Dear Holmdel Township School Community,
I hope this finds you well and that you had a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday with your families and loved ones. As we transition from a month of expressing gratitude to one of embracing perseverance, November's #liveholmdelblue theme seamlessly flows into December, carrying with it the spirit of resilience and determination.
This holiday season, as we come together in celebration and reflection, our collective perseverance becomes a guiding light. It is a time not only for festive gatherings and joyful moments but also for recognizing the strength that binds us as a community.
In the spirit of the season, our upcoming holiday concerts promise to uplift our hearts and showcase the talents of our students, embodying the spirit of perseverance that defines both the month and our community.
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Holmdel High School is proud to congratulate Mia Leberknight, an exceptionally talented vocalist who has been accepted into the New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA) Honors Modern Band Program!
Mia earned an outstanding 97 out of 100 on her audition, the highest vocal score in the entire applicant pool. This remarkable achievement reflects not only her vocal ability but also her dedication, artistry, and passion for music.
The NJMEA Honors Modern Band brings together some of the most gifted young musicians from across the state to collaborate, perform, and grow under the guidance of accomplished professionals. Mia’s acceptance into this elite ensemble is a testament to her hard work and to the strong music program at Holmdel High School.
We invite the school community to celebrate Mia’s success by viewing her impressive audition performances below:
For more information about the NJMEA Honors Modern Band Program, please see their 2026 program flyer:
Congratulations once again to Mia on this extraordinary achievement. We look forward to seeing her continue to shine as she represents Holmdel on the state stage!
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This past Saturday, Holmdel High School’s lacrosse program celebrated tradition and community at its annual Alumni–Student Game on a crisp late-fall morning. Despite the cold, current players, alumni, families, and supporters turned out in force to share in the day.
On the field, alumni claimed a 6–3 victory, but the true highlight was the connection between past and present players. Alumni ranged from members of Holmdel’s very first team in 2009 to recent graduates from the Class of 2024, reflecting the program’s growth and lasting impact.
Before the game, attendees honored two beloved members of the lacrosse family, Jack Dowd (#9) and Billy DiMaio (#11), with a heartfelt balloon release, a moving tribute to their memory and the enduring bonds within the Hornet community.
The day’s combination of spirited play, meaningful remembrance, and strong community support made this year’s game especially memorable. Holmdel thanks all who participated and cheered, celebrating a tradition that continues to exemplify what it means to “Live Holmdel Blue.”
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The district is thrilled to recognize and celebrate four outstanding student musicians who were selected to participate in the TCNJ Honors Music Festival! Please join us in applauding Pranav Deshpande, Jess Burden, Charlotte Stanislawczyk, and Keoni Baheti for proudly representing HHS at this prestigious event.
The TCNJ Honors Music Festival brings together some of the most dedicated and accomplished high school musicians from across the region for a weekend of advanced musical study, collaboration, and performance. Students accepted into the festival demonstrate exceptional talent, strong musicianship, and a deep commitment to their craft.
Throughout the festival, Pranav, Jess, Charlotte, and Keoni had the opportunity to rehearse with experienced conductors, work alongside other top-tier student musicians, and refine their artistry through intensive ensemble work. Their participation reflects not only their individual dedication but also the strength and vibrancy of Holmdel High School’s music program.
We are incredibly proud of these students for their achievement, professionalism, and passion for music. Congratulations once again to Pranav Deshpande, Jess Burden, Charlotte Stanislawczyk, and Keoni Baheti for representing Holmdel with such distinction at the TCNJ Honors Music Festival!
Their hard work continues to inspire our school community and exemplifies 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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Indian Hill School's Entrepreneur Club Holiday Market will take place on Thursday,
December 4th, from 5:30-7 pm in the beautiful Bell Works atrium.
Join students, families, teachers, and community members for what is sure to be the
event of the season! Last year's club event drew hundreds of people to the venue as
local Holmdel club members in grades 4-6 sold their handmade products and goods.
This inaugural Market Day event raised over $8,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation
and brought the entire community together for a great cause.
This year, we are looking forward to an Entrepreneur Fair with a new twist, offering
handcrafted gifts, trending kid-inspired products, and delicious homemade treats just in
time for the holiday season.
Save the date: Thursday, December 4th, 5:30-7:00 pm at Bell Works. You
don't want to miss it!
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At the November BOE Committee of the Whole meeting, the administration shared a draft of the school district calendar for the 2026–27 school year.
The administration appreciates all those community members who have reached out with feedback and questions. The feedback will be discussed with the board at the December 10 public BOE Committee of the Whole meeting. The calendar is expected to be approved by the Board at the December 17 regular public Board of Education meeting. To view the draft 2026-2027 school calendar, click here.
The link below shows the portion of the aforementioned meeting in which the administration walked the Board through the calendar, month by month.
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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 Village School Parent Student Association (PSA) is hosting its Holiday Vendor Fair on Sunday, December 7th, from 10 AM – 3 PM, offering the community a chance to shop local and discover a variety of unique and seasonal items.
New this year, the Music and Art Academy of Holmdel will bring live performances throughout the day, allowing students to share their musical talents and spread holiday cheer. A professional gift wrapper will also be available, giving families the opportunity to have their purchases beautifully wrapped on site. Returning to the event is A Small World Gift Shop, providing students another opportunity to shop for special items from the Village Holiday Shop, whether they missed it earlier or want a few additional gifts.
This festive event highlights the creativity and community spirit of our Village School families, and reflects the PSA’s ongoing dedication to enriching the school experience for all.
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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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“Humanity has always conquered the flux of natural time by means of a rhythm between active and passive time-spans. To reconquer his holidays, to establish a new and better time schedule for life, has been the great endeavour of man ever since the days of Noah.”
― Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy, Out of Revolution: Autobiography of Western Man
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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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