Dear Families and Staff,
I hope this message finds you all well.
The Holmdel Township School District was closed on Monday, October 20 in observance of Diwali. We thank our families for their understanding and support as our staff took part in a day dedicated to professional learning and growth.
Our districtwide Staff Development Day offered valuable opportunities for teachers and staff to enhance their skills and explore innovative instructional strategies. Workshops included sessions that directly impact student learning and the overall school experience, such as:
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Creating a Safe and Respectful School: Comprehensive training on promoting a positive, inclusive environment for all students.
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Supporting English Language Learners Across the Curriculum: Equipping teachers with strategies to help all students succeed in a diverse learning environment.
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Teaching with AI: Practical Strategies, Ethics, and Guardrails: Preparing staff to integrate artificial intelligence responsibly and effectively into classroom learning.
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Executive Functioning: Quick Wins for Classrooms & Homes: Offering tools to support student organization, time management, and self-regulation.
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Aquaponics and Literacy-Rich Social Studies Tasks: Hands-on approaches to engage students in science and social studies learning.
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ParentSquare @ Holmdel: Unified, Inclusive Communication: Enhancing communication between staff and families to keep our community connected.
These workshops highlight the district’s ongoing commitment to professional learning, instructional excellence, and fostering leadership among staff. By dedicating time to grow and collaborate, our educators continue to strengthen the Holmdel learning experience for every student.
We appreciate our community’s support in recognizing the importance of these opportunities, which ensure that our staff remain equipped with the knowledge and skills to inspire and guide students in every classroom.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cascone
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The Holmdel girls tennis team had a remarkable 2025 season, finishing with a 15-2 overall record.
After a narrow season-opening loss to East Brunswick (3-2), the team bounced back with an eight-match winning streak, highlighted by key victories over Manasquan, Marlboro, and Colts Neck.
In the Shore Conference Tournament, Holmdel advanced to the semifinals with wins over Jackson Township and Red Bank Regional before falling in a close 3-2 match to Rumson-Fair Haven. The team then regained momentum, defeating Rumson-Fair Haven 4-1 in a regular season rematch.
The postseason proved spectacular. In the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 2 Tournament, Holmdel swept Allentown and Hopewell Valley (both 5-0) and edged Manasquan 3-2 to capture the sectional championship.
The team carried its strong play into the NJSIAA Group 2 State Tournament, earning back-to-back 3-2 victories over Haddonfield and Mendham to claim the Group 2 State Championship—marking Holmdel’s fourth consecutive Group 2 title.
Congratulations to our athletes and coaches on a phenomenal season!
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We are thrilled to announce that the new playground at Village School is officially complete! This exciting space, designed for our youngest learners, is ADA compliant, ensuring accessibility and fun for all students.
A special thank you goes to the Village School PSA and all generous donors, without your support, this project could not have become a reality. Thank you to our district's Buildings and Grounds Department, as well, for their collaboration and oversight of the contracted work.
We look forward to celebrating this milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony next week. Stay tuned for photos and highlights from the event!
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Holmdel High School is excited to invite all ESL students and their families to our Halloween ESL Family Night on October 27 at 6:00 PM in the Holmdel High School Media Center!
Come enjoy a fun-filled evening with pizza, snacks, and lots of candy! Students are encouraged to wear costumes, and all family members are welcome.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to connect with other families, celebrate the season, and have a spooktacular time together!
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This week, we join schools across the nation in observing National School Bus Safety Week, a reminder of the critical role school bus safety plays in protecting our students every day. From the moment students step onto a bus until they reach their destination, trained drivers and staff work tirelessly to ensure a secure and positive ride.
This year’s theme, “Be Alert – Stay Safe!”, emphasizes the importance of awareness for both drivers and students. It’s a perfect time to review safety practices: waiting for the bus in a safe spot, using seat belts, crossing streets carefully, and following all instructions from the bus driver.
We encourage families to talk with their children about bus safety and thank our bus drivers and transportation staff for their dedication. Their vigilance and professionalism help make every trip a safe journey for our students.
Let’s celebrate National School Bus Safety Week by committing to safety, awareness, and respect on and around our school buses. Together, we can keep our students secure on the road.
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In honor of Veterans Day, the Parent Liaison Group at Indian Hill School is proud to host a special Veterans Breakfast and Student Meet-and-Greet to recognize and celebrate those who have served in our armed forces. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 - 8:30 and then you will be assigned 2 classrooms to speak with students about your journey and experiences.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Breakfast; 8:30 AM - 10:15 AM Classroom Visits
Location: Indian Hill School; 735 Holmdel Rd, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Veterans are warmly invited into our school community, parents, grandparents, family members, or friends, to join us for breakfast and the opportunity to speak with our students about your service, experiences, and what Veterans Day means to you.
If you or someone you know is a veteran and would like to participate, please sign up using the link below or contact me with any questions.
This event is a meaningful way for our students to connect with and learn from those who have served. We hope you’ll join us for this special celebration.
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Digital Parenting Series
The Balance Project's digital parenting series starts this week!
Don’t forget to sign up for the upcoming Digital Parenting Webinars in partnership with the Digital Mom!!
10/22
Snapchat
Learn how this notoriously intimidating app actually works. From tricky navigation to secret areas, you will learn how Snapchat works and how to make it as safe as is possible. Attendees receive The Digital Mom’s Social Media Contract & The Snapchat Safety Matrix
Additional Info:
- Live Q&A in every session
- Printable Resources - Contracts, Cheat Sheets & More
- If the time doesn’t work for you, don’t worry! A recording of each session will be made available for registrants.
- Save by registering for all 3 sessions at once.
Testimonial
“While there is a ton of information coming at parents of what NOT to do regarding technology and our children, Sarah Trombley is the first person I’ve encountered who has done the research for parents of what is reasonable to incorporate and for what age. Even more importantly, she is informing parents on the “how,” which every parent is searching for. I was hooked after seeing her speak, and I’m now an avid follower and great believer that her work is so desperately needed. Parents, schools, and even the children themselves could all benefit from her expertise in helping navigate this ever-changing world of technology.” –Laura P, Parent of a 5th grader
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I wanted to share an exciting upcoming resource for families and students. At the end of 2025, a tween-friendly version of Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation will be released: The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World. This new book provides practical guidance for navigating the challenges of growing up in a digital world, helping tweens build balance, resilience, and healthy habits around technology.
This could also serve as a wonderful opportunity to engage in a family book club, where parents and children can read and discuss the book together, sparking meaningful conversations about screen time, wellness, and connection in today’s world.
We look forward to seeing how families and staff might engage with this resource and encourage discussions that support the social and emotional growth of our students.
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Raising Kids in a “Never Enough” World
Today’s parents are raising kids in a culture of constant pressure — driven by achievement, social media, and relentless comparison. But what children need most isn’t another success metric — it’s to know that they truly matter.
Join the Ridge Road Alliance, The SOURCE, and The Balance Project for an inspiring event featuring award-winning journalist and best-selling author Jennifer Breheny Wallace, known for Never Enough, and her upcoming book Mattering.
October 28, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM EDT
Red Bank Regional High School
101 Ridge Road
Little Silver, NJ
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As part of the district's ongoing commitment to student safety and well-being, Holmdel Public Schools has completed its annual review of district practices and protocols related to the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) statute and board policy.
To assist families in understanding these policies and navigating the law if the need arises, the district administration has created a helpful Parent FAQ document. This resource provides clear guidance on reporting procedures, definitions, and the support available to students and families.
We encourage all parents and guardians to review the FAQ to better understand Holmdel’s procedures for promoting a safe, respectful, and supportive school environment.
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We are thrilled to celebrate the amazing achievements of our Holmdel Football Association competition cheer teams at the Jersey Shore Competition yesterday at the CURE Arena in Trenton.
Our D10 cheer team, made up entirely of 5th graders, competed for the first time as a competition team—and took home first place! Facing seven teams across the Jersey Shore conference, these girls worked incredibly hard all season and proved that dedication and teamwork pay off. We couldn’t be prouder of these first-time competitors!
D10 Team Members
Callay Cadenilla, Drew Jenkins, Ella Pontecorvo, Alexis Reppy, Averey Smyklo, Claire Sydlowski, Valentina Vargas, Everly White
Our D12 cheer team also had a spectacular showing, earning 2nd place in their division! After an undefeated season last year, these girls stepped up to a higher level, mastering tougher stunts, advanced tumbling, and precise execution. Facing some of the strongest teams in the Jersey Shore conference, they rose to the challenge and delivered an impressive performance. We are so proud of these Lady Hornets!
D12 Team Members
Julia Agnew, Sara Arunachalam, Sophia Burns, Stella Campo, Audriana Castaldo, Kennedy Cortese, LillyAnna Gambardella, Aria Ostrovsky, Eliana Paulino, Amelia Primakov, Anna Reilly, Avery Rescorl
Both teams will continue on to the Big East Regional Competition on November 8th at the CURE Arena in Trenton. They will compete against teams from across New England for a chance to earn one of three spots in their division at Nationals in Orlando this December.
Congratulations to all of our cheerleaders for their hard work, dedication, and amazing performances!
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Residents are cordially invited to attend the 2025 Holmdel Heritage Day. We will
celebrate Holmdel’s cultural diversity at this fun-filled event through food samples,
crafts, demonstrations, games, performances and an art contest for 7-12th graders.
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(Notes: Doors open at 1:00 PM only to Holmdel senior residents and reserved tickets;
General public enters at 1:30 PM.)
Please reserve tickets here by October 15th:
Attendance will be capped at 800 people.
Location: Holmdel High School
Admission fee: Free to Holmdel residents. Non-Holmdel residents must be
accompanied by a Holmdel resident. Donations at the door are much appreciated.
Click here for more information. Click here for more information on the Art Contest (Deadline Oct. 15th)
Dressing in cultural attire is encouraged but not required.
If you have any questions or want to be a volunteer event helper at the event, please
contact HeritageCommittee@holmdeltownship.com.
We look forward to seeing you at the event and celebrating our heritage together!
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Village School families have a fun and festive way to give back this season! The Arreaga family, in partnership with Sandcastle Toyshop and The Nursery at Colts Neck, is hosting a Village School PSA Fundraiser to help our students thrive.
Enjoy 15% off professional exterior fall décor services, including post-cleanup, while supporting Village School. 15% of all proceeds go directly to the Village School PSA, funding programs and resources for our students.
To participate, text 732-925-4726 for a custom quote, and share photos of your porch. Be sure to mention “Hornets” to unlock your discount and show your school pride!
Let’s celebrate the season, beautify our homes, and make a positive impact together.
Please note: This is not a Board of Education sponsored event.
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The Holmdel Township Committee is excited to announce the Extreme Makeover: Halloween Edition, a fun and festive home decorating competition! Show off your Halloween spirit by decorating your house, snapping a photo, and sending it in for a chance to win. The top three winners will each receive a gift card to a local restaurant, a perfect treat after all your hard work!
Don’t forget: Photos must be submitted by Thursday, October 23rd.
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Calling all boys in kindergarten through 5th grade! Come out on October 24th at 7 p.m. to Village School APR for a fun-filled game night and an opportunity to make new friends.
Discover what Cub Scouts is all about and enjoy family-friendly activities designed to spark adventure and learning.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of a great community!
For questions, email bfaverzanibsa@gmail.com
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One River School of Art + Design in Middletown offers innovative art and design classes, camps, and workshops for all ages, rooted in contemporary art and inspired by living artists from the last 50 years. Founded in 2012, One River aims to transform art education by helping students develop a strong personal voice in today’s visual world.
Students learn from practicing artists, designers, and educators, including college professors and public school teachers, who bring real-world experience to every class. The result: students have more fun, learn faster, and create meaningful, high-quality work.
Explore programs at middletown.oneriverschool.com
To learn more about classes, camps, and workshops go to middletown.oneriverschool.com
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- October 23 - Satz Halloween Hangout 6 pm
- October 27-31 PSG Fall Clothing Drive
- October 27 - Fall ESL Night
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Upcoming meetings on October 22nd and October 29th (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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“Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in.” — Leonardo da Vinci |
I thank you for your time and consideration and wish you a peaceful week ahead.
Dr. J. Scott Cascone
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