Head of School Updates
May 13th, 2026
A Message from Mr. Bentley
Happy National Charter Schools Week!
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. and serve on a panel in the Senate focused on federal funding and flexibility for charter schools across the country. During the discussion, I was able to share powerful stories about the history of our school, our academic success, and opportunities for future growth aligned to our strategic plan. Our work also supported the efforts of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools to advance legislation aimed at increasing federal funding opportunities for charter schools.
It was truly an honor to represent Sussex Academy at the federal level. I am looking forward to continuing to advocate for our students, families, and community as we move forward together!
Communication & Outreach Updates
We are in the homestretch of this school year and it has truly been a pleasure to highlight the many activities and accomplishments of our students, both in and out of the classroom.
If you have good news to share about your child – over the summer, too – please contact Ellen Driscoll at ellen.driscoll@saas.k12.de.us.
In the meantime, 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 are a couple recent headlines:
Elementary Dean
Ms. Connie Hendricks
Sussex Academy would like to recognize and thank Mrs. Connie Hendricks for her leadership and dedication to students, staff, and families as she concludes her role as elementary dean on June 30. Throughout her career in education, Connie made a lasting impact on the Georgetown community through her leadership first at the Jefferson School and then at Sussex Academy. We are grateful for her service and wish her the best as she begins her next adventure.
Mrs. Megan Reed
Sussex Academy is excited to announce that Mrs. Megan Reed will serve as the school’s next Elementary Dean beginning July 1, 2026.
Megan has been a dedicated member of the Sussex Academy community since 2021 and brings more than 18 years of experience supporting elementary students, teachers, and families. Her professional background includes both regular and special education, and she is known for her commitment to strong instruction, relationship building, and creating a positive school culture focused on what is best for children.
In addition to her educational experience, Megan and her family have strong connections to Sussex Academy and the school community. Her passion for the organization, understanding of the school’s mission, and dedication to supporting students and staff make her well positioned for this leadership role as we continue to grow and strengthen our K–12 programming.
Please join us in congratulating Megan as she begins this exciting new chapter at Sussex Academy!
Elementary Updates
Upcoming Dates
May 15 - Dress Down Day (Free)
May 19 - Dress Down Day ($2 to support HS sports)
May 21 (K-2 @ 12:15 & 3-5 @1:30) Spring Concert & Art Show (see flyer below)
May 22 & 25 - NO School
May 29 - Dress Down Day ($2 to support ES activities)
June 5 - Field Day
June 9
10 AM K Moving Up Ceremony
Last Day of School (K-4)
End of T3
June 10
Last Day of School (Grade 5) ½ Day
10:30-11:30 5th Moving Up Ceremony (see flyer below)
Summer Safety Tips from the SA Aquatics Center
As the weather warms up and families begin spending more time around pools, beaches, and waterways, water safety becomes increasingly important. Please take a moment to review the American Red Cross water safety resources for parents and caregivers using the link below to help keep children safe this summer. Click here to read about safety tips and free online courses.
Secondary Updates
Graduation 2026
What an exciting time of year as we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2026! The ceremony is scheduled to take place outdoors on the athletic field, with a prompt start time of 6:00 PM.
Each senior will receive 8 tickets for family and friends:
4 blue tickets: valid for outdoor seating on the field or indoor seating in the gym
4 gray tickets: valid for outdoor seating on the field or indoor seating in the café
For the outdoor ceremony, additional seating will be available in the grandstands for guests without tickets. However, if the ceremony must move indoors due to inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in the gym and will be livestreamed to the café. In this case, only ticketed guests will be admitted.
If your family does not need all 8 tickets, please return any extras to Mrs. Allen so they can be redistributed to families in need.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Norton.
Graduation Accessible Seating & Parking
Accessible seating and parking will be available for guests who need accommodations to attend graduation.
To request these services, families must complete this Google Form in advance. This helps us plan and ensure appropriate arrangements are available.
Please submit the form by June 1st so we are able to make appropriate accommodations.
If you have questions, please contact Stephanie.Hartsoe@saas.k12.de.us
Dress Down Day May 19th
Dress Down Day to support Sports Boosters is set for May 19, our spring signing day!
FREE Sport Physicals Clinic
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
Mental Health Awareness Month: Helping Students Manage Stress in Healthy Ways
This week, we are focusing on positive coping skills—healthy ways students can manage stress, strong emotions, and everyday challenges. Simple strategies like deep breathing, physical activity, creative expression, and talking to a trusted adult can make a big difference. Encouraging your child to try different coping tools helps them build resilience and confidence in handling difficult situations. The following resources provide additional support and information for families:
Nemours KidsHealth - Coping With Stress (for Parents)
Prevent Child Abuse- BE SMART Program
On May 26-28, our middle school students will participate in the BE SMART program through Prevent Child Abuse Delaware, which focuses on personal safety, boundaries, and identifying trusted adults. Please click here for more information from Prevent Child Abuse Delaware. This program was originally scheduled for February but has been rescheduled due to snow closings and delays. If you have any questions about this programming or would like to opt your student out, please contact the school Dean or our secondary campus counselors:
Rachael.Johnston@SAAS.k12.de.us,
Nikki.Kaczmarczyk@SAAS.k12.de.us,
Stacey.Alinkoff@SAAS.k12.de.us