
2025 Bassett Foundation Scholars Honored at American Legion Post 401
Outstanding Tioga County students in the graduating Class of 2025 and their families from Candor, Newark Valley, and Owego were honored on Sunday, May 18, at American Legion Post 401 by the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation. 16 Owego Free Academy Students were honored at the 2025 Bassett Foundation Scholars Reception.
Family scholarships recognizing strong community service, academic achievement, and creative leadership in Tioga County were presented, along with a $500
educational award for continued higher education. CHBYF Vice-President Bob Bassett said," It was a record number of scholarships for our Foundation in its 32nd year. Special thanks go out to the parents, teachers, and school counselors, Bassett Foundation Board of Directors, especially Zachary Krassin and Ryan.
Marchewka, American Legion Post 401, its members and servant leaders, and scholarship supporters Scott Smith & Son, Chemung Canal Trust Company, Neighborhood Redemption Center, Owego Pennysaver, the Halliday Family, the Marchewka Family, and the Community Foundation for South Central New York. Thank you, community leaders Ken Patterson, Eudora Shuler, David Geller, Roger Westgate, Tom McEnteer, Dan Halliday, and the entire Woodburn Family."
#OFARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride


OACSD would like to recognize the #OFAClassOf2025! Show your love & support by sharing & liking these posts. This spotlight shines on Kai Klett.
If you’ve missed any of our spotlights, the complete OFA Class of 2025 collection is updated daily here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Seqahd28WLV1T5Te7.
OFA 2025 Seniors can submit their spotlight information here: https://forms.gle/5FBCExnt5fPJn1uC7.
#OFARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #O


Four Questions: Sawyer Prentiss
“My dad taught me really young, when I was like three or four years old, and it’s just stuck with me my whole life.” Sawyer Prentiss loves the contact and brotherhood that comes with the sport of lacrosse. Learn more about Sawyer and his passion for sports as he answers four questions on Showcase Sports TV. https://youtu.be/ePTG8MVBjRs

OACSD would like to recognize the #OFAClassOf2025! Show your love & support by sharing & liking these posts. This spotlight shines on Sonny Petro.
If you’ve missed any of our spotlights, the complete OFA Class of 2025 collection is updated daily here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Seqahd28WLV1T5Te7.
OFA 2025 Seniors can submit their spotlight information here: https://forms.gle/5FBCExnt5fPJn1uC7.
#OFARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition #OwegoFreeAcademy #ClassOf2025 #OwegoNY #ApalachinNY


OA School Community,
The School Budget Vote and Board of Education election will take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from Noon to 8:00 pm.
The 2025-2026 Budget Newsletter is available here: https://5il.co/3fj0e. A printed version was mailed and should have arrived at your home.
New This Year: The BOE changed the Owego polling location at the meeting, moving it from the OAMS lobby to the District Office—Board of Education Room. The Apalachin location will remain the same, in the cafeteria at Apalachin Elementary School.
Your voting location is based on residency. If you have any questions, please contact the District Clerk at (607) 687-6215 or email vote@oacsd.org. Anyone in need of an absentee ballot should also contact the clerk.
View more budget information on our website here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/school-budget-information
Please reach out with any questions by using Let’s Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk.
#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride


Four Questions: Tracy Walsh
“The friends and family that you build throughout doing rodeo.” Tracy Walsh was at the Agricultural Career Fair, teaching students about rodeo and breakaway roping. Learn more about her and her passion for rodeo here on Showcase Classroom TV. https://youtu.be/OexC5GJm_FI

MUSIC REMINDER: The Owego Free Academy Spring Choral Concert is tonight, Monday, May 19th, at 7:30 pm in the OA Auditorium. Come in person or watch the live stream here: https://www.youtube.com/live/rGAmM8dQjwY.
#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride

OACSD would like to recognize the #OFAClassOf2025! Show your love & support by sharing & liking these posts. This spotlight shines on Hunter Woods.
If you’ve missed any of our spotlights, the complete OFA Class of 2025 collection is updated daily here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Seqahd28WLV1T5Te7.
OFA 2025 Seniors can submit their spotlight information here: https://forms.gle/5FBCExnt5fPJn1uC7.
#OFARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition #OwegoFreeAcademy #ClassOf2025 #OwegoNY #ApalachinNY


Owego Free Academy SADD partnered with the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office to bring an interactive training to our 11th and 12th graders. Using TCSO’s simulation technology, students experienced how alcohol impairs coordination and judgment. A powerful reminder of the importance of safe, sober driving. 🚔🚗 #STOPDWI #OFARiverHawks





Practice Makes Perfect: Boys Lacrosse Game Simulation
“The drills that we do without the defense or without the offense can only get you so far, and there are so many things that come up in these that you can’t replicate in a controlled drill.” Head Coach Craig Nevins breaks down the importance of running a game simulation drill. See firsthand how the athletes are practicing in this Practice Makers Perfect segment on Showcase Sports TV. https://youtu.be/It-KmRt-t1c

🚧 Pool Parking Lot Closure Notice 🚧
Dear Owego Apalachin School Community,
Please be advised that beginning Tuesday, May 20th, the parking lot adjacent to the pool will be closed to all public traffic and parking until further notice.
This closure is necessary to accommodate a staging area for the upcoming music wing and pool construction project. We understand this may cause some inconvenience, and appreciate your patience and understanding.
As a reminder, the Owego Apalachin Central School District community pool will be shut down starting May 23rd until further notice as part of this capital improvement project. We anticipate the pool will be ready for Fall sports in August.
Sincerely,
Owego Apalachin Central School District


Owego Free Academy is proud to announce the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2025.
Kaelyn Katchuk has earned the distinction of Valedictorian.
Kaelyn will be attending Boston University for Human Physiology and will be on the Diving Team..
Bella Silvestri is the Salutatorian.
Bella will be attending Marymount University for Nursing (Nurse Anesthetist), and to play Flag Football.
The district is very proud of Kaelyn and Bella’s commitment to excellence in their academic and extracurricular activities. We wish them all the best as they look to continue their education and athletic careers.
#OFARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition #OFAClassOf2025


The Owego Free Academy Baseball Team is playing in the STAC Playoffs.
· Saturday, May 17th (Rain Date - May 18th)
· The Semifinals & Final are at Mirabito (Rumble Ponies) Stadium, Binghamton
· 8 AM Gates Open
· Semifinals
9 AM: Vestal vs Owego (H)
11:30 AM: Oneonta vs Horseheads (H)
2 PM: Championship Game (Home team will be the smaller-enrollment school)
Admission cost is $8.00 for the day, $5.00 for children 12 and under, and senior citizens.
Admission will be CASH ONLY at the gate, NO CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION.
Can’t make it out to Mirabito Stadium? STAC Baseball Championship coverage will be LIVE on Southern Tier Sports this Saturday. Follow Southern Tier Sports on Mixlr here: https://southerntiersports.mixlr.com/.
Please contact the athletic office with any questions using Let’s Talk - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk.
#OFARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition



SUNY Broome Health Studies pathway participants Kassiani Alexopoulos and Mayar Alotaibi have been diligently working all year, starting in August 2024. Their hard work was acknowledged with a Pinning Ceremony for their New York State Medical Assistant certification!
We couldn't be prouder of their accomplishments, how they represented Owego Free Academy, and their continued success as they continue their studies at SUNY Broome Community College.
This program is just one of the unique opportunities we provide our students. Students are registered in their Junior year and attend SUNY Broome in their senior year.
#OFARiverHawks #sOArTogether







Practice Makes Perfect: Girls' Lacrosse
“We do a lot of passing and cutting on our offensive end, that’s how we score a lot of our goals. And working on our defense, being able to stop anyone who’s driving to the goal.” Head Varsity Girls Lacrosse Coach Ashlee Marsh tells us what the girls have been working on in practice and how they’re sharpening the skills of both the offense and the defense. Watch some of the drills they’ve been working on here on Showcase Sports TV. https://youtu.be/KcxSnJF3r64

In the Classroom: Breakaway Roping
“So you have a rope and it’s cut to a certain length. You cut the string, and it ties around your saddle horn. You want to have your loop size about like that.”
Sophomore Tracy Walsh demonstrated breakaway roping at the recent Agricultural Career Fair. Learn some tips and proper techniques from her here on Showcase Classroom TV. https://youtu.be/qARp-dQ16R4

Board of Education - Special Meeting, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 6:15 pm (If Needed).
The Owego Apalachin CSD Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, only in the event that both parties negotiating the OATA contract have not settled contract negotiations. If needed, the meeting will be held at 6:15 pm, immediately following the Official Public Budget Hearing, which is scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm.
The Official Budget Public hearing is on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the BOE Room at the District Office at 6:00 pm. You can watch the Public Budget Hearing livestream here - https://youtube.com/live/H407yAoS6sI?feature=share.
The 2025-2026 Budget Newsletter is available here: https://5il.co/3fj0e. A printed version will be coming in the mail.
The School Budget Vote and Board of Education elections will take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from Noon to 8:00 pm.
As more budget information becomes available and finalized, you will find it on our website here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/school-budget-information
Please reach out with any questions by using Let’s Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk.
#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition


OACSD 2025-2026 Proposed School Budget Update
OA School Community,
The Official Budget Public hearing is on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the BOE Room at the District Office at 6:00 pm. You can watch the Public Budget Hearing livestream here - https://youtube.com/live/H407yAoS6sI?feature=share.
The 2025-2026 Budget Newsletter is available here: https://5il.co/3fj0e. A printed version will be coming in the mail.
At the April 16th Board of Education meeting, the 2025-2026 Proposed School Budget was approved and will go to a vote on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
At the meeting, the BOE also changed the Owego polling location, moving it from the OAMS lobby to the District Office—Board of Education Room. The Apalachin location will remain the same, in the cafeteria at Apalachin Elementary School.
Your voting location is based on residency. If you have any questions, please contact the District Clerk at (607) 687-6215 or email vote@oacsd.org. Anyone in need of an absentee ballot should also contact the clerk.
Proposed Budget At A Glance
Total Revenue Budget = $59,769,964 (3.27%)
Total Expense Budget = $59,769,964 (3.27%)
Total State Aid = $33,283,306 (5.43%)
Property Tax Levy = $18,619,730 (1.99%)
Reserves/Fund Balance = $40,000
You can review the Final Budget Presentation here: https://5il.co/3ejmo.
The School Budget Vote and Board of Education elections will take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from Noon to 8:00 pm.
As more budget information becomes available and finalized, you will find it on our website here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/school-budget-information
Please reach out with any questions by using Let’s Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk.


Kylie Craven: Athlete Tip
“As a defender, the biggest thing for me is keeping my stick and my body in front of the player no matter what.” Kylie Craven breaks down what she does when trying to play defense. Watch her in this week’s Athlete Tip here on Showcase Sports TV. https://youtu.be/Gk0IpAztsHE

OA Update: What’s Happening In Our Community - Check out these great programs, events, and more.
BRCASD Mindfulness And Yoga: 5/10- https://5il.co/3an1w
Tioga County Soil & Water - Stream Cleanup: 5/18 - https://5il.co/3eo4v
Tioga County - I Voted Sticker Contest: https://5il.co/3dbw2
Apalachin Library - Book Workshop For Kids: 5/31 - https://5il.co/3eo1p
NYAPT - Transportation Safety Day: 5/31 - https://5il.co/3fim8
OA Youth Fun Run: 6/2/25 - https://5il.co/3fci0
Owego Apalachin Football Club 2025 Registration: 6/14 - https://5il.co/3acsa
Owego Apalachin Football Club 2025 Registration Reminder: 6/14 - https://5il.co/3fbj0
Southern Tier Community Center - Summer Games: 6/30 - https://5il.co/3f7hv
Waterman Explore Camp 2025: 7/14 - https://5il.co/3aoer
Waterman Owego Rec Camp 2025: 7/30 - https://5il.co/3aoeq
Kids Bowl Free - Summer 2025 - https://5il.co/3eo52
Binghamton Umpires - Baseball and Softball Umpire Recruitment - https://5il.co/36pw4
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






