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Holmdel High School

"A Commitment to Excellence"

Dr. Herits' Weekly Update 5/1/26

Posted Date: 05/01/26 (04:25 PM)


HOLMDEL HIGH SCHOOL

May 1, 2026

Partnering for Academic Excellence - Part II

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Diligence, Wellness, and Autonomy: The Pillars of a Successful Year-End

Last week’s message of "finishing strong" is as much about character as it is about grades. In the rush to meet deadlines, we encourage our students to remain mindful of their impact on others.

This is a season for gratitude and a time to acknowledge the teachers, coaches, and peers who have contributed to their growth since September. When a student views their success not just as a solo achievement, but as a product of a supportive network, they develop a healthier perspective on competition and achievement. We want students to walk out of our doors in June not just with high marks, but with the integrity and kindness that define our community.

Ultimately, the goal of these final weeks is to foster a sense of autonomous support. By providing our students with the structure they need while allowing them the space to manage their own tasks, we are preparing them for the independence of college and beyond. We are not just helping them pass a final exam; we are helping them build the self-regulation skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

As we approach the finish line together, let us remember that the road to the end of the year is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be moments of fatigue, but there will also be moments of immense breakthrough. The faculty and administration at Holmdel High School remain your steadfast partners in this process. By keeping the lines of communication open and maintaining a balance between rigor and reflection, we can ensure that every student finishes this year with their head held high, ready to embrace the opportunities of the summer and the years to follow.
 

Honor Society News

Holmdel High School Welcomes New Members

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World Language

The World Language Honor Society welcomed 124 new members to Holmdel High School’s World Language Honor Society. The evening was full of accolades and celebrated our students and teachers. Individual honor societies welcomed and celebrated their new members and officers. Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment! Please click HERE to view the evening’s program.

Thespian

Tuesday night the International Thespian Society and Dr. DeVivo welcomed new members of Holmdel High School. The evening celebrated the many contributions and accomplishments of our young performers for their commitment and dedication to the performing arts. Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment!

We look forward to the many upcoming and exciting performances that will continue to entertain us all.
 

Lights, Camera, Holmdel! 28th Annual HHS Film Festival

Celebrating Holmdel’s Student Filmmakers

Holmdel High School hosted the 28th Annual Film Festival. Thank you to Mr. Swider and his students of the TV& Film Society for putting on a very entertaining showcase. THe audience members were treated to some very fine artistic creations across numerous categories that included; Movie Trailers, Commercials/PSA, 4-Shot Projects, and Sequence Projects, and a People's Choice. Student entries were of excellent caliber and truly amazing.

At the evening’s conclusion, student winners included Dylon Grimaldi, Daniel Novojilov, Anna-Sofia DeStefano, Sumayyah Alam, and Adrian Cardinoza - CONGRATULATIONS!
 

Recognizing Achievement

Winter’s Best: A Season of Achievement

The Holmdel Board of Education took time during this week’s meeting to celebrate our winter student athletes for their remarkable achievements and dedication.  Families, friends, and coaches were able to acknowledge students for some remarkable times from this past winter season. From state champions to record breakers and holders, we are extremely proud of our student athletes who represent Holmdel High School both on the competitive level and in the classroom. Congratulations to you all!
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Seniors Celebrated

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Boys Tennis

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Girls Lacrosse

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Softball

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Boys Lacrosse

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Leading the Way

Mary Andrawes Achieves Scouting’s Highest Rank

Holmdel High School senior Mary Andrawes has successfully completed her Eagle Scout project and will officially receive the rank of Eagle Scout next week. This prestigious achievement is the culmination of years of unwavering dedication, leadership, and service to her community. Reaching the highest honor in scouting requires an extraordinary level of commitment and perseverance. We congratulate Mary on this significant milestone and recognize the incredible effort she has put forth to join the distinguished ranks of Eagle Scouts.
 

NJSLA Testing @ HHS

Schedule Changes to be Noted

Earlier this week, on Monday, April 27, information was shared through ParentSquare regarding this year's NJSLA administration happening on May 19, 20, & 21.

You can read the NJSLA Spring 2026 Testing at HHS Letter which has important schedule changes during that week.

There will be delayed openings for students who are not testing. Transportation will run on a regular arrival times. Please refer to the letter and bell schedules.
 

PTSO at Holmdel High School

Nominations Open for 2026 PTSO Senior Scholarship

Each year, the PTSO presents two non-academic scholarships to graduating seniors. These awards recognize the qualities that don’t always show up on a transcript - character, service, and the quiet, steady ways students make Holmdel High School and the broader community a better place. Academic record plays no role in these awards. There are two scholarships which will be presented at Senior Awards Night

  • Service Award - for a senior who has made a meaningful impact through service to HHS or the community - $2,000
  • Unsung Hero Award - for a senior who leads with character and quietly makes HHS a better place for everyone - $2,000

Use the links below to find out all the details, and use the form to nominate a deserving Senior Hornet. Deadline is May 15.


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Hornet Blankets Are BACK !!!

The PTSO is also excited to share that the Holmdel Hornets Knit Blankets are available again! 

These sold out in a flash during the fall sale and are back by popular demand. The blankets (pictured right) can be purchased through the PTSO Shop or by using this link to pay through Zeffy. 

They are great for the bleachers at cool spring night games and meets, and also make beautiful graduation gifts. 

Wrap yourself in Hornet pride!

Join Us

Come out and join the PTSO at their next meeting at the Holmdel High School on Wednesday, April 15 at 7 pm.

Take advantage of the opportunity that helps directly support your child, gain insider knowledge of school events, and build a stronger community.

You can catch up with all the exciting news and events by visiting their website: Holmdel High School PTSO
 
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Student Square

At Holmdel Township School District, we are committed to ensuring our students have the tools they need to stay informed, organized, and connected. While ParentSquare has been our primary bridge for family communication, we are officially rolling out StudentSquare, the student-facing side of our unified communication platform.

StudentSquare is a communication and organization app specifically designed for middle and high school students. It functions as a direct extension of ParentSquare, allowing students in grades 7-12 to engage with their school community in a modern, streamlined way.

Check out all the information and instructions HERE to download the app and and be in the know!
 

Reminders for Drop-off, Pick-up, and Parking Safety

The school year is in full swing and the complex is busy with plenty of extracurricular activities which extends the time in which students, staff, and families attend events. We are continually reviewing our practices to improve flow and efficiency. 

As a friendly reminder regarding established arrival and dismissal procedures at the complex, I would like to revisit driving practices during this time. Please remember that for safety, we absolutely cannot have cars stopping along the driveway circling the complex to let students out, nor can drivers double park when waiting for students. And as an environmental reminder, we ask that cars are not idling while waiting for students. These actions create significant hazards and traffic jams.

For those driving students to school, here is a quick recap of the designated entry points:

  • Staff and students who are parking in the main lot must enter at the Crawfords Corner Road/Longstreet Road traffic light, turn left after Dr. White Lane, and proceed to the main parking lot. Please remember this area, including the spot near Door 1, is strictly for staff and student parking only, and there is no parent/guardian drop-off permitted here, as there is no exit from this lot. 
  • For all parent/guardian drop-offs, students being driven must continue past the main lot to the back of the school and drop off at Door 21 (at Satz Middle School). After dropping off, kindly continue forward and exit onto Crawfords Corner Road. 
  • I want to highlight that this year, Dr. White Lane has been opened earlier in the morning than in previous years. In the past, it opened at 7:55 AM; now, once buses are accounted for, this lane has been made available sooner (7:45 - 7:50) to alleviate the flow of traffic that proceeds around the complex. Access to Dr. White Lane for drop-off at Door #10 will only be available after all school buses have arrived and cleared the area. 
We appreciate you keeping these guidelines in mind as we work together to ensure every student starts their day safely. Your thoughtful cooperation in following these steps is vital for the safety of all our students and for keeping traffic moving smoothly, which in turn helps all students get to their assigned classes on time.
 

Parent University & the Social Institute

Goal number three of the board-approved 2025–26 district goals is to design and launch an online Parent University platform that provides families with accessible, high-quality resources to support student learning, well-being, and home–school partnership. In advancement of this goal, I am excited to announce the launch of the first module of our online Parent University, which is dedicated exclusively to providing resources for parents on Parenting in the Digital Age.

Our district has launched a partnership with The Social Institute (TSI), a leader in empowering students, families, and educators to navigate their learning and well-being, including A.I., social media, and devices, in healthy ways. 

No matter your child’s current tech use, whether they use devices and apps regularly or are just beginning to ask questions, the resources offered through this partnership are designed to be flexible and family-friendly.

Register your free account for The Toolkit. Many families refer to this as the CliffsNotes of social media and technology! 

  • Go to Toolkit, click Activate Account, and enter our school district code: 55b5197A69096D
  • On the course page, select "Enroll for Free".
  • Create an account by entering your email and setting a password.

Course Offerings:
-Diving Deeper into the Apps Students Use
-Using Tech to Control Tech: Strong Settings for Apps and Devices
-From Helicopter to Huddling: How to Talk with Our Children About Social Media and Tech
-Helping Your Family Navigate Social Media and Tech in Healthy, High-Character Ways
-Co-Creating Family Standards for Positive Tech Use

Once enrolled, courses will be available on your Thinkific dashboard anytime you log in.
These courses are designed to be self-paced and can be completed on your own schedule. We encourage all families to complete the courses.

The district is honored to be your partner on this journey. 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.

As you progress through the courses, please feel free to email any questions to parentuniversity@holmdelschools.org.
 

Raising Energy Awareness with Anti-Idling Focus

We are pleased to share that the Holmdel High School Eco Club, has partnered with the Holmdel Township Green Team to recognize October as Energy Awareness Month! As part of this initiative, students had developed an anti-idling campaign to spotlight the environmental and energy impacts of unnecessary vehicle idling. If you noticed the signage out front of the high school, this initiative has been underway since the start of the school year. We are very thankful to the Wilson family who have helped make this possible.  
We invite you to support these efforts by signing the pledge and turning off your engine while you wait to pick up your child — a simple action that makes a meaningful difference.

 

SEPAC

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Special Education Parent Advisory Committee

The Holmdel Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) is a volunteer group of parents and guardians that provides input to the school district regarding students with special needs, which has been established in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:14-1.2(h).    

The group will be meeting this Monday, May 11, at 7pm in the High School Media Center.

The mission of the Holmdel SEPAC is to facilitate communication between parents, staff, the Board of Education and the community regarding the school district’s special education programs; to provide families with meaningful support, education and information regarding those programs; and, to provide input to the District on issues concerning students with disabilities.
 

Order A Yearbook

Preserve Your School Year

It is hard to believe we are already moving through March. From the incredible talent displayed in our recent performing arts showcases to the high energy of our winter sports season, it has been a year filled with Hornet Pride.

The 2025-2026 Yearbook is officially available for pre-order! This is the best way to ensure your student has a permanent keepsake of their friendships, achievements, and the unique spirit of this school year. Our student editors have been working tirelessly to capture every highlight, and you won't want to miss the final product.

Be sure to place your order HERE.

LIMITED OFFER!
ORDER A YEARBOOK AT THE DISCOUNTED PRICE:

USE PROMO CODE YRBK5 TO SAVE $5 - BUY NOW & SAVE 
Cost with promo code: $135
 

PROJECT GRADUATION

Help Make This Night Even More Memorable

Holmdel High School Project Graduation is an organization that was formed to provide a safe, drug-free and alcohol-free overnight celebration for our Graduating Seniors. We are proud to continue this tradition and will be hosting this event immediately following the graduation ceremony this June.

Please consider making a donation HERE to support our efforts. All donations are appreciated! Recognition of your donation will be displayed based on the name you provided. 

HHS Project Graduation receives donations through Holmdel PTSO as a 501 (c)(3) Tax Exempt Organization. EIN#223-569-019/000. Please note donation for Holmdel Project Graduation Donations are tax deductible. THANK YOU!
 
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Living Holmdel Blue

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Holmdel High School strives to develop well-rounded individuals
who exemplify the six pillars of character: trustworthiness,
respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

Through an inclusive and nurturing environment we promote the growth of
each student's character, academics, and personal potential.

Please help support this mission by encouraging your son or
daughter to join us in "Living Holmdel Blue"!

May's Theme is CREATIVITY
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HHS Apparel Shop Open

Our new School Apparel Shop is now open! This is a shared fundraiser for all four classes. 10% of all sales are donated back to the school and will be shared among the four classes for class events such as fundraising for prom.
 
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Mark Your Calendars

May 1: Jazz Festival
May 2: Car Wash
May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 4-8 & 11-15: AP EXAMS
May 15: Relay for Life
May 19, 20,7 21: NJSLA Testing
May 19: District Art Show
May 20: Spring Choral Concert
May 22: Early Dismissal
May 25: School Closes
May 27: Spring Band Concert
May 29: Junior Prom
 

Resourceful Links

 

Dr. Michael-John Herits

Principal, Holmdel High School