Going from homeschool to a church school, vac question

[White Orchid in TN]

Hi moms :

I was so happy to come across this board!

I have a question and was hoping someone could help me. I have searched through some of the archives but didn't see a specific answer to this question, so thought I would post here.

I have been homeschooling my daughter since she was in Kindergarten. She is currently in the 3rd grade. She has done very well in her studies and reads a grade and a half above her level (!) but my husband has decided he wants to put her in school, so that I can work during the day. We were able to agree on a church school. She has not been vaccinated and I do not intend to start vaccinations, as I have been researching the subject for many years. I started learning the pros and cons before I even thought of having a baby! LOL So... this is something I am not going to change my mind on, no disrespect to those who do vax, just that it is not my choice.

I know that a church school (at least here in TN) will ask for an immunization record the same as a ps would. We in TN are allowed an religious exemption, thankfully, and this is what I plan to do.

My question... I hope I don't sound really dumb, LOL, but I have *no idea* what to expect or what to do, about the whole process. Do I go to register first? And then they will ask for her immunization record, I say I don't have one, and they want me to get a waiver? And how to go about that....? Do the schools typically have a waiver of theirs they want you to sign, or do I provide my own? Do I have to take her to the dr before I register her? And if so, what do I do at the doctors? What do I ask? Do I say I am bringing her because I don't want her vaccinated and need a form... etc.??? I am just really confused about the whole thing. I did visit vaclib.org and printed out a sample form that you can have your doctor sign, but I don't know if the school will have one instead that I should use.... etc.

Thanks in advance to any moms who can shed some light on this whole mystery to me. I have tried looking on google, vax sites, etc., but so far all I have seen is that yes I can get a waiver, which I know that much... but not really anything about the process itself, what comes first, and so on. I appreciate any input, links, etc.

Amy

[thepeach80]

Are you sure they'll ask? The church school my son goes to (the church we attend) is not accredited by the state, they are independent, so they don't care about AJ's vax status. He didn't have to have a physical to go there or provide a shot record or exemption. Depending on the school, yours may be the same. If not, just go to register, fill out what you can, find out what else you need to bring in and bring in an exemption instead of a vax record if asked for one. http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/tennessee.htm

[White Orchid in TN]

Originally Posted by thepeach80

Are you sure they'll ask? The church school my son goes to (the church we attend) is not accredited by the state, they are independent, so they don't care about AJ's vax status. He didn't have to have a physical to go there or provide a shot record or exemption. Depending on the school, yours may be the same. If not, just go to register, fill out what you can, find out what else you need to bring in and bring in an exemption instead of a vax record if asked for one. http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/tennessee.htm

Actually I am not sure which ones would ask... I only know that so far the schools I have researched have all said an immunization record would be required... so I guess that would mean they are accredited by the state, then. So maybe if I find one that is independent, then they would not care so much about the vax, what a relief that would be off my mind. I will start checking to see if I can find any independent schools in the area, and see what I can come up with. Thank you so much!

PS I love your signature!! So cute!! And I see you have one on the way - all the best! What a wonderful valentine's gift.

[thepeach80]

Good luck finding one. I really like the school AJ goes to, it's a better option for us than homeschooling, we'd get nowhere fast w/ that I think. I need update my siggy, Ilana is out of cds now as she mostly uses the potty, yay!

[melvis]

In Sept, I registered my dd at a church pre-school. Included in all the paperwork required for registering was the immunization record sheet. I just turned in my religious waiver for no vaccines when I turned in all the other paperwork. They did require a physical and other paperwork from the dr. to sign. Your dr. most likely will have the waiver form or you can print it out from a state website. Mine did. In my state, I just needed to have the religious waiver notarized.

I wouldn't worry about it. No issues came up for me. Good luck!