The Cupertino Educational Endowment Foundation

As the school year comes to a close, we’re celebrating a year of learning, growth, and connection.

From innovative classroom projects to meaningful student experiences, we’ve seen firsthand the impact of a community that believes in education.

Thank you to our teachers, staff, families, volunteers, donors, and partners for helping make these opportunities possible.

Wishing everyone a fun, restful, and well-deserved summer break! ☀️

Learning through play, growing through connection.

Recently, CEEF Board member Leslie Mains visited Jennifer Shaw’s 3rd-grade classroom at Eisenhower Elementary to hear directly from students about what they’re learning through collaborative classroom games.

The students shared thoughtful insights about how playing games with their peers helps them develop important Portrait of a Learner competencies. These moments remind us that some of the most meaningful learning happens when students are engaged, connected, and having fun.

The visit was especially meaningful for Leslie, who worked alongside Jennifer for many years in . Seeing a longtime colleague continue to create enriching learning experiences for students made the afternoon even more special.

Thank you, Jennifer, for helping students build skills that will serve them both in and beyond the classroom. 💙

Celebrating the people who made a difference.

Last night, CEEF Board Members Phyllis Vogel and Leslie Mains joined in honoring retiring teachers, principals, managers, and classified staff whose years of service have helped shape student learning across the district.

Thank you for your dedication, leadership, and lasting impact on our schools.

Last week, we received something special—handwritten thank you cards from school leaders.

Each note was a reminder that behind every grant, every program, and every effort… there are real people doing meaningful work with students every day.
We’re grateful for the partnership, the trust, and the shared commitment to supporting our schools—together. 💛

What if the problem isn’t that students don’t like writing—but that it doesn’t feel relevant?

Mr. Joseph Shin, 6th grade ELA and Social Science teacher, used a CEEF Teacher Grant to reimagine writing through video and storytelling.

With microphones and a new approach, students are creating personal narratives and presenting like content creators—bringing more authenticity, creativity, and engagement into the classroom.

Sometimes a small shift in how we teach can completely change how students learn. 💛

The arts don’t just teach performance—they teach voice. 🎭

For 15 years, Ms. Diana Brzozowski has created space for students to express themselves through dance and drama. With support from a CEEF Teacher Grant, students explored Puerto Rican culture through performance—blending music, movement, and storytelling.

These are the kinds of experiences that stay with students long after the final curtain. 💛

New Board Member Spotlight: Phyllis Vogel

Please join us in welcoming Phyllis Vogel to the CEEF Board!

A lifelong educator and leader, Phyllis has served as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and Board of Education member. She continues to support the district through volunteer work and recently helped lead the first student delegation to Copertino, Italy in April 2026.

When she’s not giving back to the community, you’ll find her traveling, playing golf or bridge, reading, and spending time with her family (and brushing up on her Italian!).

What if math could help you measure the width of a river—without crossing it? 🌿📐

Ms. Iouliana Ivanova’s students used hands-on measuring tools and similar triangle concepts during a field trip to Serra Park to solve real-world math problems.

One student even discovered a creative new way to calculate the river’s width using a tree on the opposite bank.

This is what happens when learning moves beyond a classroom. 💛