Dear Holmdel Township School Community,
I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying a peaceful summer. As we pass the midpoint of the summer, the district remains a bustle with activity as we prepare for the opening of the 2025-26 school year. Enclosed in this mid-summer newsletter are several important updates and highlights.
Facilities & Operations
From annual deep cleaning and building maintenance to minor renovations and facility improvement projects, our operations team has been hard at work preparing for a smooth and successful start to the school year. Summer athletic training programs are also in full swing, and student learning continues through a variety of academic and enrichment offerings.
Crawford’s Corner Road Improvement Project
Renovations to Crawford’s Corner Road are well underway. The district administration has been in regular communication with the contractors and the Township to ensure maximum coordination. As of now, we’ve been informed that the project is on track for completion by August 29. As we approach the start of the school year, the district will continue to provide updates, especially with regard to access and travel around the middle school/high school complex.
Strategic Planning and Data Review
Throughout the summer, district administration continues to meet weekly for roundtable sessions to remain connected and advance key planning initiatives. A major focus has been the review and analysis of multiple data sets, including results from our annual Strategic Plan Data Triangle Survey.
Findings from the survey, coupled with other district performance indicators, are guiding the identification of priorities for the 2025–2026 school year. These priorities will not only inform the development and approval of the annual district goals by the Board of Education, but also support our ongoing efforts to track progress aligned with the district's five-year strategic action plan.
Fiscal Planning and Budget Outlook
In preparation for what is expected to be another challenging budget cycle, the district administration and Board of Education are actively working to project a reliable outlook for the 2026–2027 school year budget. Current projections suggest a potential shortfall of approximately $2.5 million. The district is committed to developing a plan to close this gap with minimal impact to programs and services.
We recognize the importance of transparency and community engagement, and we will continue to keep our families and stakeholders informed and involved as appropriate throughout the budget development process.
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As we get ready for the new school year with our ParentSquare communication platform, please take a moment to activate your account by clicking the activation link in the email received last Thursday from the district Director of Technology, Steven Lelivelt. You will also need to confirm your email address and contact information. Once activated, you’ll be able to access the advanced features listed below.
✅ School and classroom updates — Stay informed with announcements from teachers, principals, and the district.
📅 Calendar events and reminders — View upcoming school events, deadlines, and receive automatic reminders.
💬 Direct messaging with staff — Privately message teachers and school staff without needing email addresses.
📋 Forms, permission slips, and sign-ups — Complete forms and volunteer sign-ups quickly from one place.
📥 Daily summaries and customizable notifications — Choose how and when to receive messages (app, text, email, etc.).
🗓️ Your child’s class schedule — View your student’s daily class schedule and stay on top of any updates or changes.
The Holmdel Township School District now offers a mobile app that consolidates messages from teachers, principals, and district leaders into one easy-to-use platform. Once you have activated your account, please consider downloading the app to get the most out of the ParentSquare platform. The following features are available:
📌All-in-one messaging hub — Access messages, alerts, and forms in a streamlined format designed for mobile use.
📲 Receive instant alerts and updates — Get push notifications for urgent messages, announcements, and schedule changes.
💬 Communicate quickly with teachers and staff — Send and receive direct messages without needing to log in each time.
📅 Access calendars and events on the go — Stay organized with mobile access to school events and important dates.
✅ Easily complete forms and sign-ups — Submit permission slips, RSVPs, and volunteer forms right from your phone.
📷 Share and receive media effortlessly — Quickly view or upload photos, videos, and documents related to school activities.
The mobile app is optional, but we strongly encourage you to give it a try. It’s designed to make staying connected easier and more convenient. Available for both Apple and Android devices, just search “Holmdel” in your app store or use the download links below.
If you are not affiliated with Holmdel Township School District or no longer have a child enrolled, please contact us at (732) 946-1839 or email ParentSquare@HolmdelSchools.org so we can update our records.
We’re excited to begin this new chapter in school communication and look forward to staying connected with you through ParentSquare.
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The Class of 2025 was one of exceptional academic standing, sending students to a wide range of outstanding institutions of higher education, as well as the military, trade schools, and the workforce. A full list of college destinations is attached. Below is a short list of some of the impressive institutions our students will be attending…
Columbia University in the City of New York
Harvard University
Princeton University
Brown University
Northeastern University
Barnard College
Cornell University
New York University
University of Calgary
Emory University
University of Notre Dame
Claremont McKenna College
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Hamilton College
Boston College
University of Miami
Washington & Lee University
UNC at Chapel Hill
College of the Holy Cross
Wake Forest University
Villanova University
Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
Click here to see where they are headed!
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The Extended School Year (ESY) program has been running with great enthusiasm and success. Both staff and students are highly engaged and excited to participate. Our dedicated staff is committed to providing the necessary services to meet each student's individual needs, ensuring a productive and supportive learning environment.
The six-week program began on July 7 and will conclude on August 14th with culminating projects and celebrations, during which parents and guardians are invited to join us in recognizing the students’ hard work and growth.
Congratulations to our amazing students and the dedicated staff who work with them each day to make this program such a success!
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The New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment, or NJGPA, is the statewide test required for all 11th-grade students to demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Mathematics as part of New Jersey’s graduation requirements. Our results reflect strong overall achievement, with student performance exceeding the state average in both tested areas.
In ELA, 96.5% of students met or surpassed the graduation benchmark, and the district’s average scale score was 26 points higher than the state average. Students showed particular strengths in literary analysis, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and written expression.
In Mathematics, 89% of students met the graduation threshold, also with an average scale score 26 points above the state. Notable strengths included supporting content and modeling skills, though mathematical reasoning remains an area for continued focus and growth. Overall, these results reflect Holmdel’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and provide clear priorities for sustaining student progress. A detailed summary of the report can be found HERE.
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This summer at Indian Hill School, students in grades 1–6 participated in a nationally acclaimed STEM enrichment program designed to foster creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Guided by challenges developed by National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees, campers engaged in exciting, hands-on activities such as building mini-prototypes, designing eco-friendly inventions, and exploring real-world science and engineering concepts in action.
A highlight of the week was a special visit from Holmdel’s own National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee, Dr. Victor Lawrence. Dr. Lawrence, renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to digital communications and internet connectivity, spoke with students about his work, his journey as an inventor, and the importance of curiosity and perseverance in STEM. His visit offered a truly inspirational moment for our young innovators, connecting them to a living example of scientific excellence and achievement.
It was a valuable experience of learning, discovery, and fun at Indian Hill!
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Congratulations to Frankie Serini, Claudia Diaz, Mia Marino, and Sophia Dietz for proudly representing Holmdel High School in the 2025 All-Shore Gridiron Classic!
Frankie took the field as part of Monmouth County’s football squad, while Claudia, Mia, and Sophia showcased their spirit and talent as members of the All-Shore Cheerleading team.
We are incredibly proud of these student-athletes for exemplifying excellence, teamwork, and school pride on such a prestigious stage! To view the full article, click here.
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We’re excited to share that construction on the new playground at Village School is well underway! This meaningful project is being funded through a combination of resources, including a grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), a generous donation from the Village School PSA, and district funds from the Preschool Enterprise Fund. We are grateful for the collaboration and shared investment in enhancing our students’ learning and play environment.
To date, the pre-existing play structure, rubberized surface, and surrounding asphalt have been fully removed. The space is now being paved in preparation for the installation of brand-new, age-appropriate playground equipment that will support safe, inclusive, and developmentally enriching play.
The project remains on schedule and is expected to be completed before the start of the new school year, just in time to welcome our students back in September.
We thank all who have contributed to making this exciting enhancement to Village School a reality!
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After becoming a Regional Champion in May as a lyrical soloist in one of her dance competitions, Taylor Schick, entering 4th grade at Indian Hill and a Company dancer at Pure Artistry Dance, had the opportunity to compete at Nationals this summer. Taylor competed against many other dancers from dance studios all over the country at the True Talent National Finals held in LBI in early July. Taylor danced in the lyrical category and scored Platinum. She was the competition's lyrical 1st place soloist and received her division's highest solo score from the judges. In the overall competition, competing across all styles of dance and up against 22 other soloists, she won 1st place and became National Champion! This was a dream come true moment for our Holmdel Hornet and ballerina, Taylor! |
The Holmdel High School Office of School Counseling is hosting its Senior College Bootcamp on Monday, August 4, from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM in the MS/HS Complex Auditorium.
This summer session is designed to support seniors and their families as they begin the college application journey. The presentation will walk attendees through key steps of the process, including narrowing college lists, submitting transcripts and letter of recommendation requests, navigating Naviance, understanding application requirements, and meeting important deadlines.
Whether you're just getting started or looking for a refresher, this workshop will offer helpful guidance—and an opportunity to ask individual questions. Students should bring their laptops and come prepared with questions.
We look forward to welcoming our students and families as we kick off this exciting chapter together!
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Whether you're looking to build reading routines, explore new books, or keep literacy skills sharp in fun and meaningful ways, this newsletter is packed with tools for the whole family. We hope it helps make summer learning both enjoyable and enriching!
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, students are expected to complete summer assignments in English, Science, Math, and Social Studies. These assignments are designed to reinforce key skills, promote critical thinking, and ensure a strong start in September. Please review
the links above for each subject’s summer work, organized by grade level and course placement.
We encourage families to help students manage their time over the summer to complete these tasks thoughtfully and on schedule.
These assignments are also available on the Holmdel Township Public Schools website and each content supervisor's website. Have a wonderful summer!
Note: These assignments do not fulfill the summer waiver assignments for eligibility to enroll in an advanced course, such as AP or Honors. These assignments are in addition to those.
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“Explore. Dream. Discover.” — Mark Twain
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I thank you for your time and consideration and wish you a restful and enjoyable remainder to the summer recess.
Sincerely,
Dr. J. Scott Cascone
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