As we approach the final months of the academic year, it is a natural time to reflect on the aspirations we set for ourselves back in September. Our goals often center on academic mastery and personal development. However, the true measure of success isn't just reaching the finish line, but rather the resilience and well-being we maintain along the way. Seeing a long-term goal through to completion requires more than just effort; it requires a balanced approach that prioritizes mental health just as much as intellectual achievement.
Setting an academic goal, whether it is mastering a difficult concept or completing an extensive research project, is a commitment to personal excellence. We must remember that our intellectual "output" is undoubtedly linked to our internal well-being. Achieving our highest potential is not possible if we neglect our emotional health. True growth happens when we embrace the challenges of a rigorous curriculum with a mindset that values the learning process over a perfect result.
To cross the finish line effectively, we must focus on sustainability and support. High performance requires intentional recovery, meaning that taking time for mindfulness and connection with others is not a distraction from our goals; it is the fuel that allows us to reach them. Furthermore, while academic journeys can feel solitary, they are rarely traveled alone. It is during these academic adventures that we find things to "lean in" on that ultimately fuel our passion towards completion. Our educators, counselors, and peers provide the essential support needed to stay the course when the workload feels heavy.
As we look toward the closing chapters of this school year, I encourage our students to evaluate their goals through this lens of balance. Let’s carry our pride through these final weeks by working diligently, supporting one another, and ensuring that our well-being remains at the heart of everything we achieve. Finishing strong isn't just about the grades we earn, but the healthy habits and perseverance we carry forward into the future.
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We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Holmdel High School PTSO for organizing such an incredible week of celebrations in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. The thoughtful gestures, delicious treats, and overall sense of community made our educators feel truly valued and respected for the tireless work they do every day. By going above and beyond to recognize the dedication of our staff, the PTSO has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the heart of our school. Thank you for making this week so memorable and for your continued partnership in supporting our teachers and students alike. |
Holmdel High School juniors Jolie Sedita, Alison Christian, and Leah Damico recently represented the district at the latest ChamberCast networking event, held at the historic Bell Works in Holmdel. The event, titled “The Power of Neurodivergent Minds at Work,” provided a unique platform for the students to engage directly with local business leaders and community partners. Throughout the session, the trio explored the vital role neurodiversity plays in a modern workforce, gaining a firsthand look at how inclusive practices drive innovation and community growth.
The program featured an impressive lineup of guest speakers, including representatives from No Limits Cafe and Brookdale Community College’s Center for Adult Transition. Students also had the privilege of hearing from author Danny Rutigliano, who shared moving personal anecdotes and the inspiration behind his book, Danny’s Guide to Surviving Middle School Life with Autism. Jolie, Alison, and Leah stood out for their active participation, networking with professionals and asking thoughtful questions that highlighted their commitment to creating supportive and accessible workplace environments.
This experience underscores the ongoing success of the Holmdel High School Work-Based Learning (WBL) Internship Program. By providing meaningful real-world interactions before students begin their senior year internship placements, the program ensures they are well-prepared for the professional world. For more information regarding the WBL program, please visit their official site. Parents with specific questions are encouraged to contact ECohen@holmdelschools.org.
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Holmdel High School is proud to congratulate talented musician Pranav Deshpande on an outstanding performance with the Eastern Wind Symphony this past weekend. Taking the stage with such a prestigious ensemble is a remarkable achievement, and Pranav’s skillful bassoon performance beautifully showcased his dedication to his craft. His participation in this high-level symphonic event not only highlights his individual musical excellence but also serves as a point of pride for the entire Holmdel performing arts community.
Bravo, Pranav!
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The Holmdel Hornets delivered a dominant performance at Jumping Brook Golf Club, capturing the South Group II State Sectional Championship in impressive fashion. Despite the rigorous demands of a tournament-level course and challenging conditions, the Hornets secured first place with a combined team score of 324 (+36), finishing a decisive 12 shots ahead of their nearest competitors. This victory marks a historic milestone for the program, as it is only the second state sectional title in school history and the team’s second championship win in the last three seasons.
The team’s success was anchored by a spectacular performance from Remy Mander, who rose to the occasion on the biggest stage of the year. Mander claimed the individual tournament title by shooting a stellar 76 (+4), a score that reflected both precision and composure given the day’s difficult play. His "round of a lifetime" led the way for a deep and talented Holmdel roster, further solidifying the Hornets' reputation as a powerhouse in the region as they continue their championship legacy.
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This past Monday, May 4, Holmdel High School paused to celebrate the dedication and leadership of its student athletes for Senior Day. Families, teammates, and fans gathered to honor the Class of 2026 for their commitment to the Hornets' program. The afternoon remained a meaningful tribute to the seniors' contributions to Holmdel athletics and the lasting legacy they leave behind. CONGRATULATIONS! |
Holmdel High School is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Finn Buchan, Jess Donnelly, Jason Dubleski, Julia Henderson, Brandon Mueller, and Madoc Beynon who officially took the next step in their athletic and academic journeys during Division III Signing Day. These student-athletes have demonstrated incredible dedication, balancing rigorous academics with the demands of competitive sports to earn their spots at the collegiate level. Their commitment to the Hornets' program has left an indelible mark on our school community, and we look forward to cheering them on as they bring their talents to their respective college campuses. Congratulations to these seniors on this well-deserved milestone. |
Earlier this week, on Monday, April 27, information was shared through ParentSquare regarding this year's NJSLA administration happening on May 19, 20, & 21.
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.
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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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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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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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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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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May 9 Car Wash
May 9 Color Run
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
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