A strong no to Bella Ballet. The Kentlands community has a ton of SAHMs and a lot of their kids go to private schools. There’s a perception that Rachel Carson is just not good enough.

DP. That sounds like so much work to me, on top of an already high workload. Things were easier in the old days.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I agree that friendships for younger kids is mostly facilitated by the moms, and I learn the mom groups are quite cliquey in our elementary school in a hard way. I have tried, but I cannot break into the groups. One biggest reason is we are non-white probably. I have met some friendly moms and their kids play really well with our kids through some sports. Unfortunately, their kids do not go to our elementary school.

My younger daughter is still playing with other kids she knows from daycare and we do playdates. Most of them are white families, and unfortunately they all go to nearby elementary school. It seems other elementary school neighborhood nearby in gaithersburg does not have this cliquey group issues, and I kind of regretting our house choice. It is too late already since it is expensive to move.

The kentlands lakelands moms are rude to everyone. It's equal opportunity ostracize. It's not because you're Asian. There's a huge Asian population in those 2 neighborhoods.
You have to join the kentlands kingfish or the lakelands lionfish swim teams.
You should have the dancer go to the Bella ballet
I think Bach 2 rock just moved in there for music. If not, Pritchard was popular there. I'm not sure where they are now.
Go on NextDoor and post your question about hobbies but drop your assumption that your race is holding you back. That will not go over well with a bunch of people who pride themselves on being liberal. Just ask where the most popular dance is, or the most popular soccer club, etc.
Then, you invite people over .host play groups, etc

Bach 2 Rock bands for sure. Bella Ballet. Absolutely not.

Eh, the Bach to rock instructors I’ve come across have been pretty subpar. School of Rock is a lot better when it comes to teaching kids rock music.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I agree that friendships for younger kids is mostly facilitated by the moms, and I learn the mom groups are quite cliquey in our elementary school in a hard way. I have tried, but I cannot break into the groups. One biggest reason is we are non-white probably. I have met some friendly moms and their kids play really well with our kids through some sports. Unfortunately, their kids do not go to our elementary school.

My younger daughter is still playing with other kids she knows from daycare and we do playdates. Most of them are white families, and unfortunately they all go to nearby elementary school. It seems other elementary school neighborhood nearby in gaithersburg does not have this cliquey group issues, and I kind of regretting our house choice. It is too late already since it is expensive to move.

The kentlands lakelands moms are rude to everyone. It's equal opportunity ostracize. It's not because you're Asian. There's a huge Asian population in those 2 neighborhoods.
You have to join the kentlands kingfish or the lakelands lionfish swim teams.
You should have the dancer go to the Bella ballet
I think Bach 2 rock just moved in there for music. If not, Pritchard was popular there. I'm not sure where they are now.
Go on NextDoor and post your question about hobbies but drop your assumption that your race is holding you back. That will not go over well with a bunch of people who pride themselves on being liberal. Just ask where the most popular dance is, or the most popular soccer club, etc.
Then, you invite people over .host play groups, etc

Bach 2 Rock bands for sure. Bella Ballet. Absolutely not.

If you can’t find the problem, it's you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I agree that friendships for younger kids is mostly facilitated by the moms, and I learn the mom groups are quite cliquey in our elementary school in a hard way. I have tried, but I cannot break into the groups. One biggest reason is we are non-white probably. I have met some friendly moms and their kids play really well with our kids through some sports. Unfortunately, their kids do not go to our elementary school.

My younger daughter is still playing with other kids she knows from daycare and we do playdates. Most of them are white families, and unfortunately they all go to nearby elementary school. It seems other elementary school neighborhood nearby in gaithersburg does not have this cliquey group issues, and I kind of regretting our house choice. It is too late already since it is expensive to move.

The kentlands lakelands moms are rude to everyone. It's equal opportunity ostracize. It's not because you're Asian. There's a huge Asian population in those 2 neighborhoods.
You have to join the kentlands kingfish or the lakelands lionfish swim teams.
You should have the dancer go to the Bella ballet
I think Bach 2 rock just moved in there for music. If not, Pritchard was popular there. I'm not sure where they are now.
Go on NextDoor and post your question about hobbies but drop your assumption that your race is holding you back. That will not go over well with a bunch of people who pride themselves on being liberal. Just ask where the most popular dance is, or the most popular soccer club, etc.
Then, you invite people over .host play groups, etc

Ugh no, Bella Ballet is the absolute worst. Snobby rude parents, incompetent highschool "teachers", and terrible curriculum. That is in addition to being the trumpiest place in moco.

I literally looked up the address of Bella Ballet.

The surrounding immediate area went 79-19 for Biden in 2020.

Stop spewing your crap.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/upshot/2020-election-map.html

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I agree that friendships for younger kids is mostly facilitated by the moms, and I learn the mom groups are quite cliquey in our elementary school in a hard way. I have tried, but I cannot break into the groups. One biggest reason is we are non-white probably. I have met some friendly moms and their kids play really well with our kids through some sports. Unfortunately, their kids do not go to our elementary school.

My younger daughter is still playing with other kids she knows from daycare and we do playdates. Most of them are white families, and unfortunately they all go to nearby elementary school. It seems other elementary school neighborhood nearby in gaithersburg does not have this cliquey group issues, and I kind of regretting our house choice. It is too late already since it is expensive to move.

The kentlands lakelands moms are rude to everyone. It's equal opportunity ostracize. It's not because you're Asian. There's a huge Asian population in those 2 neighborhoods.
You have to join the kentlands kingfish or the lakelands lionfish swim teams.
You should have the dancer go to the Bella ballet
I think Bach 2 rock just moved in there for music. If not, Pritchard was popular there. I'm not sure where they are now.
Go on NextDoor and post your question about hobbies but drop your assumption that your race is holding you back. That will not go over well with a bunch of people who pride themselves on being liberal. Just ask where the most popular dance is, or the most popular soccer club, etc.
Then, you invite people over .host play groups, etc

Ugh no, Bella Ballet is the absolute worst. Snobby rude parents, incompetent highschool "teachers", and terrible curriculum. That is in addition to being the trumpiest place in moco.

? Gaithersburg is hardly a Trumpy area. I know exactly zero people who are voting for Trump and there are easily 4-5 Harris/Walz signs on my block.

OP, I’m a Lakelands mom. I’m sorry you’re having trouble making friends. My daughter goes to private school, so I can’t help with RCES, but I will say she loves Bella Ballet and we haven’t experienced any snobby, rude parents.

My daughter is 8 and is in musical theater/jazz right now. I promise if you sign your daughter up, mine will be kind to yours. She loves making new friends.

My daughter’s friend goes to District Dance. She loves it and is a very sweet girl.

I hope things get better. <3

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I agree that friendships for younger kids is mostly facilitated by the moms, and I learn the mom groups are quite cliquey in our elementary school in a hard way. I have tried, but I cannot break into the groups. One biggest reason is we are non-white probably. I have met some friendly moms and their kids play really well with our kids through some sports. Unfortunately, their kids do not go to our elementary school.

My younger daughter is still playing with other kids she knows from daycare and we do playdates. Most of them are white families, and unfortunately they all go to nearby elementary school. It seems other elementary school neighborhood nearby in gaithersburg does not have this cliquey group issues, and I kind of regretting our house choice. It is too late already since it is expensive to move.

The kentlands lakelands moms are rude to everyone. It's equal opportunity ostracize. It's not because you're Asian. There's a huge Asian population in those 2 neighborhoods.
You have to join the kentlands kingfish or the lakelands lionfish swim teams.
You should have the dancer go to the Bella ballet
I think Bach 2 rock just moved in there for music. If not, Pritchard was popular there. I'm not sure where they are now.
Go on NextDoor and post your question about hobbies but drop your assumption that your race is holding you back. That will not go over well with a bunch of people who pride themselves on being liberal. Just ask where the most popular dance is, or the most popular soccer club, etc.
Then, you invite people over .host play groups, etc

Ugh no, Bella Ballet is the absolute worst. Snobby rude parents, incompetent highschool "teachers", and terrible curriculum. That is in addition to being the trumpiest place in moco.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I agree that friendships for younger kids is mostly facilitated by the moms, and I learn the mom groups are quite cliquey in our elementary school in a hard way. I have tried, but I cannot break into the groups. One biggest reason is we are non-white probably. I have met some friendly moms and their kids play really well with our kids through some sports. Unfortunately, their kids do not go to our elementary school.

My younger daughter is still playing with other kids she knows from daycare and we do playdates. Most of them are white families, and unfortunately they all go to nearby elementary school. It seems other elementary school neighborhood nearby in gaithersburg does not have this cliquey group issues, and I kind of regretting our house choice. It is too late already since it is expensive to move.

The kentlands lakelands moms are rude to everyone. It's equal opportunity ostracize. It's not because you're Asian. There's a huge Asian population in those 2 neighborhoods.
You have to join the kentlands kingfish or the lakelands lionfish swim teams.
You should have the dancer go to the Bella ballet
I think Bach 2 rock just moved in there for music. If not, Pritchard was popular there. I'm not sure where they are now.
Go on NextDoor and post your question about hobbies but drop your assumption that your race is holding you back. That will not go over well with a bunch of people who pride themselves on being liberal. Just ask where the most popular dance is, or the most popular soccer club, etc.
Then, you invite people over .host play groups, etc

You can start signing them up for different sports and activities to see which ones your son is most interested in. Can you talk to your DD’s parents and get some leads for places?

Or if you just don’t know where to begin, I would start with effective self-defense since that is something that will help them their entire lives. BJJ, wrestling, etc. As you keep going, you and they might get to know others.

OP here. I agree that friendships for younger kids is mostly facilitated by the moms, and I learn the mom groups are quite cliquey in our elementary school in a hard way. I have tried, but I cannot break into the groups. One biggest reason is we are non-white probably. I have met some friendly moms and their kids play really well with our kids through some sports. Unfortunately, their kids do not go to our elementary school.

My younger daughter is still playing with other kids she knows from daycare and we do playdates. Most of them are white families, and unfortunately they all go to nearby elementary school. It seems other elementary school neighborhood nearby in gaithersburg does not have this cliquey group issues, and I kind of regretting our house choice. It is too late already since it is expensive to move.

Summer swim a great way to meet other families. Depending on where you live, look into Kentlands Kingfish or Lakelands Lionfish.

Friendships for younger kids is definitely facilitated by the moms and this is cliquey. This is less of an issue as kids get to middle school and older.

Boy Scouts is always a popular activity, although there are not a lot of opportunities for parents (especially moms) to make friends with other parents.

Some schools have GOTR type activities for boys, usually through an organization called Let Me Run but I don't see it at RCES.

Soccer is one of the easiest sports to get to know other parents because a lot of kids do it, there are various levels, and the parents are all just sitting on the sidelines anyway.

Have you tried groups where others from your home country are from?

For kentland/lakeland family that zoned to Rachel Carson Elementary school, may I ask what sports or other non sport activities that your kids (boys or girls) do? I have challenges to get to know some moms better in the neighborhood and that thus somehow affect my children making friendships. I am an Asian immigrant, and somehow I feel somehow discriminated/rejected in a subtle/silent way when it comes to making school based mom friendship. I am friendly, and I have professional job. My son is currently doing rec. swimming and rec. soccer. He is interested in picking a musical instrument to learn in a group, where do you go to sign up? I want him to try one more sport, what sport is popular? My daughter is currently doing rec. swimming. She wants to do gymnastic or dancing, where do you go to sign up? It is my older boy that faces more challenges in making friendship at school, and I have tried but it is not making good results. Since this is anonymous forum, maybe someone can provide me useful information without me getting some harsh judgement. I am not even a tiger mom, and I try to foster sport and other development.


I am really looking forward to "girl on the run" when she is older, so that she can join. It seems like it is a school run program, so it is open to all students (girls) to join, right? Anything like that for boys?