Last week, we explored the mindset of "Leaning In" as a shift from passive participation to active engagement within our school community. This week, we dive deeper into the power of intentional selection and choosing where to focus your heart and curiosity. You will see that this facilitates transforming a simple task into the genuine joy of discovery. |
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Building on that idea, it is important to remember that "Leaning In" doesn’t mean you have to do everything at once. In fact, the most meaningful growth often happens when a student feels empowered to select just one or two things that truly spark their curiosity and give those areas their full heart. In a high-achieving community like ours, there is often a quiet pressure to "do it all," but we want our students to know that there is immense value in depth over breadth. By choosing to focus on a specific passion involving a complex coding project, a role in the school play, or a community service initiative, a student moves away from the stress of a checklist and toward the joy of discovery.
The joy of discovery is the engine of the Lean In mindset; it is the intrinsic reward that transforms education from a series of tasks into a lifelong pursuit. When a student experiences that "aha!" moment the brain’s reward system is activated, reinforcing curiosity and making the effort feel worthwhile. This sense of wonder is infectious, spreading from the classroom to a student's personal projects and community involvement. It changes the internal monologue from I have to learn this to I want to see where this goes.
Choosing where to Lean In is a deeply personal journey, and it’s one that requires a bit of bravery. It means listening to your own interests and having the confidence to say, "This is what matters to me." As educators and parents, our role is to provide a soft landing for that exploration, reminding our students that it’s okay to try, to struggle, and to pivot.
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The concept of a "soft landing" is the essential safety net that makes the risk of Leaning In feel manageable rather than daunting. When a student steps out of their comfort zone to tackle a difficult problem or lead a new initiative, they are inherently making themselves vulnerable to setbacks. As the adults in their lives, we provide this landing by reframing "failure" not as a dead end, but as valuable data for their next attempt. By focusing our praise on their courage and strategy rather than just the final grade or trophy, we create a secure environment where students feel safe to explore their limits. This supportive culture ensures that even if a student hits a wall, they have the emotional security to dust themselves off, pivot if necessary, and try again with newfound wisdom.
When a student finds that one area where they are excited to show up and give their best, they aren't just building a resume; they are building self-belief. We are here to cheer them on as they find their "one thing," helping them transform that initial spark of interest into a lasting sense of purpose and pride.
As we look toward the final months of the school year, I want to leave our students with a challenge: What is one area that you will choose to Lean In to this week to find your own joy of discovery?
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We are incredibly proud to announce that junior Andy Zhao has been selected from a highly talented pool of applicants to participate in this year’s Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology (GSET), hosted by the Rutgers University School of Engineering.
This prestigious, tuition-free residential program is remarkably competitive, typically admitting fewer than 100 students from a field of over 400 statewide nominations. As a Governor’s School Scholar, Andy will spend one month this summer immersed in a comprehensive enrichment curriculum designed for students who possess outstanding skills and a deep passion for innovation. During the program, he will engage in high-level research projects, specialized workshops, and site visits to leading technology companies.
Andy’s remarkable achievements and dedication to the field of engineering have truly set him apart, and we congratulate him on this well-deserved honor!
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Holmdel High School’s Decision Day is June 10th! To help seniors celebrate, the National Honor Society is working with DP Sweets Cookies to bring you our first annual Decision Day cookie fundraiser.
Decision Day Cookies represent the schools you have been admitted to, personalized with you in mind. Use the order form (found below) and be sure to indicate your name, your decided school, and any other personalizations you would like.
A dozen handmade, personalized cookies that celebrate your achievement are only $60. Cash or check (made payable to Holmdel National Honor Society) and a completed Decision Day Cookies Order Form can be brought to Room 150 by April 27th.
You can also submit your order form digitally via this Google Form. All cookies will be available for pickup from Room 150 on Decision Day.
All cookies will be available for pickup from Room 150 on Decision Day!
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Each year, the PTSO presents two non-academic scholarships to graduating seniors. These awards recognize the qualities that don’t always show up on a transcript - character, service, and the quiet, steady ways students make Holmdel High School and the broader community a better place. Academic record plays no role in these awards. There are two scholarships which will be presented at Senior Awards Night
- Service Award - for a senior who has made a meaningful impact through service to HHS or the community - $2,000
- Unsung Hero Award - for a senior who leads with character and quietly makes HHS a better place for everyone - $2,000
Use the links below to find out all the details, and use the form to nominate a deserving Senior Hornet. Deadline is May 15.
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The PTSO Executive Board Nominations for the 2026-27 School Year are now open. Are you looking for a way to get more involved in our school community? You may nominate a peer or self-nominate by sending an email to ptsocopresidents@gmail.com no later than Friday, April 24th at noon. Please put Executive Board Nomination in your subject line, and be sure to include the nominee's full name, position of interest, phone number and email address. Use this link to view the full details and available positions in the ParentSquare posting.
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The PTSO is also excited to share that the Holmdel Hornets Knit Blankets are available again!
These sold out in a flash during the fall sale and are back by popular demand. The blankets (pictured right) can be purchased through the PTSO Shop or by using this link to pay through Zeffy.
They are great for the bleachers at cool spring night games and meets, and also make beautiful graduation gifts.
Wrap yourself in Hornet pride!
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Come out and join the PTSO at their next meeting at the Holmdel High School on Wednesday, April 15 at 7 pm.
Take advantage of the opportunity that helps directly support your child, gain insider knowledge of school events, and build a stronger community.
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In an effort to expand the resources available to our families, our annual Transition Fair has evolved into the Transition and Wellness Expo. This event brings together organizations that support students with special needs as they plan for life after high school.
Families and students will have the opportunity to connect with a wide range of vendors offering services related to transition planning, specialized college programs, vocational training, residential options, and physical and mental wellness.
The goal of the Expo is to create a one-stop experience where families can learn about the many supports available to help students move toward independence and overall well-being.
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At Holmdel Township School District, we are committed to ensuring our students have the tools they need to stay informed, organized, and connected. While ParentSquare has been our primary bridge for family communication, we are officially rolling out StudentSquare, the student-facing side of our unified communication platform.
StudentSquare is a communication and organization app specifically designed for middle and high school students. It functions as a direct extension of ParentSquare, allowing students in grades 7-12 to engage with their school community in a modern, streamlined way.
Check out all the information and instructions HERE to download the app and and be in the know!
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The school year is in full swing and the complex is busy with plenty of extracurricular activities which extends the time in which students, staff, and families attend events. We are continually reviewing our practices to improve flow and efficiency.
As a friendly reminder regarding established arrival and dismissal procedures at the complex, I would like to revisit driving practices during this time. Please remember that for safety, we absolutely cannot have cars stopping along the driveway circling the complex to let students out, nor can drivers double park when waiting for students. And as an environmental reminder, we ask that cars are not idling while waiting for students. These actions create significant hazards and traffic jams.
For those driving students to school, here is a quick recap of the designated entry points:
- Staff and students who are parking in the main lot must enter at the Crawfords Corner Road/Longstreet Road traffic light, turn left after Dr. White Lane, and proceed to the main parking lot. Please remember this area, including the spot near Door 1, is strictly for staff and student parking only, and there is no parent/guardian drop-off permitted here, as there is no exit from this lot.
- For all parent/guardian drop-offs, students being driven must continue past the main lot to the back of the school and drop off at Door 21 (at Satz Middle School). After dropping off, kindly continue forward and exit onto Crawfords Corner Road.
- I want to highlight that this year, Dr. White Lane has been opened earlier in the morning than in previous years. In the past, it opened at 7:55 AM; now, once buses are accounted for, this lane has been made available sooner (7:45 - 7:50) to alleviate the flow of traffic that proceeds around the complex. Access to Dr. White Lane for drop-off at Door #10 will only be available after all school buses have arrived and cleared the area.
We appreciate you keeping these guidelines in mind as we work together to ensure every student starts their day safely. Your thoughtful cooperation in following these steps is vital for the safety of all our students and for keeping traffic moving smoothly, which in turn helps all students get to their assigned classes on time.
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Goal number three of the board-approved 2025–26 district goals is to design and launch an online Parent University platform that provides families with accessible, high-quality resources to support student learning, well-being, and home–school partnership. In advancement of this goal, I am excited to announce the launch of the first module of our online Parent University, which is dedicated exclusively to providing resources for parents on Parenting in the Digital Age.
Our district has launched a partnership with The Social Institute (TSI), a leader in empowering students, families, and educators to navigate their learning and well-being, including A.I., social media, and devices, in healthy ways.
No matter your child’s current tech use, whether they use devices and apps regularly or are just beginning to ask questions, the resources offered through this partnership are designed to be flexible and family-friendly.
Register your free account for The Toolkit. Many families refer to this as the CliffsNotes of social media and technology!
- Go to Toolkit, click Activate Account, and enter our school district code: 55b5197A69096D
- On the course page, select "Enroll for Free".
- Create an account by entering your email and setting a password.
Course Offerings:
-Diving Deeper into the Apps Students Use
-Using Tech to Control Tech: Strong Settings for Apps and Devices
-From Helicopter to Huddling: How to Talk with Our Children About Social Media and Tech
-Helping Your Family Navigate Social Media and Tech in Healthy, High-Character Ways
-Co-Creating Family Standards for Positive Tech Use
Once enrolled, courses will be available on your Thinkific dashboard anytime you log in.
These courses are designed to be self-paced and can be completed on your own schedule. We encourage all families to complete the courses.
The district is honored to be your partner on this journey. 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.
As you progress through the courses, please feel free to email any questions to parentuniversity@holmdelschools.org.
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We are pleased to share that the Holmdel High School Eco Club, has partnered with the Holmdel Township Green Team to recognize October as Energy Awareness Month! As part of this initiative, students had developed an anti-idling campaign to spotlight the environmental and energy impacts of unnecessary vehicle idling. If you noticed the signage out front of the high school, this initiative has been underway since the start of the school year. We are very thankful to the Wilson family who have helped make this possible.
We invite you to support these efforts by signing the pledge and turning off your engine while you wait to pick up your child — a simple action that makes a meaningful difference.
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The Holmdel Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) is a volunteer group of parents and guardians that provides input to the school district regarding students with special needs, which has been established in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:14-1.2(h).
The group will be meeting this Monday, May 11, at 7pm in the High School Media Center.
The mission of the Holmdel SEPAC is to facilitate communication between parents, staff, the Board of Education and the community regarding the school district’s special education programs; to provide families with meaningful support, education and information regarding those programs; and, to provide input to the District on issues concerning students with disabilities.
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It is hard to believe we are already moving through March. From the incredible talent displayed in our recent performing arts showcases to the high energy of our winter sports season, it has been a year filled with Hornet Pride.
The 2025-2026 Yearbook is officially available for pre-order! This is the best way to ensure your student has a permanent keepsake of their friendships, achievements, and the unique spirit of this school year. Our student editors have been working tirelessly to capture every highlight, and you won't want to miss the final product.
Be sure to place your order HERE.
LIMITED OFFER!
ORDER A YEARBOOK AT THE DISCOUNTED PRICE:
USE PROMO CODE YRBK5 TO SAVE $5 - BUY NOW & SAVE
Cost with promo code: $135
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Holmdel High School Project Graduation is an organization that was formed to provide a safe, drug-free and alcohol-free overnight celebration for our Graduating Seniors. We are proud to continue this tradition and will be hosting this event immediately following the graduation ceremony this June.
Please consider making a donation HERE to support our efforts. All donations are appreciated! Recognition of your donation will be displayed based on the name you provided.
HHS Project Graduation receives donations through Holmdel PTSO as a 501 (c)(3) Tax Exempt Organization. EIN#223-569-019/000. Please note donation for Holmdel Project Graduation Donations are tax deductible. THANK YOU!
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Holmdel High School strives to develop well-rounded individuals
who exemplify the six pillars of character: trustworthiness,
respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
Through an inclusive and nurturing environment we promote the growth of
each student's character, academics, and personal potential.
Please help support this mission by encouraging your son or
daughter to join us in "Living Holmdel Blue"!
January's Theme is EMPATHY
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Our new School Apparel Shop is now open! This is a shared fundraiser for all four classes. 10% of all sales are donated back to the school and will be shared among the four classes for class events such as fundraising for prom. |
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April 20: Spring ESL Night
April 22: World Language Honor Society
April 23: Bring Your Child to Work Day
April 28: Thespian Honor Society Induction
May 1: Jazz Festival
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