Author: haddonfieldtoday

Chuck Klaus, Haddonfield’s superintendent of schools, announced today that all public schools will operate remotely from Monday (December 21). He sent the following message to the school community:

“The decision was made earlier today that Haddonfield School District will be moving to full virtual instruction beginning Monday, December 21, through Wednesday, December 23. The decision to include the entire district is based on additional positive cases that were reported this weekend.

“This decision was made after consulting with the Camden County Department of Health. Factors included 32 positive cases in the last 14 days and 13 in the past five days, two of which required contact tracing with an unknown source of origin. We are also waiting for test results from roughly 12 students. Keeping the safety and wellness of our students and staff as our top priority, we believe implementing the full virtual model is the optimal way to proceed.

“Principals will provide building-specific schedules.  

“We did all that we could to keep in-person instruction intact; from increased PPE measures to closing only specific classrooms or individual buildings, but the sheer volume of new cases and the knowledge of several pending tests brought us to this challenging decision We believe a district-wide move to a fully virtual model is in the best interest of the health of our students, families and staff.”

As planned, Haddonfield Public Schools will return to the hybrid model on Monday, December 7.

Superintendent Chuck Klaus sent the following message to members of the school community today (Thursday, December 3):

Since the decision was made to shift to five days of full-remote instruction at the beginning of this week, we have been monitoring both local and regional COVID numbers.  This included a meeting with the Camden County Department of Health and the Camden County superintendents.  Based on the Southwest Region remaining classified as “High Risk or Orange” and low incidents reported for Haddonfield students and staff, we are confident that the schools will be safe, and we will return to the hybrid model on December 7, as planned. 

The decision for a temporary move to full-remote learning was a difficult one, and today’s decision to return to in-person instruction has been no less challenging. Ultimately, this decision rests upon our confidence in the schools being safe environments and our strong belief in the value of in-person instruction. 

The November 25th decision to close schools for five days was made in part to reduce any potential need for widespread quarantines after the holiday break. In order to remain open for the remainder of December, we must promote a “community first” mindset. The school district implores families and staff members to complete daily screening forms with care and accuracy. If any student or staff person has symptoms of COVID-19, they should stay home and attend school remotely.  Additionally, if you have been exposed to an individual who is symptomatic and/or exposed to those designated as close contacts, especially in your own household, you must not come into our schools.

These difficult times require difficult decisions. Ultimately our goal is to remain in our hybrid model for the remaining 13 school days of December. This can best be accomplished if we all take responsibility and are cautious about potentially exposing others.

The recent dramatic rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Camden County, Haddonfield, and the Haddonfield public schools has led the School District to decide to return the elementary schools and Middle School to remote instruction for at least one week, beginning Monday, November 30. The High School has been in 100% remote mode since November 16.

The District sent the following message to the school community this evening (Wednesday, November 25):

“The Camden County Department of Health has communicated to us that our COVID Activity Level Index (CALI) score falls into the category of “High Risk,” which is indicated by a CALI score of 3. Additional information was provided pointing out that Camden County ranks near the highest Case Rate and Percent Positivity in the state.  The New Jersey Department of Health has asked school districts to consider additional precautions while faced with so many new cases in our area (COVID-19 Regional Risk Matrix). 

“With an expected surge after the Thanksgiving weekend and with an emphasis on the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff, and families, the decision has been made to take a cautious approach and create an “intermediate” period of time in which to evaluate the impact of the holiday weekend. Therefore, beginning Monday, November 30, 2020, Haddonfield School District will return to full remote instruction until December 7, 2020. This applies to elementary, middle and high school students.  A review of the district and regional numbers will be made on December 3, 2020, and the status of our instructional model will be re-evaluated at that time.  Based on those numbers, we will decide either to continue full remote learning or to return to the hybrid model.  If the decision is made to extend full remote learning, considerations of best practices to support at-risk students will be implemented.

“The decision to take this intermediate step was not made lightly, but it was made with the hope that we can bring the students back to school later in December.  

“We understand and value the impact of in-person instruction. Over the next several weeks, we ask everyone to participate in behavior that is safe and includes practices to stop the spread of COVID-19. It is our hope that the regional numbers decline and return to in-person instruction occurs as quickly as possible.” 

Superintendent of Schools Chuck Klaus sent a message to parents and staff this afternoon (Saturday, November 21), advising them that although Camden County has raised the COVID-19 transmission risk from yellow to orange, the school district will remain in its current hybrid model — for the time being.

Here is the superintendent’s message:

Good afternoon, Haddonfield parents and staff,

Friday afternoon, Dr. Priolo and I participated in a conference call with the Camden County District Superintendents, the Camden County Superintendent of Schools, and Dr. Nwako, the Camden County Public Health Coordinator.  The purpose of this call was to inform school leaders of the fact that Camden County COVID-19 rates of transmission have shifted from the Moderate Risk “yellow” zone to the High Risk of transmission “orange zone.”

Below is a summary of how our school district will proceed moving forward.

• For the time being, school district operations will remain in our current hybrid model. We fully understand the importance and benefits of in-person instruction, and our goal is to remain in-person, with mitigation efforts in place, as much as possible.

• However, if positive cases surge in any school, or if regional numbers continue to rise into the “Very High Risk” Category, we may have to close a building or the entire district and return to full remote instruction as indicated by the department of health.

• I will receive an update on the transmission rates next Wednesday, November 23rd, and will continue to keep you informed.

We are committed to keeping you informed of all county and/or state communication we receive related to COVID-19 rates of infection so that you can prepare for child care and family obligations. We appreciate your continued efforts to practice all recommended behaviors such as mask-wearing and hand washing and to help us to keep our children in school.

Have a good weekend, and stay safe.