Time of the competition:

• The Elementary School Competition registration takes place from 8:00 to 8:30am in Burdick Hall. Only the school’s coordinator, principal, or approved designated teacher can sign for the Registration Packet. After a “welcome” by Dr. Christian, students will go to their assigned rooms in the University Union (adjacent to Burdick Hall) where their preliminary rounds will begin at 9:00am. These rounds should end at approximately 10:30am. We hope to begin the Championship Rounds (returning to Burdick Hall) at 11:00pm and end by 12:30pm.

• The Middle School Competition registration takes place from 1:15 to 1:30pm in Burdick Hall. Only the school’s coordinator or principal can sign for the Registration Packet. Students will go to their assigned rooms in the University Union (adjacent to Burdick Hall) where their preliminary rounds will begin at 2:00pm. These rounds should end at approximately 3:15pm. We hope to begin the Championship Rounds (returning to Burdick Hall) at 3:30pm and end by 4:45 pm.

Preliminary Rounds:

As in previous years, no more than two adults per school, generally the Coordinator and Principal, can enter the rooms where the Preliminary Competitions take place. Parents and family members will not be allowed in the rooms for the Preliminary Competition as is the case in other academic competitions. Parents and family members will have their own program in Burdick Hall while the students are competing. We know parents and family members want to see their children participate and students want to show their family members what they have learned. However, due to limitations imposed upon us (the size of the facilities, the number of teams participating, the room occupancy regulations and fire codes), only the teams of students and the school’s two adults can enter the rooms where preliminary competitions occur.

Specific Information for Black Saga Coordinators

We have implemented several procedures to ensure fairness in the Black Saga State Competition. Failure to follow these will result in your school not being able to compete.

1. Names of students were due on February 22, 2010. Once these names are submitted, no changes will be accepted. Students can not be moved from one team to another.

1. Registration procedures:

1. Your school packet contains the following:

• room assignments for your teams

• name tags for team members

• two blank name tags that may be used by you or distributed to others you deem appropriate to attend the preliminary competition rounds. (Once the preliminary competition starts - if anyone in the audience leaves the room, he or she cannot return.)

• certificates for coordinators and the principal

1. Preliminary Room locations: All rooms are in the University Union

• First Floor: Potomac Lounge, Susquehanna Terrace, Susquehanna I, Susquehanna II, and Patuxent

• Second Floor: Chesapeake I, Chesapeake II

2. Once the first question of the preliminary rounds has been read in the room to which your teams are assigned, no further teams will be allowed to compete. If you are not on time, your team(s) will not be able to enter the room and compete.

3. Medals for participating students will be distributed in assigned rooms at the end of the Preliminary Rounds.

4. All teams must remain in preliminary rooms until the judge dismisses them and announces the teams going on to the Championship Rounds or to a tie-breaker.

5. The ten teams going onto the Championship Rounds must go immediately to Burdick Hall, once dismissed from the preliminary room. There, Black Saga staff will be waiting in the hallway by the stage door entrance to give instructions. Students will be given water, a snack, and a bathroom break before Dr. Christian announces the Top Ten Teams.

6. Everyone is invited to Burdick Hall for the announcement of the Top Ten Teams and the Championship Rounds.

Additional Information

Directions to Towson University and Parking Information are found on blacksaga.org under the tab “Competition Information.”

A campus map is available on Towson University's web page (http://www.towson.edu/main/maps/)

Refreshments: A snack will be provided to participating students in Burdick Hall during the Registration time periods. “Paws”, a restaurant at the lower level of the University Union, will open be open for refreshments (at a fee) for your convenience. Breakfast treats and sandwiches will be available at “Paws.”

Please pass this schedule and information to participating students and their parents. This information is also posted on blacksaga.org. Go to the “Competition Information” tab and then select “Read Immediately.” Thank you.