March - April, 2008

Field Trips
& Events

#1
- Field Trip -
The Flag House & the Star Spangled Banner Museum
- Tuesday, March 11th -
(Meet at 9:45 am.)

The Flag House & Star-Spangled Banner Museum is one of Baltimore's oldest museums. Founded in 1927, the Flag House has been open to the public for 76 years. The museum is dedicated to the story of Mary Young Pickersgill who made the enormous 30 x 42-foot Star-Spangled Banner that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became our National Anthem. Mary Pickersgill's flag still survives and now hangs at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.

Our field trip to The Flag House & Star-Spangled Banner Museum includes a tour the 1793 home of Mary Pickersgill where she sewed the Star-Spangled Banner in the summer of 1813. Our visit also includes the War of 1812 Museum with its interesting displays of military and domestic artifacts and acclaimed video presentation. We will take time to enjoy the award-winning garden, which includes a unique 17 x 28-footstone map of the United States. Because of the size of the museum space strollers are not permitted.

Call the CBA office and register early. (301) 528-6705 to make reservations or register on-line. A confirmation letter will be sent to all who sign up.

#2
CBA Annual Standardized Testing
(The Iowa Test of Basic Skills)
Choice 2 locations
Mar. 31 & Apr. 1
First Alliance Church
- 8:45 to 12:30 -
or April 7 & 8
Cedarbrook Church
- 8:45 to 12:30 -

Standardized testing is optional for CBA students in grades 4-7. However, 8th grade students planning to enroll in the CBA high school program, must have scores from either a 7th or 8th grade standardized test in their student files unless special arrangements have been made with the high school administrator.

Eighth grade students with an updated IEP on file with CBA are not required to test. We also recommend testing for students in either 5th or 6th grade if they have not had standardized testing previously.

See the enclosed flier for more details on the upcoming Iowa standardized testing. Confirmations with information and other details will be sent to all who sign up. To sign up or if you have questions, call the CBA office (301) 528-6705 or you can register on-line at www.cedarbrookacademy.org. Deadline for registration is Mar. 12th.

#3
"Teaching Kids with Special Needs"
- Support Group Meeting -
(March & April Support Group Meeting dates to be decided soon)
(7 to 9 pm)

Special Needs... IEP’s... Assessments... Counseling... Program Development, etc. If these terms are a part of your homeschool experience and/or you have a child with special needs or learning differences this monthly support group meeting may be for you. This unique forum for CBA families allows family members to share, learn, interact and empower themselves as they work through the unique day-to-day challenges.

The meetings are held monthly, usually on Wednesdays, at Somerford House in Frederick, MD. CBA’s Dawn Fletcher, M.Ed, Special Education Consultant, homeschool mom with special needs children herself, facilitates the meeting. There is no cost for the time. For further information or questions you can e-mail Dawn at Fletcher5_1@msn.com (Please note there is an underscore between the 5 and the 1) or contact Dawn at 301-714-0047. The March meeting date will also be posted on the CBA website as soon as it is set.

#4
CBA Choir Concert
- Thursday, April 3rd -
(5:15 pm)

Come over and enjoy the CBA Choir’s year end concert. The performance will be held at the First Alliance Church, 14500 New Hampshire Ave.

#5
Thursday Classes
Orientation Day
- Thursday, April 10th -
(9 to 1 pm.)

The orientation for the 2008-09 Thursday Classes is open to enrolled families with students in grades 6 to 11. If you are considering any of the CBA Thursday Classes for next year you should plan to attend these class orientations. If you have questions call the CBA office (301) 528-6705.Watch for details and additional information coming in the mail.

#6
- Field Trip -
Cooling Springs Farm & The Underground Railroad
- Wednesday, April 16th -
(Meet at 10:15 am.)

Cooling Springs Farm, located just north of the Potomac River in Frederick County is one of only 2 safehouses in the nation still owned by the same family as in Underground Railroad times. The owners operated this safe house for freedom seekers escaping slavery from the 1840's to the end of the civil war.

We will tour the farm as well as have the opportunity to take a self-guided "car tour" of other historic sites in the area. Enrolled families can register by calling the CBA school office (301) 528-6705 or register online. A confirmation letter with directions and details will be sent to all who sign up.

#7
The Maryland State
Home School Curriculum Fair
- Fri. & Sat., April 18 & 19 -
(Friday 4 - 9 pm,
Saturday 9 am - 4 pm.)

This year’s state homeschool curriculum event will be held, as in past years, at the Frederick Co. Fairground in Frederick, MD.
This annual event is hosted by the state homeschool association, The Maryland Association of Christian Home Educators (MACHE). Four large exhibit halls will be filled with dozens of home-based educational suppliers, booths full of books, educational software, unit study programs and other materials. Most all of the major national companies will be represented at the event.
CBA, as a MACHE member organization, qualifies all enrolled families for FREE admission to the fair. Bring your MACHE card or just tell them at the entrance that you are a CBA family and you will be admitted free.
Pre-registration is not necessary so mark your calendar, grab a friend and come on over to the Maryland State Curriculum Fair. A flier will be sent to all CBA families in April with a map and other details.

#8
CBA Band and Orchestra Concert
- Thursday, April 24th -
(5:15 pm)

Come on over and enjoy the CBA Band and Orchestra’s year end concert. Performances will be held at the First Alliance Church, 14500 New Hampshire Ave.

#9
CBA Spring
School Picnic
- Wednesday, April 30th -
(10:00 to 1:00)

The spring picnic is planned for Wednesday, April 30th at Centennial Park off Centennial Lane in Howard County. This will be a wonderful time to run, play and picnic with the friends you have gotten to know at Wednesday (all three sites) & Thursday classes this year.
Be sure to mark your calendar and watch for details coming soon.

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