Rights & Responsibilities - West Aurora School District 129

A young girl in a pink sweater stands on a playground structure, surrounded by bare trees against a blue sky.

At West Aurora School District 129, we believe in fostering a learning environment that embraces the curiosity, complexity, and joy of learning. Our goal is for every student to feel welcomed, valued, and safe at school. Students play an active role in shaping their educational journey by making choices that impact themselves, their peers, and the school community.

Every student has the right to fair treatment and equitable access to educational opportunities. This document explains the rights and responsibilities of students in District 129. It serves as a guide for expectations, accountability,

and support. The Board of Education regularly reviews and updates this document to ensure it remains relevant and practical.

District 129’s Board of Education upholds the Constitutional rights of its students and believes:

Every student should know the expectations for responsible behavior.
The parent/guardian and student are responsible for the behavior of the student.
The District must do all it can to teach, encourage, and support responsible decision making.

The Board authorizes the Superintendent and District administrative staff to promote, implement, and enforce these Rights and Responsibilities.

General Student Rights

All students have the right to:

Be free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, nationality, immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, religion, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, gender identity, status of being homeless, order of protection status, or actual or potential marital or parental status, including pregnancy.
Attend a school in a safe and secure setting that promotes learning.
The freedom of speech and the non-disruptive gathering of people.
Be advised of the standards of acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
Due process - the ability for the student to provide their side of the story
Take part in decisions affecting their schools and District through a student government made up of representatives selected from and by the entire student body.
Voluntarily engage in individually-initiated, non-disruptive prayer. The right to pray is consistent with the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses of the United States and Illinois Constitutions, and shall not be sponsored, promoted or endorsed in any manner by the school or any school employee.

General Student Responsibilities

Students of District 129 are expected to uphold certain general responsibilities as part of their attendance. These include:

Knowing and following the school expectations and regulations.
Respecting the rights of every District student and employee.
To speak and write in a manner that is not libelous, slanderous, obscene, discriminatory, or unjustly damaging to others.
To be dressed and groomed in a way that meets reasonable standards of health and safety.
To be on time and present in all assigned classes with the necessary materials.
To behave in ways that do not interfere with the education of others.
Maintaining the best possible level of work in his/her classes.
Striving to meet the goals and objectives set by the District and perform at the expected levels for his/her grade.
To respect the authority of District administration, teachers, student services, security, and other staff to maintain reasonable behavior at all times during school activities.

Enrollment Requirements

Parent(s)/guardian(s) of students enrolling in the District for the first time must present:

A certified original copy of the student’s birth certificate within 30-days of enrollment or other reliable proof, as determined by the Department of Education. If a birth certificate that indicates the child’s identity and age is unavailable, an affidavit explaining the inability to produce a copy of the birth certificate must be provided. Other reliable proof of the child’s identity and age shall include a passport, visa or other governmental documentation of the child’s identity. Failure to provide an original birth certificate or other reliable proof warrants the school district to notify the Illinois State Police or local law enforcement agency.

Proof of residence, as required by board Policy 7.060, Residence
- Only students who are residents of the District may attend a District school without a tuition charge. To prove residency within the District, a parent/guardian will be asked to provide three (3) documents. These documents may include, but are not limited to: a mortgage statement, lease contract, utility bill, insurance proof, or financial documents. Photo identification of the parent/guardian is required at the initial registration, but it is not accepted for residency purposes.
Proof of disease immunization or detection and required physical examination, as required by State Law and Board Policy 7.100, Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations, Immunizations, and Exclusion of Students. Note: Requirements for providing proof of immunization will be revised as needed and applied consistent with Board policy, and local, state, and federal guidance addressing the unique health and safety considerations by the COVID-19 pandemic.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act
Any student who meets the homeless criteria shall be immediately enrolled, even if the student or student’s parent/guardian is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment. School and National Lunch fees associated with a homeless student’s enrollment should also immediately be waived upon identification/registration. Board Policy 6.140, Education of Homeless Children, and its implementing administrative procedure govern the enrollment of homeless students. For support or questions regarding services for homeless students, please contact the District’s Newcomer and Homeless Outreach Administrator, Dr. Dawn Marmo at dmarmo@sd129.org.