Checking out a Preschool tomorrow...help with vax waiver?

[Shelsi]

I'm in VA and we have religious exemptions here. It's a private preschool...basically all the preschools in this area are. It does not sound like they get any gov't funding (i.e. no lunch program, etc), it's at a methodist church.

Tomorrow we're visiting to see if we like it. If we do like it and want ds to go there, how or when do I bring up the vax issue? Do I just ask how I should go about getting our religious exemption? Do I just not say anything? How does this work. I know it'll be fairly "easy" next year in public school for kindergarten but I don't know what to do with this preschool thing?

[Shelsi]

anyone? we're leaving in a few hours.

[spero]

I'd be straight up with them and just ask if they accept vaccine exemptions.

[Marnica]

Ditto..they either take them or they don't....if you don't say anything, enroll your child and then try to file, they may not accept it and then you'll have a bigger problem. Let us know how it went when you get back!

[Shelsi]

Yikes! I'm so nervous for some silly reason. I think partly it's because I still feel weird using a religious exemption since it's not a religious issue for us and also we'd prob be attending this church...so it just feels a little icky spiritually. OTOH, I'll do and say what I need to so that we are not forced to vax. I just liked it better when we were in Arizona, the huge majority of preschools got gov't funding, and we had a philo exemption.

Wish me luck, we're gonna leave in about 30 mins.

[Emmeline II]

I wouldn't bring it up at all and just submit the exemption in lieu of a vax record. Don't borrow trouble.

Sample Religious Exemption Letter

Quote:
To whom it may concern;



(We / I) {First and Last name(s)}, as the {(parent (s) / guardian(s)} of ______________________(name of newborn child) are exercising (our/my) rights under the US Constitution, PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, ARTICLE 21. CONTROL OF ACUTE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES,TITLE VI. POLIOMYELITIS AND OTHER DISEASES, NY CLS Pub Health § 2164 (2002), to receive Religious Exemption from Vaccination, ALL injections, prophylaxis, & testing due to our genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to the practices herein required.

The U.S. Supreme Court held in Frazee V. Illinois Dept. of Security, 489 U.S. 829, that a religious belief is subject to protection even though no religious group espouses such beliefs or the fact that the religious group to which the individual professes to belong may not advocate or require such belief. This ruling is also reflected in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended Nov. 1, 1980; Part 1605.1-Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion.


Sincerely,

Your signature.
Date

[Shelsi]

Whew, it was no problem at all! I asked about it and she hardly even paused and just said, "sure, let me get you a copy of the form." Certainly there must be other kids there using it as well.

Now I have a new question about the emergency medical release form but I'll start a new thread for that.

Thanks everyone

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by Shelsi

Whew, it was no problem at all! I asked about it and she hardly even paused and just said, "sure, let me get you a copy of the form." Certainly there must be other kids there using it as well.

Now I have a new question about the emergency medical release form but I'll start a new thread for that.

Thanks everyone

Glad it was no problem!!

[haydensmom06]

Originally Posted by Shelsi

Whew, it was no problem at all! I asked about it and she hardly even paused and just said, "sure, let me get you a copy of the form." Certainly there must be other kids there using it as well.

Now I have a new question about the emergency medical release form but I'll start a new thread for that.

Thanks everyone

Awesome! I'm going to interview a Montessori school in MD on the 2nd and I've been anxious as well. I hope my experience is as easy as yours!!!

[mysticmomma]

Originally Posted by Emmeline II

I wouldn't bring it up at all and just submit the exemption in lieu of a vax record. Don't borrow trouble.

this. although I wouldn't use a letter, just the state form.