School Meals

Students in all other buildings are covered by the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and are eligible for a free breakfast and lunch daily.  Students covered by CEP are responsible for the cost of a la carte items and any extra meals or milk. 

Civil Rights - And justice for all

The West Aurora Schools have implemented a computerized debit system that will replace the traditional cash registers in the cafeteria lunch lines. Students will still be able to pay cash on a daily basis as they have in the past.

To use the service, you must first enroll at the website. A valid email address is required, as you will receive payment confirmations via email. The school receives a list of credit card payments made on the MySchoolBucks website each morning. You then can go to your MySchoolBucks account and view your student's current balance. There is no additional charge to your credit card for this service; this is a FREE service to the parents of our school district. 

Or

A cash debit account is created by making a payment of a specific dollar amount ($5.00, $10.00, $20.00, etc...) to the cafeteria. These funds are then deposited into your student's debit account and are available to your child when purchasing meals at the elementary, middle and high schools as well as a la carte foods that are available at the middle and high schools. There are no limitations as to what may be purchased or how many purchases can be made. The account balance simply decreases as purchases take place.

MySchoolBucks

MyPlate is an initiative created by the USDA to help families implement healthier eating habits.

Make every bite count

• Learn how much you need from each food group. Get a personalized MyPlate Plan that's right for you, based on your age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity level.
• Take a look at your current eating routine. Pick one or two ways that you can switch to choices today that are rich in nutrition.
• A healthy eating routine can help boost your health today and in the years to come. Think about how your food choices come together over the course of your day or week to help you create a healthy eating routine.
• It’s important to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy and fortified soy alternatives. Choose options for meals, beverages, and snacks that have limited added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium.

MyPlate is a reminder to find your healthy eating style and build it throughout your lifetime. Everything you eat and drink matters. The right mix can help you be healthier now and in the future. This means:

• Focus on variety, amount, and nutrition.
• Choose foods and beverages with less saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
• Start with small changes to build healthier eating styles.
• Support healthy eating for everyone.

Eating healthy is a journey shaped by many factors, including our stage of life, situations, preferences, access to food, culture, traditions, and the personal decisions we make over time. All your food and beverage choices count. MyPlate offers ideas and tips to help you create a healthier eating style that meets your individual needs and improves your health. For information about MyPlate and the 5 food groups, take a look at What is MyPlate? on the USDA's website.

For more information, colorful printouts and kids activities, ideas for healthy eating, recipes, click on the link below.  There is also a MyPlate smart phone app!

MyPLATE.GOV

West Aurora
School District 129
Wellness Policy

Effective: 02-2026

In accordance with 7 CFR 210.31(c), a Local Education Agency that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or School Breakfast Program (SBP) must establish a Local School Wellness Policy for all schools under its jurisdiction. As of June 30, 2017, Local Wellness Policies must meet the minimum requirements set forth in the Final Rule: Local School Wellness Policy Implementation Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

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Wellness Policy Committee

Wellness Policy Leadership

• Marti Neahring, Executive Director of Student and Family Services
  Email: mneahring@sd129.org | Phone: 630-301-5029
• Pete Martino, Assistant Director of Student and Family Services
  Email: peter.martino@sd129.org | Phone: 630-301-5118
• Katie Carlino (RN, PEL-CSN, CDCES), Health Services Department Lead
  Email: kcarlino@sd129.org | Phone: 630-301-5336

Wellness Policy Committee Members

• Christine Birns, SNAP-HCW Educator, U of I Extension
• Pam Pater, Department Admin. 6-12 PE/Health
• Michelle Voris, Student Assistance Program Coordinator
• Cheryl Hellyer, Department Admin. K-5 PE/Health
• Laura Edwards, Department Administrator 6-12 CTE
• George Gurley, Food Services
• Nicholette Riddle, RN, PEL-CSN
• Mary Corrigan, RN, PEL-CSN
• Marsha Evitts, RN, PEL-CSN
• Cristina Martinez, RN, PEL-CSN

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Purpose Statement & Rationale

West Aurora School District 129 recognizes its responsibility to promote a healthy learning environment for all students and community stakeholders through the development of a local wellness policy. This policy promotes student health, nutrition, obesity prevention, and transparency regarding the school wellness environment.

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Public Involvement

West Aurora School District permits and encourages public involvement in Local Wellness Policy development, implementation, updates, and reviews.

Triennial Assessment

Assessments of the Local Wellness Policy must occur no less than every three years. West Aurora School District shall conduct assessments beginning June 2023 and every three years thereafter.

Policy Updates & Records

The Wellness Policy Committee will update the policy as needed and maintain records of the Local Wellness Policy.

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Nutrition

Meals

All reimbursable meals served through the NSLP and SBP must meet or exceed USDA nutrition standards. This includes requirements for grains, meat/meat alternates, fruits, vegetables, milk, and limits on calories, sodium, saturated fat, and trans fat.

Eating Environment

• Meals are scheduled at appropriate times with adequate time and space.
• Students are discouraged from sharing food due to allergy and food safety concerns.

Competitive Foods

All competitive foods and beverages sold during the school day must comply with USDA Smart Snacks in Schools standards.

Food as Rewards

Food will not be used as a reward or part of classroom celebrations.

Fundraisers

Food fundraisers during the school day must meet Smart Snacks standards. Schools are encouraged to implement non-food fundraisers.

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Nutrition Education & Promotion

• Nutrition education is included in health curriculum.
• Age-appropriate instruction provided in health, science, and PE classes.
• Hands-on culinary learning opportunities at WAHS.
• Farm to School participation.
• Free, clean drinking water available throughout the day.
• Participation in National School Lunch Week and National Nutrition Month.

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Unused Food Sharing Plan

To reduce food waste, the District follows Public Act 102-0359 and maintains share tables where students may place unopened, uneaten items for redistribution.

• Items must be unopened and properly packaged.
• Tables are supervised and sanitized daily.
• Excess food may support after-school programs or local food recovery organizations.

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Health Curriculum

• Comprehensive Health Education
• Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
• Nutrition Education
• Mental Health Awareness
• Substance Abuse Prevention
• Sexual Health Education
• Life Skills Education

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Physical Education

Elementary

75 minutes per week (3 sessions of 25 minutes)

Middle School

Daily PE (37–45 minutes per period depending on day)

High School

Daily PE (40–53 minutes per period depending on day)

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Additional Physical Activity Opportunities

• Recess
• Movement Breaks
• Field Days
• After-School Sports
• Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day
• Clubs and intramurals

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Mental Health & Social-Emotional Wellness

• School social workers in all buildings
• Mental health education in grades 6–9
• Suicide prevention services
• District Student Services resources

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Student Health & Physical Wellness

• Jeff Craig Family Resource Center (VNA partnership clinic)
• Food Pantry partnership
• Health screenings (vision, hearing, dental)
• Collaboration with Kane County Health Department
• Medical referrals and chronic condition management

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Triennial Assessment Archives

Spring 2026 (link forthcoming)