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Glenview CCSD 34 staff outline bullying‑prevention steps for parents
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Summary
District 34 principals and a district instructional coach told families at a parent night that the district prioritizes safety and dignity in bullying reports, described warning signs and digital‑monitoring tips for parents, and explained that Illinois law requires investigators to use reasonable efforts to finish probes within 10 days.
Diana O'Donnell, principal of Antieta Middle School, Casey Koeger, assistant principal for student life at Springland Middle School, and Dr. Sarah Gebhardt, district instructional coach for student services, led a parent‑night presentation explaining how Glenview CCSD 34 recognizes and responds to bullying.
Dr. Sarah Gebhardt framed the discussion by citing national and local definitions. “The CDC provides a pretty, broad definition that is essentially unwanted aggressive behavior that includes a real or perceived power imbalance, and that is generally repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time,” she said, and she noted District 34 uses its own, more detailed policy to ensure students who feel unsafe are identified and supported.
Why it matters: presenters said bullying is associated with short‑ and long‑term harms — including higher risks of depression, anxiety, lowered self‑esteem, absenteeism and, in severe cases, suicidal ideation — and that schools and families need concrete signals and responses to protect students.
Casey Koeger described the district’s approach as built on two priorities: safety and dignity. “We truly believe that there are no bad kids, and we do not call kids bullies,” Koeger said, adding the district aims to protect all students involved and to repair relationships where possible. Koeger also emphasized confidentiality and anti‑retaliation steps used during investigations.
On process and timing, Koeger told parents the district follows the Illinois bullying prevention statute’s investigatory framework: “In accordance with the Illinois bullying prevention statute, we have 10 days to make all reasonable efforts to complete investigation,” she said, and staff typically implement immediate safety/support plans, regular check‑ins and a team response while the inquiry proceeds.
Presenters walked families through concrete warning signs parents should watch for — unexplained injuries, damaged or missing belongings, frequent headaches or stomachaches, sudden declines in grades or school avoidance, and other stress‑related changes — and urged open, nonjudgmental conversation as the first step. “If you wouldn't say it in front of your parents…you probably shouldn't have said it,” O'Donnell said, using the line to encourage parents to discuss online and in‑person behavior with their children.
On digital safety, speakers recommended monitoring multiple platforms, recognizing that students may use hidden or multiple accounts, and using household device rules (for example, set‑off times for phones and parental controls) while balancing trust and communication. The presenters pointed families to a district resource page and to a D34 ParentConnect Internet‑safety presentation led by building resource officers.
Even when an incident does not meet the statutory definition of bullying, Koeger said district responses are similar: safety or support plans, peer agreements, restorative conversations, logical consequences and ongoing follow‑up. Presenters closed by reminding families that psychologists, social workers, resource officers and teachers in every building are available to support students and encouraged parents to contact school staff or use the provided handouts (available in English and Spanish) and online resources.
The session ended with an invitation for questions from attendees and webinar participants and a reminder that Panorama surveys and grade‑level SEL units give families additional opportunities to share concerns with the district.
