They flat-out LIED at Kindergarten roundup

[riono]

Attended K roundup for my oldest last night and heard the principal say that "they HAD to have all of their immunizations up to date or they could not be in school". No mention of a waiver or exemption or anything. Funny, we live in Michigan, where you can get all 3 exemptions, so I can't WAIT to see what she says when I go in on Monday to sign up my son. Or is there something I don't know???

[shelbean91]

They said my son had to have vax for preschool, also. As soon as i said I needed the exemption form, they gave it to me. They don't like to let people know it's not an option.

[jeanine123]

Selective amnesia in some cases, no clue about what the laws really are in others.

[LongIsland]

He wasn't actually lying - the law states that immunizations are required for school entry or else your child cannot attend. The exemptions just exempt a child from the law and the school itself is not required to "advertise" their existence.

Although there is one state I came across a few years ago that had a provision included in their statute which required schools to give out exemption information with registration papers and/or letters to parents about not being up-to-date. Unfortunately, that's not the case in every state.

[shelbean91]

LI is right, as usual. Good point. fine line, but there.

[LongIsland]

I do want to add that many states, particularly those with personal exemptions, do have the exemption right on the state immunization certificate for all to see . . . so that's good not too bad in terms of "advertising."

[applejuice]

Originally Posted by riono

Attended K roundup for my oldest last night and heard the principal say that "they HAD to have all of their immunizations up to date or they could not be in school". No mention of a waiver or exemption or anything. Funny, we live in Michigan, where you can get all 3 exemptions, so I can't WAIT to see what she says when I go in on Monday to sign up my son. Or is there something I don't know???

What else is new?

It is not her job to inform you of your rights. That is your job, and you better be ready to defend your rights or you are not entitled to them, IMNTBHO. Your child is counting on you to protect him from morons like that principal. Maybe you should consider another school. Is K mandatory in MI?

[dynamicdoula]

All schools say this around here, and in WA we have all the exemptions as well. It's not in the government's best interest to inform people that they can get waivers... why would they offer that information up? They're not obligated to tell you that. The school wants everyone vaccinated- it would be counter productive for them to tell you that you don't have to do it.

On our vaccine form that we fill out for students when we register them, the waiver is right on the back. All you have to do is flip it over, literally.

It doesn't really bother me that schools aren't informing parents that it's optional- they have a vested interest in every student being vaccinated, to their POV. That information should come from your provider, or the health department- it's not the schools' job to inform parents of things like this.

[talk de jour]

Originally Posted by LongIsland

He wasn't actually lying - the law states that immunizations are required for school entry or else your child cannot attend. The exemptions just exempt a child from the law and the school itself is not required to "advertise" their existence.

Exactly what I was gonna say.

I mean, if he's giving a short overview of the dress code, he's not going to say, "No hats are allowed -- except for if you've had cancer and you're bald, if you have alopecia, if you wear a kippah or hijab, or..." He would just say "No hats."

At least, that's the way I see it.

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by talk de jour

Exactly what I was gonna say.

I mean, if he's giving a short overview of the dress code, he's not going to say, "No hats are allowed -- except for if you've had cancer and you're bald, if you have alopecia, if you wear a kippah or hijab, or..." He would just say "No hats."

At least, that's the way I see it.

That's not the way I see it.

Most parents would nod their head in sympathetic agreement if the school mentioned that little "cancer exemption" from the hat rule. That's not typically the case with immunization, particuarly since it's not a big secret that you have parents who:

1. Freak out at the thought of an unvaccinated child and wonder how on earth they get into school;

2. Believe nonvaxing parents are guilty of child abuse; and

3. Would not want their child to be around a dirty, unvaccinated child, especially on a daily basis in the school setting where their child is supposed to be "safe."

Then repeat 1 and 2 and the "NO SHOTS, NO SCHOOL" reminder becomes a little more appealing than an advertisement for vaccine non-compliance.

[greenjenny]

Apple Juice,

I just wanted to answer your question - K is not mandatory in MI.-

[Deborah]

Most people who are critical of vaxing have figured out the exemptions by the time their child is in kindergarten.

Where I get irritated with the lies is when a pediatrician says "You know you've got to vax or your child won't be able to go to school." That is bullying, pure and simple. Oh, and when media stories use the same line. Whatever happened to an independent press? Journalists actually doing research?

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by Deborah

Most people who are critical of vaxing have figured out the exemptions by the time their child is in kindergarten.

With the internet and alternative message boards now - definitely.

Although I would imagine there are a small number who would otherwise send their child to school, but homeschool because they believe their child cannot attend school.