Dear Holmdel Township School Community,

I hope this finds you well.

I am pleased to share exciting news with our school community. Last week, Principal Simonelli was recognized as the 2026 Middle Level Administrator of the Year by the New Jersey Association for Middle Level Education.

This prestigious honor celebrates administrators who exemplify outstanding leadership and a strong commitment to middle-level education, creating meaningful learning experiences for early adolescents, fostering a positive school climate, and supporting both the academic and social-emotional growth of students.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to the development of the award application. Your insights and reflections helped showcase the many ways Mrs. Simonelli’s leadership has positively shaped the culture and learning environment at Satz.

We are truly fortunate to have Mrs. Simonelli leading Satz Middle School. The care, dedication, and professionalism she brings to her work are evident each day. Please join me in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition.

Holmdel continues to shine on the state stage! Senior standout Johnson Ji has been named New Jersey’s Boys Fencer of the Year, capping off a remarkable season defined by precision, consistency, and dominance on the strip. Read more about his incredible journey and what sets him apart from the competition. Congratulations Johnson!

Click HERE to read the full article.

Congratulations to Satz Middle School student Anderson Cosmas on being selected as a pianist for the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education (NJAJE) Region Jazz Band.

This highly competitive ensemble brings together some of the state’s most accomplished student musicians through a rigorous audition process that evaluates improvisation, sight-reading, and overall musicianship. Selected students rehearse and perform under the direction of distinguished jazz educators from across New Jersey. Anderson’s selection reflects his hard work, talent, and dedication to musical excellence.

Congratulations, Anderson!

Congratulations to Pranav Deshpande, Keoni Baheti, and Renee Whittemore on their selection to the Rutgers Honors Band! During this one day experience, they had the opportunity to work with Rutgers music faculty, gain insight into collegiate music life, and perform in a culminating concert at Nicholas Music Hall on the Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts music campus.

Bravo to Charlotte Stanislawczyk, Pranav Deshpande, and Jesse Burden on an outstanding performance at this weekend’s NJ All Shore Symphonic Band concert. Their dedication, musicianship, and hard work were on full display as they contributed to a high-level ensemble experience alongside talented peers from across the region. Congratulations to all three students on this well-earned achievement.

Village School proudly donated 5,342 cereal boxes to Lunch Break in Red Bank, New Jersey, helping support local families in need.

As the grand finale of Read Across America Week, the school brought the donation to life with a Cereal Box Domino Run. Students and staff carefully lined up thousands of cereal boxes throughout the gym, creating a giant domino chain that toppled one after another in a fun and memorable display. The event combined creativity, teamwork, and community spirit while highlighting the importance of giving back.

A special thank you goes to Grace Giampolo and the entire Village School Student Council for dreaming up this “cerealously” creative theme. Their leadership helped transform a simple food drive into an exciting school-wide celebration of literacy, generosity, and community impact.

To view the patch article click HERE.

Village School Principal Barrett and teacher Katheryne McEvoy generously volunteered their time over the weekend to install the new Kindergarten Sensory Walk in the hallway. Their willingness to come in outside of the school day reflects a commitment to our students and to creating thoughtful, supportive learning environments.

A sensory walk is an interactive hallway pathway designed to help students engage in purposeful movement that supports regulation, focus, and readiness to learn. These walks typically include visual cues, movement prompts, and activities that encourage balance, coordination, breathing, and mindfulness. For our youngest learners, the Sensory Walk provides a valuable opportunity to reset, refocus, and meet their individual sensory needs throughout the school day, ultimately supporting both academic engagement and overall well-being.

This meaningful addition to Village School was made possible through a mini-wellness grant that Principal Barrett secured from Hackensack Meridian Health, further demonstrating the proactive efforts of our staff to enhance student experiences through external partnerships and resources.

We are grateful for the dedication, care, and initiative shown in bringing this project to life, and we are confident that the Sensory Walk will have a lasting, positive impact on our kindergarten students each day.

The Board of Education and administration have begun receiving emails regarding the proposed removal of courtesy and late busing services from the 2026–2027 school district budget. To provide clarity, we have prepared the information below in an FAQ format to make it as clear and accessible as possible.

Please know that the decision to exclude courtesy and late busing from the 2026–2027 budget was not made lightly or hastily. Rather, it was a necessary step taken to help mitigate the need for additional reductions in staff and/or academic programs.

Holmdel Township School District proudly congratulates several students who will be taking the stage this spring in Axelrod Performing Arts Academy’s production of Seussical: The Musical, running March 27–29, 2026, at Bell Theater at Bell Works.

Representing the district are Avery Drejman and Vivian Dilts (2nd grade); Sophia Jadach, Reese Corrigan, Kate Pontoriero, Kayla Wunderlich, Evelyn Bilsland, and Siena DeFilippis (grades 7–8); and Annabella Yang (9th grade) and Sam Bilsland (10th grade).

Their selection and participation reflect their talent, dedication, and commitment to the performing arts. The district celebrates their hard work and wishes them continued success as they bring this production to life on stage.

Upcoming Parent/Guardian Talk Series Webinar that Hackensack Meridian Children's Health is hosting. 

“Feedback is the breakfast of champions” – Ken Blanchard

I thank you for your time and consideration and wish you a safe and peaceful week ahead.

Dr. J. Scott Cascone