Carmen Arace Chronicles

Dear Carmen Arace Intermediate School families,

I hope you and your family have had a summer filled with love, laughter, and learning. I am thrilled to welcome our scholars back to school in the coming weeks.

At CAIS, we are deeply committed to nurturing each student's academic, social, and emotional growth within a safe, engaging learning environment. Your partnership plays a vital role in our children's success.

We will continue to strengthen school-home connections through this bi-weekly newsletter, Carmen Arace Chronicles. This publication is just one of many ways to share important updates throughout the year. In this edition, you will find all the information you need to get your child ready for school.

We hope to see you at the Arace Meet & Greet on Thursday, August 21st. We look forward to welcoming students back to campus on Wednesday, August 27th!

Sincerely,

Diana Bunting

Principal, CAIS

Dear parents/guardians:

Hope you have had an enjoyable summer and are ready for a successful 2025-2026 school year.

The CAMS staff members are committed to delivering a first class education and hold true to our mission to educate and elevate our students. We need your support to reinforce school policies and procedures and school learning at home. Active participation with two -way communication while monitoring student progress in PowerSchool is a key component of our students’ achievement. I am excited to begin this work and I look forward to meeting you.

Enjoy the rest of the summer,

Anjanee Wright

Acting Principal, Carmen Arace Middle School

School Hours

• 7:50 A.M.-2:50 P.M. Regular Dismissal
• 7:50 A.M.-12:50 P.M. Early Dismissal

Students may be dropped off at 7:50 A.M. Please note that there is no adult supervision before that time.

Bloomfield Public Schools Hours

Uniform Policy

TOPS: Polo/collared shirts in white, black, or navy (grades 5-6) and white, black, or yellow (grades 7-8). Sweaters in the designated colors are permitted. Hoodies are not permitted.

BOTTOMS: Khaki, navy, or black shorts, pants, or skirts. Shorts and skirts should be knee-length. Jeans, leggings, and sweatpants are not permitted.

Homeroom Lists

Lists will be posed on the front entrance to the school by August 26, 2025.

Breakfast & Lunch

Bloomfield School Food Services offers nutritious breakfasts and lunches for all school students in a clean, safe and friendly environments. Food Services will send additional information to families soon.

Lockers

Please provide two locks one for PE (Gym) and one for personal lockers. It will be necessary for students to provide homeroom teachers with the combination and/or extra key for emergency purposes. Locks ensure the security of your child's belongings.

Late Buses

Late buses are available to students who remain after school to receive support or participate in extracurricular activities. Our late buses pick up students at 4:10. The start date for late buses is forthcoming.

CAIS (Grades 5-6)

• A sturdy, standard-sized backpack

• 2-inch binder

• Notebook paper

• Five 2-pocket folders

• Pencils

• Handheld pencil sharpener

• Pencil case/pouch

• Two combination locks

• Colored pencils, markers, glue sticks, student scissors (home use)

NOTE: Teachers may request additional items for special projects/assignments

CAMS (Grades 7-8)

• Large 3-ring binder (with zipper if possible)

• 2 pocket folders for each subject

• 3 x 5 index cards

• Six subject dividers

• Notebook paper

• Highlighters (yellow, blue, pink, green)

• Pencils and pens

• Colored pencils and water-based markers or crayons

• Book covers

• A scientific calculator

• A sturdy book bag

• A school agenda/scheduler will be provided to each student at no cost. A $5.00 charge will be assessed if replacement is required.

• 12” ruler

• Glue sticks

• Student scissors

• Pocket (small) dictionary

These are general requirements. Individual teachers may provide students with additional lists at the opening of school.

7th Grade Parents/Guardians:

Connecticut state laws requires that:

#1-All students have a complete health assessment during the 6th grade year and prior to entering 7th grade.

#2-All students are required to be given Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines during 6th grade and these are requirements to enter 7th grade.

Please submit the newest State of CT Physical, signed by the parent/guardian on the front and signed by the doctor on the other pages. Physical exams that date back to January 1, 2024 are acceptable.

We have a School-Based Health Center that will be open on Tuesday starting Tuesday 8/19/25 for the 2025-2026 school year. You may visit https://www.integratedhealthservices.org/registration-forms/ to have your child seen at school for physicals and immunizations.

Students will be excluded from starting 7th grade until this physical exam is on file---and the immunizations are s=current and submitted.

Please submit your documents via emails to nnestor@bloomfieldschools.org or fax to 860-769-6616 or drop off printed copies to Carmen Arace school in a sealed envelope labeled NURSE. Please feel free to email the nurse if you have any questions.

• Thursday, August 21st-Back to School Meet & Greet, Arace main entrance. 5:30-6:30 PM
• Wednesday, August 27th-First Day of School
• Monday, September 1st-Labor Day, NO SCHOOL
• Wednesday, September 10th-Professional Development for Teacher, EARLY DISMISSAL
• Thursday, September 18th-Open House
• Tuesday, September 23rd-CAIS Picture Day
• Wednesday, October 1st-CAMS Picture Day

Carmen Arace Intermediate School

Dean of Students: Ms. Eileen Richters

CAIS Main Office: Mrs. Donnalee Copeland

Website:https://cais.bloomfieldschools.org/o/carmenaraceinter

Carmen Arace Middle School

Acting Principal: Ms. Anjanee Wright

CAMS Main Office: Ms. Scherell Smith

Website: https://cams.bloomfieldschools.org/o/carmenaracemiddle

Phone: 860-286-2622

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." --Harriet Tubman