Greystone- Grades/Classes

2021-2022 PreSchool Orientation

Pre-school at Greystone is where the journey of lifelong learning officially begins – with excitement, energy, and enthusiasm. Our youngest learners are welcomed into a caring, safe, and nurturing environment that encourages exploration and educates the whole child. Teachers guide children through their development of new skills, including critical thinking and problem-solving through academic, social, and emotional growth. Greystone educators understand the importance of hands-on learning through play, which yields rapid growth in children.
Pre-K Teachers
Mrs. McMahon
sharon.mcmahon@npsd.k12.ri.us
Miss Petrocelli
arianna.petrocelli@npsd.k12.ri.us
Miss Carrier
jennifer.carrier@npsd.k12.ri.us
Miss Sloan
courtney.sloan@npsd.k12.ri.us

For enrollment information please call 401-349-4732, email preschool@npsd.k12.ri.us or visit the Preschool Program web page.
To request Child Outreach Screening forms, please complete this Google Form. 

TThe goal of Greystone’s kindergarten program is to foster children’s cognitive and neurological development as well as social and emotional growth. Daily interactive activities in the kindergarten classroom increase children’s independence, collaboration abilities, self-regulation, and self-motivation. Kindergarten students are exposed to a plethora of new experiences, where they learn independently, with groups and their peers, with their teacher in one-on-one instruction, and the class as a whole during lessons.
Kindergarten Teachers
Mrs. Waterman
shayna.waterman@npsd.k12.ri.us
Mrs. Graziano
amanda.graziano@npsd.k12.ri.us

 
Curriculum
Kindergarten Mathematics
Any way you add it up, math at Greystone for kindergarten students is a thrilling and engrossing experience where we start to teach foundational skills that yield high achievement in school across disciplines and an understanding of arithmetic concepts. The youngest mathematicians at our school use math throughout the day, counting, measuring, and talking about quantity and numbers. The basics of mathematical language are built in kindergarten.
Even during free play, it may appear that students are merely discussing toys, but if you listen more intently, you’ll hear them talking about size, shape, abundance, and patterns. We incorporate learning about number sequences into everyday activities, and make these numbers become “real” for our students.

Kindergarten English Language Arts
We make sure Greystone Elementary kindergarten students get hooked on phonics. We make the introduction into reading and writing fun for students through a rich supply of text, and show our students that stories are everywhere – during free play time, while communicating with peers about daily life, and in their own imaginations.

Our educators use active instruction, modeling and demonstrating literacy skills as they lead by example. We know that students learn by doing, so we encourage them to practice writing, boost their fine motor control, and help heighten their appreciation for language.

Kindergarten Science
“Watch me!” That’s something you’ll hear kindergarten students at Greystone say quite often, as they share their talents they’ve discovered, and new findings they’ve uncovered. Particularly in kindergarten, curiosity peaks, and our educators lock into that to show students how much wonder there is in the scientific world.
Indoor and outdoor learning happens in kindergarten, and yes – sometimes, students will make a mess when conducting their own experiments. That mess students make is all part of the lesson. We learn about principles like light and color, about nature, and the basics of how things work.

Kindergarten Social Studies
Kindergarten students in particular will continue asking, “Why?” That’s just what we at Greystone want to hear. Our youngest learners are particularly intrigued by their surroundings, and we hone in on that to teach them about community and what it means to be a part of a collective.
It takes a village to raise a child, and we start to teach children about the components that make up a village: Different generations, a mixture of cultures blending together, customs, traditions, and a variety of perspectives. For many of our students, kindergarten is the first time they learn to play and interact with a large group of other children, and learn the essence of teamwork, respect, and listening.

First grade at Greystone Elementary is a time where students are empowered to take charge of their own learning, and begin to see the real-world purpose for their work in school. Students start to understand the importance of education and the school community as a whole, and begin to understand that learning happens all day, every day. The growth of our first grade students is evident in their confidence, critical thinking skills, and their excitement to contribute to the Greystone Elementary community.
Grade 1 Teachers
Mrs. Lucca
danielle.lucca@npsd.k12.ri.us
Mrs. Moura
kerri.moura@npsd.k12.ri.us


Curriculum
Grade 1 Mathematics
First-grade students at Greystone start to see that math makes everything come alive. In 1st-grade, students grow rapidly in their ability to identify math concepts, use problem-solving approaches, and interpret data mathematically. With arithmetic, we know that process is everything, and teach our students the significance of clean copy, double-checking answers, and following steps to determine the correct solutions.
Student confidence is important to us at Greystone, and we instill self-assurance into our children’s everyday routines in school. That translates directly into subject areas including math, where confidence paired with accuracy is key.

Grade 1 English Language Arts
To help our 1st-grade students at Greystone become proficient and independent readers, we make sure they have a wealth of literature within reach. The youngest students at Whelan learn the value of letters, words, and whole thoughts through attentive discussions and learning about the “power of the pen” – or pencil. We all need an eraser sometimes.
Students in 1st-grade make the discovery that when reading, they can be “transported” anywhere in the world – stories allow readers to do that. Reading also introduces them to new people – characters – with their own stories to tell. Students start to notice that text and literature is surrounding them everywhere, and will be the first to tell (or ask you) about the words, directions, and phrases they see.


Grade 1 Science
Walk into a 1st-grade classroom at Greystone, and walk into a “work” zone, where students are building, deconstructing and testing. You can feel the excitement in the room when students share their findings, and can hear the follow-up questions students have for one another when discussing what they’ve created or discovered.
We offer plenty of hands-on activities and allow students to dig deeper, ask more questions, and truly act as engineers and scientists. Our educators know when to guide students through their scientific explorations, and when to move out of their way. Teachers at Greystone encourage students to share their ideas and theories and promote open dialogue with their fellow student scientists. At Greystone, our students aren’t just at the table when it comes to their education – in many ways, they’re learning how to lead the table.

Grade 1 Social Studies
Evolve. What exactly does that mean? To 1st-grade students at Greystone, it means a number of things: Students are adapting to their surroundings more and more at school, they’re learning to open their minds when learning about new content areas, and they are taught about ways society has progressed when learning about world events of the past and how those timestamps are important to present day.
Students start to see that history is more than a date in time – they see how people can and do make an impact on their communities, and start to realize they can do the same even at their young age. Diversity and historical figures become more than just key words in a textbook.

New academic challenges await second grade students in a stimulating environment, where these young learners start to dive into a more diverse academic undertaking. Second grade students begin to take on responsibility for their lessons, observe more critically, and become passionate researchers and active thinkers. Rapid growth occurs in 2nd-grade classrooms, where students are immersed in a rich curriculum of literacy across all subject areas, learning life skills and the importance of experimentation.
Grade 2 Teachers
Mrs. Creamer
christine.creamer@npsd.k12.ri.us
Mrs. Roberts
diane.roberts@npsd.k12.ri.us

Curriculum
Grade 2 Mathematics
At Greystone, we make numbers make sense. Our 2nd-grade students learn a variety of more advanced concepts, including telling time, the value of money, measurement systems, and addition and subtraction. We use clever phrasing within the math problems we present to students to pull them into math lessons.
Before a student can solve a problem, they must understand the concept of the problem. Our educators help students take a few steps back to look at all variables of a problem, but also show them why those elements matter. This helps students lock in a deeper understanding of math, and strengthens their practice and study habits.

Grade 2 English and Language Arts
What’s in a name? In 2nd-grade at Greystone, with the help of our educators, students start to take apart pieces to puzzles of literacy to better understand this. Of course, English Language Arts is taught throughout the day across subjects students are learning, whether it be science, math, or visual arts.
Students become authors, book critiquers, and honorary “book club” members in 2nd-grade, as they interpret text, share their written works, and strengthen their reading comprehension. Our students work on individual journaling and literacy workshops, read books they’ve chosen, find their favorite types of stories, and make real-world connections with what they take away from reading.

Grade 2 Science
Second-grade students at Greystone don’t need to board the “Magic School Bus” to go on a scientific adventure. During this academic year, students further sharpen their engineering skills – testing materials, analyzing data, creating their own experiments in pairs, groups, and independently, and asking more detailed questions.
Students learn that science involves math, literature, reading and proofreading, and efficient use of digital tools. Our young learners see that science is a communal language everyone can relate to, and our educators keep up with trends that students love to incorporate them into their lesson plans. Take slime, for example. We make “slime,” disguised as “just for fun,” and use that activity as a teaching moment.

Grade 2 Social Studies
At Greystone, Social Studies and History is far from boring. Our goal is for our students to discover history – not merely be taught history. We ensure our 2nd-grade students understand cultures and societal, historical, and governmental systems – it’s not a memory game.
Learning about the world should be fun, and at Greystone it is. We’re able to provide a stimulating environment for our students with engaging read-alouds, relevant content, and discussions about students’ own heritage, family traditions and conventions, and Whelan community ethics. Students develop an appreciation for the similarities and differences between people and places of the world.

The Greystone 3rd-grade scholastic journey focuses on the understanding of concepts, analyzation, and developing fluency when completing class work. Third grade students shift from learning to read, to reading to learn, and develop a sense of autonomy through foundational skills in science, math, reading, and writing. Expansive learning and deep thinking happens in 3rd-grade classrooms, and teachers work alongside students to help guide them in becoming more independent while also building their social and emotional awareness.
Grade 3 Teachers
Mrs. Kovolski
christina.kovolski@npsd.k12.ri.us
Mrs. Ricci
adriana.ricci@npsd.k12.ri.us


Curriculum
Grade 3 Mathematics
At Greystone, math has meaning. Third-grade students are taught in a stimulating environment, and educators work to make sure children are present in their learning. Place value, multiplication, division, and fractions take on purpose beyond the worksheets students complete and tests children take. Third-grade math is a critical component of each child’s education, as it marks transition in subject area and becomes more complex.
The work 3rd-grade students complete, composed of figuring out math problems using charts, graphs, and tables to visualize the find answers to math challenges, pushes them to further hone in on their interpretation and explanation skills. Applicable math is what keeps students engaged and thinking about the subject during arithmetic lessons, but also excites them in a way that causes them to identify math and how it can be used outside the classroom.

Grade 3 English Language Arts
Third-grade students at Greystone are turning the page in more ways than one. They pick up on the significance of plots, can predict how stories might unfold, make note of “big picture” themes, and develop a greater appreciation for individuals characters.
You can see the figurative “light bulbs” turn on as students pick up their pens or pencils and write their own ideas down, brainstorm and sketch out their thoughts for their own stories, and make connections to texts they’re reading in class. The students read more advanced literature, which directly translates to polished creative and objective writing skills.

Grade 3 Science
In 3rd-grade you can see the sparks flying – not literally, unless that’s part of the lesson plan! Students are always experimenting, and we know many students learn best by doing. We’re all about active learning at Greystone, where you will always see many students’ hands raised during lessons, asking questions of teachers and participating in zealous and lively conversations.
Through a variety of workshops and experiments, students make their own choices and decisions to see how they can change variables and what causes different outcomes. The autonomy we provide our students allows room for their personal growth, and encourages them to take a step back, analyze materials and research they’ve completed, and use deductive reasoning and trial and error to find solutions.

Grade 3 Social Studies
It’s the 21st-century, and our 3rd-grade Greystone students are learning with tangible objects, digital tools, and philosophical and open-ended discussions. While doing so, they’re learning how the past impacts the present, and the significance of the word “influence.”
Third-grade students at Greystone see the purpose of reflection when it comes to civics, holding follow-up discussions – and additional follow-up discussions – after reading and learning about key moments in time. Our educators highlight current events that are ongoing to provide more relevant instruction that make lessons really adhere to students’ minds in ways that matter to them.

At Greystone 4th-grade students become sharper thinkers, more proficient and confident in their abilities, and become excited when learning about the world around them through science, math, writing, reading, digital literacy, and expression. Educators are committed to inspiring students through hands-on learning that applies to the larger world around them. We understand that in-depth workshops, relevant content, and engaging group and independent work empowers students. Students are at the center of their own learning in our classrooms.
Grade 4 Teachers
Mrs. Lori Aquilante
lori.aquilante@npsd.k12.ri.us
Mrs. Tiffany Hervieux
tiffany.hervieux@npsd.k12.ri.us


Curriculum
Grade 4 Mathematics
Math fluency. That is what’s taught to 4th-grade students at Greystone. It’s made possible by the educators who work patiently and persistently to ensure students understand the material they’re learning each day, so students are comfortable and confident in math as an overall “language,” not merely a subject.
Students navigate their way through math problems independently, one-on-one with teachers, and also support one another in groups by polishing their math conceptualization.

Grade 4 English Language Arts
Our 4th-grade students use the English Language Arts lessons they’ve learned at Greystone through in-depth workshops, engaging discussions, meaningful content, and enlightening literature as a springboard to 5th-grade. Students sharpen their thought process when writing, become more proficient in reading comprehension, and their confidence soars not only in English, but all subject areas.
A combination of independent work, engaging group conversations, and projects empower students. In our classrooms, students feed off one another’s creativity and drive to make purposeful, thoughtful, and intriguing stories, and understand the importance of breaking down complex literature and sharing written work with their peers.

Grade 4 Science
What does good science instruction look like? At Greystone, it looks like students learning through trial-and-error, sticking to issues they’re trying to solve, and digging their heels into conceptual material. Fourth-grade students start to see the world as a giant experiment – or several small experiments where answers lie, waiting to be uncovered.
Students start to feel responsible for the natural world, and are curious about how to make the world a better place through innovative ideas, new data, research, and the scientific process.

Grade 4 Social Studies
Rewind. That means more than a setting on a remote control to 4th-grade students at Greystone, who know that going “back in time” is certainly a journey. It’s a journey that provides context, clues, answers, and more questions about the past and how it has led to the present.
Government systems and processes, social responsibility, and service in the community are important topics students learn about in 4th-grade, using their own research, visuals that give historical moments a “rebirth,” and exhilarating class conversations in which students interpret historical events. Students study maps and complete projects that allow them to learn more about their own family traditions and celebrations. Students also take away an appreciation for how being a member of their own family as well as the Greystone family makes up their identity.

Students enter 5th-grade at Greystone with a passion for learning and a yearning for more knowledge, and leave with more defined skillsets and experience in rigorous academics. In their final year at Greystone, students become better readers, writers, listeners, mathematicians, scientists, overall students, and friends. We set students up for success through the elementary years, and prepare them for the rest of their academic careers as they advance to middle school and beyond.
Grade 5 Teachers
Mr. Torres
fernando.torres@npsd.k12.ri.us
Mrs. Turcotte
denise.turcotte@npsd.k12.ri.us



Curriculum
Grade 5 Mathematics
Math in elementary school represents a journey – an expedition in which students grow from learning about basic concepts like addition and subtraction to fractions, money value, observing data and statistics, and finding solutions through deductive reasoning and sharp calculations.
Unsuspectingly, our 5th-grade students have become more scholarly mathematicians. They navigate through advanced problems, interpret and identify variables, and become fluent in the “language” that is math. With preparation, encouragement from teachers, and personalized learning, our oldest students are ready to make the jump from elementary school to middle school.

Grade 5 English Language Arts
Fast forward to 5th-grade, and you’ll see just how much students have progressed over the years of English Language Arts instruction at Whelan. Students have grown drastically in reading, writing, story structure and understanding, and revision techniques.
If it’s a new word, students are looking it up. If it’s a complex story, students are deconstructing it to put it back together in their minds. If it’s a blank piece of paper, students are changing that with their imaginations and a pencil. If it’s a new book, they’re leafing through it. A love for reading and writing begins at Greystone, and lasts long after students leave the confines of our school community.

Grade 5 Science
It’s a big world out there, and 5th-grade students at Greystone are more than ready to uncover all it has to offer and test the limits of what is considered “possible.” They ask more worldly questions about ecology, biology, geology, and genealogy.
In their final year at Greystone, students want to know how to protect the planet they’ve learned so much about. They want to continue making links between humans and the natural world. They proudly take on the role of “stewards” of science and future leaders of inventions and discoveries.

Grade 5 Social Studies
From their first years as Greystone students, educators have planted “the seeds” for a love of learning about people, culture, society, and the way systems work. By 5th-grade, we see the fruits of that labor. Students are more engaged in civics than ever before, learn about serious moment in history and why they matter today, and are thrilled to become more involved in the communities they’re a part of.
That includes not only our Greystone family, but their neighborhoods, their circle of friends and families, North Providence, and on a global community scale.

The Greystone physical and health education programs offer a welcoming, safe, nurturing, and respectful atmosphere for all students to gain understanding of healthy habits in an interactive and fun way. We focus on each child’s health and wellbeing, and encourage healthy physical and mental habits. We teach our students the value of sportsmanship, teamwork, and collaboration, key values taught throughout our school that translate well outside the classroom.
Physical education/Health Teacher
Mr. Robert Bello
robert.bello@npsd.k12.ri.us

“Music is the universal language of mankind.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 
 
Music  All students will have a hands-on music class once a week to encourage an appreciation of a wide variety of musical styles. Music classes will incorporate listening, moving, singing and performing. Students will have many opportunities to perform, create and experiment individually as well as in groups. Many music classes throughout the year will coordinate with the lessons that the students are studying in their classrooms. All music lesson plans, kindergarten through grade 5 are in accordance with the National Core Arts Standards which can be found here.  
Band All 4th and 5th grade students in good standing will have the opportunity to join the band. Band class will meet every Wednesday during the school day. In September, a detailed letter will be sent home which will include: instrument rental/purchasing information, teacher requirements as well as academic and behavioral expectations. 

Music Teacher
Mrs. Deirdre Donovan 
deirdre.donovan@npsd.k12.ri.us
 

The Greystone Elementary art program, chock full of rich and captivating experiences, encourages students to express themselves in new and creative ways. Students see the impact art has first-hand in this program, discovering their own design and potential, and embracing visual literacy through a variety of art forms. All students develop an understanding that art is everywhere, and form a sense of belonging to the artistic world that encourages individuality and appreciation of detail. We provide our students the opportunity to embrace the joy that comes with making art.
Visual Art Teacher
Ms. Lindsey Arsenault
lindsey.arsenault@npsd.k12.ri.u

Library Class The students at Greystone participate in a library class once a week in a positive, welcoming environment. During this class, the students engage in meaningful activities that promote a love of reading and literature in a variety of formats, including print and digital materials. Students are empowered to become critical thinkers and seekers of information and ideas. We, also, teach the students about the ethical use of information and technology. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities are incorporated into the library curriculum as well.