OA steps forward to help flooded friends in Texas

Six years ago, the Owego community awoke to face the beginning of a daunting recovery after one of the worst natural disasters in our region’s history, the Flood of 2011. The flooding also devastated the Owego Apalachin (OA) Central School District, as it lost its administration building, its maintenance facility, and most notably, its elementary school. 

Today, faculty and staff have settled into a beautiful new building, having moved back home in January 2016. Owego Elementary School was completely rebuilt, and after several years of long commutes to an alternate site in the next county, the school community is just this fall finishing up with all of the flood recovery reconstruction. 

The situation in the Houston area has become somewhat of a déjà vu for many here. Robyn Wood, a school psychologist at Owego Elementary School (OES), has emerged as the point person for what began as a building-wide initiative, and in just a few hours has grown to a district-wide effort. Soon, it will certainly be a community endeavor. 

The human tie-in to the recent devastation in Texas, the result of Hurricane Harvey, is Cheryl (Edwards) King (OFA 1998). The circumstantial connection is clear. “I went to high school with Cheryl. She was a student-athlete who graduated with my sister,” said Wood. 

Wood added, “Cheryl also worked in Owego as a Head Start teacher for years. She was in the Owego area during the 2011 flooding, and she recently moved to Texas.” 

The Hardin-Jefferson school district in Sour Lake, Texas was ravaged by the hurricane’s floodwaters. That’s where King now teaches. 

“This is the type of initiative that makes Owego Apalachin special,” said Corey Green, OA superintendent, adding, “I couldn’t be more proud of our staff here. This isn’t a one-time thing. There’s always something happening when anyone is in need.”

“We talk a lot about community, pride and tradition here,” Green added, “but there’s another aspect that pulls all of it together – commitment.” 

Wood explained that when King moved to Texas, she thought her house was on higher ground, but ended up being evacuated by a boat with her three children. They lost their home. 

“Our Owego Elementary staff felt strongly that we needed to do something,” said Wood. “We wanted there to be a personal connection.”

Wood said she has been in touch with representatives at the Hardin-Jefferson district. “They are overwhelmed by the support of this little town so far away,” she said. 

OA Schools will make as much information available as possible regarding this effort. Information will be shared through e-mail updates (DATELINE OA), on their district website (www.oacsd.org) and through social media avenues (OA Schools on Facebook, and @OAUpdate on Twitter).  

The main effort is a collection of school supplies, gift cards, and change that is taking place at the school district. For more information, call Robyn Wood or Tracy Olevano at 687-7303.