The Owego Apalachin School District is working to define a shared vision for what it means for every student to graduate River Hawk Ready. The Portrait of a Graduate reflects the knowledge, skills, and dispositions we believe students should develop during their time in our schools so they can thrive in college, careers, and civic life.
This draft portrait builds on the thought exchange completed last spring, where students, staff, families, and community members shared their perspectives on the most important skills for the future. The emerging framework organizes these priorities into three core areas: Cognitive Skills, Interpersonal Skills, and Life & Career Readiness.
Cognitive Skills emphasize how students think and solve problems. We want River Hawk graduates to demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, enabling them to analyze information, develop innovative ideas, and approach challenges with curiosity and persistence.
Interpersonal Skills focus on how students work and interact with others. Graduates should be effective communicators who can share ideas clearly, collaborate with diverse teams, and demonstrate emotional intelligence in both personal and professional settings.
Life & Career Readiness reflects the practical knowledge and habits students need to successfully navigate adulthood. This includes life and career skills, civic awareness and independence, financial literacy, and media literacy so students can make informed decisions, engage responsibly in their communities, and manage their futures with confidence.
Together, these competencies support the OA Portrait of a Graduate, which envisions every River Hawk as a:
Critical Thinker who solves problems
Effective Communicator who shares ideas
Collaborative Teammate who works with others
Responsible Citizen who leads with integrity
Life & Career Ready Graduate who owns their future
This portrait is intended to guide curriculum, instruction, and student experiences across the district as we continue preparing every student for their future.
This remains a draft, and we welcome continued input from our community.
As you review the Portrait of a Graduate, please consider the following questions and give us answers in the attached ThoughtExchange Survey:
Does this reflect the skills and qualities we want every future River Hawk to develop?
Are there important competencies missing?
Does the framework clearly communicate our expectations for graduates?
Your feedback will help ensure that our final Portrait of a Graduate represents the collective vision of our entire Owego Apalachin community.
This survey is open now through April 10th, 2026.
Participate Now: https://tejoin.com/scroll/366536030
Click here for a PDF version of the letter: https://aptg.co/XRjDkZ
#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether
#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OAisYOU #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition
“It seemed like a fun opportunity, so I decided, why not do it, and I’ve had a lot of fun with it, so I’m very grateful.” The Owego Free Academy River Hawks just recently won the FCCB Scholarship Challenge Champions. Find out more about Jaelyn Chrysler, one of the members of the winning team, as she answers four questions on Showcase Classroom TV. https://youtu.be/q4lqWG0G8Ec
A huge thank you to Owego Rotary Cub for coming in and touring our school. It was wonderful to have you visit, and check out all of our programs. Shout out to Mr. K, Stella, and Jaelyn for conducting a wonderful tour!
#OACareerCenter #OARiverHawks #oacsd #SOAR #hawkpride #SchoolCommunityOne
#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #OATradition
A huge thank you to The Phoenix Barber Lounge for hosting Shamus for an exceptional career shadow experience!
#OACareerCenter #OARiverHawks #oacsd #SOAR #hawkpride #SchoolCommunityOne
“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
Everett Wagner plays percussion in Jazz Two. Learn more about Everett and his passion for music, along with how he got his start, as he answers four questions here on Showcase Arts TV. https://youtu.be/JOvbMshv4LQ
Behind the Scenes: Girls Wrestling
The girls' wrestling program is fairly new to OFA, but the athletes have a passion for their sport. Learn more about the girls and the program in this Behind the Scenes for the Girls' Wrestling team, on Showcase Sports TV. https://youtu.be/HFYTNZW7JPM
“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
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
Children are eligible for UPK if his/her birth date is between 12/2/2021 and 12/1/2022. (children who will be four (4) years of age on or before December 1, 2026)
Children are eligible for Kindergarten if his/her birth date is ON or BEFORE 12/1/2021.
(five (5) years of age on or before December 1, 2026)
**Please note that once your child is age-eligible for Kindergarten, they are no longer eligible to attend UPK.
Families must register as soon as possible so that a screening time can be scheduled for May.
Families will be notified of their child’s UPK or Kindergarten screening that will take place on one of the following dates:
Owego Elementary School
UPK: May 18,19, 20
Kindergarten: May 19
Apalachin Elementary School
UPK: May 14, 15, 18
Kindergarten: May 15
Registration paperwork can be completed at Owego Elementary School and Apalachin Elementary School. Registration will require a birth certificate, 2 proofs of residency, and immunization records. Read the complete registration letter here: https://5il.co/2det1.
Get more information about UPK and Kindergarten here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/student-registration.
If you have questions about registration or screening, please reach out to us via Let’s Talk! - https://www.oacsd.org/o/oe/page/lets-talk.
#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether
A huge thank you to Owego Kiwanis Club for coming in and touring our school. It was wonderful to have you visit, and check out all of our programs. Shout out to Mr. K, Stella, and Jaelyn for conducting a wonderful tour!
#OACareerCenter #OARiverHawks #oacsd #SOAR #hawkpride #SchoolCommunityOne
Our students had a great time at the Twin Tiers Regional Job Fair! This event was a great chance for students to facilitate learning opportunities, and create connections with multiple organizations.
#OACareerCenter #OARiverHawks #oacsd #SOAR #hawkpride #SchoolCommunityOne
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
#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride #ThisIsOA
Four Questions: Connor Sipe
“I think getting to surround myself with more active members of my school is really nice.” The Owego Free Academy River Hawks just recently won the FCCB Scholarship Challenge. Find out more about Connor Sipe, one of the members of the winning team, as he answers four questions on Showcase Classroom TV. https://youtu.be/OescRoGKqC8
Our students had an outstanding experience yesterday at Koffman Southern Tier Business Incubator, powered by Binghamton University. Students engaged in a tour, presentations from the staff at SUNY Broome, current entrepreneurs and leaders of the Koffman Incubator. Thank you to Robin Alpaugh for making this experience happen!
#OACareerCenter #OARiverHawks #oacsd #SOAR #hawkpride #SchoolCommunityOne
#OARiverHawks #sOArTogether #OACommunity #OAPride
