Dear Holmdel Township School Community,
As Earth Day approaches on April 22nd, it is a meaningful reminder of the shared responsibility we have to care for our environment and to cultivate sustainable habits within our schools and community. Across the Holmdel Township School District, students and staff are actively engaged in hands-on learning experiences that bring environmental stewardship to life in authentic and impactful ways.
At Village School, students are restoring a rain garden and planting native species designed to attract and support monarch butterfly populations, strengthening local biodiversity while learning about ecological balance.
Indian Hill School continues its commitment to sustainability through composting food waste and engaging students in the innovative experience of raising trout in the classroom, deepening their understanding of ecosystems and conservation.
At Satz School, students are expanding their environmental learning through greenhouse gardens and the use of Tower Gardens in classrooms, bringing sustainable agriculture directly into the learning environment.
At Holmdel High School, students are exploring advanced environmental science through the Aquaponics Lab and leading advocacy efforts through the Eco Club, including initiatives focused on anti-idling awareness to reduce emissions and promote cleaner air.
Finally, the district sends a faculty delegation annually to the New Jersey Sustainability Summit sponsored by Sustainable Jersey, which will once again be hosted right here in Holmdel at Bell Works, Friday, May 15, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This event gathers school green teams, educators, and municipal officials for sessions on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and climate resilience, featuring networking, an EV Ride & Drive, and exhibitors.
These districtwide efforts reflect a growing culture of environmental responsibility and student-driven innovation that aligns closely with the spirit of Earth Day.
In that spirit of community and celebration, we are pleased to share an invitation to the Earth Day Festival & Greenway Walk at Bayonet Farm.
Celebrate Earth Day with a day of fresh air, family fun, and community connection on Sunday, April 26th from 12–5 PM. The event will feature live performances, hands-on exhibits, guided tours, and a scenic Greenway Walk through the beautiful trails of Bayonet Farm. Admission, shows, tours, and parking are all free. Come early, stay awhile, and experience nature, learning, and local spirit all in one place.
The flyer with full details is included below.
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Students in Mr. O’Keefe’s Inquiry Seminar, accompanied by co-chaperone Dr. DeVivo, visited Puzzle Connect on April 15 for an engaging, hands-on escape room experience. Divided into two groups, students took on the themed challenges The Candy Shoppe and Curse of the Hidden Temple, working collaboratively to solve puzzles under pressure.
The trip provided a valuable real-world connection to their coursework, allowing students to experience the design and mechanics of an escape room firsthand. This experience will directly inform their upcoming end-of-year project, in which they will design and create their own escape rooms, applying skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.
Both groups completed their challenges in record time, an impressive accomplishment that speaks to their preparation and collaboration.
Following the visit, the owner of Puzzle Connect shared high praise for our students:
“These kids are incredibly smart and some of the best behaved we’ve encountered. It was an absolute pleasure to host them, and we have high hopes that what they design will be amazing. We would be happy to work with the school anytime, so if there is another opportunity down the road, please reach out. Thank you for choosing us.”
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Holmdel’s second French-American exchange with our sister school in Ribeauvillé, a picturesque town in Alsace, once again provided students with a meaningful international experience. As shared by district French teacher Laurence Cogger, nine students participated in this year’s program, immersing themselves in the daily life of French high schoolers while strengthening their language and cultural understanding.
Beyond the classroom, students explored the region’s history through visits to the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp, the only one on French soil, and a nearby World War II memorial museum. They also visited Strasbourg, the “Capital of Europe,” home to the European Parliament and the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, toured the Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, and concluded in Paris with visits to historic landmarks, the Eiffel Tower, and Bouillon Chartier.
A particularly moving moment occurred when students learned that Morgan McLaughlin’s great-grandfather was among the American soldiers who helped liberate Ribeauvillé in 1944. With local historians Didier de Sacy and Raymond Seiller, students retraced his steps, bringing history to life in a deeply personal way.
Ms. Cogger noted that the experience offered students a powerful sense of “living history” and a deeper appreciation of the enduring ties between France and the United States. We are grateful to our French partners, host families, and all who made this exchange possible.
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Melissa Cooke, a Village School teacher in Holmdel, has been selected as one of nine educators from New Jersey, and one of 27 nationwide, to participate in the STEM Pioneers Teacher Corps, a National Science Foundation–funded initiative led by Penn State University and partner institutions. The program recognizes outstanding elementary STEM educators and provides multi-year professional development, leadership training, and collaboration opportunities across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
Congratulations to Ms. Cooke on this well-deserved recognition and exciting professional opportunity.
To view the full article click here.
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Last month, at the March 25 Board of Education meeting, the 2026–27 school district budget was presented and approved by a vote of 7 to 2. Crafting this budget was no easy task and required the dedication of our administrative team, Board of Education, and the collaboration and support of the Holmdel Education Association and the Holmdel Town Committee.
While the budget does involve some sacrifices from the Holmdel community, it largely preserves the excellence of our school district and allows us to continue providing programs that meet community expectations, even in these challenging financial times.
The final public hearing on the budget will take place at the April 29, 2026 Board of Education meeting.
Below are links to clipped videos of the March 18 Committee of the Whole discussion, as well as the slide deck and full video of the March 25 budget presentation and Q&A session.
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We’re excited to introduce a new Family Course now available through our partnership with The Social Institute: A.I. Safety Essentials: Protecting Our Children from Privacy Risks, Deepfakes, and Misinformation.
Artificial intelligence has widespread risks for kids—privacy, deepfakes, emotional chatbot use, and misinformation. This course helps families explore simple safety rules, communication strategies, and ways to help kids use A.I. responsibly.
Next Steps:
If you have not already, register your free account for The Toolkit. Many families refer to this as the CliffsNotes of social media and technology! Go to the Toolkit, click Activate Account, and enter our school code: 55b5197A69096D
Access the Family Courses:
As a reminder, all courses are designed to be self-paced and can be completed on your own schedule. We understand that each household has its own values and approach to technology — and we fully respect that. This programming is not about prescribing rules or parenting strategies. It’s about offering ideas and tools that you can use in whatever way fits your family best.
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The Holmdel Township School District is pleased to offer a variety of indoor and outdoor facilities available for community and business use. From athletic fields and gymnasiums to meeting and performance spaces, the district provides flexible options to support local programs, events, and activities.
Click HERE for the facility rental forms.
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Holmdel Girl Scout Troop 826 recently completed their Bronze Award project, “Moms in Need,” a thoughtful community service initiative focused on supporting expecting mothers and deepening understanding of the challenges they face.
The girls began by researching maternal and infant care needs and identifying meaningful ways to support families within their community. They partnered with the Fashion Department at Brookdale Community College to learn sewing skills and created handmade onesies for premature babies at Riverview Medical Center’s SHARE program, which they presented during a special ceremony.
The troop also organized diaper drives to collect essential supplies for families in need and hosted a town-wide event for younger Girl Scout troops, featuring interactive activities designed to raise awareness and encourage continued service.
For a closer look at their journey and impact, please view the video created by the troop:
The students will be recognized for their achievement at the May 27 Board of Education meeting.
Participants include Alex Bryceland, Brielle Mann, Calista Anastasiou, Charlotte Kim, Elyse Ramsa, Gwendolyn Kane, Haley Czaja, Jordan Applegate, Molly Connelly, Reaghan Costello, Reese Powers, Sierra Messina, Sonia Thakker, Skylar Melnyk, and Sophia Fokas.
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Holmdel Township School District is proud to continue its partnership with The Balance Project, a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to helping children, families, and communities cultivate a healthier relationship with technology, strengthen mental wellness, and foster greater overall life balance.
Through education, conversation, and community engagement, The Balance Project equips families with practical tools to navigate today’s digital world while prioritizing connection, well-being, and purposeful living.
As part of this ongoing collaboration, a series of upcoming events offers meaningful opportunities for parents, students, and community members to engage in workshops and experiences designed to spark reflection and support healthier habits at home and beyond.
Click HERE to view the upcoming events.
Don't Miss out!
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Families are invited to take part in two timely learning series, offered in partnership with Hackensack Meridian Health, designed to support student safety, wellness, and healthy development.
The Parent/Guardian Talk Series will feature practical guidance on topics such as E-Bikes: What You Need to Know (April 30) and Keeping Your Child Safe: Inside & Outside the Home (May 12), offering strategies to help families navigate emerging safety concerns at home and in the community.
In addition, the Mental Health Webinar Series will provide expert-led sessions throughout May, including discussions on adolescent mental health in a changing world (4/29), treatment options from traditional therapy to brain-based care (5/6), addiction recovery approaches (5/13), women’s mental wellness across the lifespan (5/20), and sports psychiatry for athletes at all levels (5/27).
If interested, the QR codes in the flyer below can be used to register.
Together, these programs offer valuable insights and resources to help support the well-being of children and adolescents.
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The Foster Closet of Holmdel will host an Open House on April 25 from 4–7 p.m., offering an opportunity for attendees to learn how The Village Inc. supports foster families in Central New Jersey through local donations and community partnerships. Guests will enjoy light refreshments, connect with community members, and explore ways to get involved in supporting neighbors in need. Attendance includes food, drinks, and a swag bag, and RSVP is available via the QR code provided. |
- April 20 HHS Spring ESL Night 6 pm
- April 30 - Transition & Wellness Expo - Bell Works - 2pm
- May 1 - HHS Jazz Festival 8 pm
- May 7 & 8 Satz Spring Play 6 pm
- May 12 IH Spring Band/Chorus Concert 7 pm
- May 15 HHS Relay for Life 4 pm
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The board will hold its next monthly public meeting (COW) on Wednesday, April 22nd, at 7:00 PM in the High School media center. The meetings are also accessible via Zoom link and will be posted to the district webpage within 24 hours of the meeting.
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“Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together … all things connect.”
— Chief Seattle
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I thank you for your time and consideration and wish you a safe and peaceful week ahead.
Sincerely yours,
Dr. J. Scott Cascone
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