Owego Free Academy

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

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

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