Dear Holmdel Township School Community,
I hope this finds you well. The season of spring brings renewal, new beginnings, and often a lifting of our spirits after persevering through the cold, dark winter and, this year, the ample snowfall that accompanied it.
As I reflect on this newsletter and so many aspects of our incredible Holmdel Township School District community, I am filled with pride and admiration for the accomplishments and spirit of our students, staff, and families.
At the same time, it is natural for our thoughts to be weighed by the turmoil and violence that too often mark our world. Whether it is international tragedies or events much closer to home, such as the recent shooting at a Union Township fast food restaurant this weekend, it is understandable to feel unsettled or concerned.
In times like these, I am reminded of the importance of each of us doing our part, within our own spheres of influence, to lean into peace, empathy, and understanding. At the same time, we recognize that, particularly given students’ real-time exposure to current events through media and social platforms, our children may also be quietly experiencing worry or anxiety, just as many adults do.
I encourage you to keep the dialogue open with your children, helping them process and make sense of these events in safe and supportive ways. As always, our counseling staff and mental health professionals are here to support you and your children should the need arise.
Here’s to new beginnings and to fostering peace in our little corner of the world.
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The Transition & Wellness Expo will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 2:00–5:00 p.m. at Bell Works West Tower, bringing together more than 50 vendors, including employers, transition service providers, healthcare agencies, and educational programs.
Sponsored by the Holmdel Township School District, Department of Special Services, the Expo will provide families and students with meaningful opportunities to connect with community partners and explore resources that support independence, wellness, and post-secondary transition planning in Holmdel.
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Sra. Knice and Sra. Taylor accompanied 14 students on an 8-day educational travel experience in Costa Rica, organized through a third-party student travel program.
The journey began with a boat excursion featuring wildlife sightings such as howler monkeys, exotic birds, caimans, sloths, and iguanas. Students also supported a local orphanage by purchasing food and toiletries for 18 children and spending time playing, coloring, and connecting with them.
Throughout the program, students participated in a range of immersive experiences, including ziplining and hanging bridges, swimming in volcanic thermal waters, and horseback riding in the cloud forest. They also visited a local organic farm operated by a retired school principal, learning about sustainable agriculture and enjoying a farm-to-table meal.
On the Pacific Coast, students explored Manuel Antonio National Park, viewing beaches and diverse wildlife, including anteaters, blue morpho butterflies, toucans, macaws, and monkeys. The trip concluded with cultural immersion through traditional Costa Rican music and dance with La Cimarrona and a masked folkloric troupe.
Students were fully engaged in Costa Rican culture, sampling local cuisine, exploring towns, practicing Spanish, and building global connections. These experiences will be cherished for a lifetime. ¡Pura Vida!
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The Spanish 3 experience recently came full circle in a meaningful and inspiring way.
After viewing “A Million Miles Away” earlier in the year, a film about NASA astronaut José M. Hernández, students in Spanish 3, guided by Señora Taylor and Señora Knice, were encouraged to reflect on his story of perseverance and success. Through this experience, students wrote heartfelt letters in both Spanish and English, connecting personally to themes of resilience, education, and dreaming big.
The class was recently honored to receive a response directly from Mr. Hernández, who thanked students for their thoughtful letters and offered words of encouragement about hard work, education, and believing in one’s dreams. He also generously shared signed books, photographs, and an inspirational message: “Reach for the stars.”
This authentic exchange highlighted the power of language learning and student voice beyond the classroom, and reflects the outstanding instructional work of Señora Taylor and Señora Knice in creating engaging, real-world learning experiences for students.
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Congratulations to the following students who received nominations for the Foxy Awards at Montclair State University for their work on the fall play Puffs:
- Samantha Ayers – Outstanding Achievement by a Student Costume Designer for a Play
- Lilia Dietz and Leo DiMare – Outstanding Achievement by a Student Lighting Designer for a Play
- Samvi Raj – Outstanding Achievement in a Leading Role in a Play
The Foxy Awards ceremony will be held on May 21 at Montclair State University.
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Holmdel High School senior Duo Zhang recently competed at the 2026 USASA (United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association) National Championships held at Copper Mountain, delivering an exceptional performance on the national stage.
Duo earned 2nd place in Giant Slalom and 3rd place in Slalom, results that rank among the top finishes in the nation in his division. Over the course of his competitive career at this premier national event, the largest of its kind in the United States, he has accumulated an impressive medal record, including one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.
His dedication, perseverance, and passion for snowboarding have distinguished him as both a competitor and a representative of Holmdel High School at the highest levels of youth sport.
As he prepares to graduate this spring and begin his college journey, Duo remains committed to continuing his athletic development with aspirations of competing at even higher levels, including the possibility of representing the United States on a national team.
The Holmdel school community congratulates Duo on his outstanding accomplishments and wishes him continued success in his academic and athletic pursuits.
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William R. Satz School eighth graders Nikolai Kovsh and Max Novatski recently represented their club team, PSA Monmouth 2012 Boys of Princeton Soccer Academy, at the Mediterranean International Cup (MIC Cup) in Costa Brava, Spain, one of the world’s premier youth soccer tournaments featuring elite academies from around the globe.
Following a standout year that included a New Jersey State Championship and a semifinal appearance at the Eastern Regional Presidents Cup, their team earned promotion to the ECNL Boys North Atlantic Conference for the upcoming season.
In Spain, Nikolai and Max competed in six matches against top international opponents from countries including Argentina, Spain, Iraq, the Canary Islands, and Canada, while also participating in cultural experiences in Barcelona.
The U14 championship was ultimately claimed by Atlético Madrid Academy. Although the team did not secure the title, Nikolai and Max represented Holmdel with pride, resilience, and strong sportsmanship throughout this exceptional international experience.
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Last month, at the March 25 Board of Education meeting, the 2026–27 school district budget was presented and approved by a vote of 7 to 2. Crafting this budget was no easy task and required the dedication of our administrative team, Board of Education, and the collaboration and support of the Holmdel Education Association and the Holmdel Town Committee.
While the budget does involve some sacrifices from the Holmdel community, it largely preserves the excellence of our school district and allows us to continue providing programs that meet community expectations, even in these challenging financial times.
The final public hearing on the budget will take place at the April 29, 2026 Board of Education meeting.
Below are links to clipped videos of the March 18 Committee of the Whole discussion, as well as the slide deck and full video of the March 25 budget presentation and Q&A session.
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We’re excited to introduce a new Family Course now available through our partnership with The Social Institute: A.I. Safety Essentials: Protecting Our Children from Privacy Risks, Deepfakes, and Misinformation.
Artificial intelligence has widespread risks for kids—privacy, deepfakes, emotional chatbot use, and misinformation. This course helps families explore simple safety rules, communication strategies, and ways to help kids use A.I. responsibly.
Next Steps:
If you have not already, register your free account for The Toolkit. Many families refer to this as the CliffsNotes of social media and technology! Go to the Toolkit, click Activate Account, and enter our school code: 55b5197A69096D
Access the Family Courses:
As a reminder, all courses are designed to be self-paced and can be completed on your own schedule. 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.
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The Foster Closet of Holmdel will host an Open House on April 25 from 4–7 p.m., offering an opportunity for attendees to learn how The Village Inc. supports foster families in Central New Jersey through local donations and community partnerships. Guests will enjoy light refreshments, connect with community members, and explore ways to get involved in supporting neighbors in need. Attendance includes food, drinks, and a swag bag, and RSVP is available via the QR code provided. |
Celebrate Earth Day with a day of fresh air, family fun, and community connection at Bayonet Farm! Join the Earth Day Festival & Greenway Walk on Sunday, April 26th from 12–5 PM—featuring live shows, hands-on exhibits, guided tours, and a scenic walk through beautiful trails. Best of all, it’s completely FREE.
Come early, stay awhile, and experience nature, learning, and local spirit all in one place.
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Mark your calendars for Friday, May 8, from 4:00–8:00 PM at Cross Farm Park for Hornet Fest, a brand-new HYAA community celebration! This exciting event is designed to bring Holmdel families and youth athletes together from all sports programs for an evening of fun, games, food, and community spirit. Don’t miss this chance to connect, celebrate, and cheer on our young athletes, a perfect way to kick off the spring season together!
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- April 16 Indian Hill Talent Show 7pm
- April 20 HHS Spring ESL Night 6 pm
- May 7 & 8 Satz Spring Play 6 pm
- May 12 IH spring Band/Chorus Concert 7 pm
- May 15 HHS Relay for Life 4 pm
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The board will hold its next monthly public meeting (COW) on Wednesday, April 22nd, at 7:00 PM in the High School media center. The meetings are also accessible via Zoom link and will be posted to the district webpage within 24 hours of the meeting.
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“There is no time left for anything but to make peace work a dimension of our every waking activity.” – Elise Boulding |
I thank you for your time and consideration and wish you a safe and peaceful week ahead.
Sincerely yours,
Dr. J. Scott Cascone
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