight a video update from our superintendent regarding COVID-19 and the reopening of MRUSD schools was posted.
Import information for students and families will be outlined in this video (including the most effective way to ask us any questions you might have).
https://youtu.be/IlEYQhTWdVk
Maple Run Families:
We have important information to share with you about re-opening the schools this fall. A letter from Superintendent Dirth can be viewed here: https://5il.co/ij8d
We appreciate your patience and will continue to keep you updated as we all prepare for the start of school.
Tune in at 5:00pm tonight for an update from our superintendent regarding COVID-19 and the reopening of MRUSD schools!
Import information for students and families will be outlined in this video (including the most effective way to ask us any questions you might have).
https://youtu.be/8EdYt8oPGPU
Parents of Maple Run Students:
Below are links to a letter to parents, which includes a survey to get information from parents that we can use to design school re-opening. It's short and very important that you provide your input!
English: https://5il.co/ick9
Spanish: https://5il.co/icka
This year’s last day of school for Maple Run Unified School District for students will be June 15.
The last day for teachers will be June 18.
The FY21 Joint School Calendar has been approved. Find it here: https://5il.co/fpsk
Here is a link to a letter from Dr. Dirth with information about some of our plans for remote learning: https://5il.co/eqa1