Head of School Updates
October 14, 2026
Our vision at Sussex Academy is to become the premier K–12 school system in Delaware. To achieve this vision, we are guided by our mission to create a supportive school environment with accelerated learning opportunities that prepare students to Explore, Experience, and Excel. Our Strategic Plan serves as the roadmap for this work, outlining the priorities and actions that guide our continued growth and improvement.
This year, we are introducing two new opportunities to strengthen family engagement. The first is a Family Survey, aligned with our Strategic Plan, that will be offered in October and May to gather feedback, measure progress, and guide improvements. The second is Parent Camp, which will bring K–12 families together throughout the school year to build relationships and engage in meaningful conversations about educational topics that matter most to you.
We need your voice to help us continue improving! Please take a few minutes to complete the Family Survey this week and learn more about Parent Camp in the sections below. Your feedback and participation are essential as we continue building a stronger Sussex Academy for our students.
Unity Day
Sussex Academy will celebrate Unity Day across our K–12 school community as we come together to promote kindness, inclusion, and unity while taking a stand against bullying. Elementary students are encouraged to wear orange to show their support, while Secondary students will receive orange bracelets throughout the day and participate in learning opportunities during lunch periods. See the campus level updates for all the details.
Alumni Outreach
Thank you for your help in spreading the word about our call for alumni! We've had a great response from our graduates. Please help us spread the word with the alumni you know by asking them to fill out the contact form at this link so we can keep in touch!
SA in the News
Thanks again to all the families who have shared news about their children! We love to feature the accomplishments of our students both in and out of the classroom, so please keep the news tips coming by contacting Ellen Driscoll at ellen.driscoll@saas.k12.de.us and keep up to date with us on Facebook, Instagram and our website!
A Note from Mrs. Reed
Fall is in full swing at Sussex Academy Elementary, and we are excited to welcome our Seahawk families to our upcoming Literacy Night: Fall Into Reading! Join us for an evening filled with engaging, hands-on literacy activities that celebrate the joy of reading and learning together! Families will also have the opportunity to explore our Scholastic Book Fair, discover new favorite books, and enjoy delicious offerings from local food trucks. We look forward to a wonderful evening of reading, family fun, and making memories with our Seahawks! Please see the event details below.
🧡 Unity Day: Together We Grow! 🎃
On Wednesday, October 21st, Sussex Academy Elementary is excited to celebrate Unity Day by spreading kindness, inclusion, and respect! Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange with uniform bottoms to show their support. Our elementary Seahawks will join their grade buddies to decorate pumpkins with positive messages of kindness and encouragement, which will be displayed throughout the school. Just like a pumpkin patch, we are all unique, but together we create a community where everyone belongs!
🎭 Seahawk Character Day & Parade – October 30
We are excited to celebrate Seahawk Character Day on Friday, October 30! Students are invited to dress as a favorite book, movie, television, or other fun character. Students should arrive at school in their regular uniform and bring their costume in their backpack; costumes will be put on over uniforms at the end of the day.
For safety, face paint, masks, pretend weapons, inflatable costumes, and scary character costumes are not permitted. Costumes should not interfere with a student’s ability to see or move safely, and students should wear school-appropriate shoes throughout the day. Please choose a costume that your child can easily put on independently over their uniform.
Families are invited to join us on the playground at 2:00 p.m. as our Seahawks parade around the school building and show off their characters! Staff will be on hand to guide families to this location. Following the parade, students will return to their classrooms. Families who would like to take their child home after the parade may sign their child out from the classroom before leaving. We can’t wait for a fun afternoon with our Seahawks! 🍂💙💜
Academic Challenge
Looking for information on Academic Challenge?
The Academic Challenge Program is presenting an Information Webinar via Zoom for interested 7th-grade students and their parents on Tuesday, October 20 from 5:30 to 6:30. The Academic Challenge Program is a partnership between Sussex County School Districts and Delaware Technical Community College. Students take accelerated courses and can earn college credit as juniors and seniors while still enrolled in their home school. The Webinar will give an overview of the program, the qualification requirements, and the spring qualification process for the 2027-2028 school year.
Visit https://www.academicchallengetheflyingcow.com/ for a link to access the webinar.
In late January/early February another information session will be available for interested students and parents that provides more specific information for Sussex Academy students.
Please contact Mrs. McLaughlin at maureen.mclaughlin@saas.k12.de.us with any questions.
🎉 Spirit Week is Coming!
Get ready to show your Seahawk pride! Middle School Spirit Week is next week, October 19–23! Join in the fun by dressing up each day, showing your school spirit, and representing your grade level. We can't wait to see everyone's creativity and Seahawk spirit!
Reminder: These are NOT dress-down days! If you are not participating in the theme of the day, you must be in your regular school uniform. All Spirit Week outfits must be school-appropriate.
📘 Order Your 2026–2027 Middle School Yearbook!
Capture all the memories from this school year with a Sussex Academy Middle School Yearbook! 💜
Yearbooks are currently $42.00 when ordered by October 30, 2026.
Families can order through Jostens using the information on the flyer or this link (Click Here). Students and families can also share photos from throughout the year for possible inclusion in the yearbook. Don’t miss out on the memories — order yours early!
Just a reminder that all 8th grade students receive a yearbook at no cost to families. During this transition year, all students receive a yearbook from school activity fees.
AP Exam Registration Deadline is Approaching!
Students taking AP courses in T1/T2 only need to submit the exam registration form and payment no later than WED OCTOBER 28.
Payment can be submitted to AP teacher or the Main Office. There is no cost for a family that qualifies for free or reduced lunch benefits.
Please contact Mrs McLaughlin at maureen.mclaughlin@saas.k12.de.us if you have questions or concerns about payment.
Behind the Scenes of SIX! DOCUSERIES 3
SIX: Teen Edition opens this weekend! Tickets sold at the door or can be purchased online through the school payment app. Don't miss it! One weekend only!
Check out the next episode in the docuseries of SIX!
Homecoming Week is next week!
Get ready to show your Seahawk spirit October 19–23! Check out the Spirit Week themes and join in each day. Spirit Week is a chance to have fun and show school pride, but these are not dress down days; the school dress code still applies.
Homecoming events:
Powder Puff games - Wednesday, October 21, 7:00 - 9:00 pm - Turf field
Soccer Game against Seaford - Friday, October 23, 7:00 pm. - Blackout game theme
Homecoming Dance - Saturday, October 24, 7:00–10:00 p.m
See the flyer for more details.
Want to bring a guest? Complete the guest form and submit it with the guest's photo ID by 3pm on Oct 22nd.
National Bullying Prevention Month
Our students are leading activities that promote unity and inclusion. Next week, Student Government Association members will host Unity Day activities during all three lunches, focusing on acceptance and standing up to bullying. Mind Matters Club is leading conversations and activities on peace and acceptance, while middle school students are learning about bullying prevention and how bystanders can help. In elementary school, older buddies are guiding younger students through “We Are All Part of This Pumpkin Patch,” a teamwork activity celebrating unity.
Students are also invited to use their creativity to make a difference by sharing messages of peace through art in the 11th Annual Pacem in Terris Visionary Peace Youth Art Exhibition. Selected artwork will be professionally reproduced and displayed at more than 30 public locations across Delaware, reaching over 500,000 viewers annually. Visit the Pacem in Terris website to learn more.
Families and community members are invited to a special screening of Childhood 2.0 on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. As part of our bullying prevention efforts, the film offers parents and youth a chance to explore together how cyberbullying and online life affect young people’s mental health. We hope it opens a compassionate conversation about the challenges youth face and how families can support one another and use technology safely. Featured expert Titania Jordan will join us by livestream for a Q&A after the screening. Childcare and a light dinner will be provided at no cost. Please RSVP here to help us plan.
Save the Date: Picture Retakes on November 10
Picture retakes for students in grades 6–11 will take place on November 10. Seniors who need a retake of their cap and gown or tux/drape portraits may also have their photos taken that day.
Please mark your calendar. More details will be shared as the date approaches.
Save the Date: Prom 2027!
Prom will be held on May 15th, 2027 at the Cambria Hotel in Rehoboth Beach. Mark your calendars! We’ll share more details as the date approaches.