Local Community Programs

• Napa Neighbor Discounts
• Local Community Links
• Adopt a School
• Share Your Thoughts
• Community Newsletter

home › programs & events ›

Adopt a School

NVV Adopts Napa Valley High School

In 2000, the Napa Valley Vintners "adopted" Napa High School. Through this partnership, the NVV provides support through programs such as field trips and other student enrichment efforts. The NVV is also a valuable instructor resource - available to assist teachers with integrating wine and agriculture industry information into existing high school curricula.

Past Support Includes:

Field Trips

Field trips add another dimension to learning yet can be costly. Often, students are charged a fee to attend a field trip. Field trips made possible by NVV funding include: the Exploratorum in San Francisco for a Physical Science class for learning handicapped students who learn best by hands on visual experiences, and a second trip the the Exploratoruim for an English Language Learner class. Others include a trip to the Bay Model Watershed in Sausalito for Earth and Environmental Science classes; the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival for Language Arts students; and a French/English play in Sacramento for World Language students. In addition, Great America Physics Day for advanced placement and college prepatory physics students and, an orientation to Napa Valley College were also funded through the NVV.

Freshman Conference

Provides an orientation to Napa High School and high school life for incoming freshman. The conference is held in late summer and consists of two and a half days of workshops regarding student and school issues including: school spirit, goal setting, anger management, homework habits, leadership and more. The conference is led by NHS Leadership students and relies solely on donations. Close to 200 (26% of incoming freshman) attended this year's event. The event culminated in a humorist and motivational speaker addressing the students on the subjects of goal setting, choices, life skills and the importance of having direction. Teachers were also treated to a workshop by this speaker who discussed stress management, accountability and the value of taking care of oneself.

Peer Mediation

Annual training for approximately 40 Peer Mediators (student counselors). Peer mediators handle student conflict issues and social issues, among other things. The Peer Mediation program has grown due to NVV support now a full fledged club on campus. Students in the new club performed skits during Peace Week and made informative posters for display. The posters educated students about the hurtfulness of rumors and harassment and emphasized the ability to work through conflict. The club also presented information at the Freshman Conference.

NHS Library for sorely needed books. The suggested book to student ratio is 10:1. NHS was at at 3:1 before NVV support. Hundreds of new books have been purchased and old books updated. Gaps in literature were resolved - as there was a lack of diversity in authors (ethnicity, gender, etc.). The library also has new tables and chairs. According Napa High School administration- students are using the library to a much great degree than in the past.

S.E.E.D. (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity)

This program stems from a national project at Wellesley College where trained teacher-leaders conduct monthly meetings to read, discuss, and select literature reflecting multi-cultural, racial, and gender issues. The concept is to become sensitive to other voices besides those in our own culture and to look for literature and activities to better understand those voices. A group of nearly 20 teachers participated in the program last year. As a result, four new books were adopted and approved by the district. These books have a multi-cultural focus and address critical topics in education and life in general. A literacy coordinator will be using this program to teach at-risk (Title I) students across the curriculum.

Student of the Month

For each month of the school year, a Napa High School student is honored as the NVV Student of the Month. Students selected are those who have shown improvement in either academics or other areas, who give of their time without thought of recognition, and who do not hesitate to help others. Simply - students who have heart. The NVV Student of the Month profile is featured in the Napa Register on the fourth Saturday of each month.

Scholarships

In addition to Adopt A School efforts with Napa High School, the NVV awards annual college scholarships to deserving students graduating from Napa County High Schools, and who will be attending a junior college or four year college or university. Students planning a career in the grape or wine industry are encouraged to apply, however this is not a primary consideration.

Napa Valley College Teaching Winery

The Napa Valley Vintners is the primary source of funding for newly opened Napa Valley Vintners Teaching Winery at Napa Valley College with $585,000 donated over a three-year period from proceeds of the Napa Valley Wine Auction. The Napa Valley Vintners Teaching Winery represents a unique partnership to prepare students for careers in a vital Napa Valley industry and better serve at-risk youth.

The Teaching Winery allows the college's Viticulture and Winery Technology Department to expand its efforts to serve more students and will enhance current programs including production-oriented courses in viticulture and winemaking as well as sales and marketing. Some 1,200 students are served by the college's long established Viticulture and Winery Technology Program each year. Graduates work in wineries, vineyards and in related positions all over the valley and beyond.

The Teaching Winery will enhance the ability of Napa College to prepare young adults in our community for careers in our vital industry. NVV is proud to be a part of this effort to develop local talent and help ensure a well-trained workforce.