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Schools to be 100% remote from November 30

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.” 

COVID-19: Schools stay the course

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. 

Guess the Vote contest: We have a winner!

In the October 30 issue of Haddonfield Today, we invited readers to participate in a “2020 Presidential Election Guess the Vote and Win a Chance to Win One Million Dollars!” contest.

Entrants submitted their guesses for the total number of votes they thought would be cast by Haddonfield registered voters for the two main candidates: Biden # + Trump # = Total #.

The number of registered voters for this election, provided to us in advance of the election, was 10,718. (The number on Camden County’s official statement of results, published on November 16, is 10,589.)

Guesses ranged from a low of 6,580 to a high of 10,568. The actual total was Biden 5,725 + Trump 2,421 = 8,146.

The closest entry, without going over — 8,126 — was submitted by Jill Ballard of Haddonfield. Her prize? A New Jersey Lottery “$1,000,000 Riches” ticket and a $100 gift card for Denim BYOB in Haddonfield.

Congratulations, Jill! And thank you to all who participated.

Special Board of Health meeting

A special meeting of the Haddonfield Board of Health will be held on Tuesday, November 24 qt 8:30pm, or directly following the scheduled meeting of the Board of Commissioners, whichever is later.

To register to attend the virtual meeting, go HERE.

Election results for Haddonfield

The Camden County Board of Elections has posted final tallies for the November 3 general election.

2020 registered voters = 10,589 — Comparison: 2016 = 9,778 (8.29% increase)

2020 ballots cast = 8,380 (79.14% of registered) — Comparison: 2016 = 7,099 (72.60%)

President

  • Trump = 2,421
  • Biden = 5,725
  • La Riva = 3
  • Jorgensen = 74
  • Blankenship = 8
  • Hammons = 7
  • De La Fuente = 5
  • Hawkins = 24

Board of Education (uncontested – 3 candidates for 3 seats)

  • Vecchio = 5,755
  • Hoag = 5,754
  • Paoli = 5,799

State Question 1 (Legalize marijuana)

  • Yes = 5,429
  • No = 1,864

State Question 2 (Property tax deduction for veterans))

  • Yes = 5,340
  • No = 1,811

State Question 3 (Redistricting schedule for census)

  • Yes = 4,593
  • No = 2,395

Plays & Players’ cabaret

Like most performing arts organizations in the region, throughout the state, across the country, and around the world, Haddonfield Plays & Players has suffered greatly from being forced to go dark during the pandemic.

But theater types are nothing if not creative and resourceful. To raise sorely needed funds, the local troupe of thespians will present a livewatch, virtual cabaret titled “It’s Only Intermission” on Saturday, November 21 at 7pm.

The show will feature more than 30 performers singing selections from popular past productions, as well as from the upcoming season.   

Plays & Players’ goal is  to raise $10,000 to help ensure the theatre’s future and enable it to plan its 2021 season with confidence. The line-up for the new year includes: The Last Five Years, Art, The Shadow Box, and Songs for a New World, plus a few special programming surprises.

Performers scheduled to participate include Megan Balne, Tommy Balne, Andy Bochetter, Evan Brody, Taylor Brody, Abby Brown, Pat DeFusco, Trisha Dennis, Arielle Egan, Amanda Frederick, Nick French, Tami Funkhouser, Jake Gilman, Matt Goodrich, Joe Grasso, DJ Hedgepath, Nicky Intrieri, Andrew Jarema, Ava Kapelus, Allison Korn, Ben Lipitz, Faith McCleery, Christopher McGinnis, Annie Raczko, Jasmine Roosa, John Sayles, Cassidy Scherz, Emma Scherz, Tess Smith, Dave Stavetski, Darryl Thompson, Justin Walsh, Dana Weiss, and Gabrielle Werner.

To register for the livewatch, go HERE. To donate directly, at any time, go HERE or text GIVE to 856-208-7111, or mail a check to Haddonfield Plays & Players, PO Box 145, Haddonfield NJ 08033.

Since 1934, Haddonfield Plays and Players has provided quality community theater at an affordable price to a wide range of Delaware Valley audiences, as well as a creative outlet for non-professionals – all in an atmosphere of personal and social enrichment that is open to all persons with a commitment to non-profit theater.

Highest single-day COVID-19 report

The Camden County Department of Health reported today that ten Haddonfield residents have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19: two males in their 10s, a male in his 40s, two males in their 50s, and a male in his 70s; a female in her 10s, two females in their 20s, and one female in her 30s.

This brings the total number of cases for Haddonfield to 191, with five fatalities. The increase of ten, from yesterday, is the largest since the first Haddonfield case was reported, on March 20.

The magnitude of the dramatic increase in reported cases since November 12 — 39 in seven days — prompted the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education to issue a joint statement today — HERE — calling on members of the community “to protect our friends, families, and neighbors so that we can all pull through this challenging time.”

Also today, the Haddonfield School District reported one new case: A female in her 310s at the Middle School. (Note: Cases reported by the District typically fall within those reported by the County, though not necessarily on the same date.)

In Camden County, the total number of cases stands at 16,218, with 588 deaths. For New Jersey, 289,562 cases with 14,843 confirmed deaths and an additional 1,812 probable deaths.

Rates per 1,000 of population are: Haddonfield 16.48; Camden County 31.57; New Jersey 32.94.

The transmission rate in New Jersey — a key metric — now stands at 1.43 (up 0.01 from yesterday). This is the highest it has been for some months, and reflects the situation across the country. (A transmission rate of 1.0 means that, on average, each new case will produce one additional new case. When the transmission rate falls below 1.0, it’s a good sign. When it rises above 1.0, it’s cause for concern.)

A message from the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education

The following message to the community was issued this afternoon (Wednesday, November 18 at 4pm):

Dear Haddonfield residents, business owners, students, and visitors,

We are deeply concerned about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on our entire Borough. We have all experienced hardship in the past nine months and made sacrifices. In addition to the loss of five (5) of our own residents, many have lost loved ones to the virus or witnessed the deterioration of a family member’s health, while others have lost their businesses or sources of income. Months of isolation have become another source of stress and mental health challenges. For those who live with pre-existing conditions that make them especially vulnerable to the virus, the fear of impending illness can also be debilitating. These realities cannot be overstated. 

Unfortunately, the number of cases in the Borough is rising exponentially, and the burden of protecting our Haddonfield residents and neighbors rests with all of us. It is time to come together as a community to help one another stay safe. If we wish to keep our schools and businesses open, we must follow the Governor’s Executive Orders and CDC guidance to remain socially distant, wear masks, practice good hygiene, and stay home when we are sick. Indoor gatherings are not safe right now, nor are large outdoor gatherings. We must be vigilant and proactive in preventing community spread. 

As the holidays approach, we will all continue to be challenged by the realities of COVID-19. Now is the time to work together as a community and lead by example. We must remain apart now, so that we can come together again. There is a vaccine on the horizon, but it is not here yet.  As we await solutions such as the vaccine, it is up to us to protect our friends, families, and neighbors so that we can all pull through this challenging time. 

Sincerely,

The Haddonfield Board of Commissioners

The Haddonfield Board of Education

COVID-19: NJ lowers numbers permitted to gather

In response to a surging second wave of COVID-19 cases, Gov. Phil Murphy has placed new limits on the numbers of people who may gather, both indoors and outdoors.

With some exceptions, the maximum number for indoor gatherings is 10, or 25% of a room’s capacity, whichever number is lower. For outdoor gatherings, the maximum number has been cut from 500 to 150.

Details are HERE.

COVID-19 case total heads higher

The Camden County Department of Health reported today that six Haddonfield residents have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19: four males in their 10s, a male in his 20s, and a male in his 30s.

This brings the total number of cases for Haddonfield to 181, with five fatalities.

Also today, the Haddonfield School District reported four new cases: A male in his 10s at the Middle School and three males in their 10s at the High School. (Note: Cases reported by the District typically fall within those reported by the County, though not necessarily on the same date.)

In Camden County, the total number of cases stands at 15,884, with 588 deaths. For New Jersey, 285,519 cases with 14,817 confirmed deaths and an additional 1,801 probable deaths. The number of new deaths reported today — 38 — is the highest daily number for the past four months.

Rates per 1,000 of population are: Haddonfield 15.61; Camden County 30.92; New Jersey 32.48.

The transmission rate in New Jersey — a key metric — now stands at 1.42 (up 0.02 from yesterday). This is the highest it has been for some months, and reflects the situation across the country. (A transmission rate of 1.0 means that, on average, each new case will produce one additional new case. When the transmission rate falls below 1.0, it’s a good sign. When it rises above 1.0, it’s cause for concern.)