Head of School Updates

As we approach the final weeks of the school year, we encourage all families to continue staying connected with our teachers regarding student progress, grades, and strategies for continued success. Strong communication and partnership between home and school play an important role in helping students finish the year on a positive note.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to help our students continue to explore, experience, and excel.

We can’t wait to celebrate the Class of 2026 at Commencement, set for 6 p.m., Friday, June 5 at Seahawk Stadium. For those who can’t attend in person, Sussex Academy will livestream the ceremony at https://www.youtube.com/live/OJyOrcYnmZw.

As you know, Mrs. Andrea Rogers will be retiring on July 1 and beginning an exciting new chapter. As we prepare for this transition, we are excited to announce that Mrs. Calli Horsey will begin on June 1, 2026 and spend the next month learning alongside Mrs. Rogers in the main office of our secondary campus.

Mrs. Horsey is a former Sussex Academy Middle School student and has deep connections to our community. Her background and experience will serve our school well as she steps into the leadership responsibilities of our Executive and Admissions Secretary. Some of our elementary families may also recognize Mrs. Horsey from our community, as her daughter currently attends Sussex Academy.

Please join us in welcoming and congratulating Mrs. Horsey on her new role!

• May 29 - Dress Down Day ($2 to support ES activities) / Ice Cream for Everyone (see flyer)

• June 5 - Field Day

• June 9

• 10 AM Kindergarten Moving Up Ceremony

• Last Day of School (K-4)

• End of T3

• June 10

• Last Day of School (Grade 5 only) ½ Day

• 10:30-11:30 5th Moving Up Ceremony
  

We look forward to celebrating our 5th graders at their Moving Up Ceremony on Wednesday, June 10, from 10:30 to 11:30 AM, which will also mark their final day of school. Students are encouraged to dress for the occasion in either nice casual attire or their standard school uniform. Please take a moment to complete the Google Form so we can ensure accurate bus transportation home for everyone following the ceremony. CLICK HERE

It is a busy time at the Secondary campus! Please see our end of year events list through June 5th.

See the flyer below for all the details about our upcoming athletics award ceremony.

Get ready to celebrate the Class of 2026!

The commencement ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 5, and will be held outdoors on the athletic field. The ceremony will begin promptly at 6:00 PM.

Graduation tickets were distributed to students during lunch today. Students who did not receive their tickets may pick them up tomorrow during lunch.

Each senior received 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.

Graduation regalia will be given to students on Friday, May 29th during our Senior Celebration event. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Norton at caron.norton@saas.k12.de.us.

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

Please encourage your child to return all borrowed library items and take care of paying fines if they are on the debt list.

Please contact Mrs. Leonard with any questions.

Creating a safe and inclusive environment is essential to mental health. We are encouraging students to be kind, use inclusive language, and support one another. Every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and respected. Families play an important role in reinforcing these values by modeling empathy, encouraging acceptance, and reminding students that their voice can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Please feel free to explore the resources below for additional support and information.

StopBullying.gov – Prevention & Support

The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth support)

SAMHSA – Mental Health Resources

American Academy of Pediatrics – Teen Mental Health

The annual 8th grade luncheon will be held on Monday, June 8th at the CHEER Center on Sand Hill Road. This is a semi-formal celebration where the Team Fusion students get to show off the dancing skills they are currently learning, while they are enjoying the last few days of school with their classmates. The event is during school hours so there will be no change to arrival or dismissal times. Transportation is being provided via bussing from Dutton.

The 8th grade Moving Up ceremony will take place in the Cafetorium of the Secondary Campus at 8:30 AM on Wednesday, June 10th. This is an opportunity for the students to gather one final time to celebrate their achievements from this past school year with family and friends. This is also a semi-formal event. Students should arrive to school between 7:50 and 8:00 AM, and will dismiss with their families after the ceremony has concluded.

Parents/Guardians-please complete the following Google Form as soon as possible. https://forms.gle/MT86E15Ukz91ntVx6

Mrs. Garson sent out an email to all families with additional information regarding these events. Please reach out to her directly with any questions or concerns at stephanie.garson@saas.k12.de.us.

8th grade students recently traveled to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., as an extension of the meaningful conversations and literature explored in English Language Arts. The experience allowed students to connect themes of resilience, empathy, courage, and the responsibility of remembrance to the texts and discussions that have shaped their learning this year. Under the leadership of Mrs. Alyssa Graham and the 8th grade team, students approached the visit with maturity, compassion, and thoughtful engagement. This impactful educational opportunity was made possible through the generosity and support of Mr. Steve Gonzer from The Jewish Federation of Delaware and Amy Goodhue, parent of Sussex Academy senior Victor Goodhue. Their partnership helped provide our students with an unforgettable learning experience that will continue to resonate far beyond the classroom.