January - February, 2008

CBA Wednesday Classes
The Howard and both Montgomery County Elementary Wednesday Classes will begin again on January 2nd.

The Wednesday Classes will be held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month as usual through the first Wednesday of April. The end of the year elementary school picnic will be held in mid-April. See the enclosed calendar for class schedules. 

Thursday Classes

The Thursday Classes for students in grades 7-12 will resume on Thursday, January 10th. Classes will run on a normal schedule that day. The Thursday Classes will continue on each Thursday through April 3rd or 10th (depending on snow day cancellations). There will be an Orientation Day for the 2008-09 Thursday Classes on the Thursday following the last Thursday Classes in April.

If we have any weather related cancellations we will add April 10th as a make up day.

Snow/Bad Weather Class Cancellation Policy

The CBA Elementary Wednesday Classes are cancelled if the public schools in the county where the CBA classes are held (Howard and Montgomery) are closed for the day due to weather conditions. If weather conditions develop during the day call the CBA office for updates.

The Thursday Classes for Jr. and Sr. High School students are automatically cancelled if Montgomery County schools are closed for the day due to weather conditions. If schools are not closed, but we feel the weather conditions warrant cancellation of the Thursday Classes or other CBA activities or events, we will make a decision by 7:30 am. and put a message on the CBA office number (301) 528-6705. Choose the option for "weather related schedule changes" to check the status of the classes or other scheduled activities for that day.

WTOP radio (103.5 fm and 820 am and wtopnews.com) will also announce CBA Thursday Class closings.

Field Trips & Events

#1
National Geography Bee
CBA School Bee
- Thursday, January 3rd -
(1:30 p.m.)

Come over and cheer on the contestants in this year’s CBA School Level Geography Bee. This year’s bee will take place at the CBA offices on Stringtown Road. The 2008 School Level Geography Bee is sponsored by the National Geographic Society. The CBA school winner will go on to the regional and perhaps the state level bee.

There are still openings for students to jump in and join the fun. Call the CBA office if you want to participate.

#2
Toby’s Youth Theater
"Ben Carson"
- Friday, January 11th -
(meet at 11:30 am.)

Dr. Ben Carson is, indeed, one of America’s "living legends". Dr. Carson is known around the world for his skill as a surgeon and for his Christian faith, commitment to Biblical principles and the power of a strong Christian family.

Dr. Carson is the Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. This live stage performance at Toby’s Youth Theater in Columbia clearly honors the Lord and is one of the most heartwarming and inspirational presentations that CBA families have enjoyed over the past several years. The show is geared for students in upper elementary and older. Tickets are $6 per person. We have pre-purchased a fairly large block of tickets but this field trip always fills up quickly. Families who sign up will be mailed pre-performance information and study materials. Call the CBA office (301) 528-6705 or register on-line to make reservations.

#3
"M.A.C.H.E. ’s Homeschool Legislative
Education Day"
- Wednesday, January 23rd -
(9 a.m.)

The Maryland Association of Christian Home Educators (MACHE), Maryland’s state home school association, is hosting a "Legislative Education Day" at the state legislature in Annapolis designed for home schooled students and families.

The purpose of the day is to give home schooled students an opportunity to hear from supportive legislators, watch a presentation on how a bill becomes law, enjoy a guided tour of the State House, observe senate and house sessions and more. This part of the days events is FREE but space is limited so you need to register by calling the CBA office.

Extend your stay in Annapolis by participating in the "Colonial Life Walking Tour" of Old Town Annapolis. Led by costumed guides, the tour includes visits to historical buildings including the U.S Naval Academy, the crypt of John Paul Jones, St. John’s College, and other historical sites of Old Town Annapolis.

MACHE, the state homeschool association, subsidizes ticket costs for member families. All families in CBA are also members of MACHE through CBA (a MACHE member organization). The cost of the walking tour for enrolled CBA families is $4.50 per student (age 5 and older) and $5.50 per adult for CBA families. (Non-MACHE member rates are $9.00 per student and $11.00 for adults).

To sign up call the CBA office (301) 528-6705. A confirmation packet of information and a map will be sent to all who sign up.

#4
Field Trip to National Gallery of Art
- Friday, February 1st -
(meet at 9:45 a.m.)

The National Gallery of Art on the mall downtown is a fascinating place to visit. The school tours are led by trained docents and are set up to introduce museum students to the museum experience.

We have scheduled 2 guided school tours for our students this day. The older group’s tour (geared for students in grades 4 and up) in titled "Every Picture Tells a Story" and explores how artists create visual narratives based on stories from history, literature and their imaginations. In viewing some of the gallery’s best known works of art, students will analyze story element such as character, setting and plot. The other guided tour is geared for students grades K - 3. It is titled "Animals in Art" and is set up like an "Art Safari" encountering and discussing animals that are tame and wild, realistic and fanciful.

The tours are FREE for all enrolled students and parents. To sign up call the CBA office (301) 528-6705 or register on-line. A confirmation packet of information and a map will be sent to all who sign up.

#5
CBA Student Assembly
"George Washington Alive"
- Tuesday, February 12th -
(come at 9:45)

For our student assembly presentation George Washington Alive, Bill Roy delights and inspires with a unique presentation of imaginative storytelling and audience participation.

The assembly will be held at the First Alliance Church and is geared toward elementary students but is presented in a fashion that entertains all ages including the adults in the audience as well.

The cost is $4 per person. Sign up by calling the CBA office (301) 528-6705 or register online. A confirmation letter along with directions will be sent to all who sign up.

#6
Field Trip to
The Maryland Science Center
- Wednesday, February 27th -
(meet at 9:30 a.m.)

This educational museum is located at the Inner Harbor of Baltimore and is filled with wonders for students of all grades. Our self-guided walking tour will include "hands on" exhibits exploring the prehistoric world, electricity, space, sound & motion, and physics.

The field trip to the Science Center is free for enrolled CBA students and families.

We reserved a fairly large number of reservations for the main Science Center, but space will fill up quickly. Families can request reservations for the Discovery Kids Room (for ages pre- K to grade 3) at $1 per student. Kids room space is very limited due to room size.

To sign up, call the CBA office (301) 528-6705 or register on- line. Confirmation and a map will be sent to all who register.

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