Owego Free Academy

Dear Parent/Guardian and OFA Students:

On behalf of the staff at Owego Free Academy, I would like to welcome the students back to school.  We hope you had a wonderful and relaxing summer vacation and are excited for the 2024-2025 school year.  We look forward to the start of the new year and hope all of our students experience many successes.  We are also excited to have Uday Mukhlis join the OFA community as he begins his first year as the Associate Principal.  He comes with a lot of experience and we are thrilled to have him be a part of our team.

Our first day of school will be on Thursday, September 5th, 2024, and will begin at 8:45 a.m.  9th graders will receive their schedule at 9th Grade Orientation on Wednesday, August 21st, at 6:30 p.m.   Access to the SchoolTool parent portal will open on Monday, August 26th. At that time, students and parents can access student schedules.  Please access the parent portal so students know where they will start their day on September 5th.  Students will also be handed a paper copy of their schedule on the first day of school. 

The Owego Free Academy daily bell schedule has been updated for the 2024 -2025 school year and can be found on our website here:  https://5il.co/yb4p

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.

District Communication:

SchoolTool Parent Portal - The SchoolTool Parent Portal is used by parents/guardians to view their students’ education information including: Schedule, Attendance, Demographic Information, Report Cards, Progress Reports, Contact Information, etc. Once logged in to the portal, parents should review contact information and update as necessary.  Detailed Parent Portal Information, including how to log in, can be found here: https://www.oacsd.org/page/parent-resources

*The Parent Portal will open for the new school year on Monday, August 26th. 

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 All Fall Sports is OPEN: 

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

Fall Sports 2024 Start Dates:

Varsity and JV Football: 8/19/2024

All other Varsity/JV Sports: 8/26/2024

• 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

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to share how excited I am to start the 2024-2025 school year at Owego Free Academy.  The Owego Apalachin School District has a reputation of excellence and rich history.  I feel fortunate to be working at a school that is focused on student success and has high expectations for student performance.  I intend to carry on these important traditions and practices.  Our goal at OFA is to work together, be innovative, and reach for excellence.  Best of luck this school year!

Sincerely,

Phil Schofield, Principal

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