Rosarian Academy
RAFA & Volunteer Opportunities
Rosarian Academy Family Association (RAFA)
The Rosarian Academy Family Association (RAFA) is a vibrant community of parents, teachers, and staff dedicated to enhancing the educational experience at Rosarian Academy. Through various activities, events, and fundraising initiatives, RAFA plays a crucial role in supporting the academy’s mission of providing a well-rounded and enriching environment for its students. The association is a cornerstone of the school’s community spirit, offering countless opportunities for parents to become actively involved in the life of the school.
RAFA’s Mission & Purpose
RAFA’s Mission is to…
RAFA’s mission is to foster a close-knit community while supporting the academy’s educational objectives. This is achieved through active engagement, parent involvement, and coordination of events that enhance students’ educational journey. Parents work collaboratively with teachers and administrators to ensure that students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. RAFA’s overarching goal is to enhance the school’s ability to provide an exceptional Catholic education by supporting events and activities that align with the values of service, leadership, and excellence.
RAFA’s Purpose is to…
- Enrich the Rosarian Academy community
- Develop and implement programs and events designed for the enhancement and growth of the school
- Provide support and service to the school
- Cultivate the spirit of cordiality and fellowship among parents
- Function as ambassadors of the school, internally and externally
Events and Fundraising
One of RAFA’s most impactful contributions is its organization of various fundraising efforts and community-building events. These activities provide essential financial support for school programs, classroom resources, and extracurricular activities while also creating opportunities for families to connect and grow together.
Annual events such as the New Family Welcome Social, the Annual Auction & Ball, and Girls Night Out bring the community together in a fun and engaging way. These events not only serve to raise funds but also foster a sense of togetherness among students, parents, and staff. The funds raised often go toward improving the school’s facilities, enhancing learning experiences, and providing scholarships to deserving students.
In addition to large-scale events, RAFA supports smaller, ongoing initiatives, including book fairs, parent socials, and teacher appreciation efforts. Each of these plays a part in creating a supportive and joyful school environment.
Building Community
The Rosarian Academy Family Association (RAFA) brings our community together with joyful traditions and events that foster connection and fun for families. Favorites include the Spaghetti Dinner, a cherished tradition offering delicious food and great company; Grinch on the Green, a festive movie night on our home field complete with pizza and popcorn; and Family Fun Day, where bounce houses, sno-cones, and games create unforgettable memories. These gatherings strengthen bonds, keep parents involved, and support the school through funds that enhance programs, facilities, and scholarships.
Volunteer Opportunities
RAFA provides many avenues for parents to get involved, offering flexibility to accommodate different schedules and skill sets. Whether it’s helping out at a bake sale, assisting with event planning, or serving on a RAFA committee, there are countless ways for parents to contribute. Volunteering through RAFA is a rewarding way for parents to take an active role in their children’s education and develop meaningful relationships with other families at the school.
Room Parents are one of the key volunteer opportunities provided by RAFA, giving parents a chance to work closely with their child’s teacher and assist in organizing class events and activities. This role not only supports the teacher but also helps create a sense of community within each classroom.
RAFA also works hand-in-hand with teachers and staff, ensuring that the needs of students are met through consistent communication and collaboration.
A Legacy of Giving Back
Ultimately, RAFA serves as a cornerstone of the Rosarian Academy experience. By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, the Rosarian Academy Family Association ensures that every family feels connected and valued. Its contributions have a lasting impact on both the immediate school community and the wider West Palm Beach area. Whether through volunteerism, community events, or fundraising efforts, RAFA is a vital part of the school’s culture, helping to build a legacy of giving back that extends far beyond the classroom.
RAFA Volunteer Opportunities
The school’s Early Childhood program is Montessori-based, fostering independence and creativity from a young age, following the Montessori philosophy of learning through all five senses. For our lower school students, our dedicated teachers inspire confidence in each child through hands-on activities that nurture problem-solving skills and strengthen oral and written expression.
Your Title Goes Here
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Admissions
OPEN HOUSE: TBD
- Setup for Used Uniform Sales
- Setup RAFA Volunteer Table with sign-up sheets for each opportunity
- Work the RAFA Volunteer Table to answer questions and actively recruit
- Serve refreshments, if applicable
- Direct new families or returning families to the respective homerooms the day of the event
WELCOME SOCIAL: Fall 2026
- Arrange and secure food and drink for the social event
- Arrange and secure glasses/cups, napkins, plates, and other food service items
- Arrange and secure décor
- Recruit bartenders and greeters
- Organize gift bags for all new families and distribute at event
- Encourage mentors to take their new family mentees to dinner at Café Sapori afterwards and encourage other current families to make reservations/have dinner at Café Sapori that evening
ADMISSIONS EVENTS
- Assist Mary Raich (Admissions Director) and Alex Wilson (Marketing & Communications Director) with events such as Kindergarten Round Up, Open Houses, Moving up to Middle School, etc.
- Secure snacks and drinks for events
- Serve as greeters, take new/prospective parents on school tours
NEW FAMILY LUNCHES/COFFEES
- Arrange and attend new family lunches/coffees – a few parents have lunch/coffee with new parents (with similar aged-students)
OPEN HOUSE: TBA
- Secure snacks and drinks
- Serve as greeters, take new/prospective parents on school tours
Annual Auction & Ball
- ALL RAFA MEMBERS: Support the Auction and encourage people to attend/purchase tickets
- Auction sub-committees include: Invitations & Décor, Sponsorship & Underwriting, Program Ad Sales, Table & Tickets, Live Auction, Silent Auction, Silent Auction Corners, Class Projects, Underwriting Party
Baccalaureate Mass & Graduation
- Collect photos from 8th grade parents and create slideshow to be played at graduation ceremony
- Secure floral arrangements for mass and ceremony
- Organize and secure contents for gift bags and distribute at graduation
- Graduation refreshments (if applicable)– arrange and secure food and drinks, and décor for light reception
Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week
Specific Date TBD
- Recruit and manage volunteers
- Arrange and secure food and drinks for guests
- Determine and arrange décor for refreshments area
- Decorate refreshments area day before the event
- Man stations throughout the school to direct guests and answer questions
Family Fun Day
- Determine, arrange and secure entertainment/activities
- Arrange and secure refreshments
- Secure underwriting/sponsors to cover event costs
- Recruit and manage volunteers for the event
Girls' Night Out
Fall 2026
- Plan and execute a fundraising event for school moms
Grandparents Day
March 5, 2026
- Recruit and manage volunteers
- Arrange and secure food and drinks for guests
- Determine and arrange décor for refreshments area
- Decorate refreshments area day before the event
- Man stations throughout the school to direct guests and answer questions
Mardi Gras Ice Cream Social
February 9, 2026
- Determine and secure décor
- Secure supplies (bowls, spoons, napkins, toppings…etc.)
- Recruit and manage volunteers to serve ice cream and toppings
- Decorate morning of the event
Parents in Prayer
Throughout the Year
- Help organize weekly Rosary prayer group
- Intentions for every student and faculty member – help organize schedule of intentions and assemble gifts for each student and faculty member
- Help with school Mass Eucharistic ministers if needed
RA Guys' Night Out
- Establish a committee of RA dads to promote involvement in the school through fundraising and fellowship events
- Plan and execute Guys Night Out (Spring 2026)– fundraising event for school dads
Raider Shack
Throughout the Year
- Sell Rosarian merchandise at school events to promote school spirit and support community engagement.
- Keep track of merchandise inventory to ensure accurate stock levels and timely restocking.
- Coordinate the approval of new merchandise designs and oversee the ordering of new items.
- Monitor and document sales at events to maintain accurate financial records and track performance.
Room Parent Coordinators
Throughout the Year
1 Early Childhood, 1 Lower School, and 1 Middle School
- Responsible for communication with Room Parents in designated section (EC, LS or MS)
Room Parents
Throughout the Year
At least 1 per homeroom/advisory.
- Aid homeroom teacher as requested for class parties, crafts and games
- Responsible for communication with all other parents in the class (i.e. emails, texts, calls, etc.)
- Help new families become familiar with activities and customs
- Assist with field trips as needed
- Place collection bins in classrooms for charitable drives (Auction class baskets, canned food drives, toys for tots, etc.)
Rosarian Fund
Throughout the Year
Parent Chairs:
- Make a personal gift to the Rosarian Fund
- Recruit and manage Class Agents and facilitates Class Agent communication with parents
- Recruit and manage sub-committee chairs (Early Childhood, Lower School, Middle School, Alumni, Grandparent, etc.)
- Work with the Advancement Office to create Rosarian Fund solicitation letter(s) and to sign letters
- Promote the Rosarian Fund and help provide information about the fund goals and progress
Class Agents:
- Make a personal gift to the Rosarian Fund
- Be a gentle and personal reminder to your class regarding the Rosarian Fund, also referred to as the Annual Fund. Your goal is to encourage 100% participation for your class. This is not a monetary goal, but rather a goal of having every family participate in the fund at whatever level is comfortable for their family.
- Be a leader and resource, making sure everyone in your class knows about the fund, its purpose and how important it is to the overall operating budget of the school.
Spaghetti Dinner
October 8, 2026
- Determine décor, obtain supplies (including flowers/plants for tables), and decorate the Dining Hall the day before the event
- Setup Check-In tables and bars
Recruit volunteers to serve, bartend, setup and cleanup
Stewardship / Community Care
Throughout the Year
- Write thank you notes on behalf of RA on an as needed basis/throughout the year
- Thanksgiving Card Mailing: Work with Kindergarten classes to design the Thanksgiving card to be sent to donors and special friends of RA
Used Uniform Sales
SALES: Open Houses (Date TBD)
- Organize uniforms by category and size, setup before the Open House events
- Recruit and manage volunteers to man uniform sales at Open House events, including the checkout process
Throughout the Year
- Periodically organize/sort uniforms
