Haddonfield Schools Keeps Hybrid Model Amid COVID Spike, For Now

HADDONFIELD, NJ — The Haddonfield Public School District will remain in a hybrid learning environment, the district announced after a meeting between the Camden County Health Department and school district superintendents from throughout the county on Friday.

The Department of Health said that due to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the county, Camden County will most likely be in the "Red/Very High Risk category by Thanksgiving. Once that happens, districts will have to go full-remote.

“For the time being, school district operations will remain in our current hybrid model,” Haddonfield Superintendent of Schools Chuck Klaus said in a letter to the community issued on Saturday. “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.”

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Last weekend, the district announced that Haddonfield Memorial High School was moving to an all-remote learning format until Nov. 30 after it had received information about an additional coronavirus case in the district. It was hoping the school could go back into its hybrid model on Nov. 30. Read more here: Haddonfield High School Goes Full Remote After New COVID Case

The Haddonfield Board of Education’s meetings remain virtual, and the Haddonfield Board of Health will hold a special meeting to discuss the spike on Tuesday.

“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,” Klaus said. “We appreciate your continued efforts to practice all recommended behaviors such as mask-wearing and handwashing and to help us to keep our children in school.”