Parent Participation
Our children thrive when home and school work in partnership.
Parental involvement is an integral part of the Carden experience. At CAVS, families don’t just enroll — they belong. Our school fosters a community that shows up for one another.
The Program
Giving Back, Together
As part of our values-based program, Carden Arbor View School strives to instill a sense of giving back to one’s community — and the best people to set that example for our students are our parents. Each family is asked to contribute their time and talent to the overall operations of the school, with opportunities at every commitment level.
Each family gives 10 hours of service per year to our school.
If this requirement presents an undue hardship for your family, please contact our Head of School, Mr. Brian Edwards.
Realize the kind deeds you will do will be returned to you by some other person at some other time.
— Miss Mae Carden
Ways to Serve
Volunteer Opportunities
Review the service opportunities below and reach out to Mrs. Filpi, Director of Enrollment Management, with any questions.
Room Parent Ambassador Program
Room Parent Ambassador Coordinator
Acts as a liaison between new families, current families, and school administration, and oversees the Room Parent Ambassador Program — conducting an orientation and seven monthly meetings, sharing pertinent CAVS information with Room Parent Ambassadors, and coordinating with the Fall Carnival and CAPER chairpersons on class booths and projects.
CAVS Room Parent Ambassadors
Room Parent Ambassadors serve as liaisons within the internal and external school communities: welcoming and supporting new families (including introduction letters), working with teachers and the coordinator to share information with assigned families, organizing Fall Carnival class booths and CAPER donation projects, participating in community-awareness events, and attending meetings through the year. Participation is voluntary — all parents are encouraged to become Room Parent Ambassadors.
Board Committee Member
Board committee volunteers serve on one of the standing committees of the Board of Trustees, which typically meet bimonthly through the school year.
Advancement Committee
Works closely with the Head of School on strategies for fundraising, marketing, and event planning. The CAPER Chair plans and organizes the annual CAPER dinner, dance, and auction in conjunction with the Head of School.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB)
Supports the school’s DEIB statement by finding ways to engage the community in learning about and appreciating each other’s backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.
Finance Committee
Monitors the fiscal health of the school: bimonthly financial statements, budget creation with the Director of Business Services, the investment portfolio, long-range planning, and recommendations to the Board.
Risk Management, Safety & Facilities
Evaluates safety issues and risk exposure; oversees fire, earthquake, and disaster plans; reviews facilities and grounds needs; supports safety policies; and reviews forms and agreements for accuracy and compliance.
Advancement & Fundraising Volunteer
AVAF Chairperson
Works with the Head of School to organize activities that promote the Arbor View Annual Fund campaign to the community.
CAPER — Dinner, Dance & Auction
Our annual fundraising event invites community members 21+ to a theme-filled evening. The Chair oversees planning, operations, and budget with the Advancement Committee; committee members plan the event, solicit auction items, coordinate grade-level baskets with Room Parents, and enlist volunteers; day-of volunteers handle set up, operation, and clean up.
School Event Volunteer
Event committees form through the year to support non-curriculum activities that foster social interaction in the CAVS community, meeting more frequently as each event approaches.
Fall Gala
All CAVS families, new and returning, celebrate the start of the school year at this cheerful September event. The coordinator plans the event with Room Parents and oversees operations and budget; committee members plan the theme, coordinate entertainment, and solicit volunteers; day-of volunteers handle set up, operation, and clean up.
Fall Carnival
The entire community enjoys activity booths with tricks and treats, typically on Halloween afternoon. The coordinator plans with Room Parents and staff; committee members design grade-level game booths, obtain supplies, and staff booths; day-of volunteers support set up through clean up.
Book Fair
A week-long spring book fair preceding Family Day. The coordinator facilitates the fair and solicits volunteers; volunteers set up, take down, and operate the fair in assigned time slots.
Other Service Opportunities
Events Coordinator Assistant
Organizes refreshments for parent meetings on and off campus (Carden Connection, Back to School Nights, informational events, open houses).
After-School Sports Coordinator & Assistant Coach
Coordinate schedules and snacks for after-school sports, or help coach: flag football and volleyball in the first trimester, basketball in the second, soccer in the third.
Carden Garden Keeper & Campus Beautification
Keep our garden green and our campus beautiful — planting, watering, weeding, minor painting, and small maintenance projects, including community Campus Beautification days.
Alumni Association Support
Work with CAVS administration to support the growth of our new Alumni Association and help plan special alumni events.
Ready to Get Involved?
Tell us where your time and talents fit — we’ll help you find the right opportunity.