Head of School Updates

As we continue to focus on academics and student achievement, our staff will spend Friday learning and working together while students enjoy a day off from school.

Across K–12, teams will focus on strengthening instruction in areas including writing, math, ELA, special education, departmental planning, and Seahawk Success Time. We will also come together as a K–12 staff to focus on three important areas for our continued growth: curriculum, communication, and culture.

We share this with families because learning never stops at Sussex Academy! Investing time in our staff to collaborate, reflect, and improve ultimately helps us create stronger learning experiences for our students.

Please help us spread the word about our upcoming Choice Nights at Sussex Academy. We will continue sharing information through social media and local advertising but some of our best connections come directly from our families. If you have friends, neighbors, or family members who are curious about what it means to be a Seahawk, encourage them to come experience Sussex Academy for themselves!

Elementary Choice Night: October 27

Secondary Choice Night: October 29

We look forward to welcoming prospective families to our campuses and sharing the opportunities available for students to explore, experience, and excel at Sussex Academy.

October is off to a strong start at Sussex Academy Elementary! Our students are diving deeper into their learning, building new skills, and continuing to grow each day. As fall gets underway, we are also gearing up for several fun events and opportunities to bring our school community together. We are excited for all that October has in store for our Seahawks!

Picture Day was a success, and now it’s time to see those Seahawk smiles! Families can access and order their child’s school pictures online through JostensPIX. Please follow the steps below using Event Code: FE380326 to locate your child’s photos and place an order.

View and order your student's JostensPIX school photos online.

Our Scholastic Book Fair is just around the corner! Students can shop for books October 12–16 with their class during their school day. Families can also visit our Scholastic Book Fair website to preview books, add money to your child's eWallet, and shop online.

Our Scholastic Book Fair will also be open during Literacy Night! We look forward to seeing our Seahawks and their families!

Literacy Night: Thursday, October 15, 5:30–7:00 PM

We are excited to celebrate Seahawk Character Day on Friday, October 30! Students are invited to dress as a favorite book, movie, television, or other fun character. Students should arrive at school in their regular uniform and bring their costume in their backpack; costumes will be put on over uniforms at the end of the day.

For safety, face paint, masks, pretend weapons, inflatable costumes, and scary character costumes are not permitted. Costumes should not interfere with a student’s ability to see or move safely, and students should wear school-appropriate shoes throughout the day. Please choose a costume that your child can easily put on independently over their uniform.

Families are invited to join us on the playground at 2:00 p.m. as our Seahawks parade around the school building and show off their characters! Staff will be on hand to guide families to this location. Following the parade, students will return to their classrooms. Families who would like to take their child home after the parade may sign their child out from the classroom before leaving. We can’t wait for a fun afternoon with our Seahawks! 🍂💙💜

We have exciting news! We are nearing completion of the licensing process for the Sussex YMCA Aftercare Program at Sussex Academy Elementary School and anticipate the program beginning very soon. Registration is now open and applications are being accepted!

Families interested in participating can complete the YMCA aftercare application here. Before enrollment can be finalized, families will need a current Health Appraisal, immunization record, proof of lead and TB risk screening, and their child's IEP if applicable.

Already applied? You can request an update on your application status here.

The program will run from the end of the school day until 5:30 PM. The introductory rate for the 2026–27 school year is $245 per month, and a $50 non-refundable application fee applies. Once the YMCA receives final licensing approval, families will receive additional communication with the official start date.

Please see the attached YMCA Frequently Asked Questions flyer for additional details. We are excited to welcome the YMCA to Sussex Academy and provide our students with a safe, engaging, and enriching after-school experience!

Get ready, Middle School! Spirit Week is coming October 19–23! Each day will feature a different theme and a new opportunity to show your Seahawk spirit. We can’t wait to see everyone’s creativity and school pride!

All Spirit Week attire must be school appropriate. 💜🤍

Time to show your Seahawk spirit!

See the flyer for all the details on how to order your school pictures! The Event Code is: FE380226

• Capture all the memories from this school year with a Sussex Academy Middle School Yearbook! 💜

• Yearbooks are currently $42.00 when ordered by October 30, 2026.

• Families can order through Jostens using the information on the flyer or this link (Click Here). Students and families can also share photos from throughout the year for possible inclusion in the yearbook. Don’t miss out on the memories — order yours early!

Just a reminder that all 8th grade students receive a yearbook at no cost to families. During this transition year, all students receive a yearbook from school activity fees.

Get ready to show your Seahawk spirit October 19–23! Check out the Spirit Week themes and join in each day. Spirit Week is a chance to have fun and show school pride, but these are not dress down days; the school dress code still applies.

Keep the energy going Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. as we cheer on our soccer team against Seaford! The game theme is Blackout, so wear black and help fill the stands with Seahawk spirit.

Then, join us for the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 24, from 7–10 p.m. See the flyer for more details. Want to bring a guest? Complete the guest form and submit it with the guest's photo ID by 3pm on Oct 22nd.

Founded in 2006, PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center leads social change so that all young people feel safe and supported at school, in their communities, and online.

This month, Sussex Academy is joining the movement through schoolwide activities focused on kindness, inclusion, and bullying prevention. Stay tuned for upcoming events, including Unity Day on October 21, when we will wear orange and stand together for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion!

Sussex Academy is once again partnering with Speak Out Against Hate (SOAH) to host a special screening of Childhood 2.0 on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. The documentary explores how cyberbullying, social media, gaming, smartphones, and constant connectivity affect young people’s mental health, relationships, and daily lives. Following the screening, Titania Jordan, Chief Parenting Officer at Bark and a featured expert in the film, will join us via livestream for a Q&A.

Join us for this important and timely conversation about helping young people navigate the digital world safely and confidently. Please RSVP here by October 20 or click the link on this flyer.

JUNIOR COLLEGE/CAREER PRESENTATIONS

Last week, Mrs. Bobby finished meeting with all of the juniors to discuss first steps for college and career preparedness. Here are her slides in case any parent or guardian would like to see what was shared.

PAYING FOR COLLEGE WORKSHOP SLIDES

If you couldn’t make it to the Paying for College Workshop (or would like to peruse them again), the slides are linked here.

COLLEGE VISITS AT SUSSEX ACADEMY

Throughout the fall, representatives from colleges and universities will host 30-minute information sessions at Sussex Academy. Juniors and Seniors may miss class to attend these sessions.

Upcoming College Rep Visits:

Salisbury University on 10/8 at 8:30 (SESSION IS FULL)

University of Delaware on 10/8 at 11:30 (SESSION IS FULL)

To view upcoming visits and register, students should:

1. Log in to Naviance.

2. Select Colleges.

3. Under Research Colleges, select College Visits.

4. Click Register Now beside any school they are interested in learning about.

5. Record the visit’s date and time in their planner.

6. Notify their teacher at least one day in advance.

7. Check in with their teacher on the day of the visit for attendance and information about missed instruction or assignments.

New visits are added throughout the fall, so students should check Naviance regularly.

ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS

Juniors and seniors are welcome to schedule one-on-one meetings with Mrs. Bobby as needed. They should use this link to make an appointment.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Some scholarship opportunities have been sent our way! See our Scholarship Spreadsheet to stay up to date on all scholarship opportunities in our area.

LAUNCH INTO YOUR FUTURE WEEK: OCTOBER 26–30

Launch Into Your Future Week will take place October 26–30 in the library. During the week, students will have opportunities to sign out of class to work on college and career-related tasks and attend special information sessions. Additional details and sign-out instructions will be shared soon.

COMMUNICATION

Contact erin.bobby@sussexacademy.org with any questions.