registered my non-vaxed 5 year old... - Page 2

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by Romana

I would not have been annoyed. I think anytime you're doing something differently from the essentially everyone else, it takes longer. People have to double check, make sure it's right, etc. When it's not what you see on a daily basis, it just takes a little longer.

I actually think it's really nice they didn't give you any hassle, lecturing, etc.

The fact that an exemption is just as legal as "proof of immunization," to me says that the school should be prepared to accept them as such. It wasn't really the fact that I had to wait that had me annoyed, it was more that they should be familiar with what is *actually* required by the school for entry, and that is birth certificate, social security card, proof of residence, and proof of immunization OR legal exemption form.

[an_domhan]

Originally Posted by emma1325

Am I over-reacting?

IMO, yes.

[an_domhan]

Originally Posted by emma1325

The fact that an exemption is just as legal as "proof of immunization," to me says that the school should be prepared to accept them as such. It wasn't really the fact that I had to wait that had me annoyed, it was more that they should be familiar with what is *actually* required by the school for entry, and that is birth certificate, social security card, proof of residence, and proof of immunization OR legal exemption form.

But if there aren't many that do it, then it's just possible they don't see as many. If they had refused entry or something, then yes, you might get up in arms... but just checking to make sure the exemption was properly executed, etc... is not a reason to get upset. Did they treat you badly too? Or just take a little longer to make sure your paperwork was in order?

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by an_domhan

But if there aren't many that do it, then it's just possible they don't see as many. If they had refused entry or something, then yes, you might get up in arms... but just checking to make sure the exemption was properly executed, etc... is not a reason to get upset. Did they treat you badly too? Or just take a little longer to make sure your paperwork was in order?

I didn't get up in arms, I didn't get upset...I was just a little irritated. No, they didn't treat me badly, besides a few strange looks and a semi-snotty attitude from the nurse. Like I said, rare or not, there's no reason why they can't know to accept a legally stamped, signed and notarized exemption just as easily as proof of shots. Even if they don't see many, they can still be well informed; it's not that difficult to know that exemptions are just as legally acceptable.

I was a little more than irritated when I heard the secretary telling OTHER moms and dads, in person and over the phone, that they needed "proof of immunization," without mention of exemptions. It is their obligation to give parents complete information. Incomplete information is inaccurate and misleading. Schools should not mislead parents about their rights.

I guess it IS rare, when the school authorities tell parents that they "need" vaccines for school, without mentioning exemptions.

THAT is what I'm aggravated about.

But I wrote a letter and sent it to all the schools in my area, so I'm not so annoyed anymore.

[Altair]

Yea, I think it's an over-reaction.

If only it were anywhere NEAR that easy in NY to opt out, we'd be jumping for joy.

I'm a teacher and actually am part of the turning-5 IEP meetings where we do enrollment, and I don't give every single exception to every single form when I list out what is needed for enrollment. Even though I'd know exactly what to do with a religious exemption (heck of a lot harder to get than a notarized form!)

And our secretary is so swamped and stressed with enrollment she's probably not the most diplomatic person you'll ever meet at that particular moment, but she's a sweetheart otherwise!

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by Altair

Yea, I think it's an over-reaction.

If only it were anywhere NEAR that easy in NY to opt out, we'd be jumping for joy.

I'm a teacher and actually am part of the turning-5 IEP meetings where we do enrollment, and I don't give every single exception to every single form when I list out what is needed for enrollment. Even though I'd know exactly what to do with a religious exemption (heck of a lot harder to get than a notarized form!)

And our secretary is so swamped and stressed with enrollment she's probably not the most diplomatic person you'll ever meet at that particular moment, but she's a sweetheart otherwise!

And the laws in NY should absolutely outrage people. These are our human and parental rights, for God's sake. I asked if people thought I was over-reacting, and I'm thankful for your opinion, but it made me feel even more that I was right to be annoyed.

Coming from living in Mississippi, possibly THE most vaccine-Un-friendly state in the nation, trust me I AM overjoyed that I have rights here in Texas. But I also want equal treatment with those rights, and I want to see others informed of those rights by the authorities who SHOULD know what they're talking about.

[Jugs]

Originally Posted by Altair

Yea, I think it's an over-reaction.

If only it were anywhere NEAR that easy in NY to opt out, we'd be jumping for joy.

Amen. In NY we get the privilege of waiting 30 days to find out if our religious beliefs have been deemed genuine and sincere, or have to file an appeal.

[an_domhan]

Originally Posted by emma1325

Like I said, rare or not, there's no reason why they can't know to accept a legally stamped, signed and notarized exemption just as easily as proof of shots. Even if they don't see many, they can still be well informed; it's not that difficult to know that exemptions are just as legally acceptable.

I understand... it's probably just easier to not set expectations for other people, then you won't be disappointed.

I was a little more than irritated when I heard the secretary telling OTHER moms and dads, in person and over the phone, that they needed "proof of immunization," without mention of exemptions. It is their obligation to give parents complete information. Incomplete information is inaccurate and misleading. Schools should not mislead parents about their rights.

Actually, I think it's the parent's obligation to know their rights, not rely upon others to help them discover them. Not that intentionally misleading a person is okay, or even acceptable...

I guess it IS rare, when the school authorities tell parents that they "need" vaccines for school, without mentioning exemptions.

THAT is what I'm aggravated about.

But I wrote a letter and sent it to all the schools in my area, so I'm not so annoyed anymore.

They aren't obligated to inform citizens of the law... you just pick your battles kwim? Don't be aggravated, be constructive - and I see that you were. Good on you.

As an aside, it probably wasn't personal, and if you are going to continue to obtain exemptions from mandated vaccines for school entry, this will be an ongoing encounter. Texas actually needs to be met with legal challenge, because the philo exemptions are not supposed to expire. The language of the statute says nothing of needing to have it renewed, health and human services slid that in.

[Altair]

Originally Posted by emma1325

And the laws in NY should absolutely outrage people. These are our human and parental rights, for God's sake. I asked if people thought I was over-reacting, and I'm thankful for your opinion, but it made me feel even more that I was right to be annoyed.

Coming from living in Mississippi, possibly THE most vaccine-Un-friendly state in the nation, trust me I AM overjoyed that I have rights here in Texas. But I also want equal treatment with those rights, and I want to see others informed of those rights by the authorities who SHOULD know what they're talking about.

A school secretary is not a lawyer. I can assure you that many things come through a school system that have legal ramifications of which the officials in charge have never been fully informed of all the precise ins and outs. For example, IEPs. The secretary doing enrollment would not know every legal issue involved, and would have to defer to someone who did, as was the case with you.

My point was merely that this isn't really that big of a deal. 20 minutes to wait in the grand scheme of things isn't what I'd waste my energy getting worked up about. A secretary would also not read a parent of a special education student his or her rights regarding everything, and that's ok.

[LittleBattleAxe]

It must vary by district, or even school. I'm in TX. I've never had any problem with the school my dc attend. They (the nurse's office) also have a sign clearly posted that says "Must bring proof of immunization or exemption form." When you call, the secretary will say, "yes, bring shot records" because that's the norm.