FUMA

Well, I guess it is about time I got around to writing about our trip to drop Russell off at school. We got up at 4am on Monday to drive the 3 hours down to Fork Union Military Academy. Our day at the school started at 0800 end Ezekiel and I left the campus at 1600 (4pm). There was lots of checking in to do. First we had to check in with admission to make sure we were actually admitted. How funny is that. Would someone actually show up without being admitted? Then we had to check in with the registrar to formally register for the school. This meant giving them our official correspondence address and email address AGAIN (about time number 100 and not the last time that day either - LOL). After the registrar we had to go to financial aid and business administrators to make sure his tuition was paid in full (except for uniforms which will be billed separately). Following the business end of everything we had to go to the infirmary (school nurse) to check in with his physical, insurance card, and shot records. This was a quick stop and then it was off to the next place. We left to go to the quartermaster (uniform issue and supply). Here he got the bulk of his supply issue -- pretty much everything but his shoes, dress pants and foot locker. After we left the quartermaster we had to walk back across campus to the dorms for academic schedule and room assignment. No, we didn't actually get his academic schedule at this point but I did get to sign a paper stating his and my preferences on the matter. He had the following choices: (1) for his elective he could either take a class which included drama and art or he could take Spanish I. There was no way he was taking Drama and Art. He has been taking various Spanish courses for 5 years now. Nothing as intense as an actual high school course, but enough to give him a leg up -- at least at the beginning (plus he already knows a lot of vocabulary). So, he wanted to take Spanish I (which by the way gives him one credit towards high school graduation already). I warned him that it would be more academics than others were taking and that it was a high school course -- blah blah blah -- it did not change his mind. So, I check Spanish I. (2) for Math he could either take Basic 8th grade math, Pre-Algebra, or Algebra I. Well, this was a nobrainer. Last year he took Pre-Algebra and had NO problems. He took the Algebra aptitude test (prior to finishing Pre-Algebra), and scored a 64 on it (you need a 49 to be considered ready to take Algebra I). In addition to all this, he has already been homeschooling in Algebra I for a month and has completed the first 3 chapters with NO problems. So I checked off Algebra I (another class that gets him a high school credit) and signed the form. Of course this does not guarantee he will get those classes. They had to take an aptitude test on Tuesday. Then, they add what the parent said to the aptitude test and his grades from last school year and then they place him. I got a call Tuesday morning because they needed me to contact his last school for his final transcript since they didn't seem to have on on file. Ok -- THIS IS THE 5th TIME something has come up and I have had to remind them HE IS HOMESCHOOLED. LOL. -- After filling out all that information we left to check into his room.

The rooms are small and old. Russell was the first to check into his room so had his choice of upper bunk or lower bunk. Of course I was quick to tell him LOWER - it's easier to make the bed. I also found out that many other students don't have as efficient (anal) moms as Russell. We had already washed, marked, and folded all of his clothes. All he had to do is take the neat stacks out of the bag and place them in the proper place in the drawers. His roommate was not so lucky. Not only had his stuff not been washed, but it had not been marked. As a matter or fact it had not even been taken out of the wrapping it was purchased in. Poor kid. His parents were very insistent that he needed to move faster and do more and get his act together. I was thinking what a disservice they had been to him in the whole process. They seemed like nice people I just don't think they had a clue. They were British although he was Jamaican born, and they had lived in the States for the past 12 years for his work. He does some kind of Technical stuff in Herndon VA and lives in Tyson Corner. I had a hard time not smiling a lot at first, because I have always found it amusing to hear a British accent come out of a Black person. I don't know why I just do. Anyway, I was grateful that Russell didn't have to be stressed out by the extra work involved with all that. I hope it gave him an opportunity to help his roommate out. It was while we were unpacking that we discovered that he had no pants (except athletic shorts), and found out he would get those on Wednesday. Then we had to go find out where the footlockers were (all the way back across campus). Once we returned with his footlocker he was able to quickly get his room in order. He was even able (with the help of a returning officer cadet) to begin putting a few uniform items together. Then it was time for lunch.

The dinning facilities are awesome. They always have a sandwich and salad bar. They always have a selection of desserts. They only have decaffeinated beverages. In addition to all this they offer a choice of two hot entres and 2 different vegetables at each meal. It was at lunch were we met some others and Russell hit it off instantly with another kid who is all about football. The boys had salads, and meatball subs and then we had to go to the four hour orientation meeting in the chapel.

If you are already thinking -- what a long day -- you are right and boy was I feeling it. Zeke fell asleep and slept leaning up against me for the first 2 hours of the meeting. Although I was very tired, the meeting was full of a lot of good information both for the parents and the boys. We were introduced to all of the Middle School staff and then heard from the President, the Headmaster (in charge of academics), and the Commandant (in charge of discipline). We went over Leave policy and typical schedule. Talked about athletics offered (intramurals required if not playing on a school team), and other activities offered. We also went over the actions which warrant demerits or dismissal and discussed the various conduct and academic awards. Whew. Then we were given 30 minutes to say goodbye. Yeah, It took Russell 30 seconds to say goodbye, and Zeke and I were on our way home.

They get phone/Internet privileges on 11 September. After that they are required to call or write home at least One time a week. They always have phone and email privileges on the weekends, and if they have good academic scores and behavior they can use it every day. The campus is closed until 18 Sep. This means no one can visit and no cadet can leave until then. That is the first leave weekend. This first week they have been learning how to drill, memorizing the cadet handbook (they actually have a test over it on Saturday), doing teamwork games, taking aptitude tests, getting their schedule (first day of class is today), signing up and starting their athletic schedule (first day of football practice was yesterday), etc. . . .Busy week starting as 0600 and ending at 2130 (930pm) each day. The school posts pictures of all the major events on line and so I have pictures. He seems to be having a pretty good time. I'm sure we will hear all about it on the 18th if not sooner.