Apalachin Elementary

We are excited to share video progress reports provided by Smith Site Development, highlighting recent milestones on our district's Capital Projects.

Take a look at the latest work being done at Owego Free Academy and Apalachin
Elementary School:

Owego Free Academy Multi-Purpose Field Construction:
Progress Report 1: http://www.smithsitedevelopment.com/100826-owego-progress-report
Progress Report 2: http://www.smithsitedevelopment.com/101326-owego-csd-progress-report
Apalachin Elementary School Playground Installation:
Playground Progress Report: https://www.smithsitedevelopment.com/101326-apalachin-elementary-playground-progress-report-final

Thank you to Smith Site Development for their continued work and dedicated efforts toward enhancing our school facilities.

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #ThisIsOA

Teacher Spotlight: Kristin Hodges

“Seeing the kids every day and learning to be creative alongside them, learning from them every single day, is definitely the biggest benefit.” Kristin Hodges shares her passion for teaching and the goals she sets for herself. Learn more about Kristin Hodges in this teacher spotlight on Showcase Classroom TV. https://youtu.be/T2Llpz1HWyY

Catch a River Hawks’ Eye View of the OA Hometown Tailgate 2026! Soaring over Owego Free Academy to capture all the energy, red-and-blue spirit, and community pride from Homecoming. 🎥 https://youtu.be/E7nIOIdoAzE

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #ThisIsOA #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition

🚌 National School Bus Safety Week: Oct 19-23 🛑

This week, we join districts across the country in focusing on the safety of our students. We are incredibly grateful to our community for always helping to keep our students and staff safe on the roads.

Please be aware of a special enforcement day: Operation Safe Stop is on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. NYS Police will be out on the roads, actively following school buses and monitoring high-priority areas. They are ensuring drivers stop for the flashing red lights to protect children as they board and disembark.

Let’s all do our part. Remember: 🔴 Red Lights Flashing = STOP (from either direction). 🟡 Yellow Lights Flashing = SLOW DOWN; a stop is imminent.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep our kids safe!

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #NationalSchoolBusSafetyWeek #OperationSafeStop

Not to be outdone by OAMS and OFA, our OES and AES students and staff brought energy to their Spirit Week Pep Rallies! From loud cheers to big smiles, check out the highlights of our youngest River Hawks bringing the hype for Homecoming 2026! ❤️💙

🎥 Watch the full highlight video here: https://youtu.be/RPhEMZIdd_E

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #ThisIsOA #OACommunity #OAPride

What an amazing turnout for the 2026 Homecoming Parade and Hometown Tailgate! Check out some of the great shots from both events.

📸 Parade: https://photos.app.goo.gl/nVusq6RMYkL3E2ZbA
📸 Tailgate: https://photos.app.goo.gl/czDP6iSZjKYKNHfz5

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #ThisIsOA #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition

OA Update: What’s Happening in Our Community - Check out these great programs, events, and more.

OA Basketball Club - Youth Program Registration - https://aptg.co/lm7VGT

OA Neon Night - Blacklight Painting Event: 10/15/26 - https://aptg.co/pjXsyk

CCC & B - HOCO Attire Exchange: 10/18/26 - https://aptg.co/LV6NVy

TIO - Basic Computer Classes: 10/23/26 - https://aptg.co/MfLKq6

Powell Performance Horses - Trick or Treat: 10/24/26 - https://aptg.co/5XrlLJ

Village Appreciation Night: 10/24/26 - https://aptg.co/BT2KK5

Tioga County - Treats for Pain Collection: 10/31/26 - https://aptg.co/1Z6r92

Human Trafficking Awareness Conference: 11/14/26 - https://aptg.co/lSxzFR

Owego Elks Hoop Shoot 2026: 11/21/26 - https://aptg.co/HkYGkt

Cornell Cooperative Extension - Parent Classes: 11/24/26 - https://aptg.co/KxLQdN

OA Half Day Ski Club - 4th-12th Grade Registration: 12/22/26 - https://aptg.co/-D_tbb

OA Full Day Ski Club - 6th-12th Grade Registration: 12/22/26 - https://aptg.co/hy_6BV

Renewal Ranch - SMART and Recovery Meetings - https://aptg.co/P_mzhQ

Tioga Opportunities - Volunteers Needed - https://aptg.co/Mh3qVR

Tioga Opportunities - Access To Home Program - https://aptg.co/NqclDh

Food Bank Of The Southern Tier - Food Assistance - https://apthttps://aptg.co/NqclDhg.co/GJ2mm_

Food Bank Of The Southern Tier - Food Assistance - https://aptg.co/1zD4KS

Animal Care Sanctuary - Shelter Buddies Reading Program - https://aptg.co/rcYXXX

Find more Community Flyers here: https://www.oacsd.org/documents/community-fliers/237411

If you are involved in an organization that would like to share a flier with the OA school community, please submit it through Let’s Talk! for approval. Select ‘Digital Flier Distribution Submission’ under Communications here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/onflo-lets-talk.

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition

OA REMINDER: The Board of Education will hold an Audit Committee Meeting, followed by a brief Regular Meeting tonight, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 5:30/6:00 p.m., in the Board of Education Room in the OA District Office, 5 Sheldon Guile Boulevard, Owego, NY 13827.

Board meeting agendas are posted on Board Docs at www.oacsd.org. We encourage anyone with questions or comments to use Onflo (formerly Let’s Talk!): https://www.oacsd.org/page/onflo-lets-talk. Your questions and comments will be addressed by the appropriate district personnel or members of the Board of Education.

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition #ThisIsOA

Teacher Spotlight: Lorri Mars

“The kids, the first graders, are little sponges. They just want to learn; they just want to make you happy. It’s amazing.” Lorri Mars shares with us how she made the switch from accounting to teaching in this week’s Teacher Spotlight. Learn more about Lorri and her passion for educating here on Showcase Classroom TV. https://youtu.be/hQHYlel-VAA

OA REMINDER: All buildings will dismiss students 15 minutes early on Thursday, October 8th. There will be NO SCHOOL Friday, October 9th, or Monday, October 12th.

Stay up-to-date with OACSD events:

The single-page calendar for 26-27 is on our website: https://aptg.co/D5Kk8-.

The year-long printed calendar can be viewed or downloaded as a PDF here: https://aptg.co/GdsP5H. (Printed calendars have arrived and will be coming home soon or made available for pick-up at your building.)

Events are subject to change. The most up-to-date event calendar will be on our website and the district app: https://www.oacsd.org/events.

Please contact us directly using Let’s Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/onflo-lets-talk to ask questions about school district events.

Go, RIVER HAWKS!

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition

OA Update: What’s Happening in Our Community - Check out these great programs, events, and more.

OA Basketball Club - Youth Program Registration - https://aptg.co/lm7VGT

OA Hometown Tailgate 2026: 10/10/26 - https://aptg.co/K47Q18

OA Neon Night - Blacklight Painting Event: 10/15/26 - https://aptg.co/pjXsyk

CCC & B - HOCO Attire Exchange: 10/18/26 - https://aptg.co/LV6NVy

TIO - Basic Computer Classes: 10/23/26 - https://aptg.co/MfLKq6

Powell Performance Horses - Trick or Treat: 10/24/26 - https://aptg.co/5XrlLJ

Tioga County - Treats for Pain Collection: 10/31/26 - https://aptg.co/1Z6r92

Cornell Cooperative Extension - Parent Classes: 11/24/26 - https://aptg.co/KxLQdN

OA Half Day Ski Club - 4th-12th Grade Registration: 1/9/27 - https://aptg.co/-D_tbb

Renewal Ranch - SMART and Recovery Meetings - https://aptg.co/P_mzhQ

Tioga Opportunities - Volunteers Needed - https://aptg.co/Mh3qVR

Tioga Opportunities - Access To Home Program - https://aptg.co/NqclDh

Food Bank Of The Southern Tier - Food Assistance - https://aptg.co/GJ2mm_

Food Bank Of The Southern Tier - Food Assistance - https://aptg.co/1zD4KS

Animal Care Sanctuary - Shelter Buddies Reading Program - https://aptg.co/rcYXXX

Find more Community Flyers here: https://www.oacsd.org/documents/community-fliers/237411

If you are involved in an organization that would like to share a flier with the OA school community, please submit it through Let’s Talk! for approval. Select ‘Digital Flier Distribution Submission’ under Communications here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/onflo-lets-talk.

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition

Behind the Scenes: AES Promising Practices Award

“It’s always kids first; whatever they need, we are always working together. Teams meet all the time; we meet with other teachers outside of our grade level to meet the needs of all the students in the building.” Apalachin Elementary School was recently awarded the Promising Practices Award from Solution Tree. Hear from the staff on how excited they were about the recognition and hard work that they and the students accomplished. https://youtu.be/-J1h9q1w8oo

OA REMINDER: The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting tonight, Monday, October 5, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., in the Board of Education Room in the OA District Office, 5 Sheldon Guile Boulevard, Owego, NY 13827.

The meeting will be streamed on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/3TKhJOip0tA.

Board meeting agendas are posted on Board Docs at www.oacsd.org. We encourage anyone with questions or comments to use Onflo (formerly Let’s Talk!): https://www.oacsd.org/page/onflo-lets-talk. Your questions and comments will be addressed by the appropriate district personnel or members of the Board of Education.

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition #ThisIsOA

The Owego Apalachin Central School District will hold Spirit Week and Homecoming festivities from Monday, October 5th, through Saturday, October 10th. There is NO SCHOOL for students on Friday, October 9th, for a Superintendent’s Conference Day.

Each building will celebrate Spirit Week with themed days.

AES Spirit Week Themes: https://aptg.co/6nsfqH

The week is packed with home sporting events leading up to the Homecoming Parade, Hometown Tailgate, and OFA Football game on Saturday, October 10th. The parade begins at 11:00 am, and the Hometown Tailgate Event will take place from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm outside of Owego Free Academy. Get more information here: https://aptg.co/K47Q18.

Go, River Hawks!

Owego Apalachin Athletics is accepting nominations for the Hall of Fame. The deadline for nominations is November 1, 2026.

Nominees must exemplify the high standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and moral character.

The categories of Athlete (OFA Graduate), Coach, and Contributor are included on the nomination form for expediency in understanding the primary areas in which an individual is to be considered for his or her achievements in interscholastic athletics.

General Criteria for nomination can be found here: https://aptg.co/687llX

Click here to nominate someone for the Athletics Hall of Fame: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ7o_u1mMIJj3XNI2ZAz8qfA4rPW8N9cU6h8rSHCyTVoIwPA/viewform

Contact Mr. Hallenbeck in the Athletic Office with any questions at (607) 687-7301 ext. 7061.

#OFARiverHawks #sOArTogether #ThisIsOA #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradtion

The Owego Apalachin Central School District will hold Spirit Week and Homecoming festivities from Monday, October 5th, through Saturday, October 10th. There is NO SCHOOL for students on Friday, October 9th, for a Superintendent’s Conference Day.

Each building will celebrate Spirit Week with themed days.

OES Spirit Week Themes: https://aptg.co/xBK1BP
AES Spirit Week Themes: https://aptg.co/6nsfqH
OAMS Spirit Week Themes: https://aptg.co/dHLys5
OFA Spirit Week Themes: https://aptg.co/RmdfHL

The week is packed with home sporting events leading up to the Homecoming Parade, Hometown Tailgate, and OFA Football game on Saturday, October 10th.

The parade begins at 11:00 am, and each building—OES, AES, OAMS, and OFA—will be represented in the parade along with our school teams, youth teams, homecoming court, and more. The parade route will start at the Village of Owego Police Department on Temple Street and proceed along North Avenue before turning onto George Street, then to Sheldon Guile Boulevard, and end in front of OAMS/OFA.

The Homecoming Hometown Tailgate Event will take place from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm outside of Owego Free Academy. Get more information here: https://aptg.co/K47Q18.

The Homecoming Football game will start at 1:00 pm, with the crowning of the Homecoming Queen at halftime.

HAWKEYE Graphics is selling Homecoming Apparel - https://aptg.co/jnnFjy; pre-order items online at: https://hawkeyegraphics.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200550545, or order in person during the Hometown Tailgate.

View the complete schedule of home sporting events on Aktivate, formerly Schedule Galaxy, here: https://www.schedulegalaxy.com/schools/158.

Contact the athletic office with any questions using Onlfo (formerly Let’s Talk!): https://www.oacsd.org/page/onflo-lets-talk.

Go RIVER HAWKS!

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition

OA Update: What’s Happening in Our Community - Check out these great programs, events, and more.

OA Basketball Club - Youth Program Registration - https://aptg.co/lm7VGT

Cornell Cooperative Extension - Open Farm Day: 10/3/26 - https://aptg.co/9hHMF5

Cornell Cooperative Extension - Parent Classes: 10/6/26 - https://aptg.co/T04TtB

OA Hometown Tailgate 2026 - Vendor Registration: 10/9/26 - https://aptg.co/hmSh0P

OA Hometown Tailgate 2026: 10/10/26 - https://aptg.co/K47Q18

OA Neon Night - Blacklight Painting Event: 10/15/26 - https://aptg.co/pjXsyk

CCC & B - HOCO Attire Exchange: 10/18/26 - https://aptg.co/LV6NVy

TIO - Basic Computer Classes: 10/23/26 - https://aptg.co/MfLKq6

Tioga County - Treats for Pain Collection: 10/31/26 - https://aptg.co/1Z6r92

Cornell Cooperative Extension - Parent Classes: 11/24/26 - https://aptg.co/KxLQdN

OA Half Day Ski Club - 4th-12th Grade Registration: 1/9/27 - https://aptg.co/-D_tbb

Renewal Ranch - SMART and Recovery Meetings - https://aptg.co/P_mzhQ

Tioga Opportunities - Volunteers Needed - https://aptg.co/Mh3qVR

Tioga Opportunities - Access To Home Program - https://aptg.co/NqclDh

Food Bank Of The Southern Tier - Food Assistance - https://aptg.co/GJ2mm_

Food Bank Of The Southern Tier - Food Assistance - https://aptg.co/1zD4KS

Animal Care Sanctuary - Shelter Buddies Reading Program - https://aptg.co/rcYXXX

Find more Community Flyers here: https://www.oacsd.org/documents/community-fliers/237411

If you are involved in an organization that would like to share a flier with the OA school community, please submit it through Let’s Talk! for approval. Select ‘Digital Flier Distribution Submission’ under Communications here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/onflo-lets-talk.

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition

The Owego Free Academy Cross Country program is hosting its 4th Night Invite on Friday, September 25, 2026. The event will feature 40 schools and 1,050 runners from modified to varsity.

RACE TIMES
5:45 Kids Run (1K)
6:05 Mod Boys
6:35 Mod Girls
7:05 JV Boys 5K
7:40 JV Girls 5K
8:20 Var Boys 5K
8:50 Var Girls 5K
9:30 Open 5K ($15.00)

The Community 5K will wrap up the evening’s races at 9:30 PM, and runners may register on-site.

The Owego Night Invite is a one-of-a-kind cross-country experience! Athletes will race under the lights and through the darkness of the Owego Free Academy campus, with music, lights, and plenty of energy throughout the evening.

Race Locations

Starting Line: Behind Owego Apalachin Middle School
Finish Line: The 50-yard line inside Christy J. Valvo Stadium

Parking & Transportation
To help ensure a smooth and safe arrival and departure for all spectators, the following will be available throughout the evening:
On-Site Traffic Staff: District staff and members of the Owego Police Department will be stationed throughout campus to direct vehicles to available parking areas.
Shuttle Service: Bus and golf cart shuttles will run continuously throughout the evening. Shuttles are available for anyone who needs accessibility assistance or would simply like a ride from their parking area to the stadium or starting line area.

Review the Parking and Event Location Map here: https://aptg.co/nX4Jg.v
Review the courses for the races here: https://aptg.co/XZbBKc

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we welcome teams, athletes, families, and spectators to campus for this special evening of racing!

We can't wait to see you under the lights!

Watch the Promo Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSS41usA2vM

🍎 Reminder for OA Families! Join us this week for our Open House & Meet the Teacher Nights across the district. This is a great opportunity to explore classrooms, connect with teachers, and support a fantastic school year!

📅 Schedule (All events run from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM):

• Tuesday, September 22: Apalachin Elementary School

• Wednesday, September 23: Owego Elementary School

• Thursday, September 24: Owego Apalachin Middle School & Owego Free Academy

We can't wait to see our students and families there!

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #ThisIsOA