CORNELL CHRONICLE October 24, 2025 Cornell strives to support a safe and secure learning environment that treats all students with dignity, respect, and high expectations.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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Oct 1-31	Socktober Sock Drive for Homeless Shelters
Oct 19-25	United Against Hate Week
Oct 31	Halloween Parades, Cornell yard
Nov 7-21	Fall Conferences, (Wednesday schedule everyday)
Nov 10-11	Veterans Day - No School (2 days)
Nov 14	PTA Ruby Bridges Walk To School Day
Nov 18	PTA Executive Board Meeting and Board Meeting
Nov 24-28	Thanksgiving Break - No School
Dec 22-Jan 2	Winter Break - No School

PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING

Dear Coyote Families,

We have a busy few weeks coming up! 

On Friday, 10/31, we will have our Halloween parades out on the yard: TK and Kindergarten at 8:45am and Grades 1 - 5 at 2:20pm. Please keep reading for costume guidelines. 

We have set up a community ofrenda, altar, for Dia de los Muertos in the hallway in front of the office. Everyone is welcome to drop off a decoration or remembrance photo. 

Fall conferences are also around the corner, starting Friday, 11/7 - 11/21. During these days, 1st - 5th grade dismissal is at 1:45. 

We’ve had another great week at school. Community Time this past Wednesday, lit up our week with the student presentation celebrating Diwali.  

It was great to see so many parents stop by to grab some coffee and chat this morning! Thank you for hanging out with me at Coffee with Cat! 

Parents, your continued effort at maintaining a safe morning drop off is necessary! Please use the painted loading zones to drop off students. Be a good neighbor and a good driver, by keeping private residents’ driveways clear at all times and staying on the right side of the road. Pulling over and crossing traffic is dangerous to all. Thank you for your continued support with this.

Have a wonderful weekend!

In community,
Catherine Floresca
Principal

At our recent English Language Arts (ELA) Adoption Committee meeting, we selected Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) as our spring pilot (Jan-Apr). Here is a short video introducing CKLA’s newest 3rd edition. As a reminder, teachers are currently piloting Fishtank through December. Here is a brief overview of Fishtank and here is a video showcasing implementation in various schools & districts.

This past month, ELA Adoption Committee members also engaged colleagues in empathy interviews. At our recent meeting, we read 120+ direct quotes from teachers about what they need from our adoption process. The top themes and insights from these quotes are below. We will use these insights to inform our adoption process as well as our 3-5 year implementation plan once a curriculum is selected to recommend for board adoption in April:

• Easy to Use: Materials need to be well-organized and accessible, with built-in supports and scaffolds so teachers can focus on teaching rather than creating resources from scratch.

• Realistic to Implement: Lessons and pacing need to fit within the school day and across the year.

• Equitable Access for Students: All students must have access to grade-level content through clear, consistent, and rigorous instruction.

• Builds Knowledge and Vocabulary: The curriculum must intentionally build students’ background knowledge and vocabulary, which are key to strong reading comprehension.

• Culturally Relevant: Students need to see themselves reflected in what they read, and learn about the diverse experiences of others.

• Aligned Assessments: Assessments need to be consistent and connected to the curriculum, reducing the need for teachers to create their own and ensuring coherence across classrooms and sites

• Strong Ongoing Support: Teachers need high-quality, ongoing professional learning, support, and collaboration to implement the curriculum effectively; while allowing teacher expertise and creativity to flourish

CORNELL ANNOUNCEMENT

On Friday October 31st, we will be donating the majority of our Lost and Found clothing (except the most recent arrivals) and lunch/snack items. Please stop by before then and see if anything’s yours!!

 HALLOWEEN PARADES, Friday, October 31 

Here is some information to plan ahead:

TK/Kindergarten, 8:45am

The TK and Kindergarten classes will have their Halloween parade around the rainbow track at 8:45 am. They should come to school dressed in their costumes. Parents are welcome to join us on the playground for the TK/K parade.

1st-5th Grades, 2:20pm

The 1st-5th grade parade will be from 2:20-3:05pm. If your child will be dressing up, they need to bring their costume to school in a bag labeled with their name on it. Students will be changing into costumes in the afternoon at 2:05pm. Parents are welcome to join us on the playground to watch the parade.

Costume Guidelines ** IMPORTANT **

• Costumes should not depict horror characters

• Costumes should not be scary for our youngest students

•  Masks are allowed only during the parade and must not obstruct vision

• Costumes may not demean any race, religion, nationality, ability level, or gender

• No fake fingernails or complicated makeup

• No weapons, even fake ones

• Make sure your child can walk in their costume

After Halloween: Halloween treats should be enjoyed at home. Please continue to pack healthy nut-free snacks for your child in the weeks following Halloween.

CORNELL LIBRARY CORNER

Weekly Library Spotlight

During library classes we discussed United Against Hate Week through read-alouds. We discussed why its important to be upstanders in the face of hatred and what does unite us here at Cornell– empathy, inclusion, and respect.

• TK/K read I See You, a wordless book about the importance of belonging and how small acts can make others feel seen and cared for.

• 1st enjoyed The Big Umbrella that teaches us that there is always room for everyone, differences and all.

• 2nd read Strictly No Elephants about the impact of exclusion and ways to include others, even those who caused harm in the past.

• 3rd really enjoyed Jon Agee’s The Wall in the Middle of the Book, which shows how prejudice and hatred are formed and how minds can be changed in this playful tale.

• 4th watched a read aloud of Something Good that focuses on something hateful written on the walls of the school, how it impacts the community, and how they heal together.

• 5th read Red and Green & Blue and White about a true hateful act against a family and how the whole town showed up as upstanders.

Update–Halloween Poster Contest

The posters have come in and they are AMAZING! The librarian-selected finalists are on display and Kids’ Choice voting has started. Tune in next week for a celebration of all the kids’ hard work!

Ms. Kate, Cornell’s Teacher Librarian, is reachable anytime at kbowman@ausdk12.org to respond to any questions, needs, or requests.

PTA NEWS

 Speaker Information-
 Julia Hart — School Psychologist for Marin and Ocean View Elementary. Julia conducts assessments, provides behavioral and mental health consultation, and partners with families to ensure the right services and accommodations are in place.

Cheryl Theis — Director of Education at Support for Families of Children with Disabilities (San Francisco). With 30 years of experience, Cheryl helps families navigate education and disability rights systems and promotes authentic inclusion for all learners.

Childcare will be provided (limited spots). You must RSVP to reserve childcare—please include the number of spots and your child(ren)’s name(s). Please RSVP here- https://forms.gle/ZGBKYedmwt89hGq58

Last Chance to get delicious baked goods at the Westbrae Pumpkin Patch Bake Sale is happening

 this Sun Oct. 26th 11:30-3pm or until sold out! 

We will be there rain or shine!

 Come get your pumpkins, enjoy a tasty treat and thank the nursery employees and bake sale volunteers for all their hard work!

PTA website

Cornell PTA Instagram @cornellpta

Cornell Wear eStore is always here with t-shirts, hoodies and more for the whole family!

FROM AUSD

Link to the Superintendent's Community Update

SWANA Ice Cream Social

Grab a cone at the Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Parent Engagement Group’s ice cream social. All are welcome! Friday, October 24, starts at 5:30pm in the Cornell Multipurpose Room. 

AEF Book Fair at Pegasus Books Starts Saturday!

Support Albany schools while you shop at Pegasus Books! Albany Education Foundation (AEF) is having a book fair fundraiser at Pegasus Books on Solano Ave. starting Saturday. From October 25 through November 1, Pegasus will donate 30% of all sales when you mention "AEF" at checkout.

Do you have friends and family who live out of town who would like to support our schools? Direct them to pegasusbookstore.com/albany-education during the AEF Book Fair and be sure to type "AEF" at checkout. All purchases at Pegasus qualify — books, gifts, gift cards, etc. If you would like to purchase a book for a classroom or library, Pegasus has lists — both in store and online — of requested books for each AUSD school. The AEF Pegasus Book Fair helps fund future AEF grants for teachers while supporting a valued local bookstore. Thank you!

Diwali, The Festival of Lights

The Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Parent Engagement Group is hosting a Diwali potluck get-together. All are welcome! Saturday, November 1, 1–3:30pm in the Ocean View Multipurpose Room. 

Albany Community Craft Fair

The AMS PTA’s Craft Fair returns on Sunday, November 2, 11am–3pm. Come for crafts, music, and food. All are welcome!

COMMUNITY

Registration is open for winter Futsal. Register at abscsoccer.com. 

NOTES FROM THE OFFICE

Please visit the Cornell website for general information. 

OFFICE HOURS 

Office Hours: 8:15am – 3:30pm

Office Phone: (510) 558-3700

Email: Sui-Ling (sangelidis@ausdk12.org), or Margaret (mglendening@ausdk12.org)

LINK TO 2025-26 AUSD SCHOOL CALENDAR

LINK TO BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS  

[Friday, Oct 24 at 5:33 PM]
The Chronicle has been updated with a correction to the link to the AEF Book Sale at Pegasus. Please check today's Chronicle on the Parent Square website or on the Cornell website for this correction.