Cornell Chronicle 4/24/26
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CORNELL CHRONICLE April 24, 2026 Cornell strives to support a safe and secure learning environment that treats all students with dignity, respect, and high expectations. |
| CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
| Apr 25 | Drag Story Hour, Marin MPR, 11:30am |
| Apr 29 | PTA Meeting, MPR |
| May 1 | Spirit Day: Animal Dress Up Day |
| May 9 | PTA Fundraiser at Donkey & Goat Winery, Berkeley, 2-5pm |
| May TBD | PTA Movie Night, |
| May 25 | No School - Memorial Day |
| June 5 | 5th grade promotion ceremony, time TBD |
| June 5 | Last day of school |
| PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING |
Dear Coyote Families,
Happy Friday! Students had a busy week completing their Coyote Fun Fitness Week challenges! Thank you to Coach Joel and the PTA for a successful Fun Fitness Week! The kids worked hard during PE classes to meet their fitness goals.
Next week, we will continue CAASPP testing for 3rd and 5th grade. Join us for the next PTA association meeting for the year, this Wednesday, April 29 at 6pm in the MPR. Mark you calendars for Open House, Thursday, May 14 from 6-7pm.
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
Call for parent volunteers
As you may know, Albany's K-5 ELA Curriculum Adoption Committee has unanimously selected a new K-5 English Language Arts curriculum, Fishtank ELA, beginning next school year, which the School Board recently approved. We are excited that our students will engage with rich, diverse, and knowledge-building texts throughout the year!
As we prepare materials for classrooms, we’re looking for volunteers to help stamp books as they arrive in the coming weeks so they are organized and ready for teacher use. If you’re available to help, please reach out to the school office. Thank you for supporting our teachers and students!
Room 29 Art "Disenos and Cattle Brands"
| CORNELL NEWS |
Friday, May 1st
Get ready for some wild fun! This Friday, May 1st, we will be celebrating a Spirit Day: Animal Dress Up Day
Students are invited to come to school dressed as their favorite animal—whether it’s a roaring lion, a buzzing bee, a slithering snake, or a cuddly panda. Creativity is encouraged, so feel free to get as imaginative (and school-appropriate) as you’d like! We can’t wait to see our school filled with amazing animal creations. Thanks for helping make our Spirit Day fun and memorable!
| CORNELL LIBRARY CORNER |
Weekly Library Spotlight
This week’s content:
During Fun Fitness Week, we explored what fitness teaches us about ourselves and life through great books.
TK/K: Mop rides the waves of life connects a child’s love of surfing with the power of mindfulness and meditation.
1st: Ella McKeen, kickball queen focuses on sportsmanship and healthy competition in addition to ways to manage big feelings.
2nd: The power of community and creative problem-solving shine through in The floating field, a true story about Thai kids building their own floating soccer field!
3rd: Daughter of the light-footed people introduces readers to inspirational endurance runner, María Lorena Ramírez, who chooses to run in her traditional sandals and skirt that represent her Rarámuri culture.
4th/5th: Minda Dentler teaches us about persistence and the value of developing a healthy mindset in relation to failure in her picture book memoir, The girl who figured it out.
Update: Spring Break Reading Challenge
I’m so proud of all the students who led their own reading over Spring Break and completed the challenge. Certificates were awarded to all and we had two lucky raffle winners– Max and Virika!
Introducing: Library Fan Art Poster Contest
We’re launching the final beloved fan art poster contest! Kids are encouraged to pick book(s) that they love and create a poster inspired by it/them. This is a kids-only activity; caregivers and older siblings can encourage them and provide inspiration, but please let the kids do all the work and shine! Classroom teachers are sending poster papers home this week and extra are available in the library. If anyone needs art supplies, please connect with me and I’ll send a set home so everyone has what they need to participate. Entries due: Wed, 5/13
| PTA NEWS |
Fun Fitness Week
Today was the last day of FUN FITNESS WEEK!
We are still trying to reach our fundraising goal, so if you have not yet registered, please take a moment to register here (https://cornell.pledgestar.com/Welcome.html) and invite friends and family to donate! Your support goes directly back to supporting Cornell!
The TOP TWO CLASSES with the most sign ups win a POPSICLE PARTY!
New this year - Let's keep the fitness going into May! IBX Fitness is offering a special $40 exercise class for Cornell Parents on Friday, May 8 from 6:15pm - 8 pm as part of our Fun Fitness Week fundraising! Sign up here if you're interested in the class: https://forms.gle/BSMEWhdohtGXia2o9. There are only 14 spots available so sign up today!
OPEN CORNELL BOARD POSITIONS
The PTA is only viable with a president, treasurer and secretary. Please reach out to the PTA President, president@cornellpta.org, if you are interested in the position, yourself or with a co-president!
DRAG STORY HOUR
Join us for a joyful celebration of stories, creativity, and community! Albany's Pride is thrilled to host a Drag Story Hour on Saturday, April 25th, from 11:30 AM–1:30 PM at Marin Elementary MPR. Come enjoy fabulous storytelling, great food, and good company with your neighbors and fellow families. This event is open to everyone!
We will be providing food, so please RSVP so we can make sure there's enough for everyone: https://bit.ly/ausdpride-storyhour
Story time is from 12:00–1:00 PM. We'd love to see you there!
Staff Appreciation Week!
Staff Appreciation week is coming in May 4-8. Look for info from your room parents! We are looking for volunteers to help Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Sign up here to help out!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WZqxC_3Oo1L6XQijkpRZSsYh_zV805_e4VLNXtqJ0pA/edit?usp=sharing
Join Us for a PTA Fundraiser at Donkey & Goat Winery (kid friendly!)
1340 Fifth Street at Gilman in Berkeley
Saturday May 9, 2-5pm
Connect with fellow Cornell families and build community in a relaxed setting at Donkey & Goat Winery! Enjoy their beautifully crafted, terroir-driven wines while kids have plenty of space to play and unwind.
Support our school while you sip!
Donkey & Goat will generously donate 20% of all revenue over $300 back to our PTA.
Light bites and wine available for purchase
Kid-friendly snacks and non-alcoholic beverages provided by the PTA
Open space for families to gather and kids to roam
Bring the whole family, meet new friends, and help support our school. We hope to see you there!
Cornell PTA Instagram @cornellpta
Cornell Wear eStore is always here with t-shirts, hoodies and more for the whole family!
| FROM AUSD |
Community Newsletter Update
The Superintendent’s Community Update is now a monthly Community Newsletter, sent at the beginning of each month.
Be sure to look out for the latest edition! AUSD Community Newsletter, April 2026Link to AUSD Events Announcements Page
This page makes it easy to view all district and community announcements in one place.
| 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)
Attendance (absences) : cornellattendance@ausdk12.orgLINK TO 2025-26 AUSD SCHOOL CALENDAR
LINK TO BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS