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November 8, 2024

Weekly Update for November 8, 2024

DAY STUDENT INFORMATION:

Veteran's Day (Monday, November 11) is a class day. Fork Union Military Academy hosts an annual Veteran's Day Ceremony that is open to the public. The Corps of Cadets will march to the Veteran's Memorial at 11 AM to begin the ceremony. Parents and visitors will be welcome at lunch on Monday, November 11.

As we battle flu season, please remember to email absent@fuma.org if your son needs to miss school due to illness.

VIRTUAL TOWN HALL WITH ACADEMIC DEAN COL BRIAN BODINE SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18

We would like to invite you to our next Virtual Town Hall with Fork Union Military Academy’s Academic Dean, COL Brian Bodine, Monday, November 18, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

COL Bodine oversees our academic programs and ensures each cadet's education is tailored for success. A longtime math instructor and leader at Fork Union Military Academy, as well as a parent of a former cadet, COL Bodine brings a wealth of experience and expertise to that role. This session is a great opportunity to learn more about our academic vision and ask questions about the school year. 

Please register for this event by clicking the link below and entering your name and email address: Register Here

HELP US WARM THE WINTER! COAT & CANNED GOODS DRIVE

The Interact Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) are conducting a coat, and canned goods drive to support those in need as colder weather approaches. Whether you're picking up or dropping off your cadet from a day pass, weekend leave, or Thanksgiving Break, we invite you to bring your contributions with you.

We encourage families to donate gently used, clean winter coats, hats, gloves, and mittens, along with other warm clothing items like jeans and heavy shirts. Non-perishable food items for the local food bank are also greatly appreciated.

Please bring all contributions to the Commandant’s Department or the Barbershop. Your generosity will make a meaningful difference in our community -- thank you in advance for helping us support those in need.

DRIVER'S EDUCATION PROGRAM WITH HARDY'S DRIVING SCHOOL

We’re pleased to announce a new partnership with Hardy's Driving School, providing students with DMV-licensed, independent driver’s education options. Parents can register and make payments directly through Hardy’s, which offers both an online course (starting at $145) and behind-the-wheel training (starting at $325). Please note that state-specific requirements vary, so it’s advised to confirm your state’s acceptance of Virginia-based driver’s education if you reside outside Virginia.

For more details or questions, feel free to reach out to Mrs. Elizabeth Patrick (patricke@fuma.org), who is serving as the liaison between FUMA and Hardy’s.

To learn more about Hardy's Driving School, please visit the website here.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THANKSGIVING BREAK DEPARTURE

All boarding students must submit a Leave Request in Orah for Thanksgiving Leave Departure and Return. The deadline has passed to submit all Leave Requests for Thanksgiving. If you are requesting FUMA Transportation, please contact mccoyn@fuma.org & grantar@fuma.org any last-minute requests. There will be an extra fee for all past-due requests.

THANKSGIVING BREAK DEPARTURE INFORMATION

DECEMBER SAT TEST DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 22

The registration deadline for the December 7 SAT Test is November 22. To register for the SAT, the cadet must have a CollegeBoard account setup. The cadet will log into his CollegeBoard account. Click this link from the CollegeBoard for detailed information on the registration process. Please keep in mind that FUMA does not complete the registration process or accept payment for the SAT. The registration process must be completed through the cadet's CollegeBoard account.

Please keep in mind, for those taking the SAT on December 7 will have to take their Term II exam early.

ORDER YOUR 2024-2025 YEARBOOK ONLINE TODAY!

Your cadet's yearbook will be filled with all the moments and memories that made this school year unforgettable. Yearbooks will be delivered in May, giving your family a keepsake to treasure for years to come.

ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK HERE!

SCHOOL PICTURES ARE READY!

We are excited to announce that your cadet’s school pictures (traditional headshots, not studio photos by Ms. Firewicz) are now available for viewing and ordering!

How to View and Order:

  1. Visit JostensPIX
  2. Enter our event code: FE176424
  3. If your cadet’s photos do not appear, use the “Find Your Student?” link at the top of the page.

ORDER YOUR SCHOOL PICTURES HERE!

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN REGISTER FOR OUR RESOURCE PROGRAM AT ANY TIME?

REMINDER: The resource program is designed to provide additional structured, supervised time for cadets to work on their course materials. On top of remedial instruction or help understanding their course matter, the resource program can provide cadets with additional academic skills such as time management, study skills, and test prep skills. Cadets in resource will have the added benefit of an additional instructor who will be able to monitor their progress and keep them on track academically.

Cost: $1,500 for the year/$300 by term.

For more information, please contact Resource Instructor Mike Tyrrell at tyrrellm@fuma.org.

CADET CARE PACKAGES FOR BIRTHDAY 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
  • Medium Size Gift Bag of Treats for $25
  • Large Size Gift Bag of Treats for $40
  • Chips and Salsa Bag for $12

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

DO YOU WANT TO SCHEDULE SENIOR/CADET PORTRAITS?

It's time to schedule your cadet's portraits! We are pleased to be able to recommend Kristin Firewicz Studios to our cadet families. Kristin is a professional photographer contracted by the Academy to take campus photos throughout the year and has been specializing in high school senior photography for over 10 years. Kristin is local to Fork Union and has a studio on campus. For more information regarding booking your cadet's private session, please visit her website for special FUMA rates: Kristin Firewicz Studios.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR 

Please bookmark the link to our Academic Calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. This calendar highlights all the major events on campus for the academic year, including dates of when each term begins and ends, leave weekends, SAT and ACT tests and all holiday breaks.

The easy way to find it on forkunion.com is under Academics - Academic Calendar

IMPORTANT DATES:

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

  • Winning Company Leave Weekend | Friday, November 1-Sunday, November 3, 2024
    • The Commandant of Cadets GySgt Charlie Coulter has awarded Winning Company of Term 1 Bravo Company, Cadet Leader of the Term for Term 1 Destin Lamadrid-Burkett, and Cadet of the Term Andres Olalla Casas an extra leave weekend to take on November 1-3 for earning their awards.
  • SAT Test | November 2, 2024
    • Seniors & postgraduates can take a SAT Prep Class. 
  • Yearbook Picture Re-Takes | November 7, 2024
    • JostensPix will be on campus Thursday, November 7 for Yearbook Picture Retake Day. If you would like your cadet's picture to be retaken, please reach out to Dr. James Benson at bensonj@fuma.org.
  • Band @ Gordonsville Veteran's Day Parade | November 9, 2024
    • The full Marching Band and Drill Team will perform at the Gordonsville Veteran's Day Parade. The parade starts at 2 PM in the town of Gordonsville, VA.
  • Veteran's Day Ceremony | November 11, 2024
    • This is a normal class day with a Veteran's Day Ceremony beginning at 11 AM at the Veterans Memorial. 
  • Virtual Town Hall with COL Brian Bodine | November 18, 2024
    • We would like to invite you to our next Virtual Town Hall with Fork Union Military Academy’s Academic Dean, COL Brian Bodine, Monday, November 18, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Register Here
  • Fall Athletic Awards Ceremony | November 20, 2024
    • The Athletic Department will host a Fall Awards Ceremony for all fall sports team at 6:15 PM in the Estes Dining Hall. For any questions regarding the awards ceremony, please contact John Blake at blakej@fuma.org.
  • Thanksgiving Leave | Friday, November 22-Sunday, December 1
    • Thanksgiving Leave is the first Major Leave of the academic year. All cadets must depart campus for Thanksgiving Leave. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

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


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