Still working just not quickly

I realize this blog has been terribly neglected. There is a lot of activity going on behind the scenes, but it's just busy work. The reality is the State of Illinois is such a train wreck that a Twins Law won't really happen for a long time -- if ever. Given the current financial mess, political turmoil and petty politics it is hard to get anyone's attention in Springfield.

Yes, it's really that depressing in Illinois right now.

What's good is more and more individual districts are willing to work with parents. While it's true that a lot of districts still treat parents like the enemy, a growing number have started working with parents to determine the best interests of the children.

We're still here and available to help anyone with questions. We're just working on an individual basis.

Should Your Twins be in the Same Classroom?

This article from the New York Times asks readers to answer the questions. It's interesting because there are lots of responses from people who are twins. I always thinks it's important to take those accounts into consideration since those adults were once the children we consider when discussing the topic.

Advice from the Stirrup Queens

Admit it -- you want to read this just to find out more about the Stirrup Queens.

Without giving away too much, Stirrup Queens wrote a wonderful post called Should You Separate Twins in School. Perhaps as interesting as her article are the comments readers left.

Check it out http://www.stirrup-queens.com/2012/06/should-you-separate-twins-in-school/

Sometimes Working Together Works

Here's an inspiring note from someone who recently contacted me about help prepping for a school meeting.

"Just wanted to update you on my situation. I spoke w/you a few weeks ago about keeping my girls together at a public school near Peoria.

After speaking with you on the phone, I printed several of the documents/articles that were on the website. I prepared a folder containing those articles along with progress reports from their daycare (that included a socialization portion) to take with me to the school. After attending kindergarten round-up, I met with the principal. I told her I wanted my girls to be in the same classroom & before I even had to explain why, she said; "ok, no problem! I totally understand why you would want them to be kept together, it's a big adjustment. I'll make a note of it".

I was pleasantly surprised & glad my request was so easily honored! So, I just wanted to thank you for "prepping" me - I did not know how it was going to go & wanted to be prepared."

We might not yet have a law, but we can help each other with the information we've gathered throughout the years. Anytime you need help, please contact me. If I cannot help, someone in our network can.

Twins in School–On-Line Resources

This is a great blog post by Lit for Kids. The blog's mission is "making reading fun for parents, teachers and kids!" With this blog post, they took a detour and provided interesting resources for parents of multiples.

Twins in School–On-Line Resources

TWINS: THE SCHOOL YEARS

Twins: The School Years is an article from New York Metro Parent. It's notable for including the thoughts of adult twins on the topic of together or apart in school.

Twins Should Always Attend the Same School

Before you judge this editorial from the San Francisco Examiner, be sure to read it. The topic and opinion is important to everyone who struggles with the issue of multiples in school. You don't have to agree with the title to understand why the newspaper took this stand. You just have to agree that the San Francisco public schools should have done a better job placing the twins in question.

Of course, we know this isn't a new issue. We see it here in the Chicago Public Schools.

Twins Should Always Attend the Same School.

Twins Face Unique Challenges When Applying for College

If you've ever wondered what a twin thinks about being together or separate in school, here's a unique perspective from a twin contemplating high education.

Journalism Next: Twins face unique challenge when heading off to college


Read more:
http://www.bradenton.com/2011/12/12/3717631/journalism-next-out-of-door-academy.html

Ill. twins born in 2 states

You just know these parents will be explaining why their twins have two different birth dates for a long, long time.

Ill. twins born in 2 states

Advocating Success

Sometimes you can change a system without a law. Congratulations to Liz Bixby as her persistance really made a difference.

Hi there! I talked to you a long time ago...and figured I better get back to you! I have twin boys that are 8 years old now. They go to Farmingdale Elementary which is Pleasant Plains, IL just outside of Springfield.

My boys had gone to pre-k there at ages 3 and 4 and I was told to put them on to K but wanted to hold them back. Was told there wasn't a way to do pre-k for another year, but could do K 2 years-said no way. So we did private pre-k for a year before returning. Was the best thing ever. Funny thing was those 3 years I had been talking off and on to Mr. Yates about K and how I wanted the boys in the same class. He would always beat around the bush, finally got it out that their policy was seperation. I said well that may work for some but not for my boys, they will be starting next year so be ready for them in the same class. I then got ahold of the NOMOTC and some things from you guys there at twins law and took a huge packet in. Had another sit down 6 months before they would start-with a note from the ped's doc, preschool teacher, etc stating how they should be together and went to work on them. I told both sides of the story. How for some children they shouldn't be in the same classroom. But for my children they do not fit that typing, actually it would be harmful if they were not in the same class.

After my informative meeting and him having time to read things over he called me back in and he had a change of heart. He just had to convince all the higher ups. So he made up a board of twin moms, teachers (one being a twin mom) and officials to monitor twins and we made up a schedule of by 3rd (I think) grade they would be in separate classes but have the same lunch, recess, gym, etc to get ready for middle school when they would be having a couple different classes. The boys were in the same class for K and 1. At the end of 1st I started to wonder how much longer it would last with them in the same class. Blake had wanted to separate but Cullen hadn't. I told them they had to agree. So this year (2nd) they are in separate and seem to be really enjoying it. They come home and enjoy each other's company alot more. When they were in the same class they just had to know that each other were there and ok. Now they see each other at lunch, recess, bus, etc. and that seems to be ok.

I have a few friends that have entered the school after me and have thanked me lots for changing it. I also have friends who come to me all the time for advice on how to deal with their schools. In fact I have one friend who is writing about all this on her thesis. How parents should have a say, which is all I said, we know our kids best, why can't we say what is best?!

Anyway, I just want to say thank you! And let you know Pleasant Plains and New Berlin (where I work at the moment) both small towns by Springfield, allow the parents to have the say.

Liz Bixby

Main South High School's Sets of Twins Earns Guinness Record

Can you imagine?

Main South High School's Sets of Twins Earns Guinness Record

Pros and cons to keeping multiples together in school

An interesting read validating the different options for multiples in school.

Pros and cons to keeping multiples together in school

Kids and Costs

This comes from the Freakonomics blog. It's not directly related to multiples in school, but it's still an interesting and funny read.


Kids and Costs: A Guest Post on Twins by Bryan Caplan

What Does the Research Tell Us

This is a well-written article with lots of interesting links to research about twins in the classroom.

Twins and Classroom Placement:
What Can Parents Learn From the Research?

Sponsor News

I'm sorry to report that our potential sponsor has decided not to introduce a twins law bill this term. If you are interested in approaching your Representative or Senator, please contact me (ILTwinsLaw at yahoo.com)

Keep them together or separate them?

An interesting article from the Sioux City Journal about how parents make the decision whether or not to separate twins in school.

Ask The Dad parenting advice column: Don't rush to separate twins

Ask The Dad parenting advice column: Don't rush to separate twins

Question

What do I do if my twins panic when they’re separated? The 4-year-olds just started day care, and the teacher puts them in separate rooms. Then they cry and scream until reunited. The teacher tries this every day. Is such separation necessary, and how do I make them comfortable away from each other?

Read his response

And Many More....

Happy birthday to Ena Pugh and Lily Millward, who are 100 years and 10 months old today!

http://www.livescience.com/health/etc/101103-british-twins-are-worlds-oldest.html

School District Policies

We're researching individual school district policies. If your school district has a formal, written policy regarding placement of multiples, please send it to us. You can email Shari at slcs48n1 (at) yahoo.com or post a link to this post.

Thank you for your ongoing help and support.

Placement of Twins in the Problem Solver

This takes the placement of multiples on a completely new path. According to the Chicago Public School district, twins are not considered siblings, so if one receives a good lottery placement, it does not guarantee that his/her sibling will get in.

I know. I'm still scratching my head about that logic too.

Here's the whole story.