NAMES AND PRONOUNS
School personnel will generally use a student’s legal name and pronouns corresponding to the student’s gender assigned at birth. However, a student may request the use of their preferred name and gender pronouns consistent with their gender identity and/or gender expression while at school and in connection with school-related activities. Upon being informed of the student’s request, school personnel shall ensure compliance with the student’s requested name and pronouns in communication and unofficial documents.
Having one’s gender identity recognized and validated is important. All NJSD staff will be asked to refer to students by their affirmed names and pronouns. Staff are also expected to maintain confidentiality and ensure privacy.
LEGAL NAME CHANGE
Students and families may choose to consider a legal, court-based name change with the Clerk of Courts office in the county where they were born.
A legal name change becomes especially important for many high school students when applying for post-secondary education to ensure that records on NJSD transcripts, ACT/SAT tests, financial aid documents, and applications are all consistent.
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Students may need assistance and information about the legal name change process, especially if they are over 14 years old and pursuing a legal name change on their own. Students might need support filling out court documents, accessing the cost of court filing fees, and advocating for confidential name changes (without publication).
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Click the link below to learn more about the Name Change Procedure in Winnebago County. NOTE: If born outside Wisconsin, students will need to file with the Clerk of Courts in their birth state.