Four Cupertino Schools Get Grant From Rotary For School Supplies

Less money from the private pockets of teachers at four Cupertino elementary schools will go toward school supplies this year thanks to a grant through Cupertino Rotary, Staples and the schools’ PTA.

secured a $3,600 grant from and the PTA’s from each participating school combined to match the grant to help teachers purchase classroom school supplies.

"This is a “beta test” of a collaboration between local corporations, the schools, the PTA’s and Rotary. Cupertino Rotary’s goal is to ultimately roll this out to include all 25 schools in the CUSD system, which will require a much higher level of funding,” said Rotary President Larry Dean.

“Being resource limited for this iteration, the district administration felt it appropriate to test it out with four schools within the immediate proximity of Staples, which will allow for a more greater measurement of results and to minimize the dilution of the grant money.”

Each of the four lucky schools—, , and elementary schools—will receive $1,800, which will in turn be divided between all the teachers.

“Staples has everything they need,” said Rotarian Steve Andrews.

For years teachers have been reaching into their own wallets to buy classroom supplies from Kleenex to paper because schools are strapped for cash.

The grant money, which will end up at about $60 to $70 per teacher, will help Cupertino’s teachers zip up those pocketbooks.

This is the first year Rotary and Staples have worked together, but it’s not the first year Rotary has pitched in and given to the area’s schools.

Andrews said the club has a long-standing relationship with Garden Gate through the fishing program. Each year Rotarians take the 3rd grade class—typically about 110 students—out to teach them how to fish.

Stevens Creek Elementary benefits from a teaching garden built for the school complete with benches, raised beds and a gazebo.

Andrews is personally familiar with Lincoln.

“I do substitute teaching there so I know that school well,” he said.

The four schools were selected for the grant program based on their market location to Staples and the bond between the school and the club.