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Francis J. Varieur School was the former East Avenue School housed at Pawtucket West High School ( currently Shea High School). In 1972 a new open space; one-story building was constructed at 486 Pleasant Street. The school is located in the Oakhill section of Pawtucket along the Blackstone River. In 1988 the open centers were portioned into individual classrooms
Varieur serves 355 students in grades Pre-K-6. The composition of classes from year to year continues to change. The population of the school represents a broad spectrum of students from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds: 48% White, 28% Hispanic, 20% Black, 3% Asian, and less than 1% American Indian. Sixty (60) percent of the students receive free or reduced price lunch. Six (6) percent of the students receive ESL services, and sixteen (16) percent receive Special Education services. The parents, faculty, and staff are dedicated to the ongoing inclusion of students with varying degrees of special needs as well as limited English users into the regular education setting.
Francis J. Varieur staff consists of one administrator, twenty full-time teachers, four part-time itinerants, one part-time enrichment teacher, one full-time school nurse, one part-time social worker, one part-time psychologist, three part-time speech therapists, one part-time occupational therapist, and one part-time physical therapist, one part-time DPT, six teacher assistants, one school secretary, and three school custodians.
The faculty and staff of Francis J. Varieur Elementary School are dedicated to improving instruction and learning in literacy. The Grade Level Expectations are implemented in both math and English-Language Arts. In English-Language Arts, Varieur follows the Readers-Writers Workshop in grades K-2 and the Balanced Literacy model in grades three through six. Write Traits is currently being incorporated into the English Language Arts Program. The district developed three tier reading model is used to provide extra support to students who have difficulty in mastering the standards at proficient and advanced levels. The Varieur Community is united in our efforts and commitment to foster a love of reading through the Accelerated Reader Program. This program is responsible for motivating our students to read independently. Students demonstrate an excitement for reading and continually challenge themselves as reflected by the student responses in the SALT survey. On-going professional development is provided by the district for the ELA programs.
The Varieur School is currently using the Growing with Mathematics program in grades one through five and the Connected Math Program in grade five and six; both of which are standards-based, problem solving mathematics. At the time of the adoption, classroom teachers were trained, given curriculum materials and manipulatives. In addition, math coaches and EMT’s (Energizing Mathematics Teachers) have been available to support ongoing implementation of the program and training of classroom teachers. Professional development is also available through the Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance. The Varieur School Library houses teacher resources to further enhance instruction.
In order to address and enrich the academic needs and special talents of our student population, several clubs and programs have been offered after school. A literacy and numeracy ramp-up program are available to those students who need extra support. This program is available after school as well as during the summer months. Clubs such as chorus, drama, art and band are offered to our student population to enhance their social development. These clubs are sponsored by our parent organization the Friends of Varieur.
The Francis J. Varieur School continues to attract highly qualified personnel due to its commitment to encourage professional learning communities dedicated to provide research based effective teaching practices and high quality professional development. In addition, teachers are actively involved in the decision making process by continuously looking at data and student work to inform instruction. Our last SALT Visit Report commended the staff as “supportive, collaborative teachers, who consistently strive to improve.”
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Faculty List
Principal - Kathleen Suriani
Secretary - Leanne Moreau
Nurse - Kristen Barry
Teachers:
PK Beth Queenan
PK Christina McCormack
PK Christine Amado
K Jodie Lemoie
K Tanya Helm
K Jennifer Cooke
1 Ann Kiley
1 Cheryl Grenier
2 Mary Burns
2 Joseph Souza
3 Amy Thompson
3 Angela Dunn
4 Mary Bergeron
4 Leslie Keenaghan
5 Christina Keiser
5 Doreen Shottek
6 Wayne Wiggins
6 Cheryle McBurney
Special Education
Marilyn Robertson
Sheila Hanley
Patricia Swisher
Librarian: Sharyn Farley
Reading: Colleen Nolan
DPT: Linda Field
ESL: Maria Paluch
Art: Alyssa O'Brien
Music: Patrick Dow
Phys.Ed: Joseph Braganca
Speech: Bob Clark
Janet Curley
OT: GiGi Mello
PT: Kathy Allison
Social Worker: Alberto Gomes
Psychologist: Beth Velis
Teaching Assistants:
Linda Resnick
Betty McMahon
Brenda Machado
Joanne Pike
Custodians:
Deb LaMountain
Richard Zacharie
Sue Colacone
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