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Glenbard Parent Series opens with program on bullying

Another school year begins, and with it comes pens, pencils and notebooks, band practice and football games.

But for many students, back-to-school also means a return to bullying.

That goes for the bully, the bullied, the bystander and their parents, said Gilda Ross, student and community projects coordinator at Glenbard High School District 87.

“We’re all responsible,” she said.

That’s why Ross, organizer of the Glenbard Parent Series, decided to launch this year’s series by inviting Lee Hirsch, the author and director of the 2011 documentary “Bully,” to discuss his film with students and parents.

“It’s not a coincidence (this program) is on the first day of school,” Ross said. “We really want to start the year off with an understanding that this is a serious, serious issue.”

Attendees will watch clips of the film, followed by a discussion with Hirsch. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, in the auditorium at Glenbard East, 1014 S. Main St., Lombard. Parents and students are invited.

The Glenbard Parent Series, which facilitates “real-world parenting skills” by bringing in nationally renowned experts, began in earnest four years ago after the school district received a $100,000 grant from the Cebrin Goodman Center, an affiliate of the Lillian and Larry Goodman Foundation. Before that, Glenbard hosted about one speaker a year.

Now, it sponsors at least one a month, with daytime and evening seminars at the district’s four high schools.

The program also receives funding from the Cooperative Association for Special Education and community organizations.

All presentations are free and open to the public, and Ross says the series has become so popular that other districts promote it on their websites and in newsletters.

“We’ve been able to take it to this level and have this caliber of outstanding evidence-based research presenters — people who are experts in their field,” Ross said. “You walk away with skills you can put to use for how to parent your family. It’s the new park bench, where families can come and get educated.”

In addition to the monthly GPS parenting presentations, there are six Saturday college preparatory workshops for students and parents scheduled.

For more information, call (630) 942-7573 or visit glenbard87.org.

If you go

What: A discussion of the documentary “Bully”

Who: Lee Hirsch, author, producer and director

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22

Where: Glenbard East High School auditorium, 1014 S. Main St., Lombard

Cost: Free

Info: glenbard87.org or (630) 942-7573

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