With a snip of the scissors to a ceremonial ribbon, Colonial Baptist Church commenced the first day at their brand new school.  On the morning of Sept. 3, parents, church officials and school administrators gathered at the building in the 9400 block of Liberty Road in Randallstown to ring the first of many school bells at the site.

     Lisa Smith, former director of children’s ministries, has been named principal for Colonial Academy.

     “We started this because the pastor indicated his desire to have a school here,” Smith said.  “We want to be a place that trains children and equips them to live responsible lives outside of the church.”

     With a few more than 40 children from all over Randallstown, Pikesville and Owings Mills, Smith said the school will start out with kindergarten, first- and second-grade classes and then add a grade each year.

     “We plan to grow with the children as they grow,” she said.

     Future building will take place on land in the back of the church, where Smith said the church plans to eventually build a middle and high school.

     Three full-time teachers and six part-time teachers will lead the children this year in language, arts, math, social studies, science, health, Bible classes and technology classes.

     The school will also offer an extended day program and have children attend chapel once a week.

     Aloha Edwards, a first-grade teacher at the school, said she has wanted to teach in a Christian setting for some time.  Prior, she taught at Hebbville Elementary for five and a half years.

     “I felt like I was being led to take this position,” Edwards said, noting that she was impressed by all the resources the school offers children, from technology to multiculturalism.

     “We’re embarking on a new adventure but we’ll be able to teach a strong curriculum and we’ll be able to talk about God,” she said.

     Parent Dreama Anderson, of Randallstown, said that inclusion of Christian beliefs in the curriculum was exactly what drew her to the school.  Her daughter Danielle is in the second grade at Colonial Baptist.

     “Danielle is definitely excited,” Anderson said.  “It’s the ministry of our church and I wanted to support it.”

Brenda Proper, also a teacher at Colonial Baptist, said she is looking forward to teaching a spiritual and academically challenging curriculum.

     “The families are supportive of the teacher and the school.  It’s a real integration,” said Proper, who was formerly a teacher at Morning Christian School in Hampstead.

     “I want to start to get to know them and the children and to teach them,” she said.  “I can’t wait.”

By Linda Dorsey Walker

Special to the Afro

     With a snip of the scissors, a dream that was four years in the making for a Randallstown church became reality as Colonial Christian Academy opened its doors Sept. 3 after a well-attended ribbon cutting ceremony.  More than 150 students, parents, teachers, community members and elected officials witnessed what was described as a significant moment in the 57-year history of Colonial Baptist Church, the opening of a religious school.

     The hour-long commencement program for Colonial Christian Academy took place appropriately in the church chapel, which will play an important role in the future religious education format of the academy.  Students will attend chapel on the first school day of each week for a half-hour, as well as on other occasions.

     The Rev. Robert Anderson Jr., pastor, began the program with a prayer for the students and their families.  He reminded everyone present that he wants the kids to grow not just academically, but spiritually, and to become disciples in the world.  He then quoted a verse from Luke 2:52: “Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and man.”

     “I am happy so many parents had made sacrifices to send their children to the academy, but I believe God has chosen each of these first students to be here,” said Lisa St. Julien, Colonial Christian Academy principal.

     “I also thank you for lending your children to me.  They are like my own children since I have no children of my own.”

     On hand for the occasion were 40 charter students of the academy entering kindergarten, first grade or second grade, and their relatives.

     Also on hand were several dignitaries, including County Executive C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Del. Adrienne Jones, Del. Bobby Zirkin, State Central Committee member Linda Dorsey Walker and Scott Phillips, a candidate for the House of Delegates.

     Immediately following the ribbon cutting, parents and other guests were served what was called a “boo hoo” continental breakfast, since so many were families parting with their children for the first time.  Like any first day of school, one or two “boo hoos” could be heard emanating from the kindergarten classroom in particular, but these did not last long.  Students were quickly put to work learning the rules of classroom etiquette, where the rest rooms are located, and taken on a tour of the well equipped, full service library, which would be envy of most public schools.

     The Colonial Christian Academy has a full-size gymnasium/activity room, a computer technology room with a computer for each student, a newly refurbished playground, and other classrooms for music and art.  Every effort was made to attract a highly qualified teaching staff, who initially who include Brenda Proper, kindergarten, Aloha Edwards, first, Titian Koonce, first/second, Dorothy Nelson, second, Mary Small, music, Linda Calin, art, Celvin Hux, tech, Sheila Anderson, media, and Anthony Wiggins, physical education.  Before school and after school services are available from 7:00-8:45 a.m. and 3:30-6 p.m.

     It is the plan of the school administration and CCA board, led by Robin Patterson Quarles, to add a new grade each year, up to and including grade 12.  The Colonial Christian Academy is at 9411 Liberty Rd. For more information about CCA, contact Lisa Smith at 410-655-1080.