How to get kids ready for new school

[Anonymous]

We are moving to Montgomery County about a month before school starts. I would like to try to get my kids acclimated to the area and possibly meet schoolmate.

We are moving to Silver Spring zoned for Rosemary Hills and North Chevy chase
What is the best way to do this?

[Anonymous]

local camps? but they get kids from all around so it's pot luck if you actually meet a future classmate

there might be a buddy system set up by the school administration though. you can ask

[Anonymous]

Go to the local pool. Play outside.

[Anonymous]

Sign your kids up for the camp run by whatever aftercare program is physically at the elementary school (Kids After Hours, Bar-T, or what have you...), especially if they are younger elementary. Also, ask your neighbors what pool is popular and join or get on the waiting list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sign your kids up for the camp run by whatever aftercare program is physically at the elementary school (Kids After Hours, Bar-T, or what have you...), especially if they are younger elementary. Also, ask your neighbors what pool is popular and join or get on the waiting list.

Kids After Hours is the on-site aftercare program at both RH and NCC, but I don't think they are having summer camps at those sites this year. There is a KAH summer camp at Flora Singer which isn't too far.

[Anonymous]

I just looked at KAH's website and pp is correct - Rosemary Hills kids should go to Flora Singer's day camp. I'm sure your kids will make some Rosemary Hills friends there. Bonus is the KAH day camp is really well done.

[Anonymous]

We lived there when my kid was in preschool, so am familiar with the area. The gymnastics camp nearby (Silver Stars) gets a lot of Rock Creek Forest/Rosemary Hills kids. Any chance your new digs have a membership to Rock Creek Pool that's conveying? Not a bad place to meet people (get on the waitlist now if you don't have a membership and would like to join--it's a nice pool).

We didn't have a ton of luck meeting people at the local playgrounds. But I'd preference the Rosemary Hills-Lyttonsville Park in your case. It's generally a nice neighborhood to walk and we often saw ES kids out playing. Casual run-ins could be helpful. That's how we met a lot of people in our new neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Join the PTA so you can be in the loop. Many PTAs publish school directories and some PTAs host back to school family events in Aug or Sept. https://rhpspta.org/new-families/

[Anonymous]

Agree with thenPTA. We are at Woodlin and will host playground group playdates for every grade for the kids to meet up at the end of summer.

[Anonymous]

Join the Rosemary Hills parents Facebook group. People are already planning summer playdates. This should be the link for the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/622853318522731

Agree with PP that joining a local pool is a great way to meet families. We belong to CCRA, and there are tons of RHES families there.

[Anonymous]

I agree that the gymnastics camp at Silver Stars is a great place to meet Rosemary Hills kids. Both of my boys did that (but I think most move on after 2nd grade). Bar-T camp has a bus that leaves from Rock Creek Forest. Lots of Rosemary Hills/NCC kids there.

Rock Creek Pool has a 4-year waiting list, unless your house came with a membership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the gymnastics camp at Silver Stars is a great place to meet Rosemary Hills kids. Both of my boys did that (but I think most move on after 2nd grade). Bar-T camp has a bus that leaves from Rock Creek Forest. Lots of Rosemary Hills/NCC kids there.

Rock Creek Pool has a 4-year waiting list, unless your house came with a membership.

most local pools do a "low season" summer only membership for anyone who applies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We lived there when my kid was in preschool, so am familiar with the area. The gymnastics camp nearby (Silver Stars) gets a lot of Rock Creek Forest/Rosemary Hills kids. Any chance your new digs have a membership to Rock Creek Pool that's conveying? Not a bad place to meet people (get on the waitlist now if you don't have a membership and would like to join--it's a nice pool).

We didn't have a ton of luck meeting people at the local playgrounds. But I'd preference the Rosemary Hills-Lyttonsville Park in your case. It's generally a nice neighborhood to walk and we often saw ES kids out playing. Casual run-ins could be helpful. That's how we met a lot of people in our new neighborhood.

Sign up for Rock Creek Pool summer camp if you can't get into the pool this season.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much. These are all great ideas

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the gymnastics camp at Silver Stars is a great place to meet Rosemary Hills kids. Both of my boys did that (but I think most move on after 2nd grade). Bar-T camp has a bus that leaves from Rock Creek Forest. Lots of Rosemary Hills/NCC kids there.

Rock Creek Pool has a 4-year waiting list, unless your house came with a membership.

most local pools do a "low season" summer only membership for anyone who applies

This is not the case at Rock Creek Pool - they offer August-only membership but only to a limited number of people on the waitlist. OP should call Rock Creek Pool and get on the wait list.

The summer camps PPs suggested are fun but not a great way to meet RH or NCC classmates. Everyone scatters to different summer camps. Better bet would be to email the Rosemary Hills neighborhood listserv (ask your neighbors when you move in for details) - introduce yourself and let everyone know you're looking to connect with other families currently at the schools. Families with younger kids (preschool to grade 2) recently set up some playground meetups and you can ask if those are continuing.