Head of School Updates

It has been wonderful to see the smiling faces and excitement of our students and families during these first days of school! Last Thursday’s Open House and Kick-Off event was a success across K–12 and helped set the stage for the strong relationships and sense of community that will carry us through this year.

We are also committed to keeping families informed and connected. You can continue to expect weekly updates, stories on social media, and press releases in local outlets. We are also pleased to share that by adding new contacts and sending text messages for the Head of School Updates, we’ve increased our average number of weekly views from 850 to 1,750. In addition, we are excited to launch our newly updated website! Click here to explore the redesigned site and quickly access important information and resources.

Strong relationships, community, and open lines of communication are the foundation of Sussex Academy’s success. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, or ideas. We are grateful for your partnership in education and look forward to all the opportunities this school year will bring!

Please check your SPAM or Promotions folder if you did not receive the information sent to families at 5 PM on Tuesday, September 2. To ensure you don’t miss future messages from the new Infinite Campus Communication system, you may need to move the email to your inbox.

Subject: Tips for a Safe and Successful Start to the School Year

As we begin another exciting school year tomorrow for all students K-12, we want to share a few tips that will help make this our #BestYearYet at Sussex Academy. Your support and cooperation with these reminders will make a big difference in keeping our school community safe, organized, and welcoming throughout the 2025-26 school year.

Safety Reminders

• Always use designated crosswalks and be mindful of pedestrians, especially during busy arrival and dismissal times.

• Identification will be required if you are picking up your child early to ensure the safety of all students.

• We will continue to use the I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocols for safety. (Click here for additional information)

• Remind your child to listen to staff directions at all times, both on campus and at transportation hubs.

• Patience and cooperation go a long way in creating a safe environment for everyone.

Car Line

• Please follow posted traffic patterns and directions from staff on duty.

• Secondary Families- Follow the driveway around the Aquatics Center and Athletic Fields to promote the safest and most efficient traffic flow, while student drivers park in the front of the building.

• Pull all the way forward in the car line before dropping off or picking up your student to keep traffic moving.

• Students should be ready to exit or enter the vehicle quickly and safely in the right lane only. Please do not pick up or drop off in the left lane.

Transportation Hubs

• We ask for your patience as bus hub transportation settles into its routine during the first weeks of school.

• Delays can happen as drivers, students, and families adjust, but things typically smooth out quickly.

• Activity Buses are running Monday-Thursday departing promptly at 5:30pm beginning tomorrow, 9/3. There are three routes with specific drop off sites/times. See the link below for details:

  • Activity Bus Information

• Please arrive 5-10 minutes early to your assigned hub, and stay alert for posted updates or adjustments from our transportation team. ( Click here for additional information)

We appreciate your partnership in making Sussex Academy one of the premier K-12 schools in Delaware. Together, we can ensure a safe, smooth, and positive experience for all of our students. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.

Thank you for choosing to be a Seahawk. We look forward to a wonderful year ahead!

Last week, we shared updates on our activity fees in an effort to increase transparency around the budget and priorities. The message included the following update:

Yearbook Purchases: In previous years, yearbooks were provided for every grade level. This year, we are focusing yearbook purchases on transition years—grades 5, 8, and 12. This change allows us to reduce costs while still celebrating important milestones.

In that communication, we neglected to mention that yearbooks will still be available for purchase this spring for all SA students in non-milestone grade levels. We apologize for leaving out this important detail and appreciate the families who reached out with clarifying questions. Thank you for helping us ensure clear communication!

We are excited to share that we have received our first classroom sponsorships toward our Soaring Higher fundraising campaign!

Thank you to our elementary counselor, Juliane Hein, Ed.D., an Explore level supporter who has generously sponsored the classrooms of Mrs. McMahon and Mrs. Houston!

The $500 Explore level tier allows donors to choose to either support a classroom or student AP exam fees. Half of the donation is allocated to the classroom or AP fees, and the other half is deposited into Sussex Academy’s capital expenditures account.

We are excited to announce that Mrs. Stephanie Brown will be leading as our Elementary School Nurse. Mrs. Brown is a lifelong resident of Sussex County, where she and her spouse are raising their four children and welcoming a son-in-law into the family. With a heart for service and community, she has been a registered nurse for 10 years, earning her ADN from Delaware Technical Community College (Owens Campus) and her BSN from Wilmington University. She is passionate about the role of education and prevention in improving the health and well-being of individuals across the community.

Her love for children is evident both at home and in her service to others. For over 31 years, she has dedicated herself to coaching, instilling teamwork, discipline, and confidence in young athletes. She also serves as a youth leader at her church, where she is committed to guiding and preparing the next generation. She firmly believes that “these kids are our future,” and that investing in their growth and development is essential for building strong, thriving communities. Welcome to the SA team Nurse Brown!

We had a great time seeing all the happy back-to-school photos our families posted on our Facebook page! Families, the Cape Gazette is also accepting reader-submitted back-to-school photos – check the link for details!

Remember to keep up to date by following us on Facebook and Instagram, and continue to check our redesigned website for our most recent news releases! Have a news tip? Contact Ellen Driscoll at ellen.driscoll@saas.k12.de.us

Mark your calendars for these important upcoming dates:

• September 12: Professional Development Day (No students)

• September 17: Board of Directors Meeting @ 4:00 PM in the Board Room

• September 29: Back-to-School Night — Secondary Campus

• October 1: Back-to-School Night — Elementary Campus

Thank you so much for a wonderful first day of school! We're so excited to have your students in our classrooms and are looking forward to a fantastic year of learning and growth.

Your cooperation is key to making our school's arrival and dismissal process safe and efficient for everyone. When dropping off and picking up your children, please remember to stay in the carline, do not park, and do not block the buses. This keeps the flow of traffic moving and ensures the safety of all students. We truly appreciate your help and partnership!

Every Friday is ice cream day! Please send your child in with $1 to purchase ice cream.

We’re excited to share that all athletic registrations and DIAA physical submissions will now be completed online through Snap Manage!

👉 Snap Manage Athlete Registration & Physical Upload

📌 Need help? How to Upload Forms to Snap

📄 2025–2026 DIAA Physical Form

✅ What families need to know:

• Every student-athlete must be registered in Snap Manage to participate.

• Physicals must be uploaded online – paper copies will no longer be accepted.

• You can register for Fall, Winter, and Spring sports at the same time.

• After uploading, log back in within 1–3 days to confirm your physical has been marked “Approved.”

💡 Helpful Tips:

• Registration is not complete until you receive a confirmation email from Snap Manage.

• Uploads must be in PDF format (not photos).

• Many parents find it easier to upload from a computer rather than a phone.

Questions Involving Physicals? Please reach out to our Athletic Trainer:

📧 brian.huebler@saas.k12.de.us

Over the past few years, our gymnasium HVAC unit has experienced repeated failures. Despite significant repair efforts, the unit failed again this summer. We've made the decision to invest in a replacement unit, which will be installed on Friday, September 12th. Thank you in advance for your patience as we work to permanently resolve this issue.

Ditch the Distractions: Supporting Kids and Teens with Phone Notifications

As we prepare students for a successful start to the school year, it’s important to think about how technology habits can support their learning. The article “Ditch the Distractions: Supporting Kids and Teens with Phone Notifications” explains how the constant stream of alerts on kids’ and teens’ devices can interfere with their focus, increase stress, and affect overall well-being. It also offers practical strategies for families, such as adjusting notification settings, using screen-time tools, and setting “Do Not Disturb” times, to help young people develop healthier phone habits. Click here to listen to the article or read the transcript for all the quick tips.