It is the sweetest time of year at Moharimet School, where students, staff, and the school community come together to celebrate maple sugaring at the school’s sugar house.
Each year, Moharimet students tap maple trees, collect sap, and transform it into maple syrup. For more than 30 years, maple sugaring has been a cherished school tradition, with students tapping trees and producing syrup each year. In addition to this tradition, the school selects an annual “Year of” theme to provide enrichment opportunities across grade levels. This year marked the first time maple sugaring was chosen as the theme, providing staff with an opportunity to develop and implement a cohesive K–4 curriculum built around the program.
With this focus, staff spent the year developing and implementing a comprehensive K–4 maple sugaring curriculum. The program provides students with hands-on, place-based learning experiences rooted in science, environmental stewardship, and community tradition. The initiative is led by Physical Education Teacher Jessica Whalen and Digital Learning Specialist Sarah Curtin, who support sugaring activities at Moharimet and work more broadly across New Hampshire to promote maple education.
Jessica Whalen was also recently recognized as the 2026 New Hampshire Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year, highlighting her leadership in integrating agricultural education into student learning experiences.
Building on this work, members of the Moharimet team recently shared their approach beyond the school community. Jessica Whalen, Sarah Curtin, and Principal David Goldsmith presented at the New Hampshire Maple Sugaring Symposium, where they highlighted the development of Moharimet’s K–4 maple sugaring curriculum and shared their work with educators from across the state.
In partnership with long-time volunteer Jim Davis and a dedicated group of community members, the school has also hosted training sessions for volunteers interested in learning about the maple sugaring process, including how to boil sap using an evaporator. These outreach efforts have helped expand Moharimet’s volunteer network while building shared knowledge that will support future sugaring seasons.
One of the most exciting developments this year has been Moharimet’s collaboration with Mast Way School. During recent visits, Moharimet third grade students welcomed Mast Way third graders and staff to the sugar shack, stepping into the role of teachers. Moharimet students became “experts” in different aspects of the sugaring process, including how to tap a tree, how sap is turned into syrup, how weather impacts sugaring, and how to identify maple trees. Working alongside staff, students researched, wrote, and prepared lessons to teach their peers, creating an authentic and meaningful learning experience for both schools.
Third grade Moharimet student Luke reflected on the experience, sharing, “I was really nervous the first time I had to speak, but by the last time, I felt really confident.”
This interdisciplinary project was made possible with the collaboration of Chris Hall (librarian), Liz Birnam (literacy specialist), Carina Dolcino (school counselor), classroom teachers Liz Schmitt, Renee Torr, and Michelle Fitzhenry, and volunteers Jim Davis, Lizzie Higginson, and Lulu Higginson.
"Seeing our students take on the role of teacher sparked so much joy. It really highlighted the depth of their understanding and how much they’ve grown through their experiences with maple sugaring over the years," said Jessica Whalen.
Moharimet’s “Year of Maple Sugaring” officially began in September with a visit from Don Quigley, Professor Emeritus of Forestry at the University of New Hampshire. He worked with students to identify maple trees by examining leaves and bark, before heading outdoors to apply their learning in the school’s wooded areas.
During a schoolwide assembly, students were introduced to the specific trees they would tap during the winter and then ventured out to Moharimet’s sugar bush to nature journal at their trees.
The maple sugaring season will culminate with Moharimet’s annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 28th. This beloved community event celebrates months of learning and collaboration, bringing together students, families, staff, and community members to enjoy the sweet results of their collective efforts.
Students learn to tap maple trees and collect the precious sap.
Mrs. Whalen instructed students during hands-on activities on Moharimet school property.
Students learn how to collect sap and boil it to make maple syrup.
For the first time this year, Moharimet students welcomed their peers from Mast Way School, who also received an opportunity to tap trees and visit the sugar house.
Jim Davis and a dedicated group of volunteers ensures the smooth operation of the sugar house.