Superintendent's Weekly Update - June 8, 2026

Over the past school year, Holmdel Township School District has used ParentSquare as our primary communication platform to help families stay informed and connected. As we complete our first full year with the platform, we would like to hear about your experience. Your feedback is important in helping us understand what is working well, what challenges families may have encountered, and where we can improve. 

Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey. 

Congratulations to the Particle Physics Team who represented Holmdel High School and the Physics Club so well in the Beamline For Schools Competition. In this prestigious international Physics competition, students are tasked with proposing an experiment that they want to perform at the beamline of a particle accelerator. The proposals are then evaluated by an expert panel, and Holmdel’s team placed in the top 50 teams in this year’s competition. This is an incredible accomplishment given that this is an international competition with 4,501 students contributing a record high 712 proposals representing 89 countries. We are tremendously proud of this talented team for their impressive showing, and we want to express our deepest gratitude to the HFEE for funding the particle detector that made this unique experience possible.

Bayshore Hospital hosted Ms. Davis, Ms. Michaud, and the families and students enrolled in Holmdel High School’s Patient Care Tech course for a celebratory event this week, as the students finished up their mentorships with Bayshore Hospital Staff. 2026 was the first year that the PCT students had the opportunity to work directly with hospital mentors, participating in monthly shadowing opportunities which provided the students with an unparalleled opportunity to gain practical experience in a clinical setting before they embark on furthering their careers in college. We are grateful for this community partnership and excited for what lies ahead for our students. Congratulations again to Ms. Michaud, Ms. Davis, and all of our students for all of their success this year!

Congratulations are also in order for Keoni Baheti, who placed second in the Reduce Single Use Video PSA content through NJ Clean Communities. His award-winning video, which focuses on critical environmental advocacy, can be found here. We are so incredibly proud of Keoni and the important message that he is spreading as a dedicated steward for sustainability and the protection of our Earth! His commitment to environmental awareness is a great example for our entire school community.

Finally, our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students showcased their scientific spirit in a tremendous display of passion projects at Indian Hill’s science fairs last week. Families, peers, and teachers were able to view student projects covering a wide range of fascinating topics, from motion, light and sound to soil samples, protecting our shorelines from erosion, and everything in between. The student excitement for their projects and ability to explain their work was truly exceptional. Notably this year, we had two projects highlighting local history: one on Bell Labs and the other on the Horn Antenna. In an amazing feat, 5th grader Sofia Saleh was able to create a working replica of the Horn Antenna that actually allowed her to receive a recognizable signal! Big things are ahead for our young scientists — their work was truly out of this world.

We are proud to recognize 7th grade student Jillian Vincelli for her outstanding achievement in the Monmouth County Law Day Contest, where she earned 3rd place in the Grades 6–8 poetry competition.

Law Day is an annual celebration that highlights the role of law in our society and promotes an understanding of the legal system. Jillian’s thoughtful and creative work stood out among entries from across Monmouth County, reflecting both strong writing skills and a meaningful engagement with this year’s theme.

Please join us in congratulating Jillian on this well-deserved recognition and for representing our schools with excellence.

A commemorative sign honoring Holmdel High School alumnus Bob Roggy has been installed at the school’s throwing practice field, formally recognizing his legacy as one of the nation’s premier Javelin throwers and celebrating his lasting connection to the Holmdel community.

The installation was made possible through a thoughtful collaboration between the Roggy family and Holmdel High School Principal Dr. Herits. Working closely together, they ensured the commemorative signage appropriately honors Roggy’s achievements and inspires current and future student-athletes. The district’s Buildings and Grounds Department played a key role in bringing the project to life, handling site preparation and installation with care and precision.

The finished display now stands as a lasting tribute to excellence, dedication, and Holmdel pride.

Holmdel High School’s STARS program is shining a light on the power of community collaboration, creating meaningful pathways to independence for students through real-world learning experiences and local partnerships. A recent feature highlights how the district, students, and families are coming together with area businesses to build impactful opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom. The district extends its sincere appreciation to the many local partners whose ongoing support helps make this program’s success possible.

To read the full article click here.

The administration and Board of Education have been receiving inquiries regarding the elimination of courtesy busing. In particular, one common question has been how the district calculates distance. This question, along with answers to other salient points, was addressed in the Courtesy Busing FAQ shared several weeks ago. You are invited to review the FAQ for relevant information and answers to frequently asked questions. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact the Transportation Department or district administration.

Holmdel High School dance student and National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) member Francesca Piccarelli is making a difference through movement. On June 14, Francesca will host a community pop-up dance event, Let's Hair It for the Girls, to raise funds and awareness in support of cancer patients. The event reflects the compassion, leadership, and service-minded spirit of our students, using dance to empower others and strengthen our community. We encourage families to support this meaningful cause.

As families head into the summer, the County has shared this important water safety public service announcement with school districts across the region. Whether at the pool, the beach, or even around the home, drowning can happen quickly and quietly.

We encourage all parents and caregivers to take a moment to review these simple but potentially life-saving tips, including the importance of active supervision, early swim instruction, and understanding that flotation devices are not a substitute for adult attention.

A few seconds can make all the difference—please take a moment to read and share this important reminder with your family.