Head of School Updates

At Sussex Academy, we believe that strong communication between home and school is essential to student success. Our weekly Head of School Updates are one of the best ways to stay informed about important events, celebrations, and reminders across our campuses.

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Thank you for staying connected and engaged as we work together to help every student explore, experience, and excel!

Ticket sales for Sussex Academy Theatre's high school fall production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream are now open at https://cur8.com/19395/project/135319.

The show will run Friday, Nov. 14 at 7pm; Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2pm and 7pm; and Sunday, Nov. 16 at 2pm. Tickets cost $10 per adult and $5 per student/child. There are only 50 seats available at each of the four performances, so act quickly.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream follows several intertwined groups — a pair of young lovers, a band of mischievous fairies, and a troupe of amateur actors — who all wander into an enchanted forest one magical night. Through mistaken identities, love potions, and playful trickery, chaos ensues until harmony is restored. In the end, relationships are mended, true love triumphs, and the play concludes with joy and celebration.

This production is a unique theatrical experience for our students and our community. Not only is it Sussex Academy’s first Shakespearean production, but it is also our first show directed by a guest director, Mr. Greg Carlisle. He has done incredible work with our students, and you are bound to be impressed!

Even more exciting is how the play is staged: performed in the three-quarter round with the audience seated directly on the stage. This creates a very intimate viewing experience, but it also means seating is limited so purchasing tickets ahead of time is highly recommended.

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.

Share the news about your child’s accomplishments by contacting Ellen Driscoll at ellen.driscoll@saas.k12.de.us.

Check out a recent headline!

Sussex Academy students join aviation pathways event

Voting is now open to support our teachers who are participating in the 8th annual Hertrich Cash for Class competition!

Every year, Hertrich opens this friendly competition for educators and administrators seeking funding for projects and equipment to enhance services and programs for our students. Teachers and students submit videos outlining their needs, and the public votes for their favorite Cash for Class video.

Sussex Academy entries this year include kindergarten teacher Laurie Smailer, who is seeking the addition of adaptive playground equipment; elementary science teacher and garden coordinator Don Ott, who is vying for a garden grant; and AP Spanish teacher Cameron Smith, seeking funding for a walking food tour of South Philly.

To vote, go to https://www.hertrichs.com/2025-cash-for-class-voting-sussex.htm and scroll down to Sussex Academy, where you can view and vote for videos submitted by our teachers.

The community favorite winner will automatically be fully funded up to $2,000, and other winners will receive up to $1000. Throughout the seven-year existence of the program, Hertrich has funded a total of more than 250 classrooms, gifting a total of more than $250,000! We are very grateful for Hertrich’s generous support of educators throughout the Delmarva region.

Voting is OPEN until Nov. 10!

Huge thanks to all our amazing families! Your generous change you sent in for our decorated pumpkin vote helped us collect a whopping $335.00 to donate to the Georgetown EMS! 🚑 The incredible local first responder agency was chosen randomly from a hat.

Top 3 (out of 14) Pumpkins:

1. Pumpkin on Fire - $76.91
2. 6-7 - $57.25
3. Wicked - $42.09

Please complete this form to express your interest in volunteering this year. Your information will help our volunteer leaders, Rebecca Timmons, Paige Taylor, and Anum Kiani, start planning and organizing activities. We appreciate your support! Volunteer Link

November 7 - Dress Down Day ($2) Wear a Kindness Inspired Shirt (optional)

November 11 - Veterans’ Day: No School

November 17 - Picture make-up/retake day: If you would like your child to have a retake, please send the pictures back to school as a complete package.

November 21 - Dress Down Day - Free

November 24 & 25 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (No school for students)

December 12 - Winter Concert

$2 for Dress Down Day this Friday November 7 to benefit the GIVING TREE PROJECT. The Giving Tree Project supports Sussex Academy families who are experiencing financial strain. We provide each family with a set of household items (toothpaste, toilet paper, laundry detergent, etc) or gift cards to local stores. All monies raised will be used to purchase goods to help our families this upcoming holiday season.

Additional after-school choir practices are scheduled for Thursday December 6th, Thursday December 13, and Thursday December 20th from 3:30 - 4:30. Please see Mr. Decker with any questions!

Cap & Gown Meeting!

All seniors will attend a mandatory meeting with Jostens on November 12, 2025, during Advisory. At this meeting, students will learn how to order their cap and gown, graduation announcements, and senior gear. In-person ordering with Jostens will be available during all lunches on November 19, 2025.

Parents- If you have any questions, please contact Jostens at 1-800-JOSTENS (567-8367).