Owego Apalachin Middle School

Dear Owego Apalachin Middle School Families,

Welcome back to a new and exciting school year! Hopefully, you had a wonderful summer break filled with relaxation and happy memories. As we embark on this new academic journey, we are thrilled to see our returning students and extend a warm welcome to all the new families joining our school community.

This year promises to be filled with incredible opportunities for growth, learning, and achievement. Our dedicated staff have been working diligently to prepare engaging and enriching educational experiences for all our students. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment where each student can thrive.

Our first day of school for students will be on Thursday, September 5th. Review the one-page district calendar for the 2024-2025 school year here: https://5il.co/2locy. A printed calendar will come home at the start of the school year. Stay up-to-date with building and district events by using our mobile app and website.

All 7th and 8th graders will report to their homeroom/SOAR class for their printed schedules. Students will be able to access their schedules on Monday, August 26th via SchoolTool. 6th-grade students will receive a hard-copy of their schedule at 6th Grade Orientation on August 28th 2024, at 6 pm. When 6th-grade students arrive on the first day of school, they will head directly to the OAMS Auditorium where they will find their homeroom teacher.  New students/families can find information on the SchoolTool parent portal by accessing this page of our website: https://www.oacsd.org/o/oacsd/page/parent-resources.

Our daily bell schedule for the 2024-2025 school year can be found on our website: https://5il.co/yb5i 

Transportation:

All families must complete the OA Transportation Survey for the 2024-2025 school year. You can find the survey and more information here: https://www.oacsd.org/article/1698343

Families utilizing district bus transportation should download the My Ride K-12 Transportation App that will display your child’s bus number, route time, and more. My Ride K-12, can be downloaded now in the Apple and Android app stores. Usernames and passwords from Ride 360 will carry over into My Ride K-12. Additionally, you can use your existing log-in information to access a web version of My Ride K-12 at myridek12.tylerapp.com.

To learn more about My Ride K-12 and the other technology we use to help us safely and efficiently transport our students, please click the following links.

My Ride K-12 with ETA to Stop Parent Flyer - https://5il.co/2heyp

My Ride K-12 User Guide Parent Flyer  - https://5il.co/2hey

Please remember that bus times are normally delayed the first few days of the school year as everyone gets back into a routine.

Supplies:

We are happy to announce that the school district will once again provide all of the necessary student school supplies for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year to all grade levels, K-12. However, if there are particular items you would like to send with your child, you are more than welcome to do that. Just know that all essential items will be provided.

After School Program:

Tioga County Boys and Girls Club - OACSD After School Program

The Owego Apalachin Central School District will be partnering again with the Tioga County Boys and Girls Club to offer a variety of extra-curricular and enrichment activities hosted at the Boys and Girls Club of Tioga County for OA students in Grades 3 through 8.  

Registration includes a FREE TCBGC membership and access to the Club and all of its programs year-round.

** The program begins the first day of school, Thursday, September 5th, 2024.  The program will run Monday through Friday, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on days when school is in session.  Half-day sessions and when school is closed or released early, programming will be coordinated directly with the Club.

If the school district is transporting your child home, the bus will leave the Club around 5:15 pm.  

More information and the registration link for Arbiter Sports (formerly FamilyID) can be found on our website here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/tioga-county-boys-and-girls-club-program

District Communication:

Mobile App - Ensure you don’t miss critical information by downloading the Owego Apalachin Central School District Mobile App (available in iTunes and Google Play Stores). 

Android: https://bit.ly/3mtkLGf or iPhone: https://apple.co/3bwIXRz

Rooms Parent-Teacher Messaging - Our Owego Apalachin CSD app keeps getting better and better! Parents/guardians can access class streams and teacher messaging with their Rooms account via web and in the app. Need to set up your account? Get more information here: https://5il.co/24lsq All set up, ensure you are getting notifications: https://5il.co/24lss

Let’s Talk! -  Contact us with questions or comments. Download the app or connect through the website: https://www.oacsd.org/page/lets-talk. Select your specific topic/need to ensure it reaches the correct district personnel.

Bookmark our website and follow us on social media!

Canvas to replace Schoology

This year, the district will use Canvas as the K-12 Learning Management System in place of Schoology. Students will begin using Canvas in their classes once the school year begins. More information regarding Parent/Observer accounts in Canvas will be shared after the school year begins. 

FREE - Breakfast and Lunch

We are excited to announce that OACSD will once again offer free meals through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), for the 2024-25 school year. This means that all OA students enrolled will receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost to your household each school day. No further action is required from you to participate in these meal programs. All children are eligible to enjoy these benefits. However, we kindly ask parents to complete the income application. Your participation in this process helps our district qualify for additional funding that supports various educational initiatives and resources. CEP Application - https://5il.co/205zg.

Students will still need to pay for snack items, ice cream, or extra food, as just the main meals are covered through the CEP program.  Funds can be added to the EZSchoolPay Account: https://5il.co/1fki0. Cash or check can also be used with the school cafeteria staff to add funds without the online convenience fee.

Menus can be found on our website and app under dining and on the RockOn Cafe Food & Nutrition page here: https://www.rockoncafe.org/owego-apalachin_home.aspx

Fall Athletics Information:

Arbiter Sports | Family ID Registration for 7th/8th Grade Modified Sports is OPEN: 

https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/owego-apalachin-central-school-district

Fall Sports 2024 Start Dates:

Modified Football and Modified Cross Country: 8/26/24

All other Modified Sports: 9/5/24

• The Late Bus from OAMS/OFA to AES leaves at 6:15 pm starting on Thursday, September 5, 2024

Additional River Hawks Athletics Information can be found on our website here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/riverhawksathletics
Please contact the Athletic Department directly with any questions. 

Phone: (607) 687-7301 ext. 7061

Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Open House on September 26th, where you will have the opportunity to meet our teachers, explore the classrooms, and learn more about the exciting programs and initiatives we have planned. Additionally, we host various events and activities throughout the year to foster a strong sense of community and school spirit.

If you have any questions or need assistance, do not hesitate to contact our office. We are here to support you and your child every step of the way.

Let’s make this year the best one yet!

Sincerely,

Sean Swider

Principal - Owego Apalachin Middle School 

Link to single-page calendar: https://5il.co/2locy