Notifications

Any district employee or Board member who has reason to think that a student may be abused or neglected must make a report to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and notify human resources or the principal that a report has been made. All district employees must sign the “Acknowledgment of Mandated Reporter Status” form provided by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Each Board member must direct or cause the board to direct the superintendent to comply with the requirements of the Act if an abuse allegation is raised during an open or closed board meeting. (5:90)

The district will only release certain directory information regarding students with parent/guardian permission. Parents indicate their preferences when they first enroll their child in school. If parents change their mind they should contact the school office to request updated permissions information. (7:340)

The district strives to provide individuals with disabilities an opportunity to participate in all school-sponsored services, programs or activities on an equal basis to those without disabilities. Disabled persons should notify the principal or the superintendent if they require assistance in advance in order to arrange reasonable accommodations. (8:70)

The district is committed to equal educational and extracurricular opportunities for all students without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, physical or cognitive handicap or disability, status as homeless, or actual or potential marital or parental status, including pregnancy. Further, the district will not knowingly enter into agreements with any entity or any individual that discriminates against students on the basis of any protected status. (2:260, 7:10, 8:20)

In compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, requests are accommodated for the examination and copying of public records of the school district consistent with the law and board policy. All FOIA requests must be submitted in writing to the district’s Freedom of Information Act Officer. Requests may be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service, electronically by submitting the online request or by hand delivery to the district office. Visit www.d41.org or call (630) 534-7222 for information on procedure, hours and any fees.

Creating, distributing and/or accessing non-school sponsored publications shall occur at a time and place and in a manner that will not cause disruption, be coercive, or result in the perception that the distribution or the publication is endorsed by the district as outlined in Board policy 7:310 Restrictions on Publications: Elementary Schools. A student who engages in misconduct, bullying or cyberbullying may be disciplined. (7:310, 7:180, 7:190)

The Board of Education policy concerning privacy and parental access to information contained in student records is provided upon enrollment and available upon request from the school or Central Services Office.

School student records are confidential. Information from them shall not be released other than as provided by law. A school student record is any writing or other recorded information concerning a student and by which a student may be identified individually that is maintained by a school or at its direction by a school employee, regardless of how or where the information is stored, except as provided in State or federal law as summarized below:

1. Records kept in a staff member's sole possession.
2. Records maintained by law enforcement officers working in the school.
3. Video and other electronic recordings (including without limitation, electronic recordings made on school buses) that are created in part for law enforcement, security, or safety reasons or purposes. The content of these recordings may become part of a school student record to the extent school officials create, use, and maintain this content, or it becomes available to them by law enforcement officials, for disciplinary or special education purposes regarding a particular student.
4. Any information, either written or oral, received from law enforcement officials concerning a student less than the age of 18 years who has been arrested or taken into custody.

State and federal law grants students, parents/guardians, and when applicable, the Ill. Dept. of Children and Family Services' Office of Education and Transition Services, certain rights, including the right to inspect, copy, and/or challenge school student records. The information contained in school student records shall be kept current, accurate, clear, and relevant. All information maintained concerning a student receiving special education services shall be directly related to the provision of services to that child. The District will not release directory information although the District can and will release student record information in other situations, including where a parent(s)/guardian(s) authorizes release of information, as outlined in 7:340 AP1 E2 Release of Student Information to PTA and Using a Photograph or Video Recording of a Student.

However, the District will comply with an ex parte court order requiring it to permit the U.S. Attorney General or designee to have access to a student's school records without notice to, or the consent of, the students' parent(s)/guardian(s). Upon request, the District discloses school student records without parent consent to the official's records custodian of another school district in which a student has enrolled or intends to enroll, as well as to any other person as specifically required or permitted by State or federal law.

The Superintendent shall fully implement this policy and designate an official records custodian for each school who shall maintain and protect the confidentiality of school student records, inform staff members of this policy, and inform students and their parents/guardians of their rights regarding school student records.

(7:340)

The district complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Illinois School Student Records Act (ISSRA) which under some circumstances, permit District 41 to release student directory information to certain entities. General directory information is only released with parent approval upon enrollment. (7:340)

No student shall, based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, be denied equal access to programs, activities, services, or benefits or be limited in the exercise of any right, privilege, advantage, or denied equal access to educational and extracurricular programs and activities. Any student may file a gender equity complaint by using the Uniform Grievance Procedure. A student may appeal the School Board’s resolution of the complaint to the Regional Superintendent of Schools (pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/3-10 of The School Code) and, thereafter, to the State Superintendent of Education (pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/2-3.8 of The School Code).

State law prohibits a sex offender from being present on school property or loitering within 500 feet of school property when persons under the age of 18 are present, unless the offender is a parent/guardian of a student attending the school and the parent/guardian is there for conference purposes and notifies the principal of his or her presence at the school, or has permission to be present from the board, superintendent, or superintendent’s designee. In all cases, the superintendent, or designee who is a certified employee, shall supervise a child sex offender whenever the offender is in a child’s vicinity. The DuPage County Sheriff’s Department maintains an online database of area sex offenders; parents are encouraged to check this site regularly. (8:30)