It can be alarming when you comply with the Chapter 12 Compulsory Attendance Exceptions homeschool law and then receive a request from the school to submit additional information, which by law is not required.
How should you respond?
Of course, we need to first go to the Lord in prayer. God is holy and sovereign and He will grant us wisdom when we humbly ask. (James 1:5)
The Scripture also encourages us to be gracious in our speech, so we need to address the school officials respectfully. (Colossians 4:6)
And finally, we should use the resources available to us through the providence of God. One, such resource is the homeschool rule itself.
Sec 8-12-13 (a) of Chapter 12 Rule states that parents shall submit a Notice of Intent to homeschool and should include:
Name, address and telephone number of the child; birthdate and grade level of the child;
and signature of the parent.
In addition, the DOE Homeschool FAQs Document includes the question, “Do I need to submit any other records?” The answer provided is ….
“Parents are not required to officially enroll and un-enroll students in order to homeschool their child; therefore, no birth certificate or proof of residency is required.”
https://hawaiipublicschools.org/enrolling-in-school/homeschool/
So here is a possible response to the school …
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Dear Principal (Name)
Thank you for your concern for my child. As you are aware, in compliance with Chapter 12 Compulsory Attendance Exceptions, Section 8-12-13, I submitted my Notice of Intent (NOI) for my child on [date].
In a letter from the school on [date], I was asked to provide additional information: a copy of my child’s birth certificate, a valid government-issued photo ID of the parent, and proof of residency.
The DOE Homeschool FAQs document includes the question, “Do I need to submit any other records?” The answer provided is ….
“Parents are not required to officially enroll and un-enroll students in order to homeschool their child; therefore, no birth certificate or proof of residency is required.”
https://hawaiipublicschools.org/enrolling-in-school/homeschool/
I am declining to submit the information you requested since I have followed the Chapter 12 Rule for the NOI. Please acknowledge receipt of my NOI according to Sec 8-12-13(b).
Thank you for your time. I would appreciate further correspondence be in written form.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
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CHOH suggests you make a copy of this letter and send the signed original to the school via certified return receipt requested mail to ensure the school received your letter.
