Owego Free Academy

Behind the Scenes: Jazz Band “It’s amazing I love music and it’s always been a passion of mine, and having an area that’s so dedicated to music and teaching music is wonderful.” Students at Owego are thrilled to have such an innovative and dynamic music department. See what happens when two teachers team up for some sight reading exercises for the jazz band on Showcase Arts TV. https://youtu.be/cnpShWLApX8

Teacher Spotlight: Lindsey Williams “My favorite part about being a band director is making music and working with young people.” Lindsey Williams has been a music teacher at Owego since 2007. Learn more about her, and why she enjoys teaching so much in her teacher spotlight on Showcase Arts TV. https://youtu.be/7V6NfVe54Pk

Four Questions: Maddie McEvoy “Definitely the environment, I wouldn’t love it this much without all of the people around me.” Maddie McEvoy tells us how she got her start in basketball and what she loves so much about the sport. Learn more about her as she answers four questions on Showcase Sports TV. https://youtu.be/Hvf0a4PU2bQ

Teacher Profile: Tom Westcott “Mr. Westcott is a very positive teacher and you can really tell he loves his job. He loves helping students of all ages learn about career opportunities.” For more than 20 years Tom Westcott has been helping students on their educational journey at Owego. Learn more about Mr. Westcott as the Coordinator of the Career Center in this teacher profile on Showcase Classroom TV. https://youtu.be/g1snIuDNhqM

Good Morning, OA School Community. Due to the inclement weather, OACSD will operate on a Two-Hour Delay schedule today, Friday, January 31, 2025. 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. #OARiverHawks #sOArTogether

OA Update: What’s Happening In Our Community - Check out these great programs, events, and more. Apalachin Library - Pokemon Club: 2/1/25 - https://5il.co/36s0w Owego Little League 2025 Registration - Baseball and Softball - https://5il.co/36o4q Binghamton Umpires - Baseball and Softball Umpire Recruitment - https://5il.co/36pw4 SUNY Broome - Spring Into STEM: 3/6/25 - https://5il.co/36llq Watson College Community Day: Register By 2/7/25 - https://5il.co/36pwd Cornell Cooperative Extension - Parenting Classes: 2/5 - 3/26 - https://5il.co/36ltg Animal Care Sanctuary - Shelter Buddies Reading Program - https://5il.co/2zu34 Join Scouts - Troop 38, Troop 638, Cub Scout Pack 37 and 43 - https://5il.co/2v9y2 Owego Nazarene After School Program - https://5il.co/2u96a Family Enrichment Network Head Start Registration - https://5il.co/2kghn 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

Four Questions: Devan Card “It’s amazing that I’m available to have this opportunity every day.” Devan Card started bowling with his grandfather at a very early age and has grown to really appreciate the sport. Learn more about him and the bowling team as he answers four questions on Showcase Sports TV. https://youtu.be/Wx3ig4S7KWc

Teacher Spotlight: Teresa Deskur “Every time we get to do a concert, that’s always really fun. It’s a nice culminating event for the students to show their hard work.” Middle School Band Director Teresa Deskur, enjoys many aspects of her job, learn more about her and her teaching in this spotlight on Showcase Arts TV. https://youtu.be/2iGJamjuzxE

Athlete Tip Bowling: Evan O'Hara “Make sure my hand position is underneath the ball, really focus on the shot that I’m going to make.” Evan O’Hara demonstrates how to properly get the ball off your hand when bowling. Learn more from his athlete tip here on Showcase Sports TV. https://youtu.be/92kpZ_JR55k

Due to the anticipated inclement weather, OACSD will operate on a Two-Hour Delay schedule today, January 28, 2025.   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.

OA REMINDER: There will be NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, for the Lunar New Year. For more information on the origins and traditions of the Lunar New Year, here are some resources. Lunar New Year: Traditions and Celebrations (Parents.com) Lunar New Year (nationalgeographic.org) Lunar New Year Activities to Celebrate (Parenta.com) Some Upcoming Events: 1/30 - OES 4th-Grade Winter Concert Each school will share specific event information with students and families. Please contact your building with any questions. Or reach out using Let’s Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk Stay up-to-date with OACSD events: The single-page calendar can be found on our website here: https://5il.co/2locy. The year-long printed calendar can be viewed or downloaded as a PDF on our website here: https://5il.co/2wsb8. A printed version of the year-long calendar is available for anyone who would like one. You can ask your child’s teacher or building to send one home with them or pick one up from the main office at each school building. Community members can pick up a printed calendar from the district office. Events are subject to change. The most up-to-date event calendar will be on our website and 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. #OARiverHawks #sOArTogether

Congratulations to Conlan Taylor who signed his National Letter of Intent to play baseball for Binghamton University. This commitment marks a significant achievement in Conlan’s high school baseball career and is a testament to his dedication, talent, and hard work both on and off the field. Conlan intends to study Biology during his time at BU. #OFARiverHawks #sOArTogether

Public Speaking Student Tip: Luke Saunders “I find that taking a deep breath right before you get up there helps with the nerves.” Luke Saunders shares some tips when it comes to what he’s learned from his public speaking class. Learn more here on Showcase Classroom TV. https://youtu.be/RnITFs9_i18

Athlete Tip: Maddie McEvoy “It’s all about your form, you always want to finish high and with your wrist flicked out.” Maddie McEvoy breaks down what goes into warming up and making three-point shots. Learn more from Maddie’s Athlete Tip on Showcase Sports TV. https://youtu.be/CYAqdfAsDDM

Four Questions: Emma Dixon “The sound that comes out when you’re finished, the practice of it, and when you get it perfect that first time.” Emma Dixon plays bass guitar in the jazz band, learn more about her and her musical journey as she answers four questions on Showcase Arts TV. https://youtu.be/P_0Kvs7RQBY

OA REMINDER: The Board of Education will hold a special meeting, on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., in the Board of Education room at the District Office, 5 Sheldon Guile Boulevard, Owego, 13827. There will not be a live stream of the meeting. Board meeting agenda and meetings are posted on Board Docs on our website at www.oacsd.org. We encourage anyone with questions or comments to utilize Let’s Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk. Your questions and comments will be seen and answered by the appropriate district personnel or board of education members. #OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition

Practice Makes Perfect: Justus Crow A student teacher from Ithaca College, Justus Crow, plays one of the pieces he’s been working on. Find out more about how he applies learning notes and rhythms to getting the students at Owego to practice in this Practice Makes Perfect segment on Showcase Arts TV. https://youtu.be/2epqx0Q2fo8

Career Center Behind the Scenes: Sixth-Grade Students Learn About Careers “I was able to find out what a career is, and a career is what you are going to do for the rest of your life.” Sixth graders share what they’ve learned at the Career Center when it comes to spotting the differences between a job and a career. Find out more here on Showcase Classroom TV. https://youtu.be/HdZZZKr9ur4

Four Questions: Sidney Senko “It’s the people, I have lots of friends in the band.” Sidney Senko hopes to one day become a band teacher. Learn more about her and how she took an interest in music as she answers four questions on Showcase Arts TV. https://youtu.be/bJFU4jwNcOs

Season Preview: Bowling Team “It’s very heartwarming, bowling has been a passion of mine for a decade now. So being able to see all these young kids coming and joining it makes me feel really happy.” The Owego Boys and Girls Bowling teams are off to a great start. Learn more about the team and their season in this Preview on Showcase Sports TV. https://youtu.be/-ztE0SHYpPY