Are they serious?

[MotherWillow]

I have a much younger sibling. She is 12 years old.

My mom and I were talking tonight about an unrelated incident. Then my mom brought up the fact that my little sis was so upset and not wanting to go to school tomorow.

I asked why and my mom told me that they sent home a letter to the parents today telling them to make sure your child is wearing a bra to school tomorow. The letter went on to say that the children are all going to be required to go into the cafeteria and remove their shirts and be screened for scoliosis.

My little sister is absolutely horrified at the thought of having to take her shirt off in front of everyone. I can imagine she isn't the only girl who is very upset about this.

My mom called the school and they told her that this is mandatory and the only way to get out of it would be to have a sworn afidavit stating that it is against your religious beliefs.

WTH?

[annettemarie]

That's awful! Could your mom keep her home tomorrow? Could she maybe have her screened by a family doc instead and submit that?

[Kleine Hexe]

I had to do it when I was 12 in public school. Nothing new.

I'm sorry you're sister is upset. Wait for the mandatory showers after gym class.

[1growingsprout]

Could you call and see if they have areas screened off for the children. however NO WAY is my 6th grader going 'topless' for anyone...

sounds like sis needs a 'sick' day if you ask me

[MotherWillow]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

That's awful! Could your mom keep her home tomorrow? Could she maybe have her screened by a family doc instead and submit that?

She was told that even if she were kept home that she would be called in as soon as she was back at school.

My mom also asked if she could submit her family doc's records because they have already checked there. The school nurse told her that would not be acceptable and that she would have to be examined by the school.

[annettemarie]

At least maybe if she was called in, they would protect her dignity by examining her in the nurse's office rather than in the cafeteria? If it was me, I would keep her home and go nuts making phone calls tomorrow.

I would also write out "I hereby swear that it is against my personal religious convictions to have my daughter publicly stripped down to her bra and examined. You do not have our permission to do this" and then take it to AAA and have it notarized. The notary is only there to make sure it's signed, not to examine the beliefs, you know?

[wildhoneypie]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

At least maybe if she was called in, they would protect her dignity by examining her in the nurse's office rather than in the cafeteria? If it was me, I would keep her home and go nuts making phone calls tomorrow.

I would also write out "I hereby swear that it is against my personal religious convictions to have my daughter publicly stripped down to her bra and examined. You do not have our permission to do this" and then take it to AAA and have it notarized. The notary is only there to make sure it's signed, not to examine the beliefs, you know?

Definitely yeah that.

When we had the scoliosis test it was during gym individually in the locker room with a female. And we never had mandatory showers after gym. (We did have to change clothes though.)

What are they going to do if your mother refuses? Kick your sister out of school? We're not even talking about something thats contagious. And just FYI, most banks also have notaries.

[Sk8ermaiden]

In the public schools here, you don't have to remove your shirt until you're behind a screen with the nurse.

[JenBuckyfan]

What about sending her in a swimsuit top if she has a two-piece or a one-piece? When I was in school, we were tested during the swimming portion of our gym class curriculum since we were all in swimsuits at that time. I'd be wearing a swimsuit instead of a bra for this - it'll be much cooler looking than a bunch of girls in their bras! (not trying to make light of the subject matter here, just trying to give her an option to voice...) I could see being nervous/horrified about having to stand in my bra at that age.

We did have the mandatory group showers in school - though there were some with doors in case we had our period (at least the locker rooms in middle school had them). The sad part is that after sweating for an hour in gym class, some people really did need a shower and unfortunately, this shower was the only shower some of the kids in my class were getting. People in my classes always seemed to be pretty repectful about them though, I don't remember anything too troublesome about them - likely because no one was thrilled with them and was more concerned with getting in and getting out and getting dressed.

[MettaSutta]

Originally Posted by Sk8ermaiden

In the public schools here, you don't have to remove your shirt until you're behind a screen with the nurse.

That is the procedure in my state as well.

Everyone waits in the cafeteria, but you don't have to remove your shirt until you are behind a screen with a nurse. I don't recall it being very traumatic; in fact I was excited because I got to purchase my first bra because of it!

If your sister is still upset about it and not willing to have the screening, check into a religious/philosophical exemption. I know some states have them, if not all. You should be able to find out online.

[Kleine Hexe]

As I stated I had to do this. All the girls were lined up (without our shirts on) and we each had to wait in line until it was our time to be examined. We were all equally embarassed so at least we were in that state together and no one teased. My mom was mad about it as well but she didn't do anything successful to stop it.

I say pull the religious/philosophical card. A parent's rights trump the school.

[blsilva]

Originally Posted by Kleine Hexe

I say pull the religious/philosophical card. A parent's rights trump the school.

ITA. I would pull out all the stops to keep my child from this. What makes them think that it is okay to do this to young girls?

Also, you may tell your mom to talk to someone else in the school/school district about this. Quite often, school secretaries are not privy to all the information. For example, many in our school district have been told that without vaxes, they cannot attend school, which is absolutely false. I think that further research into the actual laws might show that your mom has more rights than she is being told.

If it were me, I would keep her out until I spoke with someone higher up in the chain of command, and it was resolved in a way that was acceptable to me and dd.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by blsilva

ITA. I would pull out all the stops to keep my child from this. What makes them think that it is okay to do this to young girls?

Also, you may tell your mom to talk to someone else in the school/school district about this. Quite often, school secretaries are not privy to all the information. For example, many in our school district have been told that without vaxes, they cannot attend school, which is absolutely false. I think that further research into the actual laws might show that your mom has more rights than she is being told.

If it were me, I would keep her out until I spoke with someone higher up in the chain of command, and it was resolved in a way that was acceptable to me and dd.

:

[sarathan]

Are you sure they have to take off their shirts in front of everyone? I remember going through this when I was that age and the nurse put up a portable wall-type-thing so the the only person who saw me was the nurse and one other person (can't remember if it was another nurse or a teacher). It was still embarassing, but not horribly so. I couldn't have imagined taking my shirt off in front of all those people!

[rmzbm]

I remember this @ school. We got to keep our shirts on though. We lined up then hunched over & the nurse lifted the backs of our shirts very discreetly.

That said - NO. I would NOT "require" my DD to disrobe, period. (Even if just a shirt.) The first mistake made here was ASKING. I'd TELL them NO and damn well mean it. In person. I hope it goes well, please update!

to your sister!

[veganf]

Originally Posted by rmzbm

I remember this @ school. We got to keep our shirts on though. We lined up then hunched over & the nurse lifted the backs of our shirts very discreetly.

This was how they did it when I was in school too.
However, I think it is wrong for a school to be doing ANY health care. They should only be TEACHING about preventitive health practices, the actual PRACTICING belongs at home or at the health care provider chosen by each family.
I would absolutely refuse too.

[Blueena]

I would call the school and find out the procedure, I remember in school, they had us behind screens, so there was no taking off the shirt in front of all the students.

My best friend actually, they found out she had scoliosis during this screening (they didn't have health insurance) and thru the school she got treatment for it and she is grateful that they checked her. Just wanted to put in a different perspective.

[menudo]

I beleive they are lying to you. There are always exemptions to this. Her old school nurse (very mainstream) was not a fan of the scoliosis tests in school for some reason and she made sure that everyone knew exemptions (a simple letter, non religious) existed. So I sent one. DD said she was the only one who didn't have it done, but she was glad!

BTW, I was misdiagnosed by the school every year as a kid and my mom would have to get a Doc's note saying I did not have scoliosis!

[Peppermint Leaf]

Why would the school not accept a letter from a Dr. ?? I don't think that the school should be involved in testing of this nature ... as a pp stated its not contagious

[angelpie545]

I would have your mother check into the legalities of it. FWIW..I am against all "mandatory" health screening in school-they are places of education, and that's it. If they are allowed to do anymore than we see horrific violations of parental rights, and this thread simply proves that point. Anyway, the school should have to accept a doctor's note by law, I'd imagine. I'd tell your mom to call a lawyer about it, and in the meantime, I'd play the religious card.