OACSD Update: On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, the New York State Board of Regents voted unanimously to ban the use of Indigenous mascots, nicknames, and imagery by the state's school districts. This was the official vote on the directive that the New York State Department of Education sent to all districts on November 17, 2022, followed up with more information on December 1, 2022.
During this time, the district has collected significant stakeholder feedback and questions while forming committees to navigate the process and regulations. A joint stakeholder committee met last night to discuss the latest updates and plan how the district will comply with the regulations.
A specific timeline of events will still need to be completed, but here is where we are currently:
The NYS Board of Regents decision made on April 18th will be a permanent rule as of May 3rd.
Districts must commit to replacing their Native American name, logo, and/or imagery by the end of the 2022-23 academic year.
Districts have until the end of the 2024-2025 academic year to remove and replace names, logos, and/or imagery.
As we move forward, two committees will be working simultaneously to achieve the following:
A student group from Owego Free Academy will guide the process to comply with the regulation. The student committee will continue seeking feedback from all stakeholders and present proposals to the Board of Education and the school community soon.
Our community stakeholder committee will focus on how to respectfully remember and honor our district’s history within the regulations and continue to teach the historical significance of our area to current and future OA students.
The latest information and future updates can be found on our website here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/mascot.
Please reach out using Let’s Talk! with any questions here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk.
Meet third-grade teacher Amy Hallenbeck. She tells us what she hopes her students take from her as they continue their education and more. Sher answers 4 Questions on Showcase Classroom:
https://showcaseclassroom.com/4-questions-amy-hallenbeck/ #OAisYOU #OAPride
Although this is her first year on the Owego Softball team, Morgan Francisco has had a lifelong passion for the sport. Morgan tells us what she loves about softball, her favorite memory, and more:
https://showcasesportstv.com/4-questions-morgan-francisco/ #OAPride
The Green Team is an afterschool club that promotes reducing waste and other environmentally friendly habits. One of their big initiatives is getting each class to start recycling. Learn more about the team on Showcase Arts TV:
https://showcaseartstv.com/oes-recycling-green-team/
OACSD Board of Education Meeting Reminder: Tonight, Monday, April 17th, at 6:30 pm in the Apalachin Elementary School Library.
The AES students and staff will be highlighted in various ways before and during the meeting.
The board will review and adopt the final 2023-2024 proposed budget.
Get more BOE information here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/board-of-education
Questions? Please reach out using Let's Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk
The next BOE meeting and building spotlight will take place on Monday, May 8th. This meeting will be held at Owego Free Academy in the Collaboration Space. The Official Budget Public Hearing will take place at 6:00 pm, with the meeting to follow at 6:30 pm and will highlight the students and staff of OFA.
Upcoming Dates:
Budget Vote and Board of Education Election - Tuesday, May 16th, from Noon to 8:00 pm. Two voting locations based on residency are Apalachin Elementary School and Owego Apalachin Middle School.
The May 22nd meeting will be held at Owego Elementary School in the Auditorium at 6:30 pm and will highlight the students and staff at OES.
"I want to finish my senior year with my friends...learn from my new coaches...and maybe coach one day." Jordan Greeno tells us about how she started playing softball, what she loves, and more on Showcase Sports TV:
https://showcasesportstv.com/4-questions-jordan-greeno/ #OAPride
Becky Merges and the Ukulele Club of Owego Elementary practice the song Three Little Birds. Watch the Behind The Scenes video on Showcase Arts TV:
https://showcaseartstv.com/behind-the-scenes-three-little-birds/ @OaBoosters l @OABands #OAPride
It's a beautiful day, and the varsity softball team is on the diamond. Watch them practice and warm up with this drill, Around The Bases. Watch the Behind The Scenes video on Showcase Sports TV:
https://showcasesportstv.com/behind-the-scenes-around-the-bases/ #OAPride
Kori Hopkins is a member of Owego Elementary's Ukulele Club. She tells us what inspired her to join the club and more as she answers 4 Questions on Showcase Arts TV: https://showcaseartstv.com/4-questions-kori-hopkins/ @OaBoosters l @OABands l @OAElemMusic #OAPride
The varsity softball team is beginning its season with energy and determination and with a new head coach at the helm. Watch the Season Preview video on Showcase Sports TV:
https://showcasesportstv.com/ofa-softball-season-preview/ @OFAAthletics1 l @OFA_Sports_BC #OAPride
OA Update: The Owego Football Booster Club is hosting a fundraising event at the Binghamton Black Bears game this Saturday, April 15th, at 7 pm. $5 from each ticket sale will go to benefit Owego Football. To purchase tickets, please call 607-722-7367 and mention you are with the Owego Football group to get a special rate on your tickets. Get more info here: https://5il.co/1s8rv #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition
We are on the field with the Varsity girl's lacrosse team. In this Training Tip video, Grace Doty shows us how to put a shot on the goal. Watch the video on Showcase Sports TV:
https://showcasesportstv.com/girls-lacrosse-training-tip-shot-on-goal/ @OwegoWLax l @OFAAthletics1
Kendall Thompson says that learning the Ukulele is a lot of fun but difficult with her new nails. She tells us what her goal is with the Ukulele and more. Watch this episode of 4 Questions on Showcase Arts TV:
https://showcaseartstv.com/4-questions-kendall-thompson/
OA Update: Owego Free Academy is collecting gently used items to create a Prom Attire Swap-N-Shop at the school. Do you have a prom dress or a suit and tie just hanging around, taking up space in your closet, and you don’t want or need it anymore? Consider donating to the OFA Free Prom Attire Swap-N-Shop. Donations are being accepted now through May 25th. Items can be dropped off at the Welcome Center at OFA/OAMS or the 5th Avenue branch of Tioga State Bank. Please contact OFA directly with any questions by using Let’s Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition
OA REMINDER: There is NO SCHOOL, Friday, April 7th through Sunday, April 16th, for Spring Recess. We will see everyone back in school on Monday, April 17th. Have a wonderful break! #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition
Meet Owen Burdick, an enthusiastic fifth grader who is a member of the school's Ukulele Club. He tells us what made him want to join the club, what he loves about it, and more as he answers 4 Questions on Showcase Arts TV:
https://showcaseartstv.com/4-questions-owen-burdick/
The Class of 2023 After Prom Party Group is excited to host the Post Prom 2023 Golf Tournament! You can gather a team to play, sponsor a hole or donate a raffle basket! Sign up to play today! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13xpu0r5PvaqDAYXiwhXl5NSVfi4vPzJbD09-qGJA4fU/edit
"It's a quick, rapid pace, always on the move kind of sport." Goalie Shannon Maslin
explains what she loves about lacrosse. She also tells us her favorite memory and more in this episode of 4 Questions:
https://showcasesportstv.com/4-questions-shannon-maslin/ @OwegoWLax #OAPride
In its second year at Owego Elementary, the Ukulele Club has grown in size and popularity. Mrs. Merges is happy it has become such a hit with students, and the students love learning chords and songs to play on this unique instrument:
https://showcaseartstv.com/oes-ukulele-club/
Autumn Hankey has spent a large chunk of her life playing lacrosse and has many memories. She also has some exciting plans for the future when she graduates. Learn more on Showcase Sports TV:
https://showcasesportstv.com/4-questions-autumn-hankey/ @OwegoWLax l @OFAAthletics1