CORNELL CHRONICLE 8/28/26

CORNELL CHRONICLE August 28, 2026 Cornell strives to support a safe and secure learning environment that treats all students with dignity, respect, and high expectations.

Regular Weekly 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

Dear Coyote Families, 

Many thanks to everyone who came out last night for Back to School Night! I enjoyed getting to connect with many of you, and I’m looking forward to working in partnership with you and your children’s teachers to ensure that all our Cornell students are able to learn and thrive this year.

Please keep reading below for information about the first PTA general meeting coming up on Thursday, September 3 at 6:00. Dinner and childcare are provided.

Last night we were happy to have representatives from some of AUSD’s Affinity Groups join us. All identities belong and are welcome at Albany schools, but these groups can help you connect with a particular affinity group that reflects your identity and/or your interests. Please reach out via email if you’d like to join or get on the mailing list for an Affinity Group. And if you don’t see the group you’d like to join, then reach out to me about creating it!

• Asian Pacific Islander Parent Engagement Group albanyAPIParents@gmail.com

• Albany Disability Squad albanydisabilitysquad@gmail.com

• Albany’s Pride albanyspride@gmail.com

• Black Parent Advisory Group tgrogans@ausdk12.org

• English Learner Advisory Council  ashin@ausdk12.org

• Familias Latinas de Albany  familiaslatinasdealbany@gmail.com

• Jewish Parent Engagement Group efbranoff@gmail.com

Have a great weekend!

Warmly,

Jen

Weekly Library Spotlight

It has been such a joy to welcome students back to the library this year! I’m excited and grateful to return as your students’ Teacher Librarian this year and will share resources and updates weekly. I see every class in the school once a week (schedule here). 

This week’s instruction continued to focus on being safe, responsible, and respectful and developing students’ familiarity with our library:

• TK/K students focused on book care and practiced being gentle with books and returning them to the correct places. They loved our read-alouds: Books Are Like Babies & A Perfectly Messed Up Story.

• 1st-5th graders explored the differences between non-fiction and fiction books, why readers choose them, and learned where they are located in our library. 

Lunch-Recess Library Program

The library is open daily during lunch recess for 1st-5th graders. It is a safe and inclusive space for all where kids can enjoy a variety of activities. Please encourage your students to drop in if you think they’d enjoy it.

Calling Library Volunteers! 

The library needs volunteers for this school year. If you are interested in helping out weekly or biweekly and would like to learn more, please fill out this interest form and I’ll be in touch. Tasks include:  shelving, checking books in and out and helping our young readers navigate the library during class visits.  

Ms. Kate, Cornell’s Teacher Librarian, is reachable anytime at kbowman@ausdk12.org to respond to any questions, needs, or requests.

Room Parents Needed! 

The classrooms below are still in need of a room parent. Please reach out to the teacher directly or email room-parent-coordinator@cornellpta.org to sign up. If you don’t want to do the job alone, find a buddy and sign up as co-room parents! 

Ms. Scheepers/Ms. Sophia

Ms. Child

Ms. Zmich/Mr. Troy

Ms. Sarah

Ms. Finley

Ms. Wong

Ms. Plant

Ms. Martinez

Ms. Freschl

What is a room parent?

Room Parents are the “point people” in communication between the PTA,  teachers, and students’ caretakers. Some of the main duties include: forwarding communications from the teacher or PTA, sending out information about classroom needs, soliciting volunteers for PTA events, arranging holiday/appreciation gifts for teachers twice a year, working with other grade-level room parents to organize 1 grade-level hosted teacher appreciation lunch, and reminding families about upcoming events.

What happens after volunteering to be a room parent?

Once you commit, you will have the support of the Cornell PTA. All Room Parents will be part of an email list where the PTA will send you easy-to-forward communications. Teachers will communicate directly with you to guide you through their needs. Once enough volunteers are signed up, there will be a "room parent launch" where the room parent coordinator, Marissa, will email all of the important information to each of you.

Cornell PTA Association Meeting!

Thursday, September 3rd from 6-7:30pm in the Cornell MPR or on Zoom (link to follow). Please come join us to support our amazing school!

Join us for Cornell's annual ice cream social!

Friday September 11th from 5pm-7pm in the Cornell MPR, our wonderful teachers will be scooping ice cream! Dairy-free and gluten-free options will be available. Come enjoy a free ice cream cone funded by the PTA! Volunteers needed to make this event a success, please sign up 

Westbrae Pumpkin Patch Bakesale! 

Our Pumpkin Patch bakesales are October 3 and 17! This is right around the corner - if you’re interested in bringing something to sell or volunteering to sell the baked goods please sign up here!

Superintendent's Community Update

Community Update from the Superintendent –  August/September 2026

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