CORNELL CHRONICLE  January 16, 2026 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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Jan 19	No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan 22	PTA Parent Ed: Raising Healthy Gamers, OV MPR, 6:15pm
Jan 23	Coffee with Cat, 8:30am
Jan 28	100th Day of School
Jan 28	Community Time, 8:30am
Feb 4	PTA Meeting, MPR, 6pm
Feb 6-12	Literati Book Fair, Cornell Library
Feb 8	PTA Sunday in the Garden, 10am-12
Feb 16-20	No School - Mid-Winter Break

PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING

Dear Coyote Families,

Happy Friday! This morning, we sent out our Intent to Return forms. Please make sure that you complete the form for each child as soon as possible. We use your responses to plan for classes and programming for the 26-27 school year. 

Coming up next week, please join us for our next School Site Council Meeting, on Tuesday, 1/20 at 4pm in Room 26. We will review the programming and strategies in place to support academic growth. Here is the agenda for this meeting, also posted in our Main Office. Lastly, next Friday, 1/23,  please join us for Coffee with Cat near the blue tables immediately after the 8:30 bell.

On another note, please use caution around the new mural when visiting the playground. Repairs are needed and are underway.

This weekend, I hope that you are able to spend time at an event or activity that commemorates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr around the community. Schools are closed on Monday, 1/19 in observance of this holiday. Enjoy the sunshine and have a wonderful long weekend!

In community,
Catherine Floresca
Principal

CORNELL ANNOUNCEMENT

AUSD Budget Workshop Recap

On Tuesday, the Board of Education conducted a Study Session on Budget Development and Strategic Planning (view the video here). The study session provided a starting point for understanding the district budget, beginning with where our funding comes from and the planning timeline that leads to the Board’s adoption of the 2026–27 budget in June. Please visit the Current District Budget webpage for more information.

Tardies and Early Pick Ups
Just a reminder that if your child arrives after 9:00am, or if you pick up early (more than 30 minutes) from school because of an appointment with a healthcare provider, please ask for a note from the provider. Bring the note to the office, or email it to cornellattendance@ausdk12.org, within 5 school days. The tardy or early pickup will be unexcused and marked in Aeries as “O - +30Tdy-Out” until we receive a note.

Cornell's Food Drive Ending Next Week

We have just about reached our goal of filling THREE large bins! There's still time to contribute on Tuesday, before the bins are picked up next week by the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Thank you again for your incredibly generous support!!

 Here’s what our community loves: Ready to eat meals (easy open cans or pouches) 

• Chili, stews, ravioli, soups, mac and cheese etc. 

• Chicken, tuna, salmon, etc. 

• Snacks for Kids (healthy lunch snacks, bars, and fruit/veggie pouches) 

• Non-perishable fruit (cups, bowls, or cans) 

• Peanut butter 

• Cereal (boxes or single serve bowls) 

• Nutrition/protein bars

Please donate un-opened, non-perishable food in original packaging (nutrition labels must be in English).  PLEASE NO GLASS CONTAINERS, MEDICATIONS, PHARMACEUTICALS, SUPPLEMENTS, OR SODA. 

** Last Call to Help Lead Cornell’s Got Talent 2026! **

Unfortunately, we haven’t had any volunteers so the event will not happen this year, unless we hear from someone in the next week. If you can help, please email Tulay, tulaycan1@gmail.com, and Maren, marenrobinson@gmail.com.

RAISING HEALTHY GAMERS: What Parents Need to Know

Research-based insights for helping kids build healthy gaming habits

Ocean View Elementary MPR 

Pizza will be available

ALL CHILDCARE SPOTS HAVE FILLED

What you will gain:

• Understand what drives kids' gaming behavior

• Identify what healthy gaming looks like at different ages

• Support safety and digital well-being in gaming environments

• Use practical strategies at home to build balance and reduce conflict

  

Literati Book Fair Volunteer Opportunities!

The Cornell Book Fair is Friday, February 6 - Thursday, February 12! Volunteers are needed during classroom library visits, before school, after school, lunch time (1st-5th graders) and Saturday 2/7! Sign up here! 

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

Albany Disability Squad's Family Support Group

Please join us for the next meeting of the Albany Disability Squad's Family Support Group* Wednesday, January 21, 7–8 pm and the third Wednesday of upcoming months. So much of our time, energy and heart goes toward supporting our kid(s)! It can be rewarding but also exhausting, overwhelming, and lonely. This drop-in group provides peer support to each other in our frustrations and triumphs. Join the Zoom Meeting at this link or dial by your location: (408) 638-0968, Meeting ID: 886 0018 4968, Passcode: 798604. *This is a peer-to-peer support group for caregivers and not professional group counseling.
 

COMMUNITY

Active Transportation and Watershed Management Expo

The City of Albany is holding an Expo on  Thursday, January 22, 5:30-7:30pm at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Avenue. The Expo is an opportunity for community members to provide feedback on the Active Transportation Plan and the Watershed Management Plan. The Active Transportation Plan outlines opportunities to improve the City’s future bicycle and pedestrian networks. At the Expo, review draft active transportation projects and help set project and policy priorities. The Watershed Management Plan studies storm-related water flows and identifies best management practices. The Expo offers the chance to help identify existing stormwater management issues.

Sundrop Tutoring 

Sundrop Tutoring provides free tutoring services specifically for elementary school students who are neurodivergent and/or under-resourced children in our local community. These sessions are taught 1-on-1 by volunteer high school students and are scheduled individually to meet each student's specific needs. For more information visit sundroprobotics.org, email sundroprobotics@gmail.com, or call (510) 306-4594.

Robotics (S.T.A.R.)

Robotics Club for grades 4–6 is enrolling for the upcoming season. Students work with Lego Spike Prime to build STEM skills and prepare for the First Lego League (FLL) tournament. Meetings are held every Saturday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, starting January 17. While the program fee is $150, scholarships are available upon request to ensure these opportunities remain accessible to underprivileged families.  For more information visit sundroprobotics.org, email sundroprobotics@gmail.com, or call (510) 306-4594.

Albany Berkeley Soccer Club (ABSC) Spring Registration Is Open

Register now at abscsoccer.org for the spring season. Boys and girls of all skill levels are welcome!

Voices of Music Voice and Recorder Classes

Voices of Music is offering two kinds of music classes starting on January 14, 2026:

Wednesdays after school, Albany students in grades 2–5 are invited to learn to play the recorder, begin to read music, play rhythm games, and play songs from many countries around the world. Small class sizes allow for individual attention and foster ensemble skills. The teacher is Greta Haug-Hryciw. Singing classes are offered for students in grades 3–8, by Tim Silva. The children will learn how our voices work with the songs we sing, and they will begin to read music, sing, play, and have fun together! No prior musical experience is necessary for either class. See the flyer for more information.

Girls On The Run Group Forming

Girls on the Run Bay Area is dedicated to empowering young girls through running, mentorship, and our nationally recognized confidence-building curriculum. We're gearing up for our Spring 2026 program! See flyer for information about participant and coach registration. 

Register For Mersey Soccer Club Spring 2026 Season!

Volunteer At The Gill Tract Farm

On January 19, MLK Day of Service, join us at the Gill Tract Farm. Come join us on the land to prepare the Farm for spring planting. No experience is necessary, tools will be provided. Free lunch! (vegan soup and bread)  If you are under 18, please bring a waiver form signed by your adult caretaker. RSVP here. Please plan to attend the entire time, from 11am–2pm. Gill Tract Farm, 1050 San Pablo Ave.

 

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  

[Tuesday, Jan 13 at 8:18 AM]
Correction: The Book Fair dates are Feb 2 - 12.

[Tuesday, Jan 20 at 9:50 AM]
Updated: Link to subscribe to the Cornell Calendar.