FILLIng the When public education is no longer “free,” a foundation must step in Tthe simple fact that if there isn’t enough money for the necessary hstudents decideigh school Englishhe obstacle that prevents the scenario at the right, and otherslike it in areas like science and music, from becoming reality istools and materials, the magic can’t begin. The science project requires beakers and safety goggles, many families cannot afford a quality musical which novels to read instrument, and the book club may never come to fruition if only some of from the list of titles their the students are able to purchase the novels needed. teacher has handed The Napa Valley Education Foundation (NVEF) has been reaching out to fill the funding gap and support the Napa Valley Unified School District’s out, as they begin their instructional goals for nearly three decades. By helping with project-based “book club” for the learning and making sure teachers get the supplies they need to engage following weeks. The students in learning, every aspect of life in Napa Valley improves. teacher anticipates that The need is greater than ever. Public education is simply no longer “free.” The NVEF is driven by the belief that every child deserves to reach his or reading comprehension her potential, regardless of the school they attend. Whether your children levels will soar for all her are in public school or not, every aspect of life in the Napa Valley improves students with the book when our public schools are successful and turn out well-rounded, well- adjusted and well-educated members of society. club model—students Only with the generosity of our community can the NVEF continue will collaborate, use to support the local public schools, helping our students become lifelong critical thinking skills, learners through hands-on, project-based learning. and communicate their hISToRY thoughts by discussing In 1983, at the request of then Napa Superintendent Dr. Robert Hansen, the various elements of community leaders formed the Napa Valley Unified Education Foundation literature. to assist in funding K-12 public education. Dorothy Sercu, Bud Gelow and Frank Silva attended a foundations-related conference in September of 1983 in order to learn more about establishing an educational non-profit foundation. Later that same month, Vallerga’s Market provided the prize for a raffle that raised $2,000 to pay for costs associated with launching the mISSIon NVEF, with tickets sold to teachers and district administrators. The foundation’s mission continues to be one of providing resources to In October of 1983, a committee of twenty-five persons representing all enhance and supplement the educational initiatives and priorities of the segments of the community agreed to serve as the original Board of Direc- NVUSD, but the gap between budgets and need has widened, not shrunk. tors. The law firm of Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty provided pro bono legal The NVEF supports the educators and students of the Napa Valley Unified assistance in order to establish the NVEF as a non-profit corporation, with School District, representing over 80% of the students in public schools in the first meeting of the Board of Directors held in November, 1983. The first the Napa Valley. officers of the Foundation were Duncan Knudsen (President), Anne Kirlin (Vice President), Dorothy Sercu (Secretary) and Mel Gelow (Treasurer). The goals were simple: to enrich school programs, fund innovative educational communITY techniques, and maintain educational excellence by means of fundraising PARTnERShIPS activities. The next opportunity to support the NVEF is the 29th Annual Taste for From its inception, the NVEF Board of Directors has continued to hold Knowledge Holiday Gala on December 1, 2012 at the beautiful Napa monthly meetings and has steadily increased its fundraising and school Valley Marriott. The Gala is the major fundraiser for the NVEF. For more support. Since 1983, the NVEF has raised more than $1.5 million that has information, or to make a donation, please visit www.nvef.org or phone the been used to support the Grants program, requests from teachers, individual NVEF office located at 2425 Jefferson Street in Napa, schools, and district-wide programs. 707-253-3563. S E P T E m B E R / o c T o B E R 2 0 1 2 73
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