Head of School Updates
August 20th, 2025
This week, we are excited to welcome our staff back to campus as we prepare for the 2025–26 school year! Our new staff members joined us for orientation this morning, our leadership team met this afternoon for planning, and the Board of Directors gathered this evening for a retreat focused on training. There are still many moving parts, but rest assured that our team is working diligently and looking forward to opening our doors on August 28th for the Open House and Kick-Off Event.
In addition, we would like to invite families to consider applying for an opportunity to serve on the Sussex Academy Strategic Planning Committee. Last spring, we partnered with the University of Delaware to begin developing plans for a new strategic plan for our future. We collected survey data, conducted focus group interviews, and reviewed achievement results. Over the summer, we analyzed the findings, identified opportunities, and are now ready to begin the next phase of planning. If you are interested in applying to serve as a parent representative on the committee, please click here for additional details. Applications are due by Wednesday, September 2, 2025.
Infinite Campus
As we transition to Infinite Campus as our new Student Information System, it is essential that every family creates their Parent Portal account. This account will be your central hub for important information and required functions throughout the school year.
What You’ll Be Able to Access
Schedules: View your child’s schedule (in “Documents”).
Attendance: Submit absence requests (more details coming soon) and track attendance.
Grades & Report Cards:
Elementary families will see grades directly in Infinite Campus.
Secondary families will continue to use Schoology for the gradebook.
Transcripts & Report Cards: Accessible at all levels.
Transportation Information & Sign-Offs: Bus assignments, important school documents, and more.
Please note: A Parent Portal account is required. There is no alternative way to submit absences, view schedules, access transportation details, or complete required sign-offs.
Setup Notes & Tips
We know some families have found the initial setup challenging. We sincerely apologize and appreciate your patience. Sussex Academy is working closely with the Delaware Department of Education and Infinite Campus to improve the process.
Reminders
Check your email: Setup instructions were sent last Friday at 8:00 a.m.
Use a computer: The first-time setup is much smoother on a computer than a phone.
Password reset available: If you’ve forgotten your password, you can now reset it directly.
Skip unnecessary uploads: When asked for documents, select “Will send to School.” No uploads are needed.
Language selection tip: When entering “Languages Spoken at Home,” you cannot type “English.” You must scroll down the list and select it.
Extra questions: Some fields may ask for more information than is actually needed. Fill them out to the best of your ability.
If you need to set or reset your credentials for your Parent Portal, you can use this link: https://sussexde.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/sussexacademy.jsp
Final Note
We recognize the system feels clunky right now and apologize for the inconvenience. This is a new system being rolled out statewide, and the growing pains are real. Still, completing your Parent Portal account is critical to ensuring smooth communication and access to your child’s information moving forward.
Thank you for working with us as we get this system off the ground. Your persistence now will save headaches later, and we’re here to help along the way.
Lunch Works
Lunch Works will open for breakfast and lunch orders at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025. This order will be for the first week of school. If you do not have an account, you can create one by clicking on the Lunch Works tab at the top of the homepage on the school’s website.
A note about first week ordering: Pizza will be provided for lunch for Kindergarten, 6th and 9th grade students on Sept 2nd.
If you have any problems or questions, please contact Terry Allen, 302-856-3636 or terry.allen@saas.k12.de.us and she will be happy to assist you.
Transportation Updates
Bus assignments for the upcoming school year are now available in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. To view your student’s transportation details, please follow these steps:
Log into your Parent Portal.
On the left-side panel, click “More.”
Select “Transportation.”
Bus Assignments
Assignments were created using data collected from the Ridership Survey completed last spring and early summer. Our secretaries have been diligently working and carefully entering each student’s information so you can access it directly in Infinite Campus.
If you do not see any transportation information after checking the portal, please contact:
Elementary Campus:
Colleen Eisenmann – 302-856-3300 | colleen.eisenmann@saas.k12.de.us
Secondary Campus:
Terry Allen – 302-856-3636 | terry.allen@saas.k12.de.us
Special Requests & Rosters
If you believe there has been an error in your student’s assignment, please reach out to the secretary listed above. Special requests will be reviewed; however, we expect students to ride the bus and use the hub stop to which they are assigned.
Each driver will have a roster of students assigned to their bus.
If a student’s name is not on the list, the driver will speak with the parent at the hub stop and direct you to your campus secretary for assistance.
Please note: requests to switch buses are not guaranteed. Bus rosters may be full, and we must consider safety and logistical factors. We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate when possible.
Safety & Expectations
Student safety is our top priority. Many local businesses are graciously allowing us to use their facilities as hub stops. Please use caution and courtesy while at hub locations so we can maintain these important partnerships.
Families and students should also review Bus Expectations to ensure a safe, respectful ride for everyone. Click on this link to review.
Thank you for your cooperation and support in making transportation safe and efficient for all Sussex Academy students.
Notes from Ms. Hendricks
Important Back-to-School Information:
To help you and your student get ready, here are a few key details:
Schedule notes: We are no longer using HAC or Schoology at the elementary. Please use Infinite Campus.
First Day of School: Kindergarten - September 2. All K-5 come on September 3.
School Hours: 8:05 AM doors open (students must be in their homeroom by 8:15) - 3:10 PM
School Supplies: The recommended supply list can be found HERE
Important Dates: Please mark your calendars for the following:
August 28, 1:30 - 3 Meet The Teacher followed by the New School Year Kick Off (Secondary campus)
October 1 Back to School Night
- After-school care sign up, Click Here
- After School Opportunity Lego League for K-6th grade (CALL 302-703-6609 or email LEWES@SNAPOLOGY.COM)
ATTENTION JUNIORS AND SENIORS WITH RELEASE TIME and SAES AIDES
Please plan to attend a FULL day on Wednesday, Sept 8 even if scheduled for Release or SAES Aide. Students will need a signed Release Form before being able to come late/leave early or travel to ES Campus
Mrs. McLaughlin sent forms electronically to both Schoology and student Gmail accounts this week. You can also find it HERE or here
Students can bring the signed form with them on the first day of school and then begin Release Time or SAES Aide on Thursday, Sept 9. There will also be paper copies available on Wednesday for students to take home and have signed.
ALL RELEASE STUDENTS and SAES AIDES SHOULD REPORT TO THE CAFE UNTIL THE SIGNED FORM IS SUBMITTED and APPROVED.
Contact Mrs. McLaughlin with any questions.
National Merit Scholarship
The National Merit Scholarship Program is a highly competitive scholarship opportunity for students throughout the country. To be eligible for the National Merit Scholarships, students take the College Board National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in the fall of their junior year to be considered for college scholarships in their senior year. Here is a link for the National Merit Scholarship Program https://www.nationalmerit.org/
Sussex Academy will be offering the Qualifying Test to juniors only on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The cost is $18; students may qualify for a fee waiver. Due to the highly competitive nature of the National Merit Program, it is recommended that students have a GPA of 4.0 or higher with plans to apply to selective four-year colleges.
If you want more information or directions to sign up, please message/contact Mrs. McLaughlin through Schoology or maureen.mclaughlin@saas.k12.de.us. The deadline for registration is Thursday, September 18, 2025.
The NMSQT should not be considered as a practice SAT. Students interested in practice SAT test can access them at https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/practice/practice-tests
Schedule Notes
Schedule notes: Just a reminder that we are no longer using HAC. Student schedules viewed in HAC may be incorrect. Please use Infinite Campus to view updated schedules.
Students have the responsibility of reviewing their full schedule at the beginning of the school year to request any necessary changes.
Please use the Google Form to Request Schedule changes. Mrs. McLaughlin will send a reply to your sussexacademy.org or Schoology account.
