Family Involvement

Apple Day is a celebration of fall and serves as a reminder of our school’s beginning; SRV was literally built on an apple orchard! On Apple Day, we press cider with an old fashioned press, sing about apples and trees, bake delicious, apple-y treats, and so much more! Families are welcome to join the celebration. You’ll receive the exact time your child’s class will be pressing cider closer to the event.

Once per year, SRV welcomes Grandparents and Special Friends to campus for the much-loved tradition of Sing. During this lively morning, our special guests enjoy song and classroom activities.

Harvest Fest is our adult-only beginning-of-the-year social event. This evening features good food, libations, music, and fellowship.

Candle-making is one of SRV’s oldest traditions. During this week, the Woodshop will be transformed into a candle-making studio where students will learn to “wax, water, wipe” and produce beautiful works of wax art.

Winter Festival is a family-oriented event that typically includes live music, dancing, crafts, a pot-luck, and the soul-warming Good Wishes Fire. Parents help plan the event and transform the campus into a magical winter wonderland.

Arts for All is SRV’s fundraising event of the year! This social evening includes hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and both a silent and live auction filled with coveted items, many of which have been handcrafted by members of our community. All proceeds go directly to support the SRV Fund.

Each year, SRV students vote on our school-wide curricular theme and explore this topic throughout the second half of the year. This study culminates on May Fair, the major all-community event of the SRV school year. This day features great food, games and displays made by the students, sheep hearing, face painting, “trinkets & tokens,” and more. Best of all: dancing by each of the groups–from SRV’s youngest preschool students through the 5th & 6th graders dancing the Maypole. Many hands make light work, so we ask that we ask that as many families as possible volunteer at the Fair.

This event celebrates departing 6th-grade students during their last week at SRV. All community members are welcome.

On the last day of school, teachers present a bead to each student with a word or phrase that captures the essence of the child and their growth during the year. The PCO hosts a coffee at drop-off time for parents to gather and relax before the event begins. Parents are encouraged to attend. Families gather after the ceremony for an all-school picnic.

Sing is a wonderful SRV tradition and we encourage you to take part as often as possible. Every Wednesday morning, starting at 8:20 am, the whole school, including students, staff, parents, and sometimes alumni, grandparents and family friends, gather together to sing songs. Musical selections range from old folk songs, to SRV originals, to fun children’s songs. Don’t worry about knowing all the lyrics as these selections can be found in our song book which is always available to borrow during Sing.

In the Fall and Spring, we welcome you to spruce up the SRV campus with other parents while you earn back your maintenance deposit. On Putter Days, parents and children pitch in on a wide array of campus projects and provide snacks.

Every year, there are two to three Class Parents from each group who work with the teachers to enrich the academic and social life of the class. The Class Parents also keep the families in each class informed about upcoming events and activities, and the volunteer opportunities of each.

Parent Ambassadors connect with prospective and new SRV families. You’ll greet families at events, make phone calls to inquiring families, help give tours, and generally encourage the community spirit between current families and those new to our School.

At SRV, we gather as a community often to celebrate and raise funds for our beloved school. Each event is different and draws on the wide array of skills and talents our parents possess (see above for events that need volunteers). Keep a lookout for emails and sign-ups throughout the year.

On a rotating weekly basis, classroom teachers meet with specials teachers to plan curriculum and share insights about their students. During this time a staff member and parent volunteer(s) help serve lunch in the classroom. This is a great way to spend time with your child’s class and learn more about our Farm-to-Fork Food & Education program.