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October 2026 BASA Newsletter

Posted Date: 10/28/26 (04:19 PM)

Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy Newsletter
 

October 2026 Newsletter

October has been a busy and exciting month at BASA! From service projects that make a difference in our community and the excitement of Homecoming to CTAE pathway partnerships and the CTSO Rally, our Blazers continue to shine through leadership, learning, and school spirit. We’re proud of the many ways our students are growing, getting involved, and preparing for their futures!

Are you taking an AP class this semester?

It’s time to register for your AP Exams! 
The $40 partial payment/deposit deadline is Friday, November 6th. Please sign up by visiting https://user.totalregistration.net/AP/110357.

Adventure Bags Service Project

Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy was proud to partner with Adventure Bags to collect donations for their female hygiene bags. Senior Sydney  Revis is a lead student volunteer for the organization, and she lead the expedition teaching her peers about the need and message of Adventure Bags. 

Student organizations leading the effort included National Honor Society, Student Council, HOSA, and HoPe. 

Study Skills and Operation Christmas Child

Study Skills students are supporting Operation Christmas Child this season! We would love if the BASA Community participated as well! Please donate empty shoe boxes and the below items to Dr. McCain's room in BASA 1, Room 3.259. All items are due by November 10th!

Thank you for helping us spread joy!
An informational graphic categorizing items for care packages, including personal care, school supplies, games, and toys, with sample items pictured.

What a Wonderful World

The BASA Jazz Choir and BASA Visual Arts departments are joining forces to bring you an exciting evening filled with beautiful music and inspiring artwork!

We invite you to join us for this special celebration of creativity, talent, and the arts.
A blue poster for "What A Wonderful World" presented by BASA Chorus & Visual Arts on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

BASA Presents: Night on the Quad!

Join us for a magical evening at our Winter Market & Fine Arts Festival on 
November 19, 2026, from 6–9 PM!

Enjoy a festive night filled with:

  • More than 15 arts and crafts vendors
  • Live performances
  • Food and fair
  • Free activities for kids

VIP Early-Bird Shopping begins at 5:30 PM! VIP guests receive early entrance to vendor shops and VIP parking.

📍 Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy
1007 Austin Road, Winder, GA

🎟️ Early & VIP tickets are available now! Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit https://cur8.com/25097/project/142397 to purchase tickets.

Bring your family and friends and celebrate the season with us at BASA!
A hand-painted poster for Night on the Quad featuring a winter market, fine arts festival, and event details.

Marketing and 53 Flower Farm Partnership

What happens when marketing education meets agricultural entrepreneurship? An exciting collaboration that brings classroom learning to life!

Mrs. Peterson’s four Marketing Principles classes at BASA are partnering with Mrs. LaVelle Thomas, Barrow County Young Farmer Teacher, to help develop the marketing and branding for 53 Flower Farm, an upcoming agribusiness planned as a u-pick flower farm .
Through this collaboration, students have been working to develop the farm’s name, logo, and brand kit. Their work doesn’t stop there! Students will also create promotional materials to help introduce the farm to the community and build excitement for this new agricultural venture.

This project gives students a unique opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to a real-world business. From developing a brand identity to creating marketing materials, students are gaining valuable experience in creativity, communication, branding, and agricultural entrepreneurship.

The partnership also demonstrates the power of collaboration between Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education, creating meaningful opportunities for students to contribute to a developing local school-based agribusiness.
A teacher stands smiling in front of a presentation screen listing flowers like sunflower and snapdragons in a classroom.

Python and Unity

Introduction to Software Technology students have been busy learning to program in Python while our Game Design students have written their Game Design Document and created a storyboard of their game. They did a gallery walk where they asked questions and gave feedback on each other's design. 

The Game Design students are also beginning to prep for their Unity Certification exam that's coming up in about a month.
Students work together in a classroom, with some standing near a wall of notes and others seated at computers coding.
A promotional flyer for a student technology competition programming challenge on November 13, 2026, at BASA.

Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) Participate in Fall Rallies at Perry National Fair to Kick Off School Yea

Students in our Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) traveled to Perry, Georgia, for Fall Rallies, where they developed leadership skills, connected with peers from across the state, and participated in competitive events. Agriculture students also showcased their knowledge, skills, and hard work through competitions held in conjunction with the Georgia National Fair. These experiences built chapter pride and inspired students to continue growing as leaders in their schools and communities.

Notable achievements include:

HOSA: Hailey Santillan got third place in the Digital Recruitment Brochure competition.

TSA placed in the following categories:

  •  9th place Bioengineering
  •  6th manufacturing prototype 
  •  3rd robotics 
  •  3rd CAD architecture
  •  1st structural engineering 
A collage of photos shows students participating in the CTSO Fall Rally, featuring exhibits, projects, and group activities.

World Geography Sketch Notebooks

In World Geography, students just submitted their Sketch Notebooks! 

These Sketch-Notebooks were a way for students to think about organizing their notes/content/in-class activities for our most recent unit, Political Geography, across the month of October.

Students were encouraged to create visuals or organize their information across the unit in a meaningful, creative way. We are building up our skills in 9th grade.

The results speak for themselves!
A hand-drawn Earth sketch and a colorful study page on political geography topics like boundaries and devolution.

EOC Testing

Georgia Milestone End-Of-Course assessments for Algebra, Literature and Composition 2, Biology, and US History are scheduled for Monday, December 7 - Friday, December 18. End of Course assessments count 10% of the student's final grade in the course. Please reach out to the BASA Testing Coordinator, Dr. Heather Hawk (heather.hawk@barrow.k12.ga.us) with any questions. 

The Georgia Milestones End-of-Course (EOC) assessment is a state-required assessment given at the end of designated high school courses to measure student mastery of Georgia’s content standards; currently, EOCs are administered in Literature & Composition II, Algebra: Concepts & Connections, Biology, and U.S. History, and the EOC serves as the final exam for the course (10% of the course grade).

Principal's Message from Mr. T

October has been an exciting and memorable month on the BASA campus, filled with achievements, celebrations, and opportunities that showcased the talent and dedication of our Blazer students and staff. 

Our Drama Department represented BASA with excellence as they hosted the GHSA Regional One-Act Competition. Through their talent, creativity, and commitment, our thespians delivered an outstanding performance that left a lasting impression on judges and guests alike. We also proudly celebrated our Blazer Volleyball Team as they traveled to compete in the State Playoffs. Their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence have made our school community proud. 

Another exciting milestone this month was the first-ever home Flag Football games on our campus yesterday.  These athletes and coaches have worked extremely hard and started a great tradition winning both games. What began as a student’s idea has grown into a thriving athletic opportunity through the collaboration of students, staff, SGT, and district support. Seeing this vision become reality is a testament to what can be accomplished when our school community works together. 

Homecoming was another highlight of the month. From the spirited pep rally to the unforgettable dance, our students and staff came together to celebrate what it means to be a Blazer. The energy, school pride, and sense of community were truly inspiring. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Homecoming Committee and staff members whose hard work made these events possible. 

As October comes to a close, we are excited to observe Red Ribbon Week. Through the leadership of our BASA Ambassadors and Counseling Department, students are encouraged to demonstrate Blazer Pride, make healthy choices, and “Light the Way” by remaining drug-free. 

Thank you for your continued support of BASA and our students. Go Blazers! 

Partners in Education