bump

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We decided not to re-enroll. While we have gotten to know one or two families we like very much, the majority seem very aloof. We have an older child at what I've seen this board refer to as a top school, and we were at All Saints b/c it's a lot closer to home. But we've been underwhelmed by the teacher and administration, thought classroom activities seem fine. FWIW, I was also really freaked out that someone managed to get into the school and steal from the teachers during the school day. I know he hit the other circle schools, but only here did he get into the classrooms. The schools' response to the incident didn't seem concerned at all.

They mentioned this at today's open house with a completely different spin. They told us about cameras all over that allowed them to see when someone recently gotten in. Made it sound like the system worked and no mention of intruder having entering a classroom.

OP here. We decided not to re-enroll. While we have gotten to know one or two families we like very much, the majority seem very aloof. We have an older child at what I've seen this board refer to as a top school, and we were at All Saints b/c it's a lot closer to home. But we've been underwhelmed by the teacher and administration, thought classroom activities seem fine. FWIW, I was also really freaked out that someone managed to get into the school and steal from the teachers during the school day. I know he hit the other circle schools, but only here did he get into the classrooms. The schools' response to the incident didn't seem concerned at all.

I attended the open house this morning and had a mixed reaction. Thought the pastor was kind, welcoming and friendly, but preschool director didn't give a very good tour and somehow seemed cold in responding to questions. Thought the rooms were light and bright but didn't see lots of books in any classroom. Thought the children seemed happy but in one room their bunny was walking around on the floor (and llikely has been pooping on that floor all year), which TOTALLY grossed me out (health violation????). Like the religious aspect but heard tht All Saints Church is particularly conservative, and not sure if/how that translates into the preschool.

I am curious if OP has any update or if other All Saints parents can comment.

New All Saints parent here, not affiliated to church. I don't do drop offs and pick ups so I don't have a sense of friendliness of other parents but would be delighted to participate in new parents get-togethers etc. to get to know other families.
OP, I'm sorry you're having this experience but I'd bet there are a lot of friendly moms and dads out there who want to connect but maybe drop offs aren't an ideal way...We will be volunteering at the bake sale this weekend as one PP suggested, at 11am. Stop by and say hi!

OP--
are you new to the DC school scene? I think you'll find that there are lots of rushed and harried and unfriendly parents at every DC area preschool and elementary school. It used to really both me that I could meet people multiple times and have them ignore me on time #4 while they air-kissed the mom behind me. I would get all upset that there were cliquey moms, etc.
However, over time (3 kids, 5 schools) I've realized that it's possible to find friendly people and (life long friends) at any school in DC. It just takes a lot of effort and sorting through a whole lot of people that you don't click with. You will not be best friends with everyone---heck, you may continually be snubbed by some--but there are good people in every school. It's just a matter of finding them.

I'm a parent at All Saints. There is a new policy this year at the school involving where parents can and can't stand during drop off and pick up times that I think unintentionally impedes conversations among parents. I wonder if that has been a factor in the tough time you've had connecting with other parents.

We love the school. I'm sure All Saints, like all other preschools (and every other type of school) has a mixed bag of parents - some friendlier than others. Maybe the parents you mention in your post happen to be not friendly people. Don't take it personally, and please give other parents a chance.

The majority of All Saints families do not attend the church so it is not that there is a clique you are not a member of.

A few suggestions -

1) Volunteer at the school. At the beginning of the year there was a request for volunteers. If you sign up for volunteer activities that require interaction with other parents you might find it easier to connect. There is a bake sale this weekend. You could even still volunteer at that, for example.

2) Find out who your room parent is and ask if they are planning a parents night. If they haven't considered it, suggest it. Some of the classes have done this in the past, as an opportunity for parents - sometimes just mothers - to talk over a glass of wine at a local restaurants. It's a terrific way to make friends

3) Recognize that during drop off and pick up many parents are harried, rushing off to work. I work and I know that often I am so rushed that I even forget to say hello to the teachers when they greet me.

4) You said you saw other new parents going through the same experience as you. What about talking with the school director or deputy director to get a list of the new families to set up a new families night out, with or without kids? Or even just the new families in your child's class?

5) Some classes assign seasoned parents as a buddy with a new family. I am surprised you do not have one. Ask your room parent or teacher if you have or can get one.

I hope your experience improves. We love All Saints both as a place for our child to learn/grow and as a community of parents/families.
Good luck!

Then why don't you say hi to the other new family and make an effort to chat with them.

Can anyone help me understand why we're having such a bad experience at this preschool? I was so excited to have my child start there, but the parents are seriously the least friendly people I have EVER met. Not exaggerating. Won't stop and say hi to a new family, and when I say hi they barely even respond, and certainly don't engage me. I'm a totally normal and friendly person; I don't think it's about me, as I see other new parents having the same experience. Is it just that everyone else already knows each other from church?

Ugh. Seriously considering pulling my child out. I dread going.