Principal    

Message James Cody  

201-358-4016 ext. 1001

Holdrum Middle School
"Home of the Hawks"
 
Dear Holdrum Families,

On behalf of Assistant Principal, Julieann McKeary, and our entire dedicated staff, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2026-2027 school year. We are eager to begin another productive year of learning, growth, and community at Holdrum Middle School.

I want to extend a particularly warm welcome to our incoming sixth graders and new students. Our teachers and experienced student leaders are ready to assist you with everything from finding your classrooms to mastering your locker combinations. While starting at a new school can naturally bring a bit of anxiety, please rest assured that you will feel right at home in no time.

We remain deeply committed to student well-being through our "Wellness Wednesday" program. These mid-week sessions include advisory lessons and counselor-led activities designed to build social-emotional coping skills and character education. This commitment is further supported by "The Hawk’s Nest," our student wellness center, and our expanded outdoor learning spaces.

In alignment with state mandates, the Board of Education is in the process of adopting Policy 5516, which will prohibit the use of internet-enabled devices during the school day. Our "Bell to Bell: Keep it Away for the Day" policy ensures a focused learning environment. This restriction applies to smartphones, smartwatches, and other wearable technology such as Meta Glasses.

Regarding student safety and River Vale Ordinance #470-2026, e-scooters and e-bikes are prohibited for individuals under the age of 15 and are not permitted on campus. Traditional bicycles are welcome, provided students adhere to the following safety requirements:

The following expectations are mandatory for any student choosing to ride a traditional bicycle to school:

• All riders must wear a helmet at all times while operating their bicycle.

• Upon arrival on campus, students must dismount and walk their bicycles to the designated bike racks. This requirement applies during arrival (7:30 a.m. – 8:10 a.m.) and dismissal (2:50 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.).

• All bicycles must be secured in a bike rack using a chain or cable lock to prevent theft or unauthorized use.

• Failure to comply with these safety expectations and ordinances may result in the loss of the privilege to bring a bicycle to campus.

Our academic programs continue to thrive. This year, we are excited for the first full year of our regional spiraled Science curriculum. Our Language Arts curriculum, developed with the Pascack Valley Regional School District, continues to uphold our high standards for academic rigor.

In Mathematics, we are continuing with the revised Big Ideas series, which focuses on real-world applications and complex problem-solving. We are also entering the fourth year of our Basic Skills Instruction (BSI) program. This initiative provides targeted, small-group support in Language Arts and Mathematics to ensure all students have the tools necessary for success.

Canvas remains our primary Learning Management System for students. We encourage parents to use observer accounts to stay engaged with student progress. To assist with this, we will soon host "Canvas 60," an informational series to help families navigate the platform. Genesis will continue to host as the gradebook monitoring and reporting system for all students. Parents are encouraged to review students' grades periodically. Additionally, please visit our "Holdrum 60" webpage for short videos regarding daily life at HMS.

I look forward to welcoming all our students back on September 3rd as you enter this next chapter in your life.

Yours in Education,

James P. Cody
Principal