Head of School Updates
January 14th, 2026
A Message from Mr. Bentley
Sometimes building a strong school culture requires stepping a little outside your comfort zone and occasionally taking a pie to the face!
Last Friday, many of our teachers, our middle school dean, and I volunteered to do just that to help raise money for our TSA program. With lots of whipped cream and laughter, the event brought students and staff together during lunches on the secondary campus and served as a great reminder that school is not just about grades, data, and standardized assessments. It is equally important to remember that school is about connections, a sense of belonging, and building community.
Let’s continue to have fun as we work together to make this our best school year yet!
Board of Directors Agenda 1/21/26
Communication and Outreach Updates
Sussex Academy’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
Tickets are now on sale for our 25th anniversary celebration!
We are very excited about this reunion, and hope to see former students, current and former staff, and board members, and the community at large to help mark this milestone at Sussex Academy.
Tickets can be purchased via the QR code in the flyer or at tinyurl.com/34jv67bw. You won’t want to miss it – see you there!
Elementary Updates
Upcoming Dates
January 15 - Wellness Night 5:30 - 7:30 (see flyer below)
January 19 - No School for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 23 - Dress Down Day ($2)
January 29- NAEP testing 4th grade
February 13 - No School for Students (Teacher PD Day)
February 16 - No School (President’s Day)
February 20 - 1:00 - 2:30 - Academic Showcase (see flyer below)
February 23 - 27 - Scholastic Book Fair
February 26 - Literacy Night & Book Fair Family Shopping 5:30 - 7:30
Secondary Updates
Arrival / Dismissal
As a reminder, the safety of our students, staff, and families is our top priority during arrival and dismissal. We ask that families please proceed slowly, pull all the way forward when dropping off or picking up, and remain mindful of staff members who are directing traffic. These small actions make a big difference in keeping everyone safe. Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation and for helping us maintain a safe and orderly process for our school community.
All County Band Auditions
See below for details about auditions, locations, and date for all county band.
College and Career Readiness
Students in grades 6–12 are starting their monthly lessons using Naviance, a college, career, and life-readiness platform. Through grade-level lessons, students will build essential social-emotional skills while also exploring their strengths, interests, and future pathways.
Lessons are thoughtfully sequenced by grade level and aligned with CASEL competencies, and our MTSS Tier 1 supports, helping students connect personal growth with academic success, career exploration, and postsecondary planning. Naviance allows students to reflect, set goals, and plan for the future, empowering them to thrive both in school and beyond.
Middle School Semi-Formal Dance
See the flyer below and click here for all the details about our upcoming MS dance!
Henlopen Conference Swim Championship Merch Store
Support your Sussex Academy “swimming things” at the Henlopen Conference Swim Championship Merch Store at:
High School Spring Musical – Hadestown
Our high school spring musical this year will be Hadestown, a folk-style musical inspired by the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The production offers opportunities for students both onstage and behind the scenes, and no prior theatre experience is required.
Students who are interested in learning more are invited to attend a general interest meeting during Advisory on Wednesday, January 21. At this meeting, students will learn about the show, the types of roles available, time commitments, and the audition/application process. Attending the meeting does not obligate students to audition or participate.
Additional information and materials will be shared with students through Schoology following the meeting.
Speak Out Against Hate Information
Speak Out Against Hate (SOAH) is the Sussex County organization that facilitates initiatives for our No Place For Hate Anti-Bullying Campaign. We would like to extend the invitation to our families to attend their “Hate Has No Home Here Film Festival” organized by the Rehoboth Beach Film Society and taking place at the Cinema Art Theater in Lewes. The Festival runs January 23 to January 25, 2026. Click here for the film guide, trailers, and schedule.
Speak Out Against Hate (SOAH) also invites community members to a timely and important conversation with our very own Sussex County Educators examining how bias, bullying, and hate impact students and classrooms—and how educators and communities can respond.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
5:00pm – 6:30pm
Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE 19958
Free and Open to the Public. Attend In Person or Online
(click here to join the meeting on Zoom)