We are asking once again for you to help "Protect Your Investment." For many if not most of you, your son will be coming home within the next ten days for the first leave of the school year. While there has been some earlier communication regarding our leave policies, we would like to reinforce several key points to make the experience as pleasant and productive as possible for everyone concerned. Our intention is to avoid some of the unintended lapses in performance that leaving the FUMA environment and returning to it can sometimes create.
 
We know many of you are anxious to see your son again and we would appreciate your help in maintaining your son's conduct as a representative of the Academy while he is at home. The schedule and expectations of the past weeks have had each cadet in an environment of structure, focus, and few distractions from the daily routine. Included are numerous daily responsibilities for their time, a regular schedule of three nutritious meals each day, regular study hours, and regular hours for sleep. We are asking that you support this type of structure by arranging family activities and supervision of your teenager so that there is not too much deviation from the requirements here. To the extent that this is possible, you will do your son a service in that he will not have several days of adjustment back to the FUMA routine upon his return. This will help avoid a drop of performance in the classroom and lack of focus in his other activities.
 
Your son is aware that "The Cadet Corps represents the Academy at all times." Any behavior during weekend leaves, day passes, vacation or athletic events should be in line with the policies and procedures of the Academy and cadets should conduct themselves as gentlemen at all times. Recently at a staff/faculty workshop led by the Academy's consulting educational psychologist, Dr. Barry Hensley, the topic of discussion was the culture that exists at Fork Union Military Academy. Dr. Hensley noted that our students are following specific rules that have been in place for 111 years - these rules are for the good of the system and the life of the cadet while he is here. He also brought out 5 simple phrases that each cadet must incorporate into daily life:
 
Yes, sir.
No, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Please, sir.
No excuse, sir.
 
Dr. Hensley and LtCol. Ivens have worked together to produce several podcasts relating to this same topic. These podcasts offer valuable insight and can be found on our website at the following link: www.forkunion.com/podcasts 
 
If you are new to FUMA, we hope you will notice and reinforce any positive character traits that you may see developing due to the experience you son is having at the Academy. After all, the most effective FUMA testimonies come from the cadets. Please take note of these important procedures and understand that it is your son's obligation to adhere to the leave policies. You can review them in the Commandant's Department Parent Information guide on the download center of our website. As you and your son plan for the available weekend leaves, you should remind him that he must maintain his eligibility for leave privileges by complying with cadet regulations (staying out of "demerit trouble"), and maintaining his grades. This first leave will set the stage for the remainder of the year and your cooperation is strongly encouraged.
 
Upon his return to the Academy, we ask that you also take note of any personal belongings or items that your son may have in his possession, and request your cooperation to insure that no unauthorized items are brought back onto campus after cadets have been away on leave. Prohibited items include cell phones, pagers or other electronic communication devices, iPods, video games, illegal drugs or medications, alcohol and tobacco products, or any items of a dangerous nature. Once again the cadet has been informed of these items and they are noted in the Commandant's Department Parent Information guide.
 
We thank you in advance for your cooperation and ask that you please take note that the basic schedule for Parents Weekend is now posted on our website www.forkunion.com. This same schedule will be mailed to you with your son's grades in the upcoming week. Please post on your refrigerator, office bulletin board or keep on hand for reference. It outlines the events for the weekend, as well as providing specific times relating to leave for October 18th to October 20th.
 
Thank you again for supporting the Academy in its efforts to build young men in Body, Mind and Spirit and do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Ivens at ivensb@fuma.org should you have any questions.