March - April, 2010

Field Trips
& Events

#1
Field Trip
The Riversdale Mansion
- Monday, March 8th -
(First Tour for 6-year-olds through grade 5, meet at 9:45 a.m.)
(Second Tour for grade 6 and up
meet at 11:15 a.m.)

The Riversdale Mansion is located in Riverdale, MD. The Riversdale Mansion, a National Historic Landmark, is a restored, five-part, stucco-covered brick plantation home built between 1801 and 1807. Construction of this elegant manor house was begun by Henri Stier, a Flemish aristocrat, and was completed by his daughter Rosalie and her husband George Calvert, grandson of the fifth Lord Baltimore. The Federal style mansion has particularly fine interior decorative detail. Numerous nationally significant figures later lived there.

The 10 a.m. tour is designed for students K through 5 and introduces students to the life of an early-nineteenth century child. Moving from room to room students will learn how children of that era played, learned, worked and lived. Children of slaves may have resided at Riversdale as well. Students will have the opportunity to compare their living, working and playing conditions with that of the Calvert children. Students on this tour will learn the game of Pinch, No Smiles and learn a simple child’s dance in the ballroom.

The 11:30 a.m. tour is designed for students in grades 6 and up. This tour highlights the role of family members and servants in the household production of an early 19th century estate and working farm. Under the watchful eye of Rosalie Calvert, the mistress of Riversdale, the servants, both free and enslaved, worked the fields, processed the crops, cooked, cleaned, served meals, took care of the children among other duties. Students will take part in a workshop where they will have the opportunity to role-play the servant’s experiences.

Ticket cost for this field trip is $2 per person. Children under 6 years of age are not permitted in the mansion per park rules. Call the CBA office at (301) 528-6705 to make reservations or register on-line here. Early registration is recommended as space is limited on both tours. A confirmation letter and directions will be sent to all who sign up.

#2
Field Trip To
Blackrock Center for the Arts
"The Cashore Marionettes"
- Friday, March 19th -
(Meet at 9:45 am.)

The Blackrock Center for the Arts is located in Germantown, MD. The internationally acclaimed Cashore Marionettes will perform a series of vignettes from everyday life, set to the music of Vivaldi, Strauss, Beethoven and Copland. The show is geared for students grade 2 through adult. The amazingly realistic marionette characters explore what it is to be human, making for an unforgettable theatrical experience.

Cost for this field trip is $8 per person. Enrolled families can register by calling the CBA school office (301) 528-6705 or register on-line here.

A confirmation letter with directions will be sent to all who sign up.

#3
CBA Annual Standardized Testing
(The Iowa Test of Basic Skills)
Choice of 2 locations
March 29 & 30
First Alliance Church
- 8:45 to 12:30 -
or
April 12 & 13
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. Deadline for registration is March 12th.

#4
 "Teaching Kids with Special Needs"
- Support Group Meeting -
(Date TBD)
(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.

#5
New Student-High School Orientation
- Tuesday, April 6th -
(7:30 pm. at the CBA offices)

Watch for more information and details on this and other upcoming orientation meetings for parents and 8th graders who will be entering the CBA high school program next year.

#6
CBA Choir Concert
- Thursday, April 8th -
(at First Alliance Church)
(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.

#7
Thursday Classes
Orientation Day
- Thursday, April 15th -
(9 to 3:30 pm.)

The orientation for the 2010-11 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.

Note that the Main Stage Production Orientation Meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. on this day rather than over the summer.

If you have questions call the CBA office (301) 528-6705. Watch for details and additional information coming by mail.

#8
The Maryland State
Home School
- Fri. & Sat., April 16 & 17 -
(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.

#9
- Field Trip -
The Herr’s Factory
(Nottingham, PA)
- Tuesday, April 20th -
(Meet at 10:45 am.)

The Herr’s Foods Factory is located in Nottingham, PA. The Herr Foods story began in 1946 when 21-year-old James Stauffer Herr bought a small potato chip company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for $1,750. In 1947, the business moved into a vacated tobacco shed on the Herr family farm. As he learned more about the business, Jim Herr developed new and better cooking processes and a delicious snack food became even better. As demand for Herr's® Potato Chips grew, so did the company. There's no fake machinery or actors - it's the REAL factory, the REAL workers, and the REAL process. The tour is a first hand learning experience that includes visual methods that are sure to impress children and adults alike. You'll never forget the little-known facts, like how a pretzel gets its brown color, or what makes a great chipping potato, and how tortilla chips get their seasoning. The tour is FREE and includes a factory tour and a movie. The building is wheelchair and stroller friendly. To sign up or if you have questions, call the CBA office (301) 528-6705 or you can register on-line here. A confirmation letter and directions will be sent to all who sign up.

#10
CBA Spring School Picnic
- Wednesday, April 28th -
(10:00 to 1:00)

The spring picnic is planned for Wednesday, April 28 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.

#11
CBA Band and Orchestra Concert
- Thursday, April 22nd -
(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.

#12
Used Curriculum Sale
- Tuesday, May 4th -
(12:00 to 3:00 p.m.)

Interested families can call the CBA office to reserve a space. Cost per space is $5.

Upcoming Events & Field Trips

Watch for details on these and other field trips and events
in upcoming newsletters and fliers.

Wait until the monthly newsletter
arrives and then call to sign up for those field trips listed.

#1
Used
Curriculum Sale
- Wednesday, May 6th -
(12:00 to 3:00 p.m.)

#1
"High School
Semi-Formal Banquet"
- Thursday, May 6th -

#2
"Homeschool Day"
at 6 F lags A merica
- Friday, May 14th -

#3
Field Trip to
- Toby’s Youth Theater -
"Goldilocks and The Three Billygoats Gruff"
- Friday, May 14 -

#4
CBA Stage Play
" One Act Festival"
- May 22nd -

#5
CBA Promotion Night Academic Fair / Art Contest
- June 1st -

#6
Senior Graduation Ceremony
- June 7th -

Bits & Pieces

1. CBA Yearbook -
"Expression!", the theme for the 2010 CBA Torch, is on sale now through Feb 28th at $50 and from Mar 1st through March 25th for $60. All orders must be received by March 25th. If you still need an order form call the CBA office.

2. CBA Paperwork -
Just a reminder to families with students in grades K - 8 that the Quarterly Evaluation Forms (pink) are due at the completion of each 9 weeks of school. Record of Instruction Forms are due at the end of each calendar month.

Record of Instruction forms can also be submitted on line through the CBA website.　

33. SAT & ACT Information -
High School students interested in registering for the SAT or the ACT tests should register by going on line at www.collegeboard.com for information or an application. The CBA High School Code is 210407. Give us a call at the CBA office if you have any questions.

4. Work Permits -
CBA has an issuing officer for work permits. Work permits are needed for students ages 14 through 18 who are employed. Permit forms are now available online at:
dllr.state.md.us/labor/empm.shtml
Work permits still need to be validated by the school’s issuing officer. Call the CBA office if you have questions.

5. New Learner’s Permit Form - If you are under 16 years of age and want to get a learner’s permit to drive there is a new form you must have your school sign. Call the CBA office for details.