H4ML Activists Defend Medical Liberty of High School Students

I want to thank our members!  

You all are AMAZING!

Thursday, I sent out a limited call to action via text, AND YOU SHOWED UP!

You went to bat, defending students at Franklin Central High School, who were being segregated based on vaccination status, and some who were facing religious discrimination.

I really didn't anticipate this being more than a quick text, potentially changing the choices of the school, but it grew legs and started running!

Since Thursday, I have talked with many people, not only in Marion County, but from people around the state, who are concerned about this issue.

So far, this seemingly small action made a significant impact on the offending school. I have not heard any indication, but I imagine that they will be changing their practices after the outcry heard from the local residents.

GREAT JOB HOOSIERS!

But that isn't it.

It appears this action may actually be changing the practices of other schools. More about this later.

So, for those of you who don't know what happened...

On August 28th, we received an email from a parent requesting assistance. The email stated that the parent had submitted a religious exemption to Franklin Central High School, but was being told her children would not be able to attend school if the "Consequences to Incomplete Immunizations" form was not returned.
 
Despite having a religious exemption on file, in accordance with Indiana state code IC 20-34-3-2, the family received threatening text messages and emails with instructions to provide proof of vaccination or dates for appointments to be caught up, or they would no longer be able to attend school.

IC 20-34-3-2 guarantees religious objection to vaccination as long as it is:
(1) made in writing;
(2) signed by the child's parent; and
(3) delivered to the child's teacher or to the individual who might order a test, an exam, an immunization, or a treatment absent the objection.

Parents are not required by law to use any state form or sign an acknowledgment.

Families who opt out of vaccination are frequently bullied by schools and told that children will not be allowed to attend school. In this particular case, the exemption was on file, and the family should not have faced any further harassment.

As if Franklin Central High School's blatant disregard for the religious beliefs and state law wasn't enough, on August 29th we received reports that students within the school were being pulled out of the classrooms and sent to "room 700".

Simply by the act of segregating students and sending them to room 700, school staff exposed the private medical information of these students.

After one student exited the classroom, another said,
"It's because of her shots".

Reports from students included "a lot of extra kids in the hall with passes" and "ten students waiting to go into room 700".

Students also report that some of those pulled out of their classrooms were sent back to class, while others were retained until they were picked up by parents.

Hoosiers for Medical Liberty, an Indiana social welfare group, alerted members in the area regarding the segregation of students, the failure of the school to inform parents of the right to religious exemption, and the bullying of those who already exercised their rights.

The school system received numerous calls about the issue, and the responses varied greatly based on the reaction of H4ML members. Several Members reported that they had to leave messages or were hung up on.

Below are a few of the responses received by H4ML members.

"The receptionist transferred me to the nurse.  The nurse did not deny but refused to give me any information and stated they are just following administration orders.  She gave me the number for the school admin in charge of health (317) 803-5011.  I had to leave a message.

I expressed to the nurse and in my voicemail with admin my concerns:
1.  Segregating children for any reason is wrong and segregating them based on their health status is a violation to their health privacy.
2.  If they are segregating them to protect vaccinated children from the unvaccinated that makes no sense since according to their belief vaccinated children are "safe" from said diseases.
3.  Were parents made aware of this?

I also expressed my concern to the school nurse that she should never blindly follow  administration orders if it is an unethical practice."

"I called main office. They said they knew students were being taken out of class, but nothing else. Sent me to clinic. Nurse first said that the parents were told during summer what vaccinations were required. I asked if they were also informed at the same time that they could be exempted due to religion. She said "I'm sure they were." I asked if she was sure or that she knew for a fact. She said she didn't have the files or paperwork available and had to go because she had students she had to take care of right now."

"Transferring me from phone line to phone line and then once to an administrator they picked up phone and hung up."

"The HS Receptionist said she was transferring me to the Nurse, the the lady told me she was the "Records Keeper," I told her I was a blogger for lucy4liberty.com which seemed to get her attention. She made sure to tell me that they do notify parents they can use the form provided for the religious exemption... so I firmly let her know it isn't required by 20-34-3-2 and that telling parents it is required could create and undue burden under Title 42 of the US Code. She wasn't liking me. I was firm and professional. She recommended I talk to Chase, the Superintendent. Left him a detailed message."

There was also a flurry of activity on our social media posts:

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A post shared by Hoosiers for Medical Liberty (@hoosiersformedicalliberty)

The school staff clearly acknowledges the fact that students were being pulled out of class due to vaccination status and that parents were supposed to be informed of the right to religious exemption.

They know what they are doing is WRONG, yet they chose to participate anyway.

If your family has been impacted use the drop boxes below to see potential next steps.

Religious exemption on file and not honored file complaints with:

1. Indiana Department of Education (IDOE): While we have looked to see a formal complaint process, we have not been able to find one. You may choose to investigate further or start by using the contact form at IDOE Website
   
2. Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC): If you feel that your civil rights have been violated through the refusal to accept your religious exemption and received subsequent harassment, you may file a complaint on the ICRC website.
   
   

Not being given notice of the right to religious exemption File Complaints with:

1. Indiana Attorney General File a consumer complaint: https://inoag.my.salesforce-sites.com/ConsumerComplaintForm
   
   
2. Indiana Department of Education (IDOE): While we have looked to see a formal complaint process, we have not been able to find one. You may choose to investigate further or start by using the contact form at IDOE Website
   

***IMPORTANT: You may not be able to print a copy of your complaint once filed. It is advisable to create your complaint in a document, save it to your computer, or email it to yourself along with any accompanying information or documentation.

THEN, once you have items together, you can copy and paste the information into the appropriate complaint forms. After submitting the complaint, maintain a folder with ALL communications between yourself, the agencies you made reports to, and the school system. If you have verbal communication, document who was present, the date, time, and details from the conversation.

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I promised I would share more about how the simple act of YOU, H4ML activists, making a phone call can ripple throughout Indiana, making changes.

I can't say with certainty, however it seems as though nearby Clark Pleasant Schools watched what happened at Franklin Central and didn't want to have to face the "Court of Public Opinion".

I was sent an anonymous email on August 30th, with the image below, showing an "extended vaccine exclusion date" from September to October 21st. The e-mail cites "difficulty scheduling vaccination appointments" as the reason for the near 6 week extension.

Franklin students must have vaccinations or an appointment to obtain the vaccinations to continue attending school. Clark Pleasant seems to do things differently than Franklin,  particularly in the fact that they include the right to an exemption in their communications. So, the discrepancy could be a policy difference.

But...

I find it hard to believe that parents would need an additional 6-week extension simply due to scheduling.

I find this increasingly more difficult to believe because a short FOUR (4) days before, on August 26th, Clark Pleasant had sent out a reminder about the September 1st vaccine exclusion deadline.

Did the school miraculously hear back from all the parents with concerns over scheduling and a need for a six-week extension within 4 days of the August 26th email?

Or is it more likely that they didn't want to risk facing you?

Hoosiers, remember the power of YOUR voice.
Remember that ONE person makes a world of difference.
Remember that as we use our voices TOGETHER they become even more powerful.
Remember, accountability goes a long way.

As we grow our organization together, we only become more powerful.

Please take a moment and share YOUR accomplishment.
Tell your friends and family.
Encourage them to get our text messages to help secure Medical Liberty.

To celebrate this victory, we are taking 20% off two of our favorite tees!

Snag them for only $20 for a limited time.

Hoosiers, we can't do this without your voice!

But if I am being honest, we know a bigger battle is on the horizon.
Our generous monthly donors have financed our text messages, our website, and all the literature we hand out...

We would love to do so much more.
Could you help us by pitching in $15, $25, or even $50 to help us prepare to protect Hoosier kids and their families from the encroachment on their medical Liberty?

Donate now, h4ml.org/membership

Thank you for your generosity!

If you cannot donate, but would like to help volunteer on this project, we could use your help!

We aim to ensure families around the state are protected from illegal actions and discrimination by school policies like Franklin Central's. 

Volunteering could be as few as 2 hours, but could become more involved if desired. You can do it from your own home using a personal computer and internet.

Just email us at [email protected] or text the word VOLUNTEER to 260-286-0988

We will keep you updated on this story as it continues to unfold.

If you or someone you know experiences similar have them contact us as soon as possible.