Information for Parents

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In this section of our Web site you can find information, updates, and links for parents and family of current cadets... 

Parent Chairs 2010-2011

Please welcome our new Parents Association chairs for 2010-2011, Michael Sundel & Lystra Blake.  The reside in Falls Church, VA and Lystra is an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, and Michael owns a software company. They have two sons - a senior and sophmore - who have attended the Academy for several years and can bring a wealth of information to our FUMA families.

"We chose FUMA because we were very unhappy with our experience in the local public school system. Like many boys of his age, our youngest was having difficulty fitting into middle school. Several of his teachers told us that their large class sizes made it impossible for them to provide him with anything approaching individualized attention. The school did not offer organized sports, which we believe are very important for adolescent boys. At FUMA our son got smaller classes, people who care about helping the boys mature into young men, the right amount of discipline, terrific teachers, and a wide range of athletic opportunities. A year later, our oldest son decided on his own to join his brother at FUMA. He was particularly interested in the swimming program, and wanted to attend a school where he could focus on athletics without having to sacrifice his academic goals."

The family looks forward to serving this year as Parent Chairs and are very please with all apsects of the FUMA program. Lystra Blake can be contacted via email at lystrablake@msn.com to answer any questions relating to the Parents Association or general questions regarding having a son at FUMA.

Upper School Changes for 2010-2011

Policy on Electronic Media/Communication Devices

Technology is an integral part of our personal and professional lives.  At FUMA, we are committed to providing an environment that enables our students and staff to acquire and maintain the technological skills necessary for a successful 21^st century school community, and also the preparation for college and career options.  This commitment is defined within the parameters of our Mission Statement, which reads:

• Limited access to personal electronic devices supports the environment of structure and discipline that the Academy holds as necessary to educate effectively.
• Text messaging among teens is pervasive and can constantly divert attention from the educational environment of a school.
• Text messaging is impersonal and can lead to the lack of development of oral and interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with others.
• Theft or loss of technology devices is problematic.
• Many current models of personal electronic devices contain camera and video features.  Misuse of these devices has led, in some instances, to teens taking inappropriate pictures or videos of themselves or others.
• Personal electronic devices may be used to enable cheating.
• Telecommunication devices are sometimes used for bullying and harassment.
• Teenagers’ developing world view and social behavior can become negatively affected by bombardment of electronic stimuli that, in many instances, are contrary to the Christian message the Academy seeks to convey.

FUMA411 - Our Community Forum

Be sure to visit our FUMA411 page in our Forums section and contribute your thoughts, ideas, and questions by posting them on our electronic bulletin board set up for prospective students, parents, and alumni.

This forum can be useful for parent networking for current and prospective parents:

• Finding car pool partners
• Getting practical answers and advice from others
• Sharing experiences with fellow FUMA families
• Connect with other parents who are considering Fork Union Military Academy
• Get past cadet prospectives on the Academy from FUMA alumni
• Keep abreast of what is happening at FUMA