CORNELL CHRONICLE  May 8, 2026 Cornell strives to support a safe and secure learning environment that treats all students with dignity, respect, and high expectations.

Dear Coyote Families,

What a fabulous week! Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all our AMAZING educators! Thank you PTA and families for helping us celebrate our teachers. 

I also want to congratulate the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders on their special musical performances throughout the spring! In the coming weeks the 5th grade students will hold their final musical theater and band performances. We are in for a great show! 

Next week, we will hold our May safety drill, on Monday May 11. On Tuesday, May 12 we will hold our last Community Time for the year. Also please join us for Open House on Thursday, May 14  from 6 to 7PM. Our Cornell ELAC meeting will start at 5:30 before Open House on May 14. All are welcome to the Open House events. Come and see all the beautiful work that the students have created!

Have a wonderful weekend!

In community,

Catherine

Many parents are unaware that taking a vacation or going out of town for a family emergency during school is an unexcused absence, and subjects their child (or children) to laws related to truancy. The AUSD practice for students who leave for vacation or family emergencies during the last 30 days of school is that students who are absent 10 or more consecutive days of school and not returning before the last week of school will be dis-enrolled to avoid being reported as truant. 

Students must be re-enrolled at the Enrollment Office after returning to Albany; however, there is no guarantee that the student will receive the same school assignment. Returning students will be treated as new applicants and will be assigned to an elementary school based on space availability. 

Students with interdistrict permits with excessive absences may be in violation of the Interdistrict Attendance Agreement and risk losing their permit to attend school in Albany.  No independent study requests for the last two weeks of school will be accepted. 

Thank you very much for your cooperation.

This week’s content:

During Jewish American Heritage Month, students enjoyed contemporary read-alouds and practiced digital literacy skills to learn more about the topics we explored. Students in grades 3–5 researched related topics online while learning how different search engines, including AI tools, provide information. They also discussed how to identify reliable sources and use critical thinking to decide whether information is accurate and trustworthy.

Library Fan Art Poster Contest

Keep encouraging your readers to participate in this year’s fan art poster contest! 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! Extra poster papers 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 website

Cornell PTA Instagram @cornellpta

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

Come out to Cougar Field to have some fun with the Youth Athletic and Wellness (YAW) Club, try new sports, and explore new activies. Students in K-8th grades are invited to try new sports and activities at a Field Day at Cougar Field (behind Albany Middle School, 1259 Brighton Ave.) on Saturday, May 16, 12-2pm. 
High school students in the AHS Youth Athletic & Wellness Club are hosting this fun experience and will be running all activities. Note that parents should accompany and stay with their children, adult supervision is provided, but is minimal. Kids should wear comfortable running shoes, active wear, and bring sunscreen and a water bottle. Some concessions will be available for sale. Prizes will be awarded for effort and excellence! Please sign up to allow for the club to gauge participation: Interest Form or scan the QR code. 

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