Welcome to our classroom webpage!  This page is for the parents and students to use so please visit often.  It will contain newsletters, homework, and announcements.  

Let me introduce myself.  My name is Mrs. Sonya Cary.  I have been teaching 30 years, all in the primary grades.  My husband is Ross Cary who is the Assistant Principal at BLHS.  I have two children; Amber is a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and is employed at Moore, Taylor, Thomas, LLC in West Columbia.  Will is a  Senior at Clemson University as well as an Army ROTC cadet.  I received my undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Coastal Carolina College and completed my Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education as well as additional graduate coursework from the University of South Carolina.  I have achieved the status of "Highly Qualified" according to the guidelines of "No Child Left Behind."

Our assistant in our classroom is Mrs. Mendee Shealy.  Mrs. Shealy has been employed at Batesburg-Leesville Primary School for over 20 years.  She is a resident of the Batesburg-Leesville community.  She is married to Eddie Shealy and has two sons, Patrick and Grant.   She is the proud Grandma of a ten year old, Carmen.  Mrs. Shealy is the VERY BEST!!!!!  She is what makes our classroom work!

The kindergarten curriculum has become much more academic in nature the last several years.  As a result of this, we will use a Balanced Literacy instructional program for Language Arts this year.  Students are tested using different diagnostic tools to determine the appropriate level of instruction. We will work both in small and large groups and the students will begin bringing home a leveled reading book to read each night as the year progresses.  In Math we will use both a textbook and teacher made activities.  Science, Social Studies, and Health will be incorporated into thematic units. Learning centers and special projects will enhance the instruction in all areas.

At BLPS we will be using a positive behavior program.  Students will be given coins which will be traded in for prizes, treats, and rewards each week.    Our school rules are:

Be Safe!  Be Respectful!  Be Responsible!

Some examples of behaviors which illustrate the above rules are:
**following directions the first time they are given,
**following classroom procedures,
**walking as directed in the hallways,
**keeping hands and feet within personal space,
**using school supplies as they are intended to be used 
**using good manners and polite language,
**talking quietly at the appropriate time,
**completing assignments,
**bringing homework, bookbags, agendas, reading bags and folders to school each day

The behavior mangement program strives to teach the students that "good choices have good consequences and bad choices have bad consequences."  All students are made aware of the rules, therefore, those students who make the choice not to follow the rules which have been taught and discussed will receive a verbal warning, loss of priviledges, and parent communication by either phone, agenda or parent communication form. Those students who continue to make poor choices will receive an office visit which may result in placement in the in-school suspension room or suspension.

Our school motto is:  Work Hard, Work Smart, Work Together!

Please stay in touch throughout the year. We look forward to working with you to make this a great year!

Mrs. Cary & Mrs. Shealy