Head of School Updates

Since August, we have raised $110,297.83 through the Soaring Higher fundraiser! We are excited to officially recognize our newest Excel-level donor, LRK Dental, for their generous contribution to Sussex Academy. Thank you, LRK Dental, for your ongoing support and investment in our future.

We are also pleased to announce several upcoming campus improvements made possible through these efforts. At the elementary campus, we are investing in musical playground equipment to support our focus on the arts and outdoor learning. At the secondary campus, a new PA system will be purchased for the gym to enhance physical education programming and athletic events. In addition, families will enjoy enhanced art performances with new speakers in the cafetorium and this spring we will be installing new picnic tables at The Nest.

Thank you to our families, community members, and business partners below for helping Sussex Academy Soar Higher this school year!

Tickets are now on sale for our 25th anniversary celebration! Join us for an evening of fun and fellowship!

Serve as a judge for Odyssey of the Mind! See the information below for details.

Last week, our Board of Directors approved the 2026–27 school calendar for Sussex Academy. This decision was informed by input from our teacher leaders and a review of start-date options before and after Labor Day. Sussex Academy will begin the school year before Labor Day due to the timing of the Holiday and academic needs.

Please click here or download the PDF version below to plan accordingly for next school year.

In February, our school will be offering age-appropriate student safety programming as part of our ongoing commitment to student well-being. Students in grades K–8 will participate in the BE SMART program through Prevent Child Abuse Delaware, which focuses on personal safety, boundaries, and identifying trusted adults. High school students will take part in the “It’s Not OK” educational program through the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA), which addresses healthy relationships, consent, and recognizing harmful behaviors.

Both programs are developmentally appropriate, supportive, and designed to empower students with knowledge and communication skills, without fear-based content, to recognize sexual misconduct and other forms of child abuse. If you have any questions about this programming or would like to opt your student out, please contact the school Dean or your child’s counselor.

Elementary Dean & Counselor:

Connie.Hendricks@SAAS.k12.de.us

Juliane.Hein@SAAS.k12.de.us

Middle School Dean & Counselors:

Rachael.Johnston@SAAS.k12.de.us (6-8)

Nikki.Kaczmarczyk@SAAS.k12.de.us (6/7) / Stacey.Alinkoff@SAAS.k12.de.us (8)

High School Dean & Counselors:

lauren.hvorecny@saas.k12.de.us (9-12)

Stacey.Alinkoff@SAAS.k12.de.us (9) / Channel.Chaplin@SAAS.k12.de.us (10-12)

We would like to acknowledge some challenges we have experienced with communicating recent school closures and delays. While emails are processing immediately at the scheduled time, phone calls and text messages have not been going out as planned. We are actively working with Infinite Campus to address these issues and improve the reliability of all communication tools. In the meantime, we will continue using every available platform (social media, local media, email, calls, texts) to keep our families informed and appreciate your patience as we work through some of the challenges.

Next week, we will be celebrating National School Counseling Week (Feb. 2-6). Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), National School Counseling Week highlights the essential contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. We are proud and thankful for our amazing SA Counseling Team!

• January 29- NAEP testing 4th grade

• February 6 - Dress Down Day (free)

• February 13 - No School for Students (Teacher PD Day)

• February 16 - No School (President’s Day)

• February 17-20 B.E. S.M.A.R.T Program for K - 5

• February 20 - 1:00 - 2:45 - Academic Showcase (see flyer below)

• February 23 - 27 - Scholastic Book Fair (volunteer sign up on Class Dojo)

• February 26 - Literacy Night & Book Fair Family Shopping 5:30 - 7:00 (see flyer below)

Sussex Academy Elementary School is excited to invite you to participate in our upcoming Career Day on Thursday, May 28, from approximately 8:30–11:00 AM. We are looking for enthusiastic professionals who would like to share their careers with our students and inspire the next generation.

Our Career Day is organized like a fair, where 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students rotate through the gym to explore a wide variety of careers. Presenters are encouraged to bring pictures, props, tools, or hands-on materials to help engage students and demonstrate what their job is like.

If you or someone you know has a career you would enjoy teaching kids about, we would love to have you join us!

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact Juliane Hein at: juliane.hein@saas.k12.de.us

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our students!

Wednesday, February 4th at 5:30pm Mrs. McLaughlin will be hosting a Zoom meeting for 7th grade families interested in learning more about the Academic Challenge Program. There will be an interest meeting for students only during Grade 7 Advisory on Wednesday, January 28. Please contact Mrs. McLaughlin at maureen.mclaughlin@saas.k12.de.us if you are interested but unable to attend the meeting or have questions.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/5593266896?omn=83714415005

Meeting ID: 559 326 6896

Passcode: AC

See below for our menu for Feb 2 - 6!

Order your High School and Middle School Yearbooks Now! Just a reminder that our 12th and 8th graders will receive a yearbook paid from activity fees.

See the flyer below and click here for all the details about our upcoming MS dance!