C Clifton Education
FoundationEst. 1998 · Clifton, NJ
About the foundation

Twenty-eight years of community support for Clifton schools

Formed in 1998 by two lifelong Clifton educators, the foundation is an independent, volunteer-run nonprofit funding what the school budget cannot.

What we are

The Clifton Education Foundation, Inc. was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit, tax-exempt community organization, independent of the Clifton Board of Education. Its 501(c)(3) status was approved on March 2, 1998. The Foundation is run entirely by unpaid volunteers.

Our purpose is to further the Clifton Public Schools' educational goals by funding creative programs and special projects that cannot be supported through the regular annual school district budget.

Since 1999, the Foundation has awarded 807 grants totaling $296,111.26, funded $35,000 to implement the STEAM Makerspace Program, and awarded nine seniors with a $1,000 Marie L. Hakim Scholarship for Future Educators. The Foundation is also the Administrator of the following funds:

  • Daniel Listmeier Memorial Scholarship: two $500 scholarships for Clifton High School ASPIRE students.
  • Jennifer Lucas Memorial Scholarship: two $1,000 scholarships, one in music and one in education.
  • MICP Marcin Bednarz #4636 Memorial Scholarship: two $500 scholarships for Clifton High School seniors planning to be an EMT, paramedic, or first responder.
  • Thomas Mullin Civic Leadership Grants: grants given to projects that promote leadership skills and civic responsibility in Clifton public school students.

Clifton has 21 public schools and over 11,000 students.

We provide mini-grants for reading, STEAM projects, history, physical education, the arts, music, character building, environmental work, sensory paths for special needs children, communication boards, mental health awareness, family literacy events, cultural events, workforce development, the expansion of Makerspace in our Media Centers, journalism, and mindfulness. Annual fundraisers include the CAST Film Festival, Faculty Dress Down Day, Tricky Tray, and the Lollipops and Roses Concert featuring the Clifton Community Band.

Our goals

  • Inform the community about the strengths and challenges of the Clifton Public Schools.
  • Encourage collaboration among corporate, business, organizational, and individual resources.
  • Provide a way for individuals and organizations to share resources and gifts with the schools.
  • Foster the development of alumni resources.
  • Encourage teachers, students, and organizations to pursue innovative and creative projects.
Our co-founders

The people who started it

Marie L. Hakim

Marie L. Hakim

Co-Founder

The late Marie L. Hakim was a lifelong Clifton resident and an educator for 34 years. She served on the Clifton Board of Education for 19 years and, in 1998, while President, organized the Clifton Education Foundation with Bob Zschack.

The late Marie L. Hakim was a lifelong Clifton resident and an educator for 34 years. She served on the Clifton Board of Education for 19 years and, in 1998, while President, organized the Clifton Education Foundation with Bob Zschack. Marie had a boundless supply of energy, enthusiasm, and passion for keeping abreast of education trends and legislation that affected public education.

Robert Zschack

Robert Zschack

Co-Founder

The late Robert Zschack, the Foundation's second co-founder, helped raise thousands of dollars for the organization.

The late Robert Zschack, the Foundation's second co-founder, helped raise thousands of dollars for the organization. A lifelong resident of Clifton and an accomplished educator for 38 years before his retirement, his volunteer work for Clifton was prodigious and long-reaching.

Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Foundation is governed by a volunteer board, many of them retired Clifton educators and administrators. Tap Show more to read a full biography.

Janet Kolano

Janet Kolano

President

A lifelong Clifton resident, Janet returned to the CEF and currently serves as President. She attended School 5 and Woodrow Wilson Junior High before graduating from Pope Pius XII High School, and earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Mount St. Mary College and a Master's in Counseling from Montclair State University.

A lifelong Clifton resident, Janet returned to the CEF and currently serves as President. She attended School 5 and Woodrow Wilson Junior High before graduating from Pope Pius XII High School, and earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Mount St. Mary College and a Master's in Counseling from Montclair State University. Janet served as a teacher, counselor, and elementary principal in Clifton for 25 years before her retirement, serving on many parent advisory groups and curricular committees including the School 15 HSA, CASA, the Master Plan Committee, TIDE, the Passaic County Administrators' Association, and the Child Placement Review Board. A recipient of the Excellence in Education Award in 1990, she was also recognized as the Clifton Teachers' Association Educator of the Year in 1999. She is an active member of Saint Philip the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, where she serves as a Eucharistic Minister. Janet and her husband of 53 years, Dennis, raised five CHS graduates and enjoy supporting their eight grandchildren.

Carol Leach

Carol Leach

Vice President

Carol joined the Foundation in 2023, becoming Vice President in 2024. A 1968 graduate of Pope Pius XII High School, she earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Dayton and her M.Ed. in Reading from William Paterson University.

Carol joined the Foundation in 2023, becoming Vice President in 2024. A 1968 graduate of Pope Pius XII High School, she earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Dayton and her M.Ed. in Reading from William Paterson University. Carol began her education career in Clifton in 1982, teaching in Schools 1, 3, and 4, and held certifications as a Reading Specialist and NJ Supervisor. In 1999 she was appointed K-8 Language Arts Supervisor in Clifton, and she later became Director of Elementary Education for the Wayne Public Schools until her retirement in 2010. She received the Governor's Teacher Award and Grant in 1991 and the Dean's Award from WPU. Carol and her husband Bob raised three children in Clifton and now reside in Bayville, where they enjoy time with their five grandchildren.

Loretta Ahmad

Loretta Ahmad

Treasurer · Charter Member

Loretta has been Treasurer of the Foundation since its inception in 1997 and is a passionate fundraiser. She earned an A.A. in Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Loretta has been Treasurer of the Foundation since its inception in 1997 and is a passionate fundraiser. She earned an A.A. in Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She was employed at Hoffmann-La Roche for 20 years, ending her career as a Supervisor of Medical Documentation, before leaving in 1987 to raise her four children and volunteer throughout the Clifton Public School District, including roles at School 2, Woodrow Wilson Middle School, and Clifton High School. Loretta was nominated for the New Jersey 2024 Russ Berrie Making A Difference Award for her service to others. Loretta resides in Clifton with her husband, Odeh, and enjoys time with their six grandchildren and one great-grandson, along with scrapbooking, family-history research, and chess.

Kim Nouhan-Puzzo

Kim Nouhan-Puzzo

Communications Director

Kim joined the Board in 2021 and became Communications Director in 2022. A graduate of Clifton Schools, she earned a B.S. in Education of the Deaf from The College of New Jersey and a M.Ed. in Learning Disabilities from William Paterson University.

Kim joined the Board in 2021 and became Communications Director in 2022. A graduate of Clifton Schools, she earned a B.S. in Education of the Deaf from The College of New Jersey and a M.Ed. in Learning Disabilities from William Paterson University. Kim taught in Clifton for 35 years, 25 as a Teacher of the Deaf and 10 working with children with autism and learning disabilities, and taught ASL for the Clifton Adult School. She received the First Annual Governor's Teacher Recognition Award in 1986 and the Clifton Teachers' Association Educator of the Year Award in 2014. In 1990 she was the ASL interpreter for the Jefferson Awards ceremonies at the Supreme Court and the White House. She resides in Clifton with her husband, retired Clifton Elementary Principal Luca Puzzo, and enjoys photography.

Cheryl Pienciak

Cheryl Pienciak

Secretary

Cheryl joined the Foundation in 2025, quickly assuming the role of Secretary. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Rider College, Nursery School Certification from Montclair State, and a M.S. in Educational Technology from Ramapo College.

Cheryl joined the Foundation in 2025, quickly assuming the role of Secretary. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Rider College, Nursery School Certification from Montclair State, and a M.S. in Educational Technology from Ramapo College. Before her 25-year tenure teaching third grade at School Eight, Cheryl taught preschool at Grove Hill Nursery School, where she built a curriculum designed around computers. At School Eight she piloted Smart Boards and other technology projects and wrote numerous grants, including a $5,000 Lowe's grant used to build an outdoor nature classroom, The Schoolyard 8trium. She facilitated her students' involvement with H2O for Life, raising funds for clean-water facilities in Nicaragua. She received the District Excellence in Education Award in 2003 and 2008 and the 2020-2021 Governor's Educator of the Year for School Eight. She enjoys time with her five grandchildren, along with knitting, sewing, and baking.

Kelly Barros

Kelly Barros

Trustee

A lifelong Clifton resident and CHS Class of 1991 graduate, Kelly has been a trustee since 2023. She earned her Bachelor's in Finance and Accounting at New Jersey City University and has over 25 years of finance experience.

A lifelong Clifton resident and CHS Class of 1991 graduate, Kelly has been a trustee since 2023. She earned her Bachelor's in Finance and Accounting at New Jersey City University and has over 25 years of finance experience. Kelly has held positions at Ernst & Young, Ralph Lauren, Sony Music, Nestle Nutrition, and Christie's Auction House in NYC, where she was a Global AVP of Finance. In 2016 she moved to higher education at Montclair State University, where she now serves as Assistant Treasurer, with a background spanning budget and planning, treasury, cash management, and risk. She played a central role in MSU's CARES Act response and the merger with Bloomfield College. Kelly resides in Clifton with her husband Fernando, a CCMS teacher, and their two children.

Karin Christiaens

Karin Christiaens

Trustee

A lifelong Clifton resident and CHS Class of 1969 graduate, Karin joined the Foundation in 2022. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from William Paterson University.

A lifelong Clifton resident and CHS Class of 1969 graduate, Karin joined the Foundation in 2022. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from William Paterson University. Karin worked for the Clifton Recreation Department after high school and has been a religious educator since 1973. She volunteered at Clifton Safety Town for 20 years, receiving the Friend of Youth Award from the Clifton Optimist Club. She taught nursery school at Allwood Play and Learn and Grove Hill before teaching at School Three. A parishioner of Saint Philip's RC Church, she is a member of the Columbiettes and the Rosary Altar Society. Karin resides in Clifton with her husband, John, and enjoys knitting, plastic craft, and the piano.

Robert Foster

Robert Foster

Trustee

Robert (Bob) Foster joined the Foundation in 2024. A native of Kingston, NY, he majored in Physical Education at Springfield College and earned a master's in human resources from Clemson University.

Robert (Bob) Foster joined the Foundation in 2024. A native of Kingston, NY, he majored in Physical Education at Springfield College and earned a master's in human resources from Clemson University. Bob moved to Clifton in 1980 to be a Social Recreation Director for the Boys' Club of Clifton, eventually becoming Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Clifton in 2006, transforming it into a model community resource before retiring in 2024. His commitment to Clifton includes the Rotary Club, the Interagency Council, the Clifton Optimist Club, and the Board of Recreation, along with coaching basketball and leading teen and leadership programs.

Joan Mullin

Joan Mullin

Trustee

Joan became a trustee in 2025, continuing the work of her late husband Thomas Mullin, who served from 2001 until his death in 2025. She was instrumental in establishing the Thomas Mullin Civic Leadership Grants in his memory.

Joan became a trustee in 2025, continuing the work of her late husband Thomas Mullin, who served from 2001 until his death in 2025. She was instrumental in establishing the Thomas Mullin Civic Leadership Grants in his memory. A lifelong Clifton resident, Joan attended St. Philip the Apostle Preparatory School and Clifton High School, where she was a proud member of the Mustang Marching Band. She earned a B.A. in Physical Education and Health from William Paterson University and later taught at the Clifton Adult School. A Life Member and Past Commander of the United States Power Squadrons, she has volunteered with the Clifton Recreation Department for 50 years. Joan enjoys travel, baking, concerts, and theater, and serves as a walking scorer for the LPGA when they are in the area.

Maryann Stagen

Maryann Stagen

Trustee

A lifelong Clifton resident, Maryann has been a trustee since 2004. She earned a B.A. and M.A. in French from Montclair State University and, as a recipient of the Margaret B. Holz Scholarship, studied for a year in Grenoble, France.

A lifelong Clifton resident, Maryann has been a trustee since 2004. She earned a B.A. and M.A. in French from Montclair State University and, as a recipient of the Margaret B. Holz Scholarship, studied for a year in Grenoble, France. Maryann taught French for 34 years at West Essex High School in North Caldwell before her retirement. She is an active member of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Passaic, serving as a cantor since 1990 and later as choir directress, and served as a Board Member of the Clifton Arts Center. A talented pianist, she enjoys singing and speaking French with Alliance Francaise de Montclair.

With gratitude

Trustee Emerita & Advisory

Lila Czaplicki

Lila Czaplicki

Trustee Emerita

Lila has been a trustee since 2009 and is the sister of CEF co-founder Marie Hakim. A graduate of Clifton Public Schools, she grew up working at her family's Alexander's Department Store in Clifton and graduated from the Essex College of Business.

Lila has been a trustee since 2009 and is the sister of CEF co-founder Marie Hakim. A graduate of Clifton Public Schools, she grew up working at her family's Alexander's Department Store in Clifton and graduated from the Essex College of Business. Before retiring in 2006, she was an executive assistant at companies including J.P. Stevens and Novartis Pharmaceuticals. An avid traveler, Lila and her husband John now reside in Ocean Township, NJ, and love spending time with their four grandchildren, along with jigsaw puzzles, crafts, and cards.

DR

Danny Robertozzi, Ed.D.

Advisory Member · Superintendent of Schools

Superintendent of the Clifton Public Schools and an advisory member of the Foundation's board.

Help us keep going

Donations, bequests, memorial gifts, and corporate matching all support Clifton students. All contributions are fully tax-deductible.

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