Welcome Letter 2026-2027

We are really excited to see you on our first day of school which is on September 9, 2026!  Both programs will run on a regular schedule.  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 2026-2027 school year, we want to wish you a warm welcome aboard and for returning students a huge WELCOME BACK! 

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 & C.A.R.E. 2026-27 Calendar:

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

• 2026-2027 C.A.R.E. Calendar(click link)

Transportation

Transportation has been arranged for you if it was requested upon acceptance into the program or if it was provided to students at the end of the 25-26 school year. Bus passes have been both emailed and mailed home via US Mail. All students that ride a bus to the program will be picked up at their designated location as it is identified in Genesis.  Any changes to the normal transportation arrangements must be communicated with program administration by the Parent/Guardian in advance of student pickup if the student is under the age of 18 years old. We are still adding students to our rosters as the year progresses so the given pickup or drop off times are subject to change.  It is important that students are outside and at their assigned bus stop 10 minutes prior to their pickup time and remain 10 minutes later.  Please allow for additional time as drivers adjust to the routes in real time during the first few days of school.  Remember, transportation is a privledge.  All students must maintain the same behavioral norms and expectations as they do at C.A.R.E. to be able to continue to ride the school buses.

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!

Teaching & Learning Supervisor of C.A.R.E.

Mrs. Ashley Chandler

History Teacher:

Mr. James Hasegawa

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

 Mr. Alexander Lopez

C.A.R.E. Mentor:

 Mr. Jason Handy

Returning C.A.R.E. Staff Members

C.A.R.E. Program Coordinator: 

Mrs. Nicole Belfiore-Racioppo 

Paraprofessionals:

Mrs. Hammond

Ms. Johnston 

Ms. Julia DeCosta

Child Study Team & Related Services:

Mr. Corcoran, MSW, Child Study Team Case Manager & Program Social Worker

Dr. MollyAnne Light, PsyD, LPC, Transitional Coach

2026-2027 C.A.R.E. Instructional Team:

Mrs. Schiffer-Mathematics & Special Education

Mrs. Wilson-English 

Mr. Fernandes-Mathematics

Mrs. Baerman-Science

Communication:

We are no longer using the Remind app to communicate. If you need to get in contact with any of the program staff, please email us or reach out through the ParentSquare app which can be accessed on your phone by downloading the app or via your computer or other digital device.  

School Lunch Forms:

All families are asked to complete a lunch application every year, whether or not you believe your child qualifies or if you believe they 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 who are first time 9th graders will receive their Chromebook on the first day of school at C.A.R.E.  Returning students are expected to show up on opening day with their Chromebooks fully charged.   Our goal is to ensure that every student has a Chromebook prior to the start of the school year.  Students are also able to obtain a loaner Chromebook from the C.A.R.E. supply cabinet. Students should bring pens, pencils and notebooks with them to the program if they have them.  If they do not, they are welcome to items from our limited supply.  

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 laptop, tablet or similar device to the program to do content work or for any other reason.   All student internet activity during program hours will be monitored by program and district staff members through the use of a real-time, digital, internet monitoring systems.   

Beginning and Ending Each Day with Purpose:

Each day the C.A.R.E. staff will conduct a Restorative Morning Circle with students.  This is a time to reflect on group conversations regarding questions/quotes or literary works posed to the group.  The Restorative Circles 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.   Restorative Circle attendance is mandatory.  However, verbal participation in the discussions while voluntary is encouraged.   This means that all students must sit "in the circle."   The same expectations apply when Mr. Corcoran, the C.A.R.E. Social Worker is holding Social Emotional Learning(SEL) Groups bi-weekly.

Dr. MollyAnne Light our C.A.R.E. Transitional Coach will be joining us on Wednesdays this year as well to meet with students individually.  Please download, complete, and bring in the Transitional Program Registration Form (click link) signed or you can get a hardcopy from Ms. Nicole Belfiore-Racioppo.  

Students will also have the opportunity to request a time to meet with the Social Worker, the Supervisor of Teaching and Learning at C.A.R.E. or with the Dean of Students for an individual check-in as well if they feel it is necessary. At the end of the day students engage in a group huddle in each suite where the program staff explain to all students what went well during that day as well as the Focus Corrections Areas for the group.  

Genesis Parent Portal

Completing annual forms are very important so we are able to have the most up-to-date information about each student.  Please note that both you and your student must log into the Parent Portal(click here) to review and complete all required annual document acknowledgments, including the vital Medical Information Form. It is imperative that guardians submit this form as soon as possible, as the data directly feeds into your child’s student medical page and updates the district’s official Nursing Plan. Most importantly, school nurses rely on these accurate, real-time updates to develop essential Individualized Health Plans (IHPs) and Emergency Care Plans for our students. Completing this step promptly ensures our health services team has the accurate information needed to keep your child safe, healthy, and supported from day one.

C.A.R.E. Open House

Join us for our annual CARE Open House on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., located on the third floor of the Wolverton Library at Camden County College in Blackwood. Please note that this event is strictly for parents and guardians, as space and programming are tailored specifically for adults. All parents are warmly welcome to attend and explore the vital resources available to our community. You will have a valuable opportunity to connect directly with representatives from our new public and community partnerships for the upcoming school year. We look forward to seeing you there!

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SEE YOU SOON!