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Students returned to Greystone on Aug. 8 to find the staff prepared for a year filled with possibility. Dr. Stacey Stocks, principal of Greystone Elementary, said the staff spent time creating goals for the new year together. (Reporter photos/Rachel Raiford)

By RACHEL RAIFORD | Staff Writer 

HOOVER– With music playing and teachers wearing costumes, the school year at Greystone Elementary began on a high note. 

Students returned to Greystone on Aug. 8 to find the staff prepared for a year filled with possibility. Dr. Stacey Stocks, principal of Greystone Elementary, said the staff spent time creating goals for the new year together. 

“Our goals are related to helping all of our students grow academically,” Stocks said. “As administrators, we’re focusing on getting into classrooms more and providing feedback for our teachers. We want to be visible in our building.” 

A large part of what Stocks said they will be focused on building this school year are their math standards. 

“We want to take what we learned from last year to see what we can do to help our kids grow as much as possible,” Stocks said. 

While their achievements have been high in multiple areas, Stocks said lower scores in this area is one common thread across the school district. 

Aside from academics, Stocks is focused on building community throughout the school. At the beginning of each year they hold an assembly to assign students to houses, similar to the ones found in the Harry Potter series. 

“Students are sorted into a house at the beginning of the school year,” Stocks said. “They stay in that house the whole time they’re in school here.” 

Each house hosts their own activities throughout the year. Within each house there are also house families. 

“They’re all multi-age groups,” Stocks said. “We do this so kids can get connected with other kids and adults in the building, other than their teachers.” 

With more than 20 new students in addition to the kindergarten class, the crowd for the assembly was ecstatic for new additions to each house. 

Along with new students, Greystone was able to add two preschool classes for special needs children. 

“I’m really excited about those new additions,” Stocks said. “It’s always fun to have little kiddos in the building and helping them learn and grow.” 

Greystone also gained two new interventionists and a number of new teachers. 

“It’s exciting to get new people in here to bring new and fresh ideas,” Stocks said. “It’s great to learn from new people. We feel like we’ve selected the best of the best, and we’re excited to have them on board.” 

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