Birthday Treats and Celebrations
School District 129 requests that students and parents refrain from bringing edible treats and non-edible items to school for celebratory purposes. We value the cooperation of our parents and guardians in helping us maintain healthy school environments.
Early Pick-Up (During the School Day)
If your child needs to leave school before the regular dismissal time, we ask that a parent/guardian inform the school office as soon as possible, mentioning the time and reason for the early departure. Our school office staff will do their best to ensure that your child is ready and waiting in the office at the scheduled pick-up time. To prioritize student safety, only parents/guardians or approved adult emergency contacts are allowed to pick up students. When requesting an early dismissal, please provide written notice to the school office, specifying who will be responsible for picking up your child. This ensures that we release students only to authorized individuals. It's also helpful if you discuss these plans with your children beforehand so they're aware of the arrangements. For the security of our students, all parents/guardians and approved adult emergency contacts picking a student up must present a driver's license or state-issued photo ID card, even if our staff already know you. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this identification process. Please note that early dismissals will not be permitted after 3:15 to minimize disruptions to our dismissal process at the end of the school day.
Contacting a Teacher
We want to hear from our parents/guardians and encourage home and school communication. Education is much more impactful when schools and families partner together in the best interest of the child. Contacting your child’s teacher directly is often the most effective way to address any concerns or questions you may have. We recommend reaching out to the teacher first for any academic-related matters. To contact a teacher, please use the teacher’s voicemail or email, which is accessible through the District’s website, www.sd129.org. Schoology, District 129’s online learning platform, is also available for communication with teachers. This platform is accessible to both students and parents, providing another avenue for staying connected and informed.
School Bus/Transportation
Riding the bus to school - Students who are assigned to a bus for the morning route should arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. This ensures that they are ready and waiting when the bus arrives, helping to keep the morning routine running smoothly. Riding the bus to and from school is a privilege. To ensure the safety of all students, it is the expectation that they remain seated, board and exit the bus at their assigned bus stops, follow the instructions of the bus driver, communicate respectfully, refrain from eating food while on the bus, and avoid causing any damage to the bus at any time. When your student adheres to these guidelines they help maintain a safe and orderly transportation experience for everyone.
Visitors and Volunteers
Student and staff safety is paramount in District 129, and we maintain stringent measures to uphold safe school environments. To ensure safety, all visitors must use the intercom system at the school’s main entrance. Upon buzzing, visitors will be prompted to state their name and reason for their visit. Once granted access, visitors must immediately check in at the school’s office. For security purposes, all visitors are required to present a valid photo identification card before receiving a visitor’s badge. These IDs are scanned through District 129’s visitor management system, which is linked to the National Sex Offender Registry. Approved visitors will then be provided with a visitor’s badge to wear throughout their visit. At the end of the visit, the badge should be returned to the school’s office. The Board of Education has established rules and regulations for entry into school buildings during school hours and for conduct on District property to ensure the supervision and safety of all students. Violations of these rules may result in a no-trespass order, applicable to specific school buildings and grounds, including extracurricular activities held at those locations. All individuals on district property are expected to treat others with respect and engage in conduct that supports a positive and inclusive school environment. Disruptive, unsafe, or disrespectful behavior may result in consequences, including a no-trespass order, which can limit or prohibit access to specific school buildings, school grounds, or extracurricular events held at those locations. Under the Illinois Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/21-3), criminal penalties exist for unauthorized entry onto District property, as well as for engaging in violence and disorderly conduct. District 129 is committed to enforcing these laws and will pursue criminal charges for any non-compliance. To volunteer in a District 129 school, please visit our website: https://www.sd129.org/district/volunteer
Jeff Craig Family Resource Center
The school-linked health center is powered by VNA Health Care and is accessible to any District 129 student. The VNA provides a range of services, such as medical care, mental health services, and dietician services. The goal is to improve students’ health and well-being, enhance their academic performance, and reduce absenteeism by ensuring easy access to necessary healthcare services. For more information about the VNA’s services and the necessary consent forms, please visit our website at SD129.org. The Marie Wilkinson Micro-Pantry provides essential food assistance to District 129 students and families to help address food insecurities and ensure students have the necessary resources to succeed academically and personally. Located at the Jeff Craig Family Resource Center, the micro-pantry will provide a variety of non-perishable food items, school supplies, and other basic necessities. For more information about how to access the micro-pantry, please speak to the administration at your child’s school.
