Which exemption for Montessori preschool?

[traycanadian]

I realize they can turn us away if they really want to regardless of whether we file a philosophical or religious exemption but which would you use? I've always thought it would be philo. because I'm all for making a stand for my principles (I carry a philosophical exemption around with me), however, when it comes down to it I'll do whatever has a better chance of being accepted.

[traycanadian]

Anyone?

[alegna]

In general I always think religious is better.

-Angela

[traycanadian]

Thanks Angela.

I'm leaning this way although the irony of it is almost too much to take. We chose the Montessori school because it's one of only two non-religious preschool options in our small town.

[alegna]

Tell me about it....

I am so anti-organized-religion it's not even funny.

But you'd better believe that any time it matters I have a religious objection to vaccination.

-Angela

[knowerofnada]

I'm not religious and I tell you that the religious exemption is so much safer and we will always choose this one. I learned this the hard way. I hink it's great that the philo. exemption exists, but we are all better off passing it up for the religious exemption -- b.s. or not.

[traycanadian]

Originally Posted by alegna

Tell me about it....

I am so anti-organized-religion it's not even funny.

But you'd better believe that any time it matters I have a religious objection to vaccination.

-Angela

[traycanadian]

Originally Posted by knowerofnada

I'm not religious and I tell you that the religious exemption is so much safer and we will always choose this one. I learned this the hard way. I hink it's great that the philo. exemption exists, but we are all better off passing it up for the religious exemption -- b.s. or not.

I read about your experience with the doc. That totally sucks.

I know I should submit the religious exemption but here's my problem.....we live in a state that's pretty laid back about these kinds of things (never had a problem with the ped, even) and it pisses me off that I need to pull the religion card.

I mean, I was the kid who, when forced to sit at the table until my plate was clean, would sit there for hours and hours trying to make the point that if I don't like it, or am too full to eat the spinach souffle (gag) I shouldn't have to. Meanwhile my brother fed the awful stuff to the dog or flushed it down the toilet and was back playing video games by 7pm. It's like that. So, basically, I will file the religious exemption but it is going to feel like feeding spinach souffle to the dog.:

But I guess I'd rather feel uncomfortable than have ds be denied enrollment in this school. On the other hand, they could still deny us if they thought we were total religious nutters who refuse medical treatment. I mean, they are a private school and can do whatever they like. Hmmm....it's really a bit of a crap shoot. Are they more likely to accept religious because they don't want to be seen as being discriminating? There really aren't any consequences for them for refusing us regardless of which exemption we choose, are there?

I can't believe I'm saying this but I think I just changed my mind and am going to submit the philosophical exemption. I mean, the public schools have to accept it and ds will be going to public school for K so this is only for one year. Besides, my dh (a very lapsed and bitter Catholic) will probably freak if I tell him I filed the religious exemption

Holy crap....that was a lot of thinking out loud. Thanks for listening if you got this far and thanks for your opinions ladies. Love to hear your comments on my ramblings (I think!)

Tracy

[alegna]

Originally Posted by traycanadian

I mean, I was the kid who, when forced to sit at the table until my plate was clean, would sit there for hours and hours trying to make the point that if I don't like it, or am too full to eat the spinach souffle (gag) I shouldn't have to. Meanwhile my brother fed the awful stuff to the dog or flushed it down the toilet and was back playing video games by 7pm. It's like that. So, basically, I will file the religious exemption but it is going to feel like feeding spinach souffle to the dog.:

I'm exactly the same way. BUT with this I DO feel like I'm thumbing my nose at them. I feel like -here is the dumb rule, fine, I'll play by the letter of the law and there's not a damn thing you can do about it.

-Angela

[traycanadian]

Originally Posted by alegna

I'm exactly the same way. BUT with this I DO feel like I'm thumbing my nose at them. I feel like -here is the dumb rule, fine, I'll play by the letter of the law and there's not a damn thing you can do about it.

-Angela

But a private school can turn us down if they want to regardless of which exemption we file. Does it come down to them being more likely to accept us with a religious exemption because they don't want to look like a-holes for discriminating based on religious beliefs (even though they legally can)? I admit, in the public perception, they wouldn't look like such jerks for turning us down based on our philosophical beliefs.

Alright, I guess I'm back to the religious exemption. Hubby's gonna freak.

[alegna]

Depends on the state. Here if they're certified by the agency that oversees daycares (and nearly all if not all montessoris in town are) they can NOT refuse exemptions. It's also my understanding if they get any federal $$ (for lunch programs even) they can't deny.

-Angela

[traycanadian]

Okay. I'm feeling better about this. I just refreshed my memory by looking at the state law re: vax. It apparently applies to all schools, public or private, that are subject to approval by the state board of education. This school is state accredited so I'm assuming they need to follow the letter of the law.

So why not a philosophical exemption if the law says they have to take it? Why would a religious exemption be better in this case? If they are both equal as far as the law is concerned.......

[alegna]

Originally Posted by traycanadian

So why not a philosophical exemption if the law says they have to take it? Why would a religious exemption be better in this case? If they are both equal as far as the law is concerned.......

I'm just more comfortable with the legality of a religious objection. You can then use the same "reasoning" if a dr. or other authority wants to get into it with you.

-Angela

[Deborah]

The way the religious exemption works it has nothing to do with any sort of organized religion. Any personal spiritual belief that you may have can be used AND you don't have to explain it, just have it.

Most of us have moral and ethical standards of some sort. These rest on some basis of thought and consideration for others and for the world and for our own well-being. I have strong spiritual beliefs/ideas and almost nothing in the way of religious stuff, but I think it all sits in the same department.

Don't let all the official religious dogma stand in the way of claiming your own inner beliefs.

[knowerofnada]

Originally Posted by traycanadian

I read about your experience with the doc. That totally sucks.

I know I should submit the religious exemption but here's my problem.....we live in a state that's pretty laid back about these kinds of things (never had a problem with the ped, even) and it pisses me off that I need to pull the religion card.

I mean, I was the kid who, when forced to sit at the table until my plate was clean, would sit there for hours and hours trying to make the point that if I don't like it, or am too full to eat the spinach souffle (gag) I shouldn't have to. Meanwhile my brother fed the awful stuff to the dog or flushed it down the toilet and was back playing video games by 7pm. It's like that. So, basically, I will file the religious exemption but it is going to feel like feeding spinach souffle to the dog.:

But I guess I'd rather feel uncomfortable than have ds be denied enrollment in this school. On the other hand, they could still deny us if they thought we were total religious nutters who refuse medical treatment. I mean, they are a private school and can do whatever they like. Hmmm....it's really a bit of a crap shoot. Are they more likely to accept religious because they don't want to be seen as being discriminating? There really aren't any consequences for them for refusing us regardless of which exemption we choose, are there?

I can't believe I'm saying this but I think I just changed my mind and am going to submit the philosophical exemption. I mean, the public schools have to accept it and ds will be going to public school for K so this is only for one year. Besides, my dh (a very lapsed and bitter Catholic) will probably freak if I tell him I filed the religious exemption

Holy crap....that was a lot of thinking out loud. Thanks for listening if you got this far and thanks for your opinions ladies. Love to hear your comments on my ramblings (I think!)

Tracy

I totally understand what you're saying about it being total crap that we (you & me & anyone else in our shoes) have to lie about being religious and not stand up for what we believe in and "cop out" using the religious card. Believe me, I understand. I wrote a total rant thread on this vax forum when I first joined about MDC'ers advising members to do this. I can't stand not taking a stand for what I believe in. I've always been the big advocater to everyone who knows me. I never back down. Never until this. It cost me way too much emotionally to battle this with the medical personnel. It is not worth it. Not only is it not worth the repeated harrassment you WILL face from the medical world, but you certainly run the risk of them reporting you to CPS. And it's not that CPS can do much about it (under most circumstances), but they will try their best and threaten and harass and put you through hell and back, as several here can testify to. They can't really do that if you have religious reasons for your decisions, kwim? That is discrimination. Regarding school, well you can't have philosophical there and religious at your ped's because the contradiction will be in writing for anyone to investigate. Consistency is the key.

Yes, there is a philo. exemption, and yes, I am sure there are people who use it and are satisfied with the results. I sincerely hope you are one of them and that you are not cutting off your nose to spite your face like I did for a solid year.

[knowerofnada]

Originally Posted by traycanadian

on our philosophical beliefs.

Alright, I guess I'm back to the religious exemption. Hubby's gonna freak.

I missed your update before I posted above. I understand what you mean about the prob. with religious exemptions being you do tend to come off as some kind of fringe religious looney like Tom Cruise. This is not intended to offend those with sincerely held religious beliefs that oppose vaccination; it just SOUNDS like you are part of some fringe cult when you claim you are not vaxing due to religious reasons since it is not a well-known problem with any of the main religions, kwim?

That is the only drawback. But with that said, I still feel it is the best choice for everyone involved.

[timberwolf]

Wow I just dealt with this 2 weeks ago. I was registering DS to a Montessori school and had the form in hand. I am in Canada so I know it is against the constitution to enforce vaccines for regular school, but I wasn't so sure about private pre-school. I just figured they would call the shots (deny him) and that I had a choice to fight it by asserting my rights, talking about the Constitution of Canada or basically debating them. I was really nervous for like a week before I dropped off the form. There was one line on the form:

Are your childs immunizations up to date? Yes____ No______

So I checked off no, with no explanation whatsoever. And seriously this is what happened. As the school administrator started to look over my form I watched her eyes and just before she got to the line about immunizations I quickly asked her if they accepted visa. She looked up, said no, turned over the page and said "it all looks good" and she took my cheque.

I am still prepared for a phone call like "umm, we were just looking over your form and we have some questions..." But so far so good.

I feel like a bit of a coward, but I told the truth and will definately fight it out if they question me in the future. good luck!

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by traycanadian

Okay. I'm feeling better about this. I just refreshed my memory by looking at the state law re: vax. It apparently applies to all schools, public or private, that are subject to approval by the state board of education. This school is state accredited so I'm assuming they need to follow the letter of the law.

That's not what you think it means. Public health laws in each state include private schools in their statutes.

This means that a private school is subject to the same state public health law as a public school and that if a private school decides to enroll an unvaxed/partially vaxed child, they must obtain an exemption from the parent and maintain it. Public schools of course have open enrollment, but they too are required to obtain/maintain exemptions. That's all it means.

As far as Texas' special provision to protect parents with exemptions who enroll in facilities licensed/operated under that specific state agency - that protection applies to children who are enrolled in a facility. I just want to clarify that this sort of protection in no way implies that any child who walks into a private facility with an exemption in Texas must be automatically accepted. A child must be enrolled first in order to be protected by that Texas provision.

ETA New York provision so you see what I mean about the language in state laws:

This section shall not apply to children whose parent, parents, or guardian holds genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to the practices herein required, and no certificate shall be required as a prerequisite to such children being admitted or received into school or attending school.

In New York, "school" means public or private school and this statement, which is similar in every state, simply means that an exemption can be submitted in lieu of an immunization certificate. It doesn't mean that a private school is required to actually enroll a student with an exemption.

[traycanadian]

Originally Posted by timberwolf

Wow I just dealt with this 2 weeks ago. I was registering DS to a Montessori school and had the form in hand. I am in Canada so I know it is against the constitution to enforce vaccines for regular school, but I wasn't so sure about private pre-school. I just figured they would call the shots (deny him) and that I had a choice to fight it by asserting my rights, talking about the Constitution of Canada or basically debating them. I was really nervous for like a week before I dropped off the form. There was one line on the form:

Are your childs immunizations up to date? Yes____ No______

So I checked off no, with no explanation whatsoever. And seriously this is what happened. As the school administrator started to look over my form I watched her eyes and just before she got to the line about immunizations I quickly asked her if they accepted visa. She looked up, said no, turned over the page and said "it all looks good" and she took my cheque.

I am still prepared for a phone call like "umm, we were just looking over your form and we have some questions..." But so far so good.

I feel like a bit of a coward, but I told the truth and will definately fight it out if they question me in the future. good luck!

Hi there fellow 'Pegger! We moved to Seattle from the 'Peg 6 years ago. Can't say I miss the winters but I do miss the Canadian Constitution at times like this! I think Manitoba only has legislation enforcing measles vax anyway. That would be the only exemption they might ask for.

[traycanadian]

Originally Posted by LongIsland

That's not what you think it means. Public health laws in each state include private schools in their statutes.

This means that a private school is subject to the same state public health law as a public school and that if a private school decides to enroll an unvaxed/partially vaxed child, they must obtain an exemption from the parent and maintain it. Public schools of course have open enrollment, but they too are required to obtain/maintain exemptions. That's all it means.

Thanks for weighing in on this LI. I guess I knew it wasn't going to be as simple as the law makes it seem. I am going to submit the religious exemption and hope for the best.

Thanks everyone for helping me work through this.

Tracy