My little girl is five and ready to head to kindergarten next week. Her older brother has autism, so she is selectively vaxed - most notably she has had no MMR. I've been getting letters from the school nurse - just form letters - outlining what is "required" to start kindergarten. Back in June I sent in the medical form showing what shots she has been given and called the school asking for the nurse to call me. No call, but more form letters came. Wednesday was kindergarten kick-off, so I was fully prepared for a fight, because all of the form letters said "Your child will not be permited to enter XXX School District for the 2008-2009 school year until they meet the above requirements." Pennsylvania, from what I understand, offers only a medical or religious exemption. Although my doctor doesn't argue with me over not vaxing her, I also wouldn't necessarily say she agrees with me, so I was thinking the medical exemption wouldn't happen. And morally I had a problem with the idea of signing a religious exemption, because she has had some shots and it really isn't a religious thing for me. Kind of seemed morally wrong in my opinion to lie about a religious exemption.
Anyway, showed up Wednesday for kindergarten kick-off, we're in her classroom looking around, met the teacher, etc. and the principal stops in and tells me the nurse is in her office and would like to see me before I leave. I go in, expecting a hard time, but nope! She simply tells me to cross off the part where it says "religious exemption" and write a short statement saying that due to family history we are waiving certain vaccines and sign it, and we are good to go!
PHEW! My baby girl will be able to get on the bus next week with her big brother and big sister with no worries at all - Mommy will be sad though, I've had a child home with me for almost fifteen years until now!
Anyway, showed up Wednesday for kindergarten kick-off, we're in her classroom looking around, met the teacher, etc. and the principal stops in and tells me the nurse is in her office and would like to see me before I leave. I go in, expecting a hard time, but nope! She simply tells me to cross off the part where it says "religious exemption" and write a short statement saying that due to family history we are waiving certain vaccines and sign it, and we are good to go!
PHEW! My baby girl will be able to get on the bus next week with her big brother and big sister with no worries at all - Mommy will be sad though, I've had a child home with me for almost fifteen years until now!
