B.A.S.H. Gifted Education Program
January 2026 Newsletter
Upcoming Events & Meetings
- Jan 16: End of 2nd Quarter & 1st Semester [District Early Dismissal]
- Jan 19: No School, Office Open
- Jan 21 & 22: Midterms & Modified Schedule
- Jan 21: ELA & Science Midterms
- Jan 22: Math & Social Studies Midterms
- Jan 22: Teacher Conferences 4-7pm
- Jan 22: Program of Studies Presentations
- May 8: Last day to make changes to your course selection card.
BASH Tutoring Club
Do you need someone to help review your assignments or help you understand? Tutoring club is designed to support your academic success! Whether you need help with math, science, writing, or any other subject, our club offers a collaborative environment where you can receive assistance from fellow students and volunteer tutors.
Sign up using the link below to enhance your understanding, build confidence, and improve your grades. https://forms.gle/YHs3ws5Ciixu77Xn9
2025-26 Academic World Quest updates!
We are now in our final weeks of the in-house competition to determine our teams for Academic World Quest. The top 4 students will be on Team Grizzly and the next 4 will be on Team Kodiak with two alternates. The first competition will be on Thursday. March 12th at Alvernia University.
What is AWQ? Founded in 2003, Academic World Quest is a team game testing high school students’ knowledge of international affairs. Four-person teams compete by answering questions divided into ten unique and engaging thematic categories. The winner is the team with the most correct answers. Here’s the categories and articles
Girls Who Code
Code, create, connect. Your summer adventure starts here. ✨
Pathways is Girls Who Code’s free, virtual summer program for high school girls and nonbinary students to explore tech, build in-demand skills, and create projects that make a difference—no experience required!
Girls Who Code is excited to offer Pathways this summer from Monday, June 29th, through Friday, August 14th! This seven-week program is a free, flexible online learning opportunity for students who want to learn coding at their own pace.
Participants will be able to explore coursework in five tracks throughout the program: Data Science + AI, Game Design, Web Development, Cybersecurity, and AI + Society.
Beyond coding, students gain real-world insights through virtual Partner Events with leading tech organizations. They can also connect with peers through Girls Who Code’s private Discord community and join optional Student Hours for live support and collaboration.
For students who participated in Pathways during 2025, this summer's program will offer new courses and virtual events, as well as the chance to explore coursework you may have missed previously!
Pathways is open to high school girls and non-binary students of all experience levels, including rising 9th graders, graduating seniors, and returning participants. Check out our eligibility criteria for more information.
BASH Club in Spotlight: FBLA
Future Business Leaders of America is the largest business Career and Technical Student Organization in the world.
Each year, FBLA helps more than 230,000 members in middle school, high school, and college prepare for careers in business.ert blurb here
Our goals are:
- Develop competent, aggressive business leadership
- Strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their work
- Create more interest in and understanding of American business enterprise
- Encourage members in the development of individual projects that contribute to the improvement of home, business, and community
- Develop character, prepare for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism
- Encourage scholarship and promote school loyalty
AP Course Spotlights
AP Music Theory
AP Music Theory is a college-level course that develops students’ understanding of how music works, both on the page and by ear. Students study music notation, scales and keys, intervals, chords, harmonic progressions, voice-leading, musical form, and basic composition, while also strengthening performance-based skills like sight-singing and rhythmic accuracy. A strong emphasis is placed on aural skills, including melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic dictation. The AP Music Theory Exam assesses these areas through multiple-choice and free-response questions, as well as an aural section and sight-singing.
This course is especially well suited for students who excel in analytical, problem-solving classes such as AP Physics and AP Calculus. Prior musical talent is not a prerequisite. Musical concepts and skills are explicitly taught, and students do not need advanced performance abilities to be successful. AP Music Theory rewards curiosity, logical thinking, and a willingness to learn a new symbolic language.
AP Art Studio
AP Studio Art is for any Junior or Senior who is serious about a career in the visual arts. It’s a full year course that culminates in a portfolio submission to the College Board. This course is very intense and designed for dedicated students who are more than willing to put in several hours outside of class. Some of the projects are teacher directed, but most are student driven. Students will select a theme or inquiry and then spend the year creating artwork that explores the theme of their choice. In early May, the class will work together to help each student select and submit 20 artworks and two essays to College Board. These essays and artworks will both demonstrate the mastery of their skills and their thought process over the semester. To apply to be in the class you must have passed at least one introductory level art class and have a recommendation from an art teacher.
College Research & Visitation Tips
To make the most of college visits, research first, then go beyond the official tour by talking to other students, eating in the dining hall, exploring the surrounding town, visiting your potential department, and checking out dorms to get a real feel for campus life and culture, all while taking detailed notes and photos to compare schools later.
Before you go
Research: Look up programs, campus layout, and student life online first.
Make a checklist: Note specific buildings, departments (like your major's), clubs, and questions you want answered.
Plan logistics: Register for tours, schedule meetings with admissions or faculty if possible, and consider visiting during the academic year to see classes in session.
Prepare your gear: Bring a notebook/phone for notes/photos, comfortable shoes, and layers for weather.
During the visit
Go beyond the tour: Roam the campus, visit the library, gym, student center, and dining hall.
Talk to real students: Ask questions to students not on the tour for honest opinions about campus life, professors, and fun activities.
Observe the culture: Watch how students interact and what they do for fun; check out the surrounding community.
Ask tough questions: Inquire about campus safety, mental health support, financial aid, housing, and career services.
Sit in on a class: If possible, attend a class in your prospective major.
After the visit
Review your notes: Go through your photos and notes to compare schools and see what you liked/disliked.
Reflect on fit: Think about the vibe, the community, and if you could see yourself thriving there.
The Gifted Child Society / TGCS© is an educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering the overall well-being of gifted children, from preschool through high school.
TGCS is well-established and unique in its mission for gifted children.
Since its inception in 1957, TGCS has served 70,000+ gifted children – and counting – throughout New Jersey and its surrounding areas.
At TGCS, gifted children are encouraged, celebrated, engaged – the foundations of many successful and satisfying futures are established here.
An enduring love of learning is cultivated at TGCS – gifted children are inspired and provided the means and support to help them reach their full potential.
TGCS ensures continuity, from Early Childhood through teen years – a necessity for healthy growth and advancement during pivotal developmental stages.
Valuable opportunities exist to make friends, socialize, and collaborate with gifted peers who share similar perspectives and interests. Many TGCS friendships continue through college years, into adulthood.
With seven decades of experience, TGCS is celebrated as the longest running nonprofit organization with expertise in gifted and dedicated to gifted child development.
TGCS brings together gifted children from many locations throughout New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and beyond to learn, grow, and flourish.
Suggestions of the Month for Gifted Education
Meet the BASH Gifted Education Team
Mr. B. Burychka (bburychka@boyertownasd.org)
Mrs. M. Gramp (mgramp@boyertownasd.org)
Mr. J. Maurer (jmauer@boyertownasd.org)
Mr. J. Valick (jvalick@boyertownasd.org)
ARCHIVES: Gifted Education Information, News & Tidbits
- Informational Documents
- Books:
- Smart but Scattered Kids by Samuel Floding
- Smart but Scattered Teens by Guare, Dawson, & Guare
- Gifted and Distractible: Understanding, Supporting, and Advocating for Your Twice Exceptional Child by Julie Skolnick
- Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students, 3rd Edition by Christine Fonseca
- Purdue Expert: Understanding Gifted Education
- Websites:
- Pennsylvania’s Chapter 16 Gifted Education Regulations
- PAGE - Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education
- National Association for Gifted Children
- Davidson Institute - Gifted Blog
- The smartest kids should never hear this phrase from adults, according to experts
- Acceleration Institute
- Articles:
- Videos:
- Past BASH Gifted Newsletters
SAT Prep Resources
Will your student be taking the SAT in the near future? There’s lots of free and low-cost resources available. Check out this article for some ideas and resources. Here’s a few of the highlighted resources in the article:
It is recommended that students start early, take official practice tests, focus on their weaknesses, and create a study plan.
2025-26 Counseling Dept Information
- Go to pages 14-16 in the Program of Studies titled “Enrichment Courses” This section covers the gifted program, honors/AP courses, dual enrollment, etc.
- The Counseling Dept. also hosted a Financial Aid Presentation earlier this year. You can view recorded past presentations on the site. The Virtual FAFSA Support information is also listed here.
- Student Aid Guide - This comprehensive guide (which has been updated for 2025-26 school year) provides a complete overview of the financial aid process with information on most of Pennsylvania’s financial aid programs and services.


