B.A.S.H. Gifted Education Program

May 2025 Newsletter

• April 29 - May 1 - Senior Class Trip to Disney Registration
• Fri. May 2 - No School (Professional Development for Teachers)
• Fri. May 2 - Deadline for Debate & Leadership Institute application.
• Mon. May 5 - AP Testing begins
• Fri. May 9 - Last day for students to change their selections as all Course selections are FINAL and no changes will be made after this date.
• Mon-Tues May 12 & 13 - ELA Keystone
• Tues May 13 - PAGE Webinar (for Teachers): Don’t Bore Me! Practical Strategies to Engage All Students
• Weds-Thurs May 14 & 15 - Biology Keystone
• Fri-Mon May 16 & 19 - Algebra Keystone
• Fri. May 16 - Senior Class Photo (Caps & Gowns & Graduation Tickets distributed)
• Fri. May 23 - Junior Job Shadow Due
• Sun. June 1 - Senior Baccalaureate Services
• Weds. June 4 - Mandatory Graduation Practice at BASH (NAUD 8:00-11:00 am)
• Thurs. June 5 - Graduate Walk at Elementary & Middle Schools
• Fri. June 6 (6:00pm) - Graduation Ceremony @ Santander Arena

• Summer 2025

• July - Summer Camp at The Grayson School (for K-5 students)

• July 21-25 - Debate & Leadership Institute @ Valley Forge

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:

• BlueBook Exams App

• Khan Academy

• College Board Question Bank

It is recommended that students start early, take official practice tests, focus on their weaknesses, and create a study plan.

This course is actually a hybrid course consisting of two AP courses: AP U.S. Government and AP Comparative Government. The US Government course covers the basic structure and organization of the US government as well as individual rights, campaigns, elections, the role of the media, and public policy. The Comparative Government course compares the United States to six other governments and government systems around the globe. Knowledge gained in this course will help students develop an understanding of contemporary institutions in present day society and an understanding of domestic and international politics. Students in the course will be able to take both AP Exams offered by College Board in May of each year.

AP Human Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Human Geography incorporates the concepts and methods associated with several disciplines within the social sciences, including economics, geography, history, and sociology. Students will learn to see geography as a discipline relevant to the world in which they live, as a source of ideas for identifying, clarifying, and solving problems, and as a key component in building global citizenship and environmental stewardship.

The Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to helping gifted learners, parents and educators. An affiliate of National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), since 1951, PAGE has assisted countless parents, teachers and administrators in helping Pennsylvania’s gifted learners reach their full potential. We do this through our free Helpline, our network of local affiliates, annual conferences, and effective advocacy. Working with state legislators and members of the state Department of Education, PAGE fostered the passage of Pennsylvania’s Chapter 16, Special Education for the Gifted, one of the strongest for gifted education in the nation.

• Podcasts

• Welcome to Turning the PAGE Podcast! Join us as we delve into a vibrant mix of topics, from academic achievements to the social, emotional, and psychological needs of gifted and talented students. Tune in to engaging discussions, spirited debates, and insightful explorations into the world of gifted learners, all brought to you by the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education. Stay tuned for an exciting journey into the life of the gifted!

• Webinars

• Must be a member of PAGE to access pre-recorded webinars.

• Facebook

• Blogs

• Older posts, but you may still find them interesting and informative.

Sign up for the PAGE Newsletter

• Program Date: July 21-25, 2025 @ Valley Forge

• Application deadline: May 2, 2025.

• Hosted and presented in partnership with Founding Forward and The Bill of Rights Institute, The Debate & Leadership Institute held in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania is a unique, 5-day, overnight debate program where rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students from across the nation gather to strengthen their debate skills and deepen their civic knowledge.
  With expert-led discussions, real-world debate training, and a competitive tournament, this experience will shape the next generation of engaged citizens.
  The majority of the program is held on Founding Forward’s private 75-acre campus in Valley Forge. Acceptance notifications will be sent out starting the week of March 31, 2025, and will continue on a rolling basis.

• https://foundingforward.org/students/debateandleadershipinstitute/?authuser=0

• Program Dates: (3 sessions) July 7-11 / July 14-18 / July 21-25, 2025 (9:00am - 3:00pm)

• Location: The Grayson School, 35 N. Malin Road, Broomall, PA 19008

• We welcome rising Kindergarten through 5th grade students to join us during four very exciting weeks of summer enrichment in July. Camps run daily from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM at The Grayson School. All courses are $600 per week.

• Kindergarten through grade 2 courses include: Lego Brick Builders (wk of 7/7), Game Design (wk of 7/14), Weird Nature Science (wk of 7/21), and Junior Bakers (wk of 7/28)

• Grades 3-5 courses include: Game Design (wk of 7/7), Coding (wk of 7/14), Graphic Design (wk of 7/21), and Fashion Forward: Digital Design Lab (wk of 7/28)

• https://www.giftedpage.org/event/summer-camp-at-the-grayson-school-2/

• 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.
• May 9th is the last day for students to change their selections as all Course selections are FINAL and no changes will be made after this date.

• 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.

National Association for Gifted Children Their mission is to empower all who support children with advanced ability in accessing equitable opportunities that develop their gifts and talents. They do this through advocacy, outreach, education, and research.

Australian Government video on the topic of “Recognizing gifted and talented students”.
I thought it might be interesting to see another country’s perspectives on gifted education.

• Mr. B. Burychka (bburychka@boyertownasd.org)

• Mrs. M. Gramp (mgramp@boyertownasd.org)

• Mr. J. Mauer (jmauer@boyertownasd.org)

• Mr. J. Valick (jvalick@boyertownasd.org)

• Informational Documents
• 12 Traits of Giftedness
• Books:
• Gifted and Distractible: Understanding, Supporting, and Advocating for Your Twice Exceptional Child by Julie Skolnick
• Websites:
• PA Department of Education
• Pennsylvania’s Chapter 16 Gifted Education Regulations
• PAGE - Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education
• NAGC - National Association for Gifted Children
• Videos:
• Australian Government video on the topic of “Recognizing gifted and talented students”.
• Past BASH Gifted Newsletters
• April 2025 Newsletter
• Check back here each month as more will be added, including important links from past newsletters.