Weekly Update for January 16, 2026

DAY STUDENT INFORMATION

• The Uniform of the Day for class days is Class B Winter.
• Contraband Reminder: Please review the Contraband List- Updated and ensure that none of these items are brought to school.

DAY STUDENT REMINDERS:

• Arrival & Sign-In: Day Students must sign in at the Commandant’s Department by 7:15 AM daily.
• Uniform: The uniform of the day for class days is Class B Winter.
• Absences & Tardies: If your Day Student will be absent or late, please email absent@fuma.org with full details.

IT'S TIME TO RE-ENROLL YOUR CADET FOR 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR

Re-enrollment contracts are now available in Clarity. You should have received an email from the Admissions Office detailing what is required to re-enroll your cadet. The deadline for re-enrollment is April 1. For questions about the re-enrollment process, please contact admissions@fuma.org.

FINAL CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR JUNIOR SEMINAR

Fork Union Military Academy is offering an optional Junior Seminar for cadets in the Class of 2027, focused on SAT preparation and early college application planning. Modeled after the required Senior Seminar, this 0.5 credit, pass/fail course meets twice a week and is designed to help cadets prepare for the May 2 SAT offered on campus, while also using the end of junior year and summer effectively before application season begins.

Topics include SAT test-taking strategies, building a college list, requesting letters of recommendation, creating College Board and Common App accounts, brainstorming the personal statement, and more. The seminar emphasizes active participation and independent practice to maximize results.

Details at a Glance:

• Fee: $375 (includes 25 sessions and a Princeton Premium Prep Digital SAT book)
• Registration Deadline: Friday, January 16 (TODAY)
• Payment Due: Friday, January 30
• Late Registration: Open through February 6 (first come, first served; no prorated fee)
• Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays during teacher planning periods, February 2–May 13
• Additional Benefit: Participants receive priority for college visits

Families interested in enrolling their cadet should complete the registration form here.

START SUBMITTING YOUR SPRING BREAK LEAVE REQUESTS IN ORAH

As a reminder, the next Major Leave is Spring Break and is scheduled for Thursday, March 5-Monday, March 16. All cadets must depart campus for Spring Break. Spring Break Leave Requests are due in Orah by Friday, February 6. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about Spring Break.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SENIOR FAMILIES

Graduation will be here before we know it, and we want to ensure your cadet’s diploma is perfect. The Class of 2026 families will soon receive a form to confirm how their senior’s name should appear on the diploma. Please take time to review and complete this form carefully using the exact name and spelling as you would like it to appear. It’s important that both you and your cadet agree on the name submitted, as changes cannot be made after the stated deadline.

• Click here to complete the Diploma Name Confirmation Form.

All submissions are due by January 23 to meet our diploma ordering deadline.

PRE-ORDER YOUR 2025-2026 YEARBOOK!

Don’t miss your chance to secure a lasting keepsake of this school year! Pre-order your cadet’s yearbook today for $100. Yearbooks will be delivered in May and will feature all the unforgettable memories, moments, and milestones that made this year special. Families can also purchase yearbook recognition ads, starting at $60, to honor their cadet’s achievements and celebrate their journey.

• Pre-Order Here
• Recognition Ads

UNAUTHORIZED DELIVERY SERVICES ON CAMPUS

For the safety and security of our cadets and campus community, independent delivery services such as Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and similar vendors are not authorized to deliver on campus. All outside deliveries must follow the Academy’s approved procedures and be coordinated through the Quartermaster. Unscheduled or unauthorized drop-offs create safety and logistical concerns and will not be permitted.

Please ensure that any items your cadet needs are sent through commercial parcel carriers such as UPS and FedEx.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a secure and orderly environment for all cadets.

DO YOU WANT TO SCHEDULE SENIOR/CADET PORTRAITS?

We are pleased to recommend Kristin Firewicz Studios to our cadet families for senior and cadet portraits. Kristin is a professional photographer contracted by the Academy to capture campus photos throughout the year and has been specializing in high school senior photography for over 10 years. Based right here in Fork Union, Kristin also has a studio conveniently located on campus.

For more information or to book your cadet’s private session, please visit Kristin’s website for special FUMA rates: Kristin Firewicz Studios

CADET CARE PACKAGES FOR BIRTHDAYS AND ANY OTHER OCCASION

Do you want to do something special to surprise your cadet while being away from home? Treat him to a birthday surprise, a pick me-up, or a just because treat from the list below:

Ms. Rhonda White, Assistant to the Commandant, provides parents with the opportunity to treat their cadet with something special. Choose from the following:

• Qty of 6 Cupcakes for $10
• Qty of 12 Cupcakes for $20
• Qty of 12 Brownies for $10
• Qty of 12 Chocolate Chip Cookies for $12
• Small Size Gift Bag of Treats for $25
• Large Size Gift Bag of Treats for $40
• Chips and Salsa Bag for $12
• Rice Crispy Treats for $12

For more information, please contact Ms. Rhonda White at whiter@fuma.org or 434-842-4203.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Please always check the Academic Calendar for updates on events. Below are a few coming up in the next couple months:

• Admissions Open House | Monday, January 19, 2026
  • Fork Union Military Academy will host an Open House for prospective students on Monday, January 19. If you know an interested family, please direct them to this link.
• January Birthday Celebration | Wednesday, January 21, 2026
  • Fork Union Military Academy will celebrate the cadets, staff, and faculty who have a birthday in January on Wednesday, January 21 at 10:30 AM in Flag Hall.
• Leave Weekend | Friday, January 23 - Sunday, January 25, 2026
  • Cadets are eligible to depart campus for a leave weekend on Friday, January 23 at 4:30 PM. Cadets must return by 7 PM on Sunday, January 25. Leave Requests must be submitted in Orah by Tuesday, January 20.
• Term 3 Final Exam | Friday, January 30, 2026
  • The Term 3 Final Exam will be taken on Friday, January 30. The class day will end at 1230.
• Term 4 Begins | Monday, February 2, 2026
  • Term 4 will begin on Monday, February 2.
• Winter Leave Weekend | Thursday, February 5-Monday, February 9, 2026
  • Cadets are eligible to depart campus on Thursday, February 5 for an extended Leave Weekend. This is not a mandatory leave but gives the cadets a chance to go home to watch the Super Bowl. Leave Requests are due in Orah by Tuesday, February 3.
• Leave Weekend | Friday, February 13-Sunday, February 15, 2026
  • Cadets are eligible to depart campus on Friday, February 13 for a Leave Weekend. Leave Requests are due in Orah by Tuesday, February 10.
• Admissions Open House | Monday, February 16, 2026
  • Fork Union Military Academy will host an Open House for prospective students on Monday, February 16. If you know an interested family, please direct them to this link.
• Spring Break | Thursday, March 5-Monday, March 16, 2026
  • Spring Break, the final mandatory leave prior to the end of the year, is scheduled for Thursday, March 5-Monday, March 16. All cadets must depart campus. Leave Requests are due in Orah by February 6.

Best regards,
Kelly Barnette
Director of Communications
Fork Union Military Academy
Email: barnettek@fuma.org