Welcome Back!
We are excited to start a new school year! Take a minute to read Superintendent Green's Welcome Back Letter here: https://5il.co/23war
Have a great long weekend and we look forward to seeing everyone back on campus next week!
OA Food Service Site Manager Sandy Phillips from @Rock_on_Cafe was interviewed by the New York State United Teachers today. They toured the OES cafeteria and discussed how the Food Service Department plans and prepares for a new school year. #OAPride
OFA Class of 1983 - 40th Reunion - Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 at 7 -10 PM
Gathering at the Parkview on Front St. Owego. Cash bar with light snacks.
$10.00 per person in advance with payment through Venmo @ OFAclass1983 or $20.00 at the door.
Event by: Shelly(Harmon) Rusin
Owego Free Academy Named Jostens 2023 National Yearbook
Program of Excellence
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OFA program is recognized for a dynamic and engaging yearbook.
(Owego) – (August 2023) – Jostens, the leading producer of yearbooks and student-created content, today announced that OFA’s yearbook program has achieved the Jostens 2023 National Yearbook Program of Excellence award at the Silver Level. The National Yearbook Program of Excellence recognizes engaging yearbooks that reflect a broad representation of the student body while helping students develop 21st-century skills such as communication, collaboration, and information and communication technologies (ICT) literacy.
The OFA award-winning yearbook program is led by Abby Boyer (‘23), Ashlee Crawford-Bauer (‘26), Sky Dember (‘23), Emily Dodge (‘23), Luke Jacoby (‘23), Maddie Kinney (‘26), Tatum Kowalski (‘26), Neo Seaman (‘26), Leah Teeter (‘26), LillyMay Wheeland (‘26), and Zoe Zachery (‘23) under the direction of Kathy Starks, OFA yearbook adviser.
Ms. Starks states, “I couldn’t be more proud of this awesome group of young people. Their dedication, their creativity, and their hard work are displayed in this fine book of memories. I look forward to continuing to work with these amazing students.”
Jostens’ National Yearbook Program of Excellence Awards are presented twice a year, in spring and in fall based on the yearbook’s arrival date at the school. The award was presented to the OFA yearbook program for achieving defined criteria in between one and three of the following categories: creating an inclusive yearbook, generating school engagement, and successfully managing the yearbook creation process.
“Jostens is proud to recognize those individuals who have created an exceptional yearbook for their school and community,” said Tammy Whitaker, Jostens VP and COO Yearbook Division. “These schools did an exceptional job on multiple levels, despite the challenges presented by this school year. Yearbooks are a critical part of capturing and telling a school’s story, and Jostens is dedicated to supporting yearbook staff members as they do their important work.”
Founded in 1897, Jostens has produced school yearbooks for over 60 years. Schools rely on Jostens and their local Jostens representatives to provide a combination of journalism education and technology tools to deliver a learning experience that helps students develop 21st-century skills in journalism, photography, writing and design, leadership, and business while creating a permanent record of the school year. Jostens invests in state-of-the-art technology, best-in-class service, educational curriculum, and award-winning print manufacturing platforms to plan, design, build, and produce yearbooks.
About Jostens
Jostens is a trusted partner in the academic and achievement channel, providing products, programs, and services that help its customers celebrate moments that matter. The company's products include yearbooks, publications, jewelry, and consumer goods that serve the K-12 educational, college, and professional sports segments. Founded in 1897 and based in Minneapolis, MN, Jostens is a subsidiary of Platinum Equity and can be found online at www.jostens.com.
#OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition
OFA REMINDER: 9th-Grade Orientation - TONIGHT - Wednesday, August 23rd at 6:30 pm
OFA 9th-Grade Orientation is TONIGHT, Wednesday, August 23rd, starting at 6:30 pm in the OFA/OAMS auditorium. Please enter through the main entrance on the middle school side of the building complex. Get more information, including the agenda for the night here: https://5il.co/21wnt We look forward to seeing everyone. Contact OFA with any questions through Let's Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk
OA Reminder: Back-To-School Transportation Survey - Must Be Completed By ALL Families (Only Once Per Child)
The Transportation Department is asking all families to fill out the following survey to indicate whether or not their child will OR will not need Transportation to begin the new school year.
The survey needs to be completed once for each child in the household. Please complete it if you haven't. After-School Program Transportation should be completed on ArbiterSports/Family ID Online Registration when signing up for one of the after-school programs.
Fill out the Survey here: https://forms.gle/ve7zngj7KL6FGnXK8
Read the original news story about the survey here: https://www.oacsd.org/article/1194778
ICYMI - New for the 2023-2024 School Year:
The Owego Apalachin Transportation Department has launched a new Mobile App & Website for tracking student bussing information. This new app, called Traversa Ride360, is not only a bus tracking app, but it will also serve to inform parents of their students' Pick up and Drop off times & locations, Bus number(s), and Driver Name.
The app and website are live NOW, and we encourage parents to log in and familiarize themselves with the features. Families will no longer receive transportation information via mailed postcards. ALL bussing information will be available for parents to view via Traversa Ride360.
Full instructions on how to create your account and add your students can be found here: https://5il.co/1weuz
*Student ID is the same as their 4 or 5-digit Lunch Number. This can be found in your SchoolTool Parent Portal Account (which will open for the new school year on August 28th.)
The direct URL used for both the website and mobile app is here: https://nyowegoapalachincsd.myridek12.tylerapp.com/
Please contact the Transportation Office via Let’s Talk! with any questions - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk
OA REMINDER: There is a Board of Education Regular Meeting tonight, Monday, August 21, 2023, at 6:00 pm in the BOE room at the District Office, 5 Sheldon Guile Boulevard.
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.
#OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition
OA REMINDER: Important Upcoming Dates And Events
JV & Varsity Fall Sports Start - Monday, August 21st
Read Mr. Hallenbeck’s letter: https://5il.co/205rg
Find specific sports schedules on Aktivate (formerly ScheduleGalaxy): https://www.schedulegalaxy.com/schools/158
Owego Free Academy - 9th-Grade Orientation - Wednesday, August 23rd, from 6:30-8:00pm.
Get more information here: https://5il.co/21wnt
SchoolTool Parent Portal Opens - Monday, August 28th
OAMS & OFA will be available for Student/Parent access.
Get more information on how to access SchoolTool Parent Portal: https://www.oacsd.org/page/parent-resources
Owego Elementary School - Kindergarten Orientation - Tuesday, August 29th from 5-7:00pm
Owego Apalachin Middle School - 6th-Grade Orientation - Tuesday, August 29th, from 6-7:00pm.
Apalachin Elementary School - Kindergarten Orientation - Wednesday, August 30th from 10-11:00am or 4-5:00pm
Owego Elementary School - Pre - K Orientation/Meet & Greet - Tuesday, September 5th, from 1-2:00pm
Apalachin Elementary School - Pre - K Orientation/Meet & Greet - Tuesday, September 5th, from 1-2:00pm
OACSD - First Day of School - Thursday, September 7th
OES & AES begin at 8:00am
OAMS & OFA begin at 9:00am
Modified Fall Sports Start - Thursday, September 7th
Read Mr. Hallenbeck’s letter: https://5il.co/205rg
Registration is Open Now on ArbiterSports/FamilyID here: https://www.familyid.com/organizations/owego-apalachin-central-school-district
The Late Bus from OAMS to AES leaves at 6:15 pm starting on Thursday, September 7th
Apalachin Elementary School - Open House - Tuesday, September 26th, from 6-7:30pm.
Owego Elementary School - Open House - Wednesday, September 27th, from 6-7:30pm.
Owego Apalachin Middle School - Open House - Thursday, September 28th, from 6-7:30pm.
Owego Free Academy - Open House - Thursday, September 28th, from 6-7:30pm.
OACSD Homecoming Spirit Week - Monday, October 9th - Friday, October 13th
Homecoming - Saturday, October 14th, 2023
Parade
Sporting Events
OFA Dance
Stay up-to-date with all building and district events by downloading the OACSD mobile app from your app store.
Contact us with any questions by using Let’s Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk
#OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition
OFA REMINDER: 9th-Grade Orientation - Wednesday, August 23 at 6:30 pm
9th-Grade Families,
This is just a reminder that OFA 9th-Grade Orientation is coming up on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, starting at 6:30 pm in the OFA cafeteria. Get more information, including the agenda for the night here: https://5il.co/21wnt
We look forward to seeing everyone. Please contact OFA with any questions through Let's Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk
The Owego Apalachin Central School District Food Service Program is pleased to announce that all district schools will participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) grant program during the 2023-2024 school year.
Beginning the first day of school (September 7, 2023), EVERY STUDENT ENROLLED IN THE DISTRICT will receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day regardless of the family’s household income.
Students can purchase additional items. Families can add funds to their “EZSchoolPay” account by cash or check in any dollar amount with the Food Service Staff (please make checks payable to Owego Apalachin Central School District) or by using the EZSchoolPay Web site or App. *The website/app does charge a service fee for credit card payments.
As part of the program, families are asked to complete a CEP Household Income Eligibility Form, which can be found online. This is not mandatory, however, completion of this form (https://5il.co/205zg) will help the District maximize the amount of state and federal aid that it receives, thereby maximizing resources available to students. It also could qualify some students for additional services, such as discounted or free college courses and college applications at the high school level.
Menus can be found on our website and OA app under dining and on the RockOn Cafe Food & Nutrition page here: https://www.rockoncafe.org/owego-apalachin_home.aspx
CEP program Information: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/community-eligibility-provision
For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact the Food Service Department at (607) 687-7301 ext. 1041 or by using Let’s Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk.
Building Trades Summer Enrichment student workers have been busy at the Liberty Street house. This week they began the task of reframing the front entrance and mudroom. #OACommunity #OAPride
OA Reminder:
There is a Board of Education meeting on Monday, August 7th, at 6:00 pm in the BOE room at the District Office, 5 Sheldon Guile Boulevard, Owego.
This will now be a 'Regular Meeting,' and Board President Gene Cvik will be attending the August 7th meeting via video conferencing from 687 Wild Cherry Court, Corolla, SC. Videoconferencing will be used for the meeting at both 5 Sheldon Guile Blvd and 687 Wild Cherry Court, Corolla, SC. Public attendance may be at either location.
Meeting information can be found on our website: https://www.oacsd.org/page/board-of-education
Please contact us through Let's Talk! with any questions or comments - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk
#OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition
Congratulations to OFA Varsity Softball Coach Elise Fortier on her selection to the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame!
Read more about her Hall of Fame selection and career at Fordham here: https://fordhamsports.com/news/2023/8/3/softballs-elise-fortier-to-be-inducted-into-athletic-hall-of-fame.aspx
#OAPride #OAisYOU
OA Update: TCC, one of Verizon Wireless's largest retailers, is hosting its 11th annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway. This event is Sunday, July 30th at 1 pm (while supplies last) at their store at 941 State Route 17C Ste 3, Owego.
Each backpack they give away comes with school supplies and any extras donated by local partners to help kids start their school year prepared and enthusiastic.
#OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition
OA Update: FALL Sports Registration Dates -
All Varsity/JV Sports: 7/24/2023 (NOW OPEN)
All Modified Sports: 8/10/2023
Registration for Modified Football and Modified XC
8/1/2023
Register on FamilyID here: https://www.familyid.com/organizations/owego-apalachin-central-school-district
Official Fall 2023 Season Start Dates:
All Varsity/JV Sports: 8/21/2023
Modified Football and XC: 8/28/2023
All Modified Sports: 9/7/2023
Summer August Sports Physicals:
High School August 8th - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Middle School August 22nd, 9:00 AM -12:00 PM
Sign up on FamilyID here: https://www.familyid.com/organizations/owego-apalachin-central-school-district
Please reach out using Let's Talk! with any Athletics Questions: https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk
Happy to have WBNG-TV 'Around The Tiers' stop by the “Leadership GOATs Summer Enrichment Program.” Such a great partnership with CASA Trinity. https://www.wbng.com/2023/07/13/casa-trinity-leadership-goats-summer-enrichment-camp/ #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition
OA UPDATE: The OFA student mascot advisory committee has reviewed potential mascot names submitted by the school community.
Following the first rebranding poll, the committee reviewed the data and information from roughly 1,000 responses. The committee has narrowed down the larger group of potential mascot names to those on the polling form below. This is not a vote that will result in a final winner. This is another opportunity for the entire school community to provide their thoughts on potential names and provide potential logo design thoughts/inspiration. If you have other questions, please contact us through Let's Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk
The Google form poll requires an email to ensure that a real person is answering the questions one time only. Your email will not be viewable by any of the committee members. The Google form will be open through Sunday, August 6, 2023.
Participate in the Poll by clicking here: https://forms.gle/CtCRXbBMKBqzzndf6
OA Update: The Board of Education approved the meeting dates & times for 2023-2024 on Monday, July 10th. See a PDF version here: https://5il.co/1g5nn. All meetings will now be at 6 pm (dates/times subject to change). More BOE Info here: www.oacsd.org/page/board-of-education
OA Update: From our friends at the Tioga County Boys and Girls Club. Two former Owego Free Academy basketball standouts are running two camps for any 7th-12th grader interested in improving their game. Get more details here: https://5il.co/1z8wb Contact the club with questions.
