Head of School Updates

Last Thursday, our staff returned from summer break to begin preparing classrooms and planning for another exciting school year. Since then, our educators have been engaged in professional learning activities designed to strengthen our practices in the classroom. Our 2027 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Jennifer Couch, along with several of our Middle School leaders, also helped kick off the year for our K–12 staff with inspiring messages to motivate our staff for the best year yet at Sussex Academy.

Tomorrow, we will open our doors for the Teacher Meet and Greet and Community Kick Off as we begin building the relationships that will be critical to our success this year. I hope to see many familiar faces between 1:30–5:00 PM, either on our campuses or at The Nest, as we reconnect and get ready for the first days of school next week.

Please continue reading our weekly newsletter for important updates on schedules, nutrition services, and everything else you need to know to get the 2026–27 school year off to a great start!

Join us at 3:30 p.m. for a K-12 new year celebration at The Nest after your child’s open house this Thursday, Aug. 27 at our secondary campus!

Activities include:

• Kona Ice, DonutRV and Dominican King Lopez food trucks

• Southpaw Studio Face Painting

• Games and activities

• 30-foot inflatable obstacle course

• Sussex Academy clothing sale sponsored by National Honor Society (cash and check only)

• Sports Boosters clothing, accessories and blanket fundraiser kick-off (cash, check, credit cards accepted)

• Students Services info & goodies

• Varsity and junior varsity soccer scrimmages vs. Conrad at 4 p.m.

Interested in the chance to send the Head of School or Athletic Director into the dunk tank? Better yet, how about a dunk tank with a bucket of ice? Check out the attached flyer for an opportunity to support Sussex Academy, have some fun, and join us on August 29 at Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery in Dagsboro, Delaware!

Sussex Academy policy requires an annual activity fee for each student. These funds directly support student programs, resources, and experiences throughout the school year. To provide ongoing transparency, we have included a detailed activity fee budget showing how these funds are used.

For the upcoming school year, activity fees will continue to support technology, field trips and experiential learning, student activities, and yearbooks for students in grades 5, 8, and 12, along with other student related expenses.

Activity Fees

• Elementary School: $185

• Middle School: $205

• High School: $225

Payment Options

Payments may be made by:

• Check payable to Sussex Academy (include the student's name in the memo)

• Cash

• Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover through our online payment system

Families who need to arrange a payment plan may contact Mrs. Calli Horsey at calli.horsey@saas.k12.de.us or (302) 856-3636 ext. 1004. Families who may qualify for a free or reduced activity fee must complete a meal benefit application each school year. The form can be found on our website by clicking here.

Please submit activity fee payments by September 30.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support in providing meaningful opportunities and experiences for our students.

Reminder to set-up your family hub accounts. Here is Sussex Academy’s special link to create your account:

https://family.schoolcafe.com/SussexAcademy

You can apply for free/reduced lunch and add funds to your child's account inside the Family Hub now!

August 31, 2026: Students in grades K, 6 and 9 will have a Free Breakfast Meal and Free Pizza Meal available through our school cafeteria.

September 1, 2026: Breakfast for ALL, everyday! Lunch menu is: Cheeseburger Meal, Personal Pizza or PBJ Crustable (Elementary Only). Lunch is $4.75/student.

All transportation assignments can now be found in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal for your student(s).

We are excited to welcome our elementary Seahawks back for another wonderful school year! As we get ready to begin, here are a few important updates and opportunities for our families.

🎒 Preparing for a Great First Day

Kindergarten First Day: Monday, August 31

A few simple steps can help make the transition back to school a smooth one. Begin establishing consistent bedtime and morning routines, talk with your child about how they will arrive at and leave school each day, and make sure they know their teacher's name. Please also label backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles, jackets, and other personal belongings.

Remember, breakfast is available to all students at school free of charge, so families are welcome to take advantage of this option. We can't wait to welcome our students back!

We are excited to share that Before School Care will begin Monday! Before School Care will be available each school day from 7:15–8:05 a.m. in the Elementary Library.

The cost is $3 per student, per day. There is no need to register or schedule care in advance—families are welcome to simply drop in on the mornings they need care.

We are happy to offer this additional support and flexibility to our families as we begin the new school year!

Our families are an important part of what makes our elementary school community so special! We are always looking for parents and family members interested in volunteering, sharing ideas, or lending a helping hand throughout the school year.

In the past, parent volunteers have supported events such as the Book Fair, fundraisers, Teacher Appreciation Week, Field Day, and other special events.

Visit our Parent Volunteer Table at Open House/Meet the Teacher!

Stop by to learn more, share your ideas, and let us know how you might like to help. Whether you can volunteer once or throughout the year, we appreciate your partnership in making this a wonderful year for our students and staff!

Calling all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade girls! Girls on the Run is returning to Sussex Academy Elementary! This fun and empowering program helps girls build confidence, strengthen friendships, develop healthy habits, and learn strategies for taking on challenges—all while staying active and having fun together.

Registration Opens: Thursday, August 27

Registration & Information: https://www.gotrde.org/

Questions? Contact Juliane Hein at juliane.hein@saas.k12.de.us or 302-856-3300.

• First Day: We are excited to welcome our sixth graders on Monday, August 31 for their first day and orientation!

• First Week: Students will be placed in temporary homeroom groups and rotate through classes together. Final schedules will begin the second week of school.

• Arrival & Orientation: Upon arrival, students will be directed to the gym for a welcome assembly before joining their temporary homerooms for activities to get to know their classmates, teachers, and the middle school.

• Lunch: Cheese pizza will be provided on the first day. Students may pack their own lunch and/or bring additional snacks if they prefer.

• Supplies: No supplies are needed on Monday. Beginning Tuesday, September 1, students should bring their bookbag, Grade 6 supplies, and an independent reading book each day.

• Supply List: View the complete Grade 6 Supply List.

We can’t wait to welcome our newest Seahawks on August 31! 💜

To help maintain a focused, respectful, and engaging learning environment, Sussex Academy Middle School is a cell phone-free environment throughout the school day.

• Student cell phones must remain off and in their lockers at all times.

• Cell phones may not be used during classes, assemblies, testing, presentations, transitions, or lunch.

• If you need to contact your child during the school day, please reach out to the main office, and we will be happy to assist.

• This expectation helps us minimize distractions, protect instructional time, and keep students focused on learning and connecting with one another.

We appreciate our families’ partnership and support in reinforcing this expectation as we begin the new school year! 💜

We are excited to begin another season of middle school athletics! Before participating in practices or tryouts, all student-athletes must complete the required athletic registration and have a current sports physical on file.

ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL FALL ATHLETES WILL REPORT TO THE MAIN GYM BEFORE PRACTICES FOR A MANDATORY ATHLETICS ASSEMBLY.

Interested in Middle School Sports?

We are excited to begin another season of middle school athletics! Before participating in practices or tryouts, all student-athletes must complete the required athletic registration and have a current sports physical on file.

Do you have your sports physical turned in?

Please make sure you have:

1. Completed the Athlete Registration.

2. Uploaded your current sports physical to the registration site.

3. Completed all required registration steps before participating in athletics.

The registration page and instructions can be found in the left-hand column of tabs on the athletics registration site.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact:

RJ Dina, Athletic Director — rj.dina@saas.k12.de.us

Brian Huebler, Athletic Trainer — brian.huebler@saas.k12.de.us

Middle School Fall Tryout & Practice Schedule

All sessions are scheduled for 3:30–5:00 p.m.

Boys Soccer

• Tuesday, September 1 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, September 2 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Thursday, September 3 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, September 8 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, September 9 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Thursday, September 10 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

Field Hockey

• Tuesday, September 1 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, September 2 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Thursday, September 3 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, September 8 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, September 9 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Thursday, September 10 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

Girls Volleyball

All volleyball sessions will take place in the MPR.

• Tuesday, September 1 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, September 2 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Thursday, September 3 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, September 8 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, September 9 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

• Thursday, September 10 — 3:30–5:00 p.m.

Cross Country

• Tuesday, September 1 — 3:30–5:00 p.m. (Practice on campus)

• Wednesday, September 2 — 3:30–5:00 p.m. (Practice on campus)

• Thursday, September 3 — 3:30–5:00 p.m. (Practice on campus)

• Tuesday, September 8 — 3:30–5:00 p.m. (Shuttle to Sandhill)

• Wednesday, September 9 — 3:30–5:00 p.m. (Shuttle to Sandhill)

• Thursday, September 10 — 3:30–5:00 p.m. (Shuttle to Sandhill)

A Successful Fall Season Starts With Preparation

Please make sure your registration and physical are completed before the first day of practice. Arrive on time, bring the required equipment and water, and be ready to learn, compete, and represent Sussex Academy.

We look forward to seeing our middle school student-athletes in the gym and on the fields this fall!

• 7th & 8th Grade Schedules: Schedules are complete and finalized for the 2026–2027 school year.

• 6th Grade Temporary Homerooms: Temporary homeroom assignments are complete and will be used during the first week of school.

• Final schedules for sixth-grade students will be completed after the first week of school. This allows us to finalize student placements before students transition into their regular schedules.

• Schedule Change Requests: Any changes to student schedules will be made at the discretion of the Middle School Dean based on scheduling needs, course availability, and student placement.

• Exploratory Classes: Students will rotate through exploratory classes with their homerooms. Each exploratory will last approximately six weeks, after which students will rotate to a new exploratory.

• Exploratory classes will not appear on students’ Infinite Campus schedules at this time. Students will receive information at school about where to report for each exploratory rotation.

• Questions or Concerns? Please reach out to Rachael Johnston, Sussex Academy Middle School Dean, with any questions or concerns regarding your student’s schedule.

Welcome Back, High School Families! We are excited to welcome our students back for the 2026–2027 school year!

Monday, August 31

Tuesday, September 1

Before the first day, students in grades 10–12 should check their schedules and know the location of their Period 1 class. Students should arrive with:

• A writing utensil

• An agenda or planner

• Notebooks/folders for classes

• A fully charged Chromebook

We hope everyone has enjoyed a restful summer. Our faculty and staff are looking forward to seeing our returning students, welcoming our new students, and beginning another great year at Sussex Academy!

Here is the link to access more information about the show and how to audition:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrAC8EO8y0kBAn6w9F0kMxOuu6NzJ-jpx5l6qx-2r7e18vxA/viewform

Please plan to attend a FULL day on Tuesday, Sept 1 even if scheduled for Release or SAES Aide. Students will need a signed Release Form before being able to come late/leave early or travel to ES Campus

Information regarding the release forms:

• Mrs. McLaughlin has sent the forms to students. Forms are also available in Hawk News Materials and there will be paper copies available in school on Tuesday.

• Students can bring the signed form with them on the first day of school and then begin Release Time or SAES Aide on Wednesday Sept 2.

• ALL RELEASE STUDENTS and SAES AIDES SHOULD REPORT TO THE CAFE UNTIL THE SIGNED FORM IS SUBMITTED and APPROVED.

Contact Mrs. McLaughlin at maureen.mclaughlin@saas.k12.de.us with any questions.

High School student schedules are available for viewing in Infinite Campus. NOTE: Seahawk Sussex Time P7 will be replacing Advisory. Every HS student has this course - more details to come!

Any schedule change requests must be submitted using the Schedule Change Request Google Form.

You can access the form through this link or it is posted in Hawk News Materials. A copy of the Course Selection handbook is also available in Hawk News Materials. The form is only accessible through Sussex Academy student Gmail accounts.

Students have the responsibility of examining their full schedule at the beginning of the school year to request changes.

Key Deadlines & Rules

• Trimester 1 Drops/Adds: Deadline is September 10.

• Trimester 2 & 3 Drops/Adds: Deadline is September 15.

• Senior Schedule Changes: Final deadline is December 30.

• 5-Day Window: Once the school year starts, you have 5 days before and 5 days after a trimester begins to drop a course (after that, changes require special approval for extenuating circumstances).

• Course Credit: You must complete all parts (A/B or A/B/C) of a course to get credit.

• Class Order/Timing: Requests to move class periods will not be granted.

Please message Mrs. McLaughlin (maureen.mclaughlin@saas.k12.de.us) with any questions. Thank you again for your patience.

Did your SENIOR have an incomplete or an unsatisfactory on their report card in June for their SSP (Senior Service Project)? If so, it's likely because they still needed to complete their 20 hours of community service or they hadn't finished their Service Project, or it might have been because they hadn't submitted their reflection questions.

Many students discussed extensions with Mrs. Sherman for the summer months, but those extensions are coming due and students need to submit their hours forms (or proof of project) and their reflection questions to Mrs. Sherman. We don't want their college transcripts to contain and incomplete or an unsatisfactory, however, transcripts will ONLY be updated on the 1st of every month so students need to get this information in to Mrs. Sherman ASAP if they want their transcript changed on September 1st, otherwise they will have to wait until October 1st.

If you have questions please reach out to Mrs. Sherman, stephanie.sherman@saas.k12.de.us