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Francis J. Varieur School was the former East Avenue School housed at 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.
Francis J. Varieur Staff
1 principal
20 full-time teachers
4 part-time itinerants
1 part-time enrichment teachers
1 full-time school nurse
1 full-time social worker
1 part-time psychologist
3 part-time speech therapists
1part-time occupational therapist assistant
1 part-time DPT
6 teacher assistants
1 school secretary
3 school custodians
The faculty and staff of Francis J. Varieur Elementary School are dedicated to improving instruction and learning in literacy. As part of the English-Language Arts program 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 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 highly motivating and encouraging 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. In addition, Varieur has worked with a writing consultant for the past three years. This consultant is available for in-class support to the teachers on an as-needed basis.
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 have been available to support ongoing implementation of the program and training of classroom teachers. Professional development is also available through the school department and Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance. The Varieur school library houses teacher resources to further enhance instruction in problem solving.
Due to the F.J.Varieur faculty’s participation in a Working Wonders Grant sponsored by the Rhode Island Department of Education, we have developed a school-wide math rubric, math portfolios, and standards based, student performance tasks. A general school wide math rubric was developed then revised to meet the children at all grade levels to improve their abilities to reflect and evaluate their own work. Standards based students performance tasks were developed, implemented and revised at every grade level. In addition, spiral tasks were developed for some particular strands of the NCTM standards. Our involvement in this project helped us to create and implement our use of portfolios in order to track and evaluate student progress.
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.
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.
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Faculty List
Principal - Kathleen Suriani
Secretary - Leanne Moreau
Nurse - Kristen Barry
Grade, Teacher (Room):
PK Beth Queenan (18)
PK Christina McCormack (19)
PK Christine Amado (22)
PK Jodie Lemoie (19)
K Tanya Helm (23)
1 Ann Kiley (05)
1 Barbara Roberge (04)
2 Mary Burns (01)
2 Joseph Souza (03)
3 Christina Keiser (08)
3 Amy Thompson (10)
4 Angela Dunn (06)
4 Mary Bergeron (07)
5 Wayne Wiggins (12)
5 Cheryl Grenier (15)
6 Cheryle McBurney (11)
6 Pamela Urciuoli (14)
Spec. Education
Marie Croarkin (27)
Marilyn Robertson (04)
Sheila Hanley (25)
Librarian: Sharyn Farley (39)
Reading: Colleen Nolan (17)
Patricia Beaupre (17)
DPT: Pat Swisher (20)
ESL: Maria Paluch (16)
Art: Dianne McKinnon (21)
Music: Patrick Dow (24)
Phys.Ed: Joseph Braganca (40)
Speech: Bob Clark (13)
Chris Gorman (13)
Sally Kirshenbaum (13)
OT: GiGi Murray (09)
PT: Kathy Allison (09)
Social Worker: Alberto Gomes (20)
Psychologist: Sherry Sikorskyj(13)
Custodians & Teaching Assistants:
Deb LaMountain
Carol Paterson
Richard Zacharie
Linda Resnick
Sue Colacone
Betty McMahon
Pat Kinder
Michelle Rondeau
Joanne Pike
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