In addition to lesson plans and activities in theses stay-at-home times Merchantville School has focused on connecting to students and MES through "read out louds" on Facebook. Parents and kids can tune in throughout the week to listen as teachers and administrators share stories. Merchantville CSA, Scott Strong, read Duck for President and Harold and the Purple CrayonKrista Travaglini shared Peanut Butter and Cupcake and Spanish Teacher, Ms. Bonilla, read Say Hola to Spanish. Remember to read while you are at home. Enjoy and stay safe. for more videos. Keep on reading while you are home. We miss all of our students. 

On April 2nd, Camden County's Department of Health announced 48 additional positive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases in our town to four (4). Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. reminded the public that “We all must remain vigilant, policing ourselves to stay at home, to avoid unnecessary trips, and to exercise social distancing to the greatest possible extent. We have seen this strategy work in other parts of the world that have fought back this virus, and if we do our part it will work here too." On Wednesday the County opened a new drive-up coronavirus (COVID-19) testing site Cooper’s Poynt Waterfront Park, 801 Delaware Avenue in Camden City. Hours are Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. through April 15.

Starting this Thursday April 2nd, The Blue Monkey Tavern will open for curbside pick-up of take out orders between 12:00 and 7:00 p.m. weekly from Thursday through Sunday. An updated menu can be found on our website  We will be adding takeout drinks - yes, bottles/cans/packs of alcohol - and "make your own" cocktail packages soon, making us a one stop shop for all of your dining needs. Decide what you want from our menu then, call us at 856-661-8008. When you call we will give you an estimated pick-up time. When you arrive drive up to the side door on the Rite Aid side of our building please call again and we will come out, take your payment - credit or exact cash only - and bring you your food. 

Thank you so much for the support you have shown us and all of our staff thus far. It means the world to us, truly. And now, we appreciate your continued patience as we adjust to this new system. We are so happy to be back to serving you even if it is in this limited capacity. Don't forget to visit www.bluemonkeytavern.com to order a tee shirt to support our staff. 

Mayor Ted Brennan delivered a message to the Merchantville community on Sunday, March 29th, thanking them for continuing to adhere to Governor Murphy's executive "stay at home" order, social distancing and traveling from home only for essential needs. He also provided an update on the current number of positive cases in the Borough, the need for blood donations and some volunteer opportunities to assist seniors through the County. In closing he stressed the importance of residents supporting our small businesses and their owners who have been so dramatically impacted by this pandemic. Mayor Brennan also reminded everyone to complete their Census 2020 this week.

While social distancing is the most important way to fight the spread of coronavirus and save lives, wearing a mask is an act of social altruism - a behavior that is designed to increase another person's welfare, and particularly those actions that do not seem to provide a direct reward to the person who performs them. While guidance on whether to wear a face mask has been evolving, wearing a mask can help limit the spread of respiratory droplets, which in turn spread the new coronavirus. Sewing your own face mask helps to protect the supply of surgical masks to frontline care providers. In an effort to promote this activity the NY Times provided a tutorial on how to make your own fabric face mask from common household materials.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority has announced that it will begin accepting applications this Friday, April 3, for its Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. The grant program is part of the state’s efforts to help businesses and workers negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Small- and mid-sized businesses wishing to apply for a grant can apply online beginning at 9 a.m. by following a link that will be posted on the state’s COVID-19 Business Information Hub. The grants are not available to home-based businesses or prohibited businesses.

Food trucks from Marys Mobile DinerRed's Rolling Restaurant and Not Your Mama's Tacos have been helping to keep the EMTs and hospital staff at Cooper Hospital nourished with comfort food as they care for patients during the pandemic. They have received generous donations from local residents to meet their goal of free 1000 meals. A donation of a $15 gift provides a meal or snack for Cooper Hospital staff members. Please keep supporting the cause to take care of our frontline hero’s! Donations may be made through Venmo, credit card or check. Please IM them through Facebook or text them by phone listed on their business pages.

More Articles ...