One thing I notice in our case is that the gossiping comes from the 2nd and 3rd grade parents. (dd is in 2nd) The 4th grade parents (her math class) have been very friendly and many have said that they think its great she is participating in their class. The 4th grade kids have been very kind too - not friends, but friendly. DD's school has this policy that you can only play at recess with kids in your grade. She advocated at the begining of the day that she should be allowed to play with both, but principal said no. So she's not really set up to have any social time with the older kids.
The 3rd graders and parents have been the worst because they don't know my daughter at all so she an easy target.
