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Name that giraffe!

While you’re quarantining at home, here’s something fun to do online.

Since we’re all locked down due to COVID-19, Sculpture Month events planned for April have been postponed … and the Name the Giraffe contest has been extended, through noon on May 31.

The 12-foot-tall bronze giraffe will be installed in Haddonfield’s Children’s Sculpture Zoo (within the Tatem Memorial Garden, Kings Highway East and Evergreen Avenue) at a date to be announced, with a formal dedication and the giraffe’s name – contest winner’s name – announced.

Enter here: Name That Giraffe.

While Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust welcomes input from all, near and far, the winning name will be selected from those submitted by Haddonfield residents and students.

Stay tuned… and stay safe!

Second resident tests positive

Camden County officials announced today that a second Haddonfield resident, a man in his 20s, has tested positive for new coronavirus. Haddonfield’s first case, a man in his 40s, was hospitalized last week.

Officials also reported Camden County’s first death, of a Barrington woman in her 80s.

Board of Ed to hold virtual meeting

In compliance with Governor Murphy’s new directive, the Board of Education will hold its meetings in a virtual format beginning this Thursday, March 26, and in the foreseeable future.

The March 26 meeting will be broadcast at 7pm on the district’s YouTube Live channel.

When it’s time for public comment, the district will provide on-screen instructions for how to call in via the broadcast.

COVID-19 is history. Let’s record it!

The Historical Society of Haddonfield has launched a story-gathering project called “Haddonfield Virus Year.” The Society is inviting its members, and members of the community generally, to contribute records of their experiences for posterity.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all of us,” says Dana Dorman, the Society’s archivist. “During this challenging time of school and business closures, social distancing, or even actual illness, we at the Historical Society can’t help but wonder – how will this experience be recorded for future generations?

“Start writing down your experiences,” Dorman suggests. “You can do this in any way that feels right for you: as a letter, as a diary or an activity log, as a string of sentences. If you don’t want to write, document your experiences in whatever other ways feel right for you: photographs, artwork, audio or video recordings, etc.”

Learn more — and sign up to participate — HERE.

Public Schools update

OFFICIAL from Haddonfield School District on March 23, 2020

On Saturday, March 21, New Jersey’s Governor Murphy announced a statewide “stay at home” order as of 9pm that evening.

This revised order prohibits all gatherings and directs the closure of “all non-essential retail businesses to the public,” with some exceptions. Here is the video of his announcement.

Here in Haddonfield, we will continue to provide the highest level of remote instruction possible, moving forward in compliance with Gov. Murphy’s latest directive.

In direct response to Governor Murphy’s message, we share the following important information with Haddonfield’s parents.

  • A stay-at-home lifestyle and remote instruction are likely to continue well beyond the original estimate of two weeks. We should plan to follow his directive until further notice and into the foreseeable future.
  • Beginning Monday, March 23, all school district buildings will be closed with these three exceptions:
  • Haddonfield students in need of a free bag lunch may still come to the Chestnut Street entrance (“the flagpole doors”) of the Haddonfield Middle School between 11am and noon, Monday through Friday.
  • Our technology team will be responding through email and phone to requests for assistance Monday thru Friday from 7am through 5pm. We will make every effort to assist any student technical issue remotely. If a face-to-face meeting is required, an appointment can be set for Monday through Friday between 11am and noon at the Middle School. See details for contact information below.*
  • The Board of Education building, closest to the Central school playground and PATCO tracks, will be manned with a skeleton staff from 9am to 2pm Monday through Friday.

As previously stated, as long as we are engaged in remote instruction, all athletics and extracurriculars are cancelled.

Please keep in mind the borough’s state of emergency: borough and school district playgrounds, fields, and courts are all closed.

Although we are working from home, we are committed to supporting you and our students. Teachers, EAs, principals, technology staff, counselors, nurses and others are available when you need assistance.

  • Your teachers have shared their office hours with you.
  • Our principals are a great resource for information:
  • To reach our technology department*, please email them at [email protected]. Provide your phone number in case a conversation is required. Someone will reply between 7am and 5pm Monday through Friday. If a face-to-face meeting is required, they will make those arrangements.
  • Please help us to communicate effectively. Check texts, voicemail, and email regularly. If you use social media, follow your school’s accounts and the district’s:
    • Twitter: @HaddonSchools
    • Facebook: @HaddonfieldSchoolDistrict

Finally, remember that we are all in this together.

Meals and resources for seniors

From Nancy McCrudden, Mabel Kay Senior Center Coordinator

The Camden County Division of Senior and Disabled Services will deliver meals to any senior in need. Seven meals will be provided per week, once a week. Drop-offs days vary by town. Call 856-374-6325 to make arrangements.

Seniors who are struggling to acquire essential supplies, prescription medication, travel to and from a medical appointment, or other critical assistance can call the Camden County Citizen Relief Emergency Worker (CREW) hotline, 8:30am to 10pm daily: 856-858-3220.

Church services go online

Haddonfield churches are adapting to the current disruption by livestreaming worship services on their websites, or via Facebook or YouTube.

  • Christ the King Catholic Church has its weekday 8am mass online. The Saturday evening 5pm service is also live streamed, as is the Sunday 9am mass. .
  • First Presbyterian Church is livestreaming its Sunday 10am service.
  • Grace Church in Haddonfield (Episcopal) has videos and online worship available on their YouTube channel and on Facebook.
  • Haddonfield United Methodist Church continues bringing its Sunday 9am contemporary worship service to Facebook Live. The 10:30am traditional service is livestreamed, and also available via Facebook.
  • Lutheran Church of Our Savior is livestreaming its Sunday 10:30am worship service on Facebook Live. 

Borough facilities and services status

OFFICIAL as of March 17, 2020

  • All Borough offices and facilities are closed to the public, including Borough Hall, the Haddonfield Public Library, Mabel Kay Senior Center, 65 Club clubhouse, Crows Woods complex, Public Works complex, Fire House, and all fields, playgrounds, gardens, and recreation facilities throughout town.
  • The Borough has canceled all public meetings through the end of April for all municipal boards, commissions, and committees. If/when the Board of Commissioners or Board of Health are required to meet these will be livestreamed so as to permit public observation and participation. A full list of canceled events can be located on our Borough website.  
  • The Haddonfield Municipal Court, which is located in the Audubon Municipal Building, is closed through March 30th. Persons who are scheduled to appear before any Municipal Court to contest a traffic or parking ticket, or minor local ordinance violation should not appear and should await notice of a new court date.
  • Parking at meters and kiosks is free through April 30, 2020 and overnight parking restrictions will be re- laxed until further notice.
  • Suspended services and activities include senior citizens programs, recreation programs, youth sports, and athletic leagues.
  • A curfew is recommended from 8pm to 5am, unless your employers or an emergency require you to be outside or traveling.
  • Trash & recycling collection is currently running according to schedule. This is subject to change.
  • Library programming may be available online, including video tutorials, via this link.
  • No yard sale permits, block parties or solicitation permits will be issued at this time.
  • To obtain a marriage license, please call 856-429-4700 ext 206 or email Megan Giordano.
  • Construction permit applications may be dropped off in the black dropbox located in the front of Borough Hall. Construction Inspections will be limited and may not be available through April 30, 2020. To find out about the status of a specific application, call 856-429-4700 ext 228 or 209 or email Tavis Karrow.
  • No new applications for our Historic Preservation, Planning or Zoning Boards will be accepted through April 30, 2020. Questions about applications, objections or appeals can be directed to Tavis Karrow.
  • Payments for municipal services may be mailed or dropped off in the black dropbox located in the front of Borough Hall or made via online payment options, which will be available on our website as of March 30, 2020.