Head of School Updates

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to share how deeply appreciative I am for the teachers who serve our students and families each day. They go above and beyond to build meaningful relationships, create engaging learning experiences, and support each child’s growth at Sussex Academy. Teaching is a profession that impacts every other profession and touches every aspect of our community. I encourage our families to take a moment this week to share their gratitude and recognize the incredible difference our teachers make every day.

With the school year-end quickly approaching, we are reaching out to remind families that we have several student activity fees still outstanding. Our activity fee assists in covering so many of our student celebratory functions - such as the ones we have planned for the end of the school year.

For reference, we shared in our Head of School Updates in the summer some of the following ways that we use activity fee funds to support our students:

• Chromebook
• Chromebook licensing fee
• Middle School Agendas
• MS/HS Clubs
• Moving Up Ceremonies/Activities
• Graduation
• Student Celebrations
• Rewards, Class Activities, and Field Work
• Misc. Classroom Fees
• End of Year Activities

If you could please respond in one of the following ways, it would be greatly appreciated!

• Submit a check for $185 ES, $205 MS, and $225 HS payable to: Sussex Academy

• We accept Visa, MasterCard, Amex & Discover.

• https://go.delaware.gov/apps/s/department-of-education/sussex-academy
• If you need to arrange a payment plan, please email Andrea Rogers: andrea.rogers@saas.k12.de.us or call 302-856-3636 x1004

• If you feel that you would qualify for free or reduced activity fee, you will need to fill out a meal benefit application form. The forms, in both English and Spanish (English/Spanish Meal Benefits Forms), are located on https://www.sussexacademy.org. This form needs to be submitted each school year.

• You can drop off at the school or e-mail to terry.allen@saas.k12.de.us.

We are so thankful for your attention to this. We look forward to providing meaningful and enriching opportunities for all of our students at Sussex Academy.

Parents – thank you for sharing the news about your child’s accomplishments so we can celebrate their successes on our social media pages! Please send news tips to Ellen Driscoll at ellen.driscoll@saas.k12.de.us.

Keep up to date with school and student happenings by following us on Facebook and Instagram, and continue to check our website for our most recent news releases.

Here’s a couple recent headlines:

• Holocaust scholar visits Sussex Academy students

• Sussex Academy Green Team engages students with Earth Day activities

Dear Sussex Academy Elementary Families,

On FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2026 all students in grades K-5 will be participating in our annual Field Day!

⏰ FIELD DAY SCHEDULE:

9:00-11:00: Grades K, 1, 2

12:30-2:30: Grades 3, 4, 5

💥 2:30-3:00: ALL grade levels return for Tug-of-war

🍎LUNCH SCHEDULE:

11:00-11:45 Grades K, 1, 2

11:45-12:30: Grades 3, 4, 5

☀️ WHAT TO BRING: Water Bottle, Sunscreen, Towel

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are still in need of 12:30-2:30 station volunteers for 3rd, 4th, 5th Field Day.

👉 Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdUj6_kyKyXb-DFouJdbiU_eo9m5JEPyGf1v_0FlRdSGUfsvA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106449393250396397953

We truly appreciate your involvement in making this an enjoyable end of the year event!

Thank you,

Mr. Petrella

Band Rehearsals for Spring concert

Don’t miss our high school spring musical! Sussex Academy Theatre will present Hadestown: Teen Edition on May 15th at 7pm and 16th at 1pm and 7pm.

This Tony Award–winning musical retells the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, intertwined with the story of Hades and Persephone. Set to a soulful, folk- and jazz-inspired score by Anaïs Mitchell, Hadestown takes audiences on a powerful journey to the underworld—exploring love, hope, sacrifice, and the cost of holding on or letting go. Brought to life by incredible student talent, this is a hauntingly beautiful story you won’t want to miss.

Tickets: $10 (adults) | $5 (students)

Available at the door (cash or online) or in advance here: https://go.delaware.gov/apps/s/department-of-education/sussex-academy

Come support our performers and experience this hauntingly beautiful show!

This week, our student leaders started leading classroom discussions on Bullying: Impact, Resilience, and Support using the NAMI Ending the Silence mini-series. They watched a short video and engaged in guided conversations about how bullying affects mental health, why some may stay silent, and how bystanders can help create a safer school environment. They also reflected on one action they can take to support others.

By encouraging these conversations, we are reinforcing that students are not alone and that support is always available. We encourage families to continue these conversations at home, reminding their children that it’s okay to talk about their feelings and seek help when needed. When students feel supported, they are better able to learn, grow, and thrive. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student well-being.

To learn more and access helpful tools, explore the resources below:

Child Mind Institute - Parenting Guides

CDC – Children’s Mental Health

NAMI – Parents & Caregivers

Students in grades 6–12 are invited to participate in a dress down day on May 15 in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Day. Students are encouraged to wear green to show their support for mental health awareness.

It’s not too early to have your sports physical completed for next school year!

Sussex Academy, in partnership with Beebe Healthcare, is offering:

🩺 FREE SPORTS PHYSICALS

📅 Date: Wednesday, May 13th and May 20th

⏰ Time: 5:30 pm-7:30 pm

📍 Location: Sussex Academy – 21150 Airport Rd, Georgetown

Sign-Up Information:

📲https://calendly.com/dawnyel-furlong-sussexacademy/beebe-healthcare-spring-sports-physicals-clinic-sa

📧 Questions? Contact your School Nurse:

• Elementary Campus: Stephanie Brown x1005

• Secondary Campus: Dawnyel Furlong x 1006

When your child visits the secondary school library with their class, they are introduced to a variety of safe, reliable research tools. One of the most valuable resources available to them is the database called UDLibSearch.

UDLibSearch is an online search tool that allows students to find trustworthy information from books, articles, and academic resources, all in one place. Unlike a general internet search, this database provides credible, age appropriate, and educator approved sources, helping students build strong research habits and avoid unreliable information.

We encourage you to support your child by reminding them to use UDLibSearch when working on research assignments at home. Practicing with high quality resources helps students strengthen their critical thinking skills and become more confident, independent learners. When students log on to UDLibSearch at school, a username and password is not needed; however, when students log on at home, a username and password is needed. Please see the UDLibSearch flyers for more information.

If you have any questions about accessing this resource or supporting your child’s research at home, please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Leonard. Thank you!