Dear Holmdel Township School Community,
I hope this finds you well. ‘Tis the season when the heart and spirit of our school community truly shine. Last week, as we returned from the Thanksgiving recess, I had the joy of witnessing that spirit firsthand. From the bustling energy of the Village School Giving Tree toy drive as the truck was loaded with gifts, to the colorful holiday market hosted by the Indian Hill School Entrepreneur Club at Bell Works, it was impossible not to be swept up in the excitement. Students, families, and even the stalls themselves were decked out in holiday cheer, showcasing the creativity, hard work, and generosity that define our community.
This week promises even more moments to celebrate, starting with Indian Hill’s holiday concert and many other festive events across our schools. While this time of year can feel busy, I encourage everyone to pause and take in the gifts all around us, the creativity, kindness, and spirit that make Holmdel such a special place. There is so much to be proud of and thankful for, and I hope each of you finds a moment to enjoy it.
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Over the course of the last several weeks, Mr. Howard, and a selection committee have been reviewing the nominations for the district’s recipients of the Governor's Educator of the Year and Educational Services Professional of the Year. The NJDOE cites the qualifications for exemplary educators as those professionals who “...exhibit strong knowledge and skills, an inspiring presence, and a positive impact on students, colleagues and the school community.” I am thrilled to announce this year's well deserving recipients who are listed below. These outstanding staff members will be recognized at the January Board of Education meeting . Please join me in extending heartfelt congratulations and commendations to this year’s recipients of the 2025-26 Educators and Educational Service Professionals of the Year Awards!
Educators of the Year
Laura Bradfield – Village School
Tom Woods – Indian Hill School
Katherine Saler – Satz School
Laurence Cogger – Holmdel High School
Educational Service Professionals of the Year
Elizabeth Smith – Village School
Dawn D'Amato – Indian Hill School
Ninotchka Ruiz– Satz School
Mary Glennon – Holmdel High School
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Last Friday, ten students from Holmdel High school's Business Law class: Rita Fan, Sofia Biccari, Elizabeth Bekiyants, Addison Yannetelli, Maeve Flaherty, Adam Azzaoui, Finn Buchan, Vivi Zeng, Ryan Pescatore, and Isabella Vizcaino proudly represented Holmdel in the annual Team Challenge, an ethical decision-making competition hosted by the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation at Brookdale Community College.
This countywide event brings together high school teams from across Monmouth County to analyze a real-world business scenario, apply an ethical decision-making framework, and present their recommendations to a panel of judges.
Over the past several weeks, our students collaborated extensively as they researched the scenario, refined their reasoning, and prepared a thoughtful, well-organized presentation. Their work highlighted exceptional critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills.
We are incredibly proud of their professionalism, preparation, and enthusiasm throughout this experience.
Congratulations to our Business Law students for representing Holmdel with excellence!
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Last week, a fantastic event marked the official launch of an exciting expansion of the community partnership between Holmdel Township Public Schools and Bayshore Hospital. Ten dedicated students from Ms. Davis' Patient Care Technician course, accompanied by their parents, attended the orientation to kick off the program.
Students and parents were given an overview of the program and a tour of the hospital. The event ended with students receiving their official hospital ID cards and Bayshore Hospital shirts. This collaboration is set to provide an invaluable experience for our students. Starting in January, each student will be paired with a seasoned hospital professional who will serve as a mentor. Students will visit the hospital to observe and experience healthcare work in action, gaining hands-on insight into various professions.
We are incredibly thrilled for our students and eager to see the growth and learning that will come from this opportunity. This partnership is a significant step in connecting classroom learning with real-world healthcare careers!
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Last Thursday evening, the Indian Hill School Entrepreneurs Club hosted its Holiday Market at Bell Works, and it was another truly outstanding celebration of student innovation, creativity, and community spirit.
When the district embarked on its five-year Strategic Action Plan in 2023, one of the clearest pieces of stakeholder feedback was the desire to expand co-curricular offerings at Indian Hill School, which serves grades 4–6. The Entrepreneurs Club is one of several expanded opportunities that have grown directly from that community input. Thursday’s event was a powerful reminder that strategic planning is essential, but real success happens when inspired educators, motivated students, and supportive families bring those plans to fruition.
More than 100 student entrepreneurs showcased their hard work across 60+ gift booths. The energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking on display were remarkable and reflective of what young people can achieve when given the space and encouragement to explore their passions.
This year, our students chose to dedicate the proceeds from the market to enhancing their own school environment by purchasing an additional GaGa pit for recess, an inspiring example of student agency and community stewardship.
Congratulations to all of our young entrepreneurs, this event is a testament to what is possible when a community dreams boldly and works together.
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On Friday, Village School students, families, and staff came together once again for the Giving Tree to make a meaningful impact in our community. With the leadership of Mrs. Jami Kenney and the support of Mrs. Barrett, the Parent School Association, our third-grade Student Council, and numerous student volunteers, hundreds of gifts were collected for children in need across the state.
This incredible effort highlights the generosity, compassion, and commitment of our school community. It’s yet another wonderful example of what it means to live Holmdel Blue.
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Join us for a festive evening at Magic of Lights at the PNC Bank Arts Center on December 17 and support the Holmdel High School music program!
🎟 How to Get Your Tickets: Click the link below to purchase your ticket. Then, click “UNLOCK” in the upper right-hand corner and enter the code HOLMDEL. Only one ticket per car is needed!
🎶 Live Performance: The Holmdel High School Chamber Singers will perform from 6:30–8:00 PM by the concession stand.
Bring your family, enjoy the lights, and support our talented students—we can’t wait to see you there!
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We want to extend our sincere thanks to our school community for sharing your feedback regarding the implementation of the ParentSquare communication platform. Your input is invaluable as we work to make communication more effective and responsive for everyone.
Please take a moment to review the FAQ document linked below, which addresses the common questions and topics raised.
This document is a living resource; new questions and considerations will continue to be added, so we encourage you to keep reaching out to the administration with any thoughts or concerns.
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The HFA Lady Hornets have returned from the American Youth Cheer National Championships in Orlando after an exceptional showing on the national stage. For the first time in recent memory, Holmdel proudly sent three teams to Nationals—an accomplishment that speaks to the dedication and talent of our student-athletes.
Facing strong competition from across the country, all three teams earned top 10 finishes:
- D10 – 7th place
- D12 – 6th place
- D14 – 6th place
These placements are particularly impressive given that more than 320 teams competed. Our athletes performed with heart, poise, and unmistakable Hornet pride.
We extend our best wishes to our 8th graders as they move on to the high school cheer program, carrying with them years of hard work and special memories.
Below are the athletes who proudly represented Holmdel:
D10 – Indian Hill
Callay Cadenilla
Drew Jenkins
Ella Pontecorvo
Alexis Reppy
Averey Smyklo
Claire Sydlowski
Valentina Vargas
Everly White
D12 – Indian Hill
Julia Agnew
Amelia Primakov
LillyAnna Gambardella
Aria Ostrovsky
Sophia Burns
Anna Reilly
Stella Campo
Sara Arunachalam
Audriana Castaldo
Kennedy Cortese
Avery Rescorl
Eliana Paulino
D14 – Satz
Juliana Berardi
Sienna Carri
Parker Drake
Zahra Drogaris
Gia Lotenberg
Madeline Marinaccio
Madison Marraccino
Amelia Munley
Reese Placca
Evelyn Primakov
Isabella Reilly
Gianna Schaub
Josephine Serini
Congratulations to all of our cheerleaders, their coaches, and their families on an outstanding season. ONE team. ONE swarm. ONE Holmdel!
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- December 9 - IH Winter Concert 6:30 pm
- December 15 - HHS/Satz Winter Choral Concert 7:00 pm
- December 16 - HHS/Satz Band Winter Concert 7:00 pm
- December 23 - Early Dismissal for all
- December 24 - January 2 - Winter Break
- January 5 - Classes Resume
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Upcoming meetings December 10th & December 17th (accessible via Zoom link) will be posted to the district webpage within 24
hours of the meeting).
Click here to access archived video and/or audio recordings of Board of Education meetings dating back to 2014-15. |
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"The things that matter most should never be at the mercy of the things that matter least.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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I thank you for your time and consideration and wish you a peaceful week ahead.
Dr. J. Scott Cascone
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