URGENT Help! Catholic school enrollment/exemption!

[kgreen]

I am so confused. My son actually starts school TODAY! I have an exemption form to turn in that I printed myself. In the school handbook it says they have a "No shots - No School" policy. There is no mention of an exemption form.

I am in California and filled out the form to turn in for school today. I made brief mention of this on the phone with the school secretary. She seemed unaware of exemptions...but she also seemed distracted at the time.

I have read conflicting info...my question is this...DO CATHOLIC SCHOOLS HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO REFUSE SCHOOLING TO AN UNVAXED CHILD WITH A PHILOSOPHICAL EXEMPTION?

Please help as we leave for school in about an hour.

(The reason this is so last minute is that I was confident we had the law on our side until I read that basically private school can do what they want...is this not true?)

[kgreen]

anyone out there...?

[nalo]

DO NOT quote me on this but I do believe private schools can make their own rules. I think if they will not allow exemptions that is their right to do so. It is public school that has no option but to accept it. Again, don't use me as your final info by any means but that's just what I think is true.

[kgreen]

I need something to fall back on to tell them if they do "make their own rules". I was under the impression that the law covers all schools. UGH! Help!

[ZoeyZoo]

Originally Posted by kgreen

I need something to fall back on to tell them if they do "make their own rules". I was under the impression that the law covers all schools. UGH! Help!

Depends on the state... each state has rules on whether public and private schools have to exept an examption. Some only allow public schools.

I found this from this site http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/california.htm:

"California Health and Safety Code Section 120365, which reads as follows:
Immunization of a person shall not be required for admission to a school or other institution listed in Section 120335 if the parent or guardian or adult who has assumed responsibility for his or her care and custody in the case of a minor, or the person seeking admission if an emancipated minor, files with the governing authority a letter or affidavit stating that the immunization is contrary to his or her beliefs"

Section 120335 says public or private school. You can read the whole text in appedix C & D (Page 1) below:

Here's a link to the CA Vax Handbook for school admission:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/immu...ndbookText.pdf

Here are appendix C and D which covers exemptions:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/immu...icesCandD.aspx

[kgreen]

thanks so much. I do know aboutthe first part but haven't read the other info...i just dropped him off along with my exemption form. The lady in the office is really nice and took it for his file. She may not know what it is yet sincve I had it in an envelope...hmmm...we will see if they call or something. Thanks again!

[kgreen]

i read through everything on the links you posted and it is exactly what i need. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love these boards!

[knucklehead]

Originally Posted by kgreen

i read through everything on the links you posted and it is exactly what i need. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love these boards!

So did the exemption cover private schools? I'm curious what you found out.

[anewmama]

Yeah, me too since I am in California and looking at pre-school in the far future.

[ZoeyZoo]

I posted that it looked like it did cover private schools. The exemption law references that all schools under section 120335 have to applow exemptions. When I read the section it mentioned both public and private schools.

The day care section was not clear to me... it didn't specifically mention exemptions like the school sections did.

[thepeach80]

I think exemptions are o.k. for schools that are state approved etc. The school my son goes to has no ties to the state and we have to sign a form every year saying we know he's not going to an accredited school etc. They however don't care about vaxes one way or another and we don't have to have school physicals etc, they assume everyone is taking care of their children how they see fit. If the school was state accreditted, we'd be required to sign an exemption and afaik they'd have to take it if it was state approved.

[StacyL]

If you have any problems contact Debra Vinnedge at www.cogforlife.org. They specialize in assisting parents with getting their private schools (including Catholic ones) to honor religious exemptions. They have won cases in this arena in several states and she is an expert and very generous with her time, as well as being an all-around nice lady. Good luck!