Reply to Meeting with Principal before kindergarten

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]There was a "twins law" sponsored in the Maryland Senate (I think...) but it has not been enacted.  In Virginia, apparently there is one on the books.  Who knew?

OP, be prepared to back up your reasoning for keeping them together.  I am a K teacher, and based on my experience, I would definitely not support having twins in the same class.  Most principals I have ever dealt with feel the same.  You haven't really stated your reasons, but you should have some kind of backup, other than "it's easier for me."  Maybe have your pediatrician give some input.

You don't need to inform the principal that one of your twins is reading chapter books.  In K, everyone comes in with a different skill set and classes are generally not formed based on that.  It's more a matter of balancing gender and race/ethnicity.  If you're concerned about coming across as a PITA, then for sure leave that part out.

The time to have this meeting is probably when you receive information about K orientation, which varies from school to school, but orientation is usually in late April/May.[/quote]

Hi, OP. Mom of twins here. I had to be polite but very persistent to get the principal to consider having mine in the same class. What helped for me was having the following:
1. Recommendation from their preschool teacher to remain in the same class for kindergarten. Teacher said she would be happy to speak to principal or K teachers on why she thought that was best. Preschool teacher was able to honestly say that they would not be "clinging" to each other, and in reality spent little time in class sitting next to each other or doing the same activity, but they did like being able to look across the room, spot their sibling, see that things were okay, and then get back to whatever they were doing.
2. Had research available that indicated that for the early elementary years, twins do better when kept in the same classroom as when they are apart.
3. Assured principal that I was NOT asking for the kids to be in the same classroom throughout elementary, and if it was determined they were causing a disruption I would of course accept a transfer of the kids, but based on peer-reviewed research, the assessment of the teachers they had just spent a year with, and my own experience, I truly felt this would be the best arrangement for my kids, the teacher, and the classmates for the K year.
Agree with teacher who quoted above that "it's easier for me" is really not a good enough reason. As I mentioned, I made it clear I was asking for or expecting this for every year of elementary school.

There's lot of debate about this, and I know there are some twin parents that were very eager to have their kids in separate classrooms, and argue that it was best for their kids. I have no doubt that in many cases that is the best thing to do. I think a decision like this has to be made on a case-by-case basis.

Good luck to you and your family, OP![/quote]

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