Owego Apalachin Middle School

Athlete Profile: John Cornwell

“My goal is to be a STAC champion next year; unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do that this year, but I feel like I can work through and push myself to accomplish that.” Learn more about John Cornwell and why he took to the sport of wrestling in this week’s athlete profile on Showcase Sports TV. https://youtu.be/wr-IWQclrTI

Behind the Scenes: Rumble Ponies at Lunch and Learn Event

“It’s amazing, I’ve really enjoyed coming to do the Lunches and Learning. I’ve done a couple others, and I just enjoy hearing and seeing what the people have to say.” Staff from the Rumble Ponies gave some insight into their jobs at OFA’s recent Lunch and Learn event. See what the students took away from the experience here on Showcase Classroom TV. https://youtu.be/hrSjEqDD134

🏀Huge congratulations to Marielle Searles, Jenna McEvoy, Carter Rieg, and Calvin Smith for being selected by the Southern Tier Board 49 Officials to represent Owego Free Academy at the Stars and Stripes Classic!

It’s going to be an action-packed two nights at Johnson City Elementary/Middle School featuring 8 teams and 8 games. We’re also proud to have Coach McEvoy (Girls) and Coach Ward (Boys) leading teams on the sidelines!

📅 THE SCHEDULE
Monday, March 23
5:30 PM: Coach Ward’s Team vs. Coach Judson’s Team (Boys)
5:30 PM: Coach Hayes’s Team vs. Coach Freije’s Team (Girls)

7:00 PM: Coach McEvoy’s Team vs. Coach Schweiger’s Team (Girls)
7:00 PM: Coach Rathmell’s Team vs. Coach Osborne’s Team (Boys)

Tuesday, March 24
5:30 PM: Consolation Games
7:00 PM: Championship Games

This tournament highlights the top talent in our area, and more than 50 NCAA coaches have been invited to attend!

🔗 Full Rosters & Details: stacshowcase.com/o/stac/article/2774916.

#OFARiverHawks #sOArTogether #ThisIsOA #OACommunity #OAPride #StarsAndStripesClassic

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

OA Lacrosse Club - UPK-6th Grade Registration: 3/28/26 - https://aptg.co/L8qtVr

Apalachin Library - Barbie Tea Party: 3/28/26 - https://aptg.co/HJ5-DJ

Cornell Cooperative Extension - Parent Classes: 3/31/26 - https://aptg.co/vXm3Jg

Renewal Ranch - Food Giveaway: 4/4/26 - https://aptg.co/8FrqsF

Apalachin Library - Pokemon Club: 4/4/26 - https://aptg.co/y06Dtt

OFA Key and Interact Club’s - Family Movie Night: 4/17/26 - https://aptg.co/cfJT3m

Apalachin Library - Comic Book Workshop: 4/25/26 - https://aptg.co/yXK-q0

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

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

Cub Scout Pack 37 - 2025-2026 Events - https://aptg.co/nTd_FR

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

WIC Income Guidelines 25-26: 6/30/26 - https://aptg.co/phv7kz

OES Green Team Donations 25-26 - https://aptg.co/zxt2C8

Find more Community Fliers 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/lets-talk.

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition

The Owego Apalachin Central School District is accepting applications for the Boys' Varsity Basketball Head Coach position. Join Our Team - Apply Today: https://www.applitrack.com/oacsd/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1.

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride

Four Questions: Neal Cox

“Any movies that had cars, I grew up watching Fast and the Furious, Car 1 through any of them, transformers, anything with cars I loved watching, and I’ve always had love for cars. I plan to go out into the automotive field and have my own shop.” Neal Cox shares with us his love for automobiles and his plans for the future. Learn more about Neal and the Winners Circle Project as he answers four questions on Showcase Classroom TV. https://youtu.be/FTb7A2uyNio

We are thrilled to share that Erik Tofte (OFA Class of 2015) will be returning to the Southern Tier as a featured professional baritone with the Binghamton Philharmonic in the upcoming performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9: Ode to Joy.

Don't miss this chance to see a local alum performing one of the most powerful masterpieces in music history on the big stage.

🎤 "Coming Home to Joy"
Want to hear about Erik's journey from OFA to the professional stage? Check out this fantastic interview where he discusses his return to the area for this performance:
https://binghamtonphilharmonic.org/news/blog/7722258/coming-home-to-joy-an-interview-with-baritone-erik-tofte?fbclid=IwZnRzaAQVwuhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe7C5qTYmKH5rJ1z6YIF11cQZcVzynyhXuwVKTdOFgdmwA6nOA-XxAoab6e2M_aem_6ByxQFc4S6ylx3JoMOrXYw

📅 Event Details
What: Ode to Joy (Beethoven’s 9th Symphony)

When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 7:30 PM

Where: Broome County Forum Theatre, Binghamton, NY

Featuring
Professional Soloist: Erik Tofte, Baritone (OFA Alum!)

🎟️ Ticket Info
Kids 17 & under are FREE thanks to M&T Bank!

Call the Box Office at 607-723-3931 to claim free youth tickets or contact Mrs. Burrell at OFA directly through email at burrellm@oacsd.org.

Get more information here: https://binghamtonphilharmonic.org/m-t-bank-2025-2026-symphonic-series

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #ThisIsOA

Good Morning, OA School Community. Due to the inclement weather, OACSD will now be CLOSED today, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Thank you.

Good Morning, OA School Community. Due to the inclement weather, OACSD will operate on a Two-Hour Delay schedule today, Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Please note that there is no SOAR period to start the day at OAMS and OFA on a two-hour delay. Students report directly to their first-period class.

Review the OAMS and OFA Delay Bell Schedule here: https://5il.co/13zvy.

Thank you.

Practice Makes Perfect: Takedowns

“To us, takedowns, which is the neutral position, is the most important part in wrestling; it’s where you win championships on your feet.” Watch the boys wrestling team work on their takedowns in this segment of Practice Makes Perfect on Showcase Sports TV. https://youtu.be/dV3Flhbxzww

Musician Tip with Destynii Harding

Learn from Destynii Harding in this week’s musician tip video on the importance of practicing and carving out time during a busy school week to play your instrument. Learn more from Destynii here on Showcase Arts TV. https://youtu.be/_ZEzg3jRF2A

Four Questions: Vitaliy Sirotkin

“I started in seventh grade. I had a pretty good year, my first year, I’m going to keep working hard. It’s a lot of fun.” Sophomore on the Boys Wrestling team, Vitaliy Sirotkin, shares with us why he loves the sport of wrestling so much. Learn more about Vitaliy as he answers four questions on Showcase Sports TV. https://youtu.be/6iu5Qfxirtc

OA REMINDER: There will be NO SCHOOL on Thursday, March 12th (Superintendent’s Conference Day) and Friday, March 13th.

Some Upcoming Events:
3/17 - St. Patrick’s Day
3/20 - OAMS Winter Dance
3/23 - Modified Spring Sports Start
3/24 - District Choral Festival
3/31 - Board of Education Meeting - 2nd Review Of School Budget
4/3-4/10 - NO School - Spring Recess

Stay up-to-date with OACSD events:

The single-page calendar is on our website: https://5il.co/38q0c.

The year-long printed calendar can be viewed or downloaded as a PDF here: https://aptg.co/GdsP5H.

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/lets-talk to ask questions about school district events.

Go RIVER HAWKS!

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition

Four Questions: Ryan Denton

“I like working on cars. I’m working on two demolition derby cars now for myself for this summer. I just like working on cars. I find it interesting, and it gives me something to do in my free time.” Ryan Denton shares how he became interested in the Winners Circle Project. Learn more about Ryan as he answers four questions on Showcase Classroom TV. https://youtu.be/oS3hTDA9pfM

Behind the Scenes: Jazz Two

“It’s great to be in an environment like that where everybody is interested in the same things as you, and goals to progress as a musician, so it’s a very great environment to be in.” Owego Free Academy is lucky enough to have not one but two jazz bands. Hear from the students on how the ensemble is going and how they came to love music so much here on Showcase Arts TV. https://youtu.be/ii9JL7N9Msw

OACSD 2026-2027 Proposed School Budget Update

Dear OA School Community,
As we enter the 2026-2027 budget season, we want to provide opportunities for the entire school community to stay informed, not only on the school budget, but also on the significant change in our district’s tax base as the Stagecoach Pipeline & Storage Company LLC (formerly CNYOG) Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) agreement has expired.

Tonight, Monday, March 9, 2026, the Board of Education will hold a workshop after the regularly scheduled BOE meeting at 6 pm, for the Initial Review of the 2026-2027 Proposed School Budget. This meeting is open to the public to view in-person, or on the live stream, on our YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Rg2lflTn_Z8.
The next BOE meeting will be on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 6:00 pm.

Upcoming Budget Calendar & Deadlines
We invite you to join us for our upcoming workshops and meetings to learn more about the budget process:
March 9: BOE Meeting & Initial Budget Review Workshop - OA District Office
March 31: BOE Meeting & Second Budget Review - OA District Office
March 31: BOCES Prospective Board Member Session - More Info: https://aptg.co/ql8r30
April 20: BOE Meeting & Final Budget Review - OA District Office
April 30: School Budget Information Session - Apalachin Elementary
May 11: School Budget Public Hearing - OA District Office

Voting Information
Budget Vote & BOE Election: May 19, 2026 (Noon – 8:00 PM)
Locations: Apalachin Elementary or OACSD District Office (based on residency).
Eligibility: Must be 18+, a U.S. citizen, and a resident for at least 30 days. Valid photo ID is required.
Absentee Ballots: Contact the District Clerk at (607) 687-6215 or email vote@oacsd.org. Ballots must be received by 5:00 PM on May 19.

For more details, please visit our Budget Information Page - https://www.oacsd.org/page/school-budget-information or reach out via Let’s Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk.

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether

River Hawks Athletics Reminder:

Arbiter Sports/Family ID Registration IS OPEN for:
All Modified, JV, and Varsity Spring Sports

*Registration dates are based on the start date for each level/sport. Health updates cannot be submitted more than 30 days before the first practice. This is why there are different registration open dates for different sports/levels.

Use the following link to register: https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/owego-apalachin-central-school-district.

Official Fall Season Start Dates:
Varsity and JV Sports: 3/9/26
All Modified Sports: 3/23/26

Spring Sports Parent Letter: https://aptg.co/Mp8JxL

Additional River Hawks Athletics Information can be found on our website here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/riverhawksathletic.s

Please contact the Athletic Department directly with any questions.
Phone: (607) 687-7301 ext. 7061
Let's Talk! - Contact Athletics - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk

#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether