The new school year is now upon us and with it our new communication platform ParentSquare, please take a moment to activate your account by clicking the activation link in the email received on August 26th, August, 29th, and September 2nd from the district Director of Technology, Steven Lelivelt.

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.

Holmdel High School’s Head Track and Cross Country Coach, Emily Pszeniczny, alongside standout runner Landon Whitehead, proudly represented Holmdel’s track community as top finishers in the Monmouth Mile held on August 28 at Christian Brothers Academy.

Their achievements reflect the strength and growing tradition of excellence within Holmdel’s running programs.

This fall, Coach Pszeniczny will spearhead the district’s new “Gone Running” initiative, the first program of its kind in Holmdel to provide structured youth running opportunities for students in grades 1–8. The program is designed to foster a love of running, build healthy habits, and inspire the next generation of Holmdel athletes.

We are proud to share that Holmdel High School sophomore, Emerson Granata (15), has been awarded a $1,500 Charlie Puth Musical Performance Scholarship from the Count Basie Center for the Arts.

This scholarship will support her continued training at the Basie Center’s Turner Academy of the Arts, where she will further develop her talents in dance, voice, and acting.

Emerson has been actively involved in the performing arts for many years, with more than seven years of vocal training and numerous performances with the Basie Center Turner Academy, Matawan’s Spotlight Players, the Middletown Arts Center, and the Holmdel Theater Guild. With this scholarship, she looks forward to advancing her musical theatre education and pursuing her dream of performing on Broadway.

Please join us in congratulating Emerson on this outstanding accomplishment!

Click here to read the full article.

On Saturday, the district had the pleasure of joining members of the Holmdel High School Class of 2008 for a special reunion gathering at The Hive.

It was great to meet these accomplished alumni, some of whom still call Holmdel home and now have children in our schools!

We toured our upgraded facilities, and they were thrilled to see how far we've come both in terms of infrastructure and the incredible growth in programs and opportunities available to students today.

As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen connections with our alumni, the district will be following up with these esteemed alumni to invite them to participate in our Holmdel Hornet Exchange Program-as guest speakers, mentors, and potential hosts for student internships.

The Holmdel community continues to shine, generation after generation.

If you have kids who love to explore and are curious about fossils, geology, and sharks, this event is for you!

Join local paleontologist, Kevin Borrelli for an unforgettable adventure into the Cretaceous period, a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and New Jersey was submerged beneath a shallow inland sea. We’ll get our feet wet as we walk through the Ramanessin streambed searching and sifting for fossils as we go. Shark teeth are abundant in the area but we might also find fossilized bones, crab claws, saber-tooth salmon fangs and more! We’ll share what we find as we learn all about the sea creatures that once lived right here in Holmdel. Budding paleontologists might just go home with some of their own treasures to keep! This fun adventure is open to all but is geared toward families and kids who are accompanied by an adult.

When: Saturday, September 20, 2025 10am-12pm, rain date October 4

Where: Meet at the Holmdel Village School parking lot on the corner of McCampbell Road and Middletown Road across from the Ramanessin Trailhead.

Bring: Be sure to bring water shoes or old sneakers, a towel, bug spray/sunscreen, water, a trowel and a bucket or bag to hold your finds. Limited sifting equipment will be provided.

Cost: Free! Registration is not required, just show up.

Questions: Email jlashkar@hotmail.com or visit www.holmdel-cilu.org

Mark your Calendar!

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.

National Suicide Prevention Month 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and we are dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of our students, staff, and families. For the last three years, we have partnered with the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County to introduce the Lifelines program, an evidence-based suicide prevention initiative. In addition, the district now has three master trainers in Behavior Threat Assessment and has been recognized at both the state and national levels for our tabletop training protocols and our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our students.

You can find additional information about the Lifelines program by clicking HERE.

  

As we embark on a new school year, let us also take a moment to remember September 11, 2001. This day serves as a reminder of our nation’s resilience and the importance of unity.

It is a time to honor the memory of those who lost their lives, to recognize the courage of the first responders and everyday heroes who answered the call that day, and to reflect on the values of compassion, service, and community that emerged in the aftermath.

As educators, we carry forward these lessons by fostering a spirit of respect, empathy, and togetherness within our schools. In doing so, we not only honor the past but also help shape a future where our students grow into engaged, compassionate citizens.

Thank you for your ongoing support, dedication, and commitment to the success of our students. We are Holmdel, and together, we will continue to make a positive difference in the lives of our children.