C.A.R.E. Information

Making sure that ALL students “leave with MORE than a diploma” in a New Place at a New Time!

The VISION

The Black Horse Pike School District's Center for Alternative and Restorative Education (CARE) at Camden County College provides an alternative and a restorative learning environment for individuals who require additional therapeutic supports in order to maximize their social, emotional, behavioral, and academic

potential.

The MISSION

The Center for Alternative and Restorative Education places an emphasis on educating learners above and beyond their academic needs, ensuring we are providing the building blocks for social, emotional and behavioral success.  This commitment allows us to effectively educate the whole child who may have anxiety,

depression, school phobias, as well as those who have social or peer concerns, school refusal or behaviors that impact their learning or the learning of others. Our therapeutic approach allows individualized support in

order to maximize every student's potential, emotionally, socially, behaviorally, and academically.

The Culture of C.A.R.E. 

• C.A.R.E. embodies a Culture of Discipline, NOT one of Punishment (Discipline is rooted in the word disciple or teach.  Therefore we must teach appropriate behaviors and not punish them when they arise.) When major safety infractions occur, these occurrences will be discussed as “taking time away to reflect and plan for the future.”

• Culture and community are built on trust and accountability

• Building and sustaining relationships both inside and outside of the school environment

• Ongoing staff professional development and support

Overarching Program Goals

• Reduce suspensions and recidivism upon return to the community school setting

• Increase academic achievement and accountability

• Establish emotional control and communication

• Decrease chronic absences

• Increase personal accountability and teach corrective actions

• Teach students prosocial behavior that will better prepare them for transition back into their home schools, familial units, work or society by teaching them how to identify and control how their brains and bodies respond to situations/stimuli and through the acquisition of self monitoring and coping skills that promote student success. 

Student Goals:

• Give students back their responsibility of self-management as a skill for life

• Treat incidents as learning opportunities as a chance for growth

• Commitment to Restorative Practice as a way of functioning together

• Basic, humane way of being that emphasizes communication and the art of building and maintaining healthy relationships