Pennsylvania school district welcomes 17 sets of twins to 'twin-dergarten'

Sept. 20 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania school district is hailing the arrival of the "Twin-dergarten" school year, with 17 sets of twins starting kindergarten in the 2023-24 school year.

The Colonial School District in Montgomery County said seven pairs of twins are starting kindergarten at Ridge Park Elementary school, six sets are attending Whitemarsh Elementary School and four are starting at Plymouth Elementary.

"While the first day of kindergarten can sometimes be anxiety-inducing for young children, having a built-in buddy along on the first day of school is one of the benefits for these incoming twin-dergarteners," the district said. "Many of the children reported that having someone who is always around is one of the things they like best about being a twin."

Peggy Smith, who teaches kindergarten at Ridge Park, said this year's "twin-dergarten" class is unprecedented.

"I have been a kindergarten teacher for 20 years," Smith told WPVI-TV. "Usually, there's maybe a couple sets of twins, if that."