CORNELL CHRONICLE  January 23, 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 26	5th Grade First Band Concert with AMS & AHS, 7-8pm, AHS Gym
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 12	Black History Month Celebration, 6-8pm, AHS Little Theater & MPR
Feb 16-20	No School - Mid-Winter Break

PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING

Dear Coyote Families,

Next week join us for Community Time on Wednesday morning at the 8:30 bell. We will be celebrating the 100th day of school. 

Also, be on the look out for additional ParentSquare communication. There are a few pieces of follow up information that we do need from you:

• Intent to Return: Let us know of your plans for next year. Enrollment surveys were sent via ParentSquare. If you haven’t already, please complete Intent to Return for 2026-27 school year forms by Jan. 31. (3 different forms for different grade levels). This information will help us with planning for next year.
  Current TK students: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/69050082?district_id=976
  Current K-4th students: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/70030850?district_id=976
  Current 5th grade students: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/69639254?school_id=10231
  
  

• Speak Up Be Safe opt-out forms: You received online forms today, Friday, for you to return if you do NOT want your child to participate in the Speak Up Be Safe lessons. These lessons focus on child abuse and bullying prevention that will be taught throughout the month of February. Paper copies of the opt-out forms are also available in the office. 

School Site Council - We need another parent representative. If you are interested please email me! The remaining meeting dates are Tuesdays, from 4 - 5:15 on 2/10, 3/17, and 5/19. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

In community,
Catherine Floresca
Principal

CORNELL ANNOUNCEMENT

The Great Kindness Challenge

Cornell is proud to participate in The Great Kindness Challenge, a week-long initiative focused on building a culture of kindness and compassion in communities around the world.

On Monday, students will receive a Great Kindness Challenge checklist to help them practice kindness and turn compassion into action. We will encourage students to complete as many acts of kindness as possible at school, and we hope they feel inspired to continue these meaningful actions at home as well. Be sure to check out the checklist with your child and see what acts they can do!

Together, let’s lift one another up, cheer each other on, and show the world that kindness truly matters.

Thank you! Student Council!

Ms. Sophia's Knitting and Crafting Club

Our Thursday Lunchtime Knitting and Crafting Club is in need of additional supplies! The club is open to all 1st–5th grade students and meets during lunch on Thursdays in Ms. Sophia’s classroom (Room 22).

We are currently looking for donations of plastic looms (all sizes and shapes), yarn (wound into balls, if possible), crochet hooks, pony beads, embroidery floss, and origami paper. If you have any of these items at home that are no longer being used, we would greatly appreciate your donations.

We also have a wishlist that will be updated throughout the school year. Thank you so much for your continued support!

Cornell's Food Drive Ending Next Week

There's still time to contribute before the bins are picked up next week, between 1/27 and 1/29, 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. 
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

5th Grade First Band Concert! 

Albany Elementary Schools in collaboration with Albany Middle School & High School will host a concert in the Albany High School Gymnasium next Monday, January 26, 7–8pm. Our 5th grade band students have been working hard these past few months and are excited to showcase their progress. The AMS Jazz Band will also perform to close out the concert. We hope to see you then.

 

Science Olympiad Elementary Teams Forming Now!

Science Olympiad is a nationwide competition where students compete in STEM-related challenges across topics like earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Division A is the elementary division, where 3rd–6th graders can compete by constructing a vehicle made of pasta, decoding ciphers, identifying stars, and more. We recommend forming a team of 8 friends of a similar age group to ensure compatibility amongst the students.  Find out more about SciOly Division A. Sign-up form is here. Questions? Contact us at scioly.div.a@gmail.com.

Dance Camp Is Back!

Albany Dance Company (ADC), Albany High’s dance group, will be once again hosting a one-day dance camp for students in grades K–8 on March 20, 8am–3:30pm, Albany Unified’s staff professional development day—a no-school day for students!  We hope this event will help out AUSD families by providing a day of fun activities for their students while also introducing them to our dance program at Albany High. Cost is $45 per dancer, $50 after March 3. Register with the QR code above in the flyer or at http://bit.ly/ADCDanceCamp26. 

 

COMMUNITY

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!
 

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.