Problems with my son's school and exemption

[bygones75]

Before my son started nursery school, I called the asst. director and told her that we would be submitting a religious exemption. She made it sound like it was not a big deal. And when I first met her, she was very nice... until she put two and two together and figured out I was the one not vaxing. She told me there was a problem with the exemption, she needed more info, and she'd put a form in Thomas's folder.

That was two weeks ago. I never got anything. I thought maybe she was letting it go, but that was naive of me.

Apparently, the school committee finished reviewing the students' records, and sent home a notice yesterday saying that Thomas's vax record and birth certificate were missing. Now, I know the school received both (because the birth certificate was stapled to the exemption letter) so I called the asst. director. She was very abrupt when I spoke with her... said that both the letter and the certificate were on her desk, and then repeated that she had to send home an additional form for me.

After I got off the phone with her, I noticed that the parents' committee letter said that if they don't have the vax records for the state before October 8th, that Thomas would be dismissed from the school. So I'm thinking that the asst. director was purposely not sending the form home... because after October 8th, Thomas could be kicked out of the school and there would be nothing for me to do about it. And she could claim I never sent in the letter or the certificate.

I could be paranoid... but I don't think so.

I called again to ask for the form; she hasn't called back.

I'm going to recopy his birth certificate and exemption letter, and hand it to his teachers. That way, there's someone else who can verify that I did submit the info.

It took so much for my son to enter and to adjust to school. Now he loves it. I don't want there to be problems, for him to have to leave.

Is there anything else I should do to cover my butt?

Thanks for reading this rambling post.

[tanyalynn]

I was thinking a certified letter for proof that you sent it. And wow, what unprofessional behavior on their part, I am pretty surprised. Exemptions shouldn't be surprising.

[ASusan]

I would just go to her office and stand there while she gets the form for you. The start of daycare was crazy with forms for us. The director, just today (5 weeks after starting) gave me the parents' handbook.

You could also go to the director and say that you want to make sure his file is complete and is there any form missing that you need to have filled out?

[WaitingForKiddos]

Ya, just go to her office and ask for the form. It might not hurt to say something along the lines of .. "Oh gosh! Things are so crazy with the start of school and the trasition out of Summer! I was ovet this way anyway and thought I'd save us both a stamp!"

Keep it light.

[spero]

Originally Posted by bygones75

Apparently, the school committee finished reviewing the students' records, and sent home a notice yesterday saying that Thomas's vax record and birth certificate were missing. Now, I know the school received both (because the birth certificate was stapled to the exemption letter) so I called the asst. director. She was very abrupt when I spoke with her... said that both the letter and the certificate were on her desk, and then repeated that she had to send home an additional form for me.

Did you submit vax records AND an exemption letter?

Did you submit a notarized NYSED Request for Exemption form? Perhaps that is what they are looking for to complete the files?

After I got off the phone with her, I noticed that the parents' committee letter said that if they don't have the vax records for the state before October 8th, that Thomas would be dismissed from the school. So I'm thinking that the asst. director was purposely not sending the form home... because after October 8th, Thomas could be kicked out of the school and there would be nothing for me to do about it. And she could claim I never sent in the letter or the certificate.

OK, I would be doing two things. First, I would be contacting the committee directly, ASAP. Explain everything you've said here about the director, leaving out the part that she might be trying to deliberately sabotage you.

Then, I would confront the director personally, in her office, and ask to fill out whatever is needed right then and there.

Document EVERY phone call and visit. That way, if she still manages to exclude your son from attending the school, you can then seek the advice of an attorney - and show that you had all your bases covered.

[bygones75]

Originally Posted by spero

Did you submit vax records AND an exemption letter?

No, sorry, I meant I submitted the exemption letter with the birth certificate.

Originally Posted by spero

Did you submit a notarized NYSED Request for Exemption form? Perhaps that is what they are looking for to complete the files?

No, but I just printed it out and I'm going to bring it with me to her office. I didn't think of contacting the committee member directly. I'll have to look into that, but you're right, that would be prudent.

Am writing down everything now. Thanks, everyone, for the help.