CORNELL CHRONICLE 8/14/26

CORNELL CHRONICLE August 14, 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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Aug 20	PTA Executive Board Meeting, 7-8 (zoom)
Aug 27	Back to School Night, TK-5th, 6-7
Sep 3	PTA General Meeting, 6-7:30, MPR. Childcare offered.
Sep 7	No School - Labor Day
Sep 18	No School - Staff Development Day
Oct 1-2	Picture Days
Oct 9	No School - Fall Break
Oct 12	No School - Indigenous People's Day
Oct 16	Coffee with the Principal, 8:30 Yard
Oct 30	Halloween Parade

Regular Schedule Starts on Monday

Monday will begin our regular schedule: 

TK & Kindergarten: 8:30-1:30 (Monday - Friday)

1st - 5th grades: 8:30-3:05 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

Wednesdays for 1st - 5th grades: 8:30-1:45

PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING

Dear Coyote Families,   

Welcome again to the 26-27 school year! We had a great first week together. We are establishing routines and relationships, focused on ensuring that every student is well supported to belong, learn, and thrive at Cornell this year. I was happy to meet many of you at Coffee with the Principal this morning. I will be hosting a Friday morning coffee once a month, I look forward to seeing you there. Mark your calendars for our next Coffee with the Principal on September 11.

This week we’ve been talking with students about our 3 Be’s at Cornell: Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. We also need parents and caregivers to help us by Being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible during morning drop-off!

 

Walking to school

• Crossing guards are on Talbot at Marin and Solano.

• Join the Talbot Ave. Walking School Bus. Drop your child off or walk with the bus. For more info contact co-president@cornellpta.org

Stops at

• Brighton (8:10am),

• Garfield (8:13am),

• Portland (8:17am)

• Washington (8:23am),

• School arrival (8:27am).

 

Rolling to school

• Remember your helmet and bike lock!

• Dismount your bike/scooter before entering the campus.

• Student bike and scooter parking is inside the Talbot Ave gate.

• Grownups dropping off students by bike, look for outside-gate bike parking along Cornell Ave near Solano and along Talbot Ave. near the front office.

 

Driving to school

• Students should be dropped off along the passenger loading zones on Cornell Ave. and Talbot Ave. These loading zones are for active passenger loading/unloading only. Vehicles should not be left unattended in these zones.

• Never drop off children on the opposite side of the street from the school. Northbound drivers use Cornell Ave; southbound drivers use Talbot Ave.

• Never allow your child to exit a car that is stopped in traffic or parked illegally.

• Never turn around mid-block.

• Never block the curbout in front of the Talbot Ave gate.

• Watch or cyclists and pedestrians!

• To avoid creating congestion, consider parking 1 - 2 blocks away and walking from there or dropping your child off at one of the Walking School Bus stops.

Have a great weekend!

Warmly,

Jen

CORNELL ANNOUNCEMENT

Please Welcome New Cornell Teachers!

Nina Melvin (Ms. Nina) is excited to join Cornell as a Transitional Kindergarten teacher after previously teaching TK in Vallejo and working in early childhood education. As a former Albany student herself, she is especially excited to return to the community and create a warm, play-based classroom where young learners can grow and thrive. 

Bea Daily (Ms. Bea) has joined our Kindergarten team, co-teaching with Ms. April. Ms. Bea has over 20 years of experience working with children and youth. She holds a Master’s in Education and is passionate about Early Childhood Education. Ms. Bea loves supporting young learners as they grow, explore, and learn. She brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and care to the classroom.

Owen Troy (Mr. Troy) is co-teaching a 3rd grade class with Ms. Zmich. He is passionate about education, and comes from teaching 5th grade at Sunset Ridge in Pacifica last year. He has a background in graphic design and has a side design business with his wife, Samantha.

Camille Plant (Ms. Plant) is very excited to join the fifth grade team! She is passionate about literacy and strives to nurture kind, thoughtful, lifelong learners in her classroom.

Noelle Martinez (Ms. Noelle) is also new to our fifth grade team. She recently earned her M.A. in Education from UC Berkeley, and previously worked in schools in Southern California for five years. She is excited to share her love of art and literacy with her students.

PTA NEWS

Happy New School Year from the Cornell PTA (Parent Teacher Association)!  

The Cornell PTA is a volunteer group of parents, teachers, and school staff working together to support Cornell through fundraising, events, and advocacy work. PTA programs directly benefit your child’s classroom experience and our school community. We welcome all parents, grandparents, and caregivers to become active members of the PTA. 

We ask interested parents/caregivers to please complete our  volunteer interest form so we can get to know you and you can learn more about the programs we sponsor. 

Supporting these events and programs also requires fundraising. Here is a look ahead at fundraising events for the PTA this year and how that money is spent.  If you’d like to make a financial commitment today, please visit the Membership Page on our website. We’ll also be sharing more information and opportunities to support the PTA in the coming weeks. 

The PTA is run by volunteers so whether you can commit to one hour this year or one hour a week, we need you! Come join us at our first PTA meeting Thursday September 3rd from 6 - 7:30pm in the Cornell MPR. Childcare and dinner provided! 

Join our Talbot Ave. Walking School Bus! 

The Walking School Bus is just like a regular school bus (with a specific schedule and route) only we walk instead of drive! Our walking school bus runs daily rain or shine (rare cancellation with extreme weather) and all are welcome. You may drop your child at any of our stops and we’ll make sure they get to school safely. Parents/ caregivers are also welcome to join us on the walk. 

This Walking School Bus is run by volunteers from our Cornell Community. We are a welcoming and fun group. Come join us! If you have any questions or would like to join our WhatsApp group, please email Sarah Zyba at co-president@cornellpta.org. 

Walking School Bus Schedule

 8:10am depart from the Southwest corner of Talbot and Brighton

 8:13am pass thru Northwest corner of Talbot and Garfield, 

 8:17am depart from Northwest corner of Talbot and Portland,

 8:22am pass by Northwest corner of Talbot and Washington, and then 

 8:26am reach the Talbot school gate. 

Back to School Night - Childcare

The PTA is happy to sponsor childcare for Back to School Night! Complete this form: https://forms.gle/xoTkUp2Pohh3iHAb7 to secure your spot today. Pizza will be provided for dinner. Limited Space is available, sign up today!

FROM AUSD

Superintendent's Community Update

Community Update from the Superintendent –  Monday, August 10

COMMUNITY

Enjoy Little Star on Third Tuesdays and Support Albany Athletics!

Albany Athletic Boosters and Little Star Pizza have teamed up to raise money for Albany's athletic programs. Every third Tuesday of the month, the Boosters receive 10% from Little Star. All you need to to is enjoy great pizza at your favorite neighborhood joint.

DATES: August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17, December 15.

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 2026-27 AUSD SCHOOL CALENDAR

LINK TO BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS  

[Saturday, Aug 15 at 10:12 AM]
CORRECTIONS TO BROKEN/OUTDATED LINKS have been made. Please refer to this version of the 8/14/26 Cornell Chronicle.