Instructions for Parents Regarding the Opt-Out from
Religiously Objectionable Teaching
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Thank you for your interest in protecting your students from religiously objectionable teaching in public schools. Attached to this Memo is a Parental Opt-Out Form that you can fill out for each of your students and present to the principal or other administrator at your school.
The purpose of this form is to provide a clear Opt-Out document with clarifying examples. Use it to request and give notice that your student should not be included in teaching, lessons, or discussions regarding human sexuality, family planning, and other religiously objectionable material, as indicated by your specific selections on the opt-out form.
The GEI Parental Opt-Out form is a national education tool. It helps you tell the school, in writing, which instruction you object to on religious grounds, and to ask that your request be placed in the student file. It is not legal advice and it does not create a new federal cause of action.
NEXT STEPS
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You should send the school the cover letter notifying them of your request and your rights.
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You should fill out two copies for each student, one for the school to keep in your student’s file, and one for you to keep for your records.
There is a place at the bottom for the signature of the person who receives the form, and the date it was received. Be sure to have the signature on all copies. If the recipient questions signing the form, thinking that they are somehow approving it or agreeing with it, indicate that it is only stating that it was received on a certain date. As an alternative, they can use a “received” stamp with the date to record that it was provided to the school.
If there is a “school approved” form, you can attach this form to it, and write on the school form that there is an attached form that specifies your instructions regarding your child.
If the school questions the form, you do not need to argue about its legal effect. Ask that the GEI Parental Opt-Out form be placed in your child's file along with other records such as medical releases, handbook receipts, and permission slips.