Welcome Letter 2025-2026

Dear New C.A.R.E. Student & Family: 

We are really excited to have you join our program! I also hope that you are rested, revitalized, and prepared to begin a new academic endeavor with our C.A.R.E. Team.  As we navigate and plan for a safe and successful 2025-2026 school year, we want to wish you a warm welcome aboard. 

Where are We Located?:

We are located on the  3rd floor of the Wolverton Library on the Camden County College campus located at 200 College Drive in Blackwood, New Jersey.  

Program Hours:

The regular school day for C.A.R.E. Students is as follows:

• Restorative Education Program 8:00-12:00

• Social Emotional Therapeutic Program 12:00-4:00

Transportation

Transportation has been arranged for you if it was requested acceptance into the program.  Additionally, you can locate transportation information in the Genesis Parent Portal.  This will make it much more convenient as we may need to update throughout the school year.  All students that ride a bus to the program will be picked up at their designated location which will be shared with you in a separate email.  Any changes to the normal transportation arrangements must be communicated with program administration by the Parent/Guardian in advance of student pickup. We are still adding students to our rosters as the year progresses so given pickup or drop off times are subject to change.  As our transportation lists are finalized with pickup times, it will be emailed to you.

C.A.R.E. Staff

We would like to welcome the following new staff members to the C.A.R.E. Program.  We are so excited to see all of what they will bring to the C.A.R.E. Team!

TBD-English Instruction

TBD-Mathematics Instruction

Returning C.A.R.E. Staff

C.A.R.E. Program Coordinator: 

Mrs. Nicole Belfiore-Racioppo 

C.A.R.E. Reception & Security:

Mr. James Sweeney

Paraprofessionals:

Mrs. Hammond

Ms. Johnston 

TBD

Child Study Team & Related Services:

Mr. Corcoran, Child Study Team Case Manager & Program Counselor

2025-2026 C.A.R.E. Instructional Team:

Mrs. Schiffer-Mathematics & Special Education

TBD-English 

TBD-Mathematics

Mr. Kalfas-History

Mrs. Barna-Science

Mrs. Chandler-Electives

Mentors:

Mr. Thompson

Ms. Toole

School Lunch Forms:

All families are asked to complete a lunch application, whether or not you believe your child will take advantage of school-sponsored lunch programs. A digital lunch form for this year is attached to this document or a hardcopy can be provided to you upon request. 

Student Chromebook Distribution & School Supplies: 

Each student will be issued a Chromebook at their homeschool and will bring it to the C.A.R.E. Program with them.  Students that do not yet have a Chromebook, must go to their home school’s website and follow the instructions on how to get one.  Students are expected to show up on opening day with their Chromebooks.   Our goal is to ensure that every student has a Chromebook prior to the start of the school year on September 3rd. Students should bring pens and pencils with them to the program if they have them.  If they do not, they are welcome to attain what is needed from the C.A.R.E. supply cabinet.  

Student Schedules & Instruction:

Students will receive a course list upon arrival on their first day of school. When students are working independently on the C.A.R.E. Floors, they will be using the Courseware Digital Curriculum in all content areas on their student schedule.  For this reason, all students are required to use a district-issued Chromebook. Students may not bring their own device to the program to do content work or for any other reason.   All student internet activity during program hours will be monitored by instructional staff members through the digital internet monitoring systems.   

Beginning Each Day with Purpose:

Each day the C.A.R.E. staff will conduct a Restorative Morning Meeting  with students.  This is a time to reflect on what went well during the day prior as well as the Focus Corrections Areas for the group for that day.  The Morning Meetings will also provide students with social-emotional support and strategies to combat daily stressors that students encounter in the program in their home schools, their lives and in the community.  Students can also suggest topics of discussion.  Morning meeting attendance is mandatory however, participation in the discussions while voluntary are encouraged.  Students will also have the opportunity to request a time to meet with the Social Worker for a morning check-in as well if they feel it is necessary.

We look forward to working with you this school year!