RJ Feathers's blog

Middle School Year-End News

Submitted by RJ Feathers on Wed, 04/18/2012 - 1:29pm

It is hard to believe that the end of the year is in sight. We have just begun our final grading period. We have much to accomplish in the few, short weeks to come before we reach the end of the year. I thought that it would be helpful to remind you of the events scheduled between now and the end of the year so that you can make plans accordingly. 

APRIL 

17&18: Iowa Tests of Basic Skills administration (Mornings only) 

20: Middle School dance in the Sabre Shop (7 p.m. – 9 p.m.) 

20-22: Academic Leave* (from the 5th grading period) 

22: Kings Dominion trip (Conduct-dependent) 

28: Saturday classes (Overnight passes will be granted for “Excellent Conduct” cadets only; Day passes will be permitted for all.) 

29: First full-dress parade (Cadets need to be in the Barracks by 1 p.m. The parade will commence at 2:30 p.m.)   

MAY 

4-6: “Best Company” Leave* for 2nd semester (Members of the Winning Company who are not on Unsatisfactory Conduct will be eligible for this leave, along with the members of the Battalion Staff. All other cadets may enjoy a “Visitor’s Pass” on campus Sunday only.) 

6: Alumni Day Parade (All cadets need to return from leave and be in the Barracks by 1 p.m. The parade will commence at 2:30 p.m. Leaves can resume following the parade, and day passes will be permitted after the parade.) Note: Our annual Silent Auction, sponsored by the Academy’s Development Office, will be taking place in the Middle School Gym all morning, with final bidding at 2:30 p.m. 

A New Semester Begins at the Middle School

Submitted by RJ Feathers on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 1:04pm

It is hard to believe that we are already halfway through the school year! Monday marked the end of the 3rd grading period and the 1st semester. We have had a good year so far, and with the addition of 12 new cadets we are excited to see what the coming months will bring. 

In addition to our increased enrollment, our Cadet Corps has grown in many ways since school began back in August.  Most of our cadets have grown in their ability to handle responsibility. Overall, grades have improved. Conduct levels for many of our cadets have improved. We have noticed cadets' trousers riding a bit higher on the ankles. Our cadets are growing in physical stature. Many of them find themselves having to tighten their belts as a result of a leaner waistline owing to constant physical activity. Our athletic teams continue to improve as our cadets are getting into better shape. Through the course of the year friendships have grown closer and the Cadet Corps has grown stronger. We hope and pray that our cadets are growing in their spiritual lives, as well.

The addition of 12 new cadets infuses our Corps with new energy and enthusiasm and adds to the diversity of our school. Several of our new arrivals are Virginia boys, but California, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and even Barbados are represented with this new crop of cadets. Our veteran cadets have done a great job of showing the new cadets “the FUMA Way”.

We have appreciated your support, including your prayers, through the first half of the year, and we look forward to your continued support until we cross that finish line in May.

Thanksgiving Message from the Middle School Headmaster

Submitted by RJ Feathers on Tue, 11/08/2011 - 4:21pm

"Count your blessings; name them one by one. Count your many blessings; see what God hath done (Oatmen/Excell 1897)."

Autumn is in full swing at F.U.M.A. All of the trees on campus are ablaze with the colors of fall, and there is a definite chill in the air signifying the change of seasons. Our cadets, wrapping up the second grading period of the year, are getting more excited by the day about the upcoming Thanksgiving vacation. It is hard to believe that we are a third of the way through the school year already!

The theme for the month of November is "GRATITUDE". Reminders of our theme are posted on the walls in the school building. Throughout the month, we have been encouraging our cadets to consider all of the blessings that have been given them. We have talked about the importance of expressing gratitude for these blessings and the importance of never taking them for granted. This morning our cadets were given time during morning assembly to voice those things for which they are grateful. “Parents”, “Family”, “My little brother”, “This school”, “My teachers”, “God, who loves me”, “Food to eat and a roof over our heads” were among the cadets’ responses. I was pleasantly surprised by the boys’ willingness to share their feelings with their peers.

From the Middle School Headmaster

Submitted by RJ Feathers on Tue, 09/13/2011 - 4:14pm

I hope you were able to make contact with your son this past weekend. The boys were very excited about the opportunity to call/email their parents. I have been made aware that some of you didn’t hear from your son. It wasn’t until after the weekend that a handful of cadets informed me that they didn’t have a phone card. Please make sure to supply your son with a stream of these cards throughout the year so that he can talk to you during available phone time.

From the Middle School Headmaster

Submitted by RJ Feathers on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 10:52am

Hail, hail, the gang’s all here! Our first wave of cadets arrived on Wednesday, August 24th, for leadership training with the Middle School Commandant, MAJ Blanchetti. The second wave, all of our new cadets, hit the ground running on Monday, August 29th. Our final set arrived yesterday, consisting of all other returning cadets. Our Middle School Cadet Corps is now in place and ready for the journey ahead.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Submitted by RJ Feathers on Thu, 08/18/2011 - 3:22pm

I find it hard to believe that summer is almost over and that a new school year is right around the corner!  Below you will find information about opening day registration. We actually have three entry dates for our incoming Middle School cadets.

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