Dear Holmdel Township School Community,
I hope this letter finds you and your loved ones in good health and high spirits. As we embark on a new academic year, I want to extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to each one of you. Whether you are a returning family or new to our community, we are thrilled to have you as a part of the Holmdel family.
Superintendent Shoutouts
- Our incredible buildings and grounds and technology teams have been working tirelessly throughout the summer on important facility upgrades, routine cleaning, and maintenance so that our faculty, staff, and students return to well-wired, sparkling, and safe buildings. Please join me in extending thanks to these valuable and hard-working team members.
- Kudos to our central office, school, and department support staff and administrative assistants who, as they always do, have provided critical assistance and service to prepare for the opening of schools.
- We again held two successful and well-attended student programs: Camp Invention at Indian Hill and the Extended School Year at Village School. Thank you to all the faculty and staff who re-upped for another "tour of duty" this summer to assist our students in building important skills, to our students for their commitment to continuous improvement, and to the parents and guardians who support them.
- Our athletic teams, coaching staff, and middle/high school pep band have been hard at work all summer preparing for the fall season. We wish them all the best of luck as they open up their seasons.
I am proud to share that Holmdel has been identified as the number one school district in New Jersey, attracting families who want to be part of a strong community and an excellent school system.
Over the past several years, our district has seen consistent growth across nearly every measurable indicator, from test scores and state rankings to reductions in disciplinary incidents and HIB cases.
These results are the product of a community that works together: Boards of Education past and present, administration, faculty, staff, parents, and students. When we pull in the same direction with a positive, growth-oriented mindset, the results speak for themselves. To read the full story, click here.
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As we approach the start of the school year, here are a few important reminders for the first week of school:
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Wednesday, September 3rd – First day of school (early dismissal)
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Thursday, September 4th – Early dismissal day
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Friday, September 5th – First full day of school
Regarding Crawfords Corner Road improvements, the middle and high school principals have communicated that construction will continue into next week. Work will be completed at night after 9:00 PM to minimize disruption during arrival and dismissal. Traffic patterns for the first week will look very similar to last year, and we are grateful to Chief Allocco and the Holmdel Police Department for deploying personnel to assist with traffic flow.
NOTE: Longstreet Road will be closed during the day on September 2nd, the first day for staff.
By the second week of school, the new roadways and extensions are expected to be open, providing significant improvements to traffic on Crawfords Corner Road.
Managing the transportation, welcoming, feeding and teaching of nearly 3,000 students is a complex process, and we anticipate minor adjustments in the early days. We thank you in advance for your understanding, cooperation, and engagement, which will help ensure the smoothest possible start to the school year.
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As the summer comes to a close, our administrative leadership team came together for a full day of professional development and strategic planning to prepare for the upcoming school year. The day included a mix of informative sessions, collaborative discussions, and interactive activities focused on enhancing leadership and supporting student success.
Highlights from the day included:
- Professional development on artificial intelligence and its role in school leadership
- Training on inter-rater reliability in the performance evaluation system
- Updates on student and school safety
- Curriculum, instruction, and assessment planning
- Team-building and energizer activities to foster collaboration
- Training on grading policies and Parent Square tools for effective communication
The agenda also featured breakout sessions for principals and assistant principals, curriculum team meetings, and a closing fellowship to celebrate our leadership team’s hard work and dedication.
These sessions reflect Holmdel’s commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and a safe, engaging, and equitable learning environment for all students.
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This week, the district hosted a three-day New Teacher Orientation Program, welcoming approximately 20 new staff members to the district. The program provided our newest educators with valuable insights, resources, and connections to set them up for success in the upcoming school year.
The orientation featured a comprehensive schedule of professional development, hands-on training, and team-building activities, including:
- A Holmdel bus tour of district facilities
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Technology training covering email, ParentSquare, and district systems
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PowerSchool training and guidance on administrative tools
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Mentor training and HR overviews to support new staff
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Evaluations (Danielson) and SGOs, SEL and Character Strong training
- Classroom management, special education, and department meetings
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HIB training and guidance on policies and safety
- Opportunities for team-building and collaboration, including icebreakers, group photos, and interactive sessions
We sincerely thank all staff and administrators who contributed to this orientation, making it both informative and welcoming. Their efforts ensure that our new educators feel supported and fully prepared as they begin their journey with Holmdel.
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As we get ready for the new school year with our ParentSquare communication platform, please take a moment to activate your account by clicking the activation link in the email received on August 26th from the district Director of Technology, Steven Lelivelt. Additional emails will be sent on August 29 and September 2. You will also need to confirm your email address and contact information. Once activated, you’ll be able to access the advanced features listed below.
✅ School and classroom updates — Stay informed with announcements from teachers, principals, and the district.
📅 Calendar events and reminders — View upcoming school events, deadlines, and receive automatic reminders.
💬 Direct messaging with staff — Privately message teachers and school staff without needing email addresses.
📋 Forms, permission slips, and sign-ups — Complete forms and volunteer sign-ups quickly from one place.
📥 Daily summaries and customizable notifications — Choose how and when to receive messages (app, text, email, etc.).
🗓️ Your child’s class schedule — View your student’s daily class schedule and stay on top of any updates or changes.
The Holmdel Township School District now offers a mobile app that consolidates messages from teachers, principals, and district leaders into one easy-to-use platform. Once you have activated your account, please consider downloading the app to get the most out of the ParentSquare platform. The following features are available:
📌All-in-one messaging hub — Access messages, alerts, and forms in a streamlined format designed for mobile use.
📲 Receive instant alerts and updates — Get push notifications for urgent messages, announcements, and schedule changes.
💬 Communicate quickly with teachers and staff — Send and receive direct messages without needing to log in each time.
📅 Access calendars and events on the go — Stay organized with mobile access to school events and important dates.
✅ Easily complete forms and sign-ups — Submit permission slips, RSVPs, and volunteer forms right from your phone.
📷 Share and receive media effortlessly — Quickly view or upload photos, videos, and documents related to school activities.
The mobile app is optional, but we strongly encourage you to give it a try. It’s designed to make staying connected easier and more convenient. Available for both Apple and Android devices, just search “Holmdel” in your app store or use the download links below.
If you are not affiliated with Holmdel Township School District or no longer have a child enrolled, please contact us at (732) 946-1839 or email ParentSquare@HolmdelSchools.org so we can update our records.
We’re excited to begin this new chapter in school communication and look forward to staying connected with you through ParentSquare.
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The 2025-26 district goals were on last night’s Board of Education agenda for approval. The goals for the 2025-26 school year emerged from a variety of sources, most notably the feedback received through last year’s strategic plan benchmark survey, and are closely aligned with our strategic plan action steps.
Key focuses for the upcoming year include:
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Character Strong Curriculum: Implementing the program with fidelity across grades K–8 to support social-emotional growth, character development, and overall well-being.
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Consistent and Equitable Grading: Establishing clear grading and assessment practices across all grade levels, courses, and departments to promote fairness and improved student outcomes.
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Parent University: Launching an online platform to provide families with accessible, high-quality resources that support learning and strengthen home-school partnerships.
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School Schedule Evaluation: Assessing the middle and high school rotating dropblock schedule to ensure it best supports student achievement and engagement.
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AI Strategic Planning: Proactively addressing the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on teaching, learning, and school operations through a multi-year strategic plan.
These goals also reflect broader strategic priorities, including promoting consistency in the student experience, fostering parent engagement, and strengthening positive behavioral support programs, ensuring that Holmdel continues to provide a supportive, equitable, and innovative learning environment for all students.
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As part of the district's ongoing commitment to student safety and well-being, Holmdel Public Schools has completed its annual review of district practices and protocols related to the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) statute and board policy.
To assist families in understanding these policies and navigating the law if the need arises, the district administration has created a helpful Parent FAQ document. This resource provides clear guidance on reporting procedures, definitions, and the support available to students and families.
We encourage all parents and guardians to review the FAQ to better understand Holmdel’s procedures for promoting a safe, respectful, and supportive school environment.
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We are proud to celebrate members of the Holmdel High School Class of 2021 who are continuing their academic journeys in the field of law.
Rina Gallo, Sara Safari, Jillian DeMarco, and Matthew Perez have all been admitted as Juris Doctor candidates in the Seton Hall University School of Law Class of 2028.
Their achievement highlights the dedication and ambition of Holmdel graduates as they pursue advanced studies and prepare for impactful careers. Congratulations to these four alumni on this exciting milestone!
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Holmdel High School student Helen Nil Yilmaz and alumnus Finley Torrens were among twelve New Jersey students who captured first place at the International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
The New Jersey contingent joined over 250 students from around the world, competing in multinational “companies” tasked with designing futuristic space settlements.
Holmdel’s students were part of the winning company, Vulture, which created a visionary plan for a human settlement orbiting Venus—complete with radiation-shielded habitats, artificial gravity, sustainable ecosystems, and robotic construction systems.
Reflecting on the experience, Yilmaz said, “It was more than just a competition—it pushed us to think beyond boundaries and inspired us to reach for the unknown.”
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This summer, Holmdel students took center stage in the inspiring production of Dare to Dream at the Bell Works Theater. Their dedication, creativity, and talent lit up the stage and made our community proud.
Pictured (left to right): Siena DeFilippis, Emma Chang, Zoe Wong, Bella Yang, Liliana Yang, Evelyn Bilsland, Kate Pontoriero, and Holmdel Township School District music teacher, Ms. Nigro. Not pictured: Avery Drejman.
Congratulations to all of our student performers for representing Holmdel with such passion and excellence. Your hard work reminds us all to keep dreaming big!
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We are proud to share that Megha Ganne, a Holmdel High School graduate, captured the title at the U.S. Women’s Amateur on Sunday, August 10th. This remarkable achievement places Megha among the nation’s top amateur golfers and is a testament to her hard work, perseverance, and talent.
Congratulations, Megha, on this incredible accomplishment!
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Pre-K to 8th Grade: Join HYAA Soccer This Fall!”
Time is running out, register today!
REGISTER NOW FOR 2025 RECREATION SOCCER
to register
Pre-K “Big Shots” Program (must be 4 by program start date (9/13/25)
-- 6 one hour Saturday morning sessions (Start date: Saturday, September 13th)
-- Professional trainer instructed clinic
-- HYAA Soccer Jersey / Participation award
Grades K - 1st Leagues (K eligibility: must be born before 9/1/2020 no exceptions)
-- Season starts Saturday, September 6th
-- Professional trainer instructed clinic with games
-- HYAA Soccer Jersey and sock / Participation award
Game/Training Days: Tuesday (Boys)/Thursday (Girls) evening, and Saturday morning.
Grades 2nd through 8th Leagues
-- Season starts Saturday, September 6th
-- Season plus playoffs / Awards to 1st and 2nd place
-- HYAA Soccer jersey and socks
-- Referees
Game/Training Days: Tuesday (Boys) or Thursday (Girls) evening, and Saturday morning.
Important Payment Information
-- All registrations require a credit card payment at the time of registration
-- “Big Shots” Pre-K program fee is $90
-- Kindergarten thru 8th Grade Leagues fee is $125
Required Equipment
Be prepared for the upcoming Fall Soccer season with the right equipment.
- All players are asked to bring their own ball
- Size 3 for grades PreK-1st
- Size 4 for all leagues 2nd/3rd grade, boys league 4th/5th, and girls league 4th/5th/6th
- Size 5 for boys league 6th/7th/8th and girls league 7th/8th
- Soccer shin guards
- Cleats or athletic sneakers
- Dark shorts (black or dark blue recommended)
HYAA provides a uniform jersey and socks.
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September 10: Holmdel High School – 6:00 PM
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September 15: PreK, Kindergarten & Grade 1 – 6:30 PM
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September 16: Satz Middle School – 6:00 PM
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September 18: Grades 2 & 3 – 6:30 PM
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September 25: Grade 4 – 6:30 PM
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September 30: Grades 5 & 6 – 6:30 PM
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As part of our commitment to character education, "Live Holmdel Blue" focuses on four core values: respect, responsibility, fairness, and citizenship. These values promote positive behaviors and essential life skills that extend beyond the classroom. By teaching these values, we aim to foster not just academic success but also the development of compassionate, well-rounded individuals who will positively impact society. For September, our theme is "RESPONSIBILITY", encouraging students to consider the impact of their choices on others.
I invite you to join us in reinforcing the "Live Holmdel Blue" principles by participating in our activities and events throughout the year. Together, we can create an environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
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“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” —Eleanor Roosevelt
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I thank you in advance for your time and attention and wish you all a safe and restful Labor Day weekend.
Here's to a wonderful school year ahead!
Sincerely,
Dr. J. Scott Cascone
#WeAreHolmdel
#HolmdelProud
#LifeHolmdelBlue
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