Cornell Chronicle 2/13/26
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CORNELL CHRONICLE February 13, 2026 Cornell strives to support a safe and secure learning environment that treats all students with dignity, respect, and high expectations. |
| CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
| Feb 16-20 | No School - Mid-Winter Break |
| Feb 25 | Community Time, yard, 8:30am |
| Feb 27 | Coffee with Cat, yard, 8:30am |
| Feb 28 | Lunar New Year Celebrations, OV MPR, 4-6pm (see below to sign up) |
| Mar 2 | Visit by guest author, Annie Barrows |
| Mar 14 | Dress rehearsal for CGT, OV MPR |
| Mar 28 | Cornell's Got Talent Show, OV MPR |
| PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING |
Dear Coyote Families,
Midwinter break is upon us! I hope you and the family enjoy the time together. I want to give a special shout out to all the students and teachers who coordinated and performed at the AUSD Black History Month Celebration Thursday evening. They were amazing - definitely “shining stars!”
Thank you to our teacher librarian and parent volunteers who made the Cornell Book Fair a great success!
When we come back from the break, don’t miss: the February Community Time on Wednesday morning, 2/25 and Coffee with Cat on Friday morning, 2/27.
Lastly, remember that all student cell phones and smart watches must be turned off during the school day. If a student uses a cell phone or smart watch (internet, call, or text) during the school day, the phone/watch may be confiscated and the child’s parent will be required to pick it up. Thank you in advance for your continued support with this.
Have a wonderful midwinter break!
In community,
Catherine Floresca
Principal
| CORNELL ANNOUNCEMENT |
School and Office will be closed for
Mid-Winter Break
February 16-20
(School resumes on Monday, February 23)
Have a wonderful break!
| CORNELL LIBRARY CORNER |
Weekly Library Spotlight
The book fair was a success, thanks to our Cornell community!
I want to send a huge thanks to the Cornell community, the incredible volunteers, and PTA for their support during this year’s book fair. More than 300 books were generously donated to the school and we were able to raise crucial funds for purchasing the latest and greatest books for our library collection!
EXCITING NEWS: Guest Author, Annie Barrows, will be visiting Cornell, 3/2/26!
Local, award-winning author, Annie Barrows, will be coming to Cornell and doing presentations for our TK-3rd graders on Read Across America Day! Students love her Ivy & Bean and Stella & Marigold early chapter book series.
She is presenting for free and we can support her and our own readers by pre-ordering discounted copies of her books here. Order by 2/26/26 to have your copy signed and delivered in person during her visit!
| PTA NEWS |
FINAL REMINDER: Sign Up for Cornell's Got Talent!
Deadline: TODAY Friday, February 13th
Hey Cornell Coyotes!
Do you sing, dance, play an instrument, tell jokes, perform magic, or have another awesome talent? Here’s your chance to shine on stage during the 2026 edition of Cornell's Got Talent! (CGT!). Sign Up by February 13, 2026 to be part of the show—whether solo, in a group, or even as a whole class—everyone who signs up will perform, and "auditions" are just part of the fun!
Important Dates:
Sign Up by February 13, 2026
Video "auditions" due Friday, February 27 (Details TBA only to those who sign up by the deadline)
Dress Rehearsal: Saturday, March 14, Oceanview Elementary MPR (time TBA)
Show: Saturday, March 28, Oceanview Elementary MPR (time TBA)
Don’t wait—fill out the sign up form today and get ready to share your talent with the Cornell community!
✨ Save the Date: PTA Parent Education Workshop — “When Can I Have a Phone?”
Join us for an engaging, in-person workshop with Reichi Lee, “Can I Have a Phone? When to Say Yes, When to Wait, and What to Consider.” This practical session will help families think through first phones and smartwatches with confidence — from understanding readiness and comparing device options to setting clear expectations and healthy boundaries around technology use.
📅 Wednesday, March 11, 2026
⏰ 6:15 – 7:45 p.m.
📍 Ocean View Elementary – Multipurpose Room
🍕 Pizza provided
More details and the RSVP link coming soon — stay tuned and save the date!
Please join us for the next meeting of…
The ADS Family Support Group:
Supporting each other in raising kids who learn differently*
So much of our time, energy and heart goes toward supporting our kid(s)! It can be rewarding but also exhausting, overwhelming, and lonely.
Join us for this drop-in group where we support each other in our frustrations and triumphs.
*This is a peer-to-peer support group for caregivers and not professional group counseling.
Date: February 25, 2026
(and, except for this month due to AUSD's Mid-Winter Break, the third Wednesday of every month)
Time: 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88600184968?pwd=bEgvZ0NLSFY5aWM4OHN5UGxZanQwZz09
or
Dial by your location:
(408) 638 0968
Meeting ID: 886 0018 4968
Passcode: 798604
albanydisabilitysquad@gmail.com
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities!
We are looking for parents to help volunteer with upcoming Fun Fitness Week (April 20-24) and Staff Appreciation Week (May 4-8)! If you have interest in helping out please email vp-volunteer-coordinator@cornellpta.org to get involved!
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
Path To Belonging Exhibition
The lobby of the Albany Library/Community Center is currently displaying "Journeys to Albany--Paths to Belonging". It's a city-sponsored project that features the migration stories of seven Albany families. Their stories touch on the first African-American military aviators, The Great Migration, the Vietnam War and refugee resettlement, Japanese-American incarceration during WWII, Ottoman Empire dissolution and Greek diaspora, the story of an immigrant Nigerian & African American family, and others.
Ramadan Iftar Potluck
The Southwest Asian and North African Parent Engagement Group is hosting a Ramadan Iftar potluck on Friday, February 27, 6–8pm in the Ocean View Multipurpose Room. Come and learn about this special month through games, crafts, and conversation. Everyone is welcome! If you are able to bring a dish, please sign up using the QR code in the flyer above or at this link.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Join us for the Lunar New Year Celebration hosted by AUSD Asian Pacific Islander Parent Engagement Group (API-PEG). February 28, 4–6pm, Ocean View Elementary MPR. Food and volunteer sign up https://forms.gle/mGkDymidKpbZ4tk58 Join API-PEG Group email by filling out this form. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you have any questions, please email AlbanyAPIparents@gmail.com.
SchoolCARE needs passionate volunteers to assist with Spring fundraising efforts. Please join our team in supporting public education in Albany. Sign up at the links below for each activity:
Brochure Distribution: Distribute fundraising brochures throughout Albany. Routes take 1–2 hours and can be a fun family activity.
In-Person Promotion: Help us promote our Spring campaign during school drop-off the week of April 27.
Host a Lawn Sign: We will drop off and pick up the signs for a two-month display!
| COMMUNITY |
Pioneer Soccer Classes
Pioneer Soccer’s spring season soccer classes will begin March 9 for ten Monday afternoon sessions. TK class will meet from 3:20–4pm (40 minutes), and 1st grade to 5th grade class will meet from 4–5:15 pm (75 minutes), both at the Ohlone Softball Field. Register or find out more by emailing Coach Peyman Zarrabi at peymanzarrabi@gmail.com or calling (510) 375-6646.
Albany Sunday Youth Basketball
Register Now for Spring 2026. Open to 2nd–8th graders at the Albany High gym.| 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, Feb 13 at 4:59 PM]
The date for Community Time has been corrected to February 25