Chicago Bears Mascot Visits Downers Grove Grade School

Students at St. Mary of Gostyn School in Downers Grove were visited Nov. 14 by Chicago Bears mascot "Staley Da Bear" to celebrate the launch of the school's new reading initiative.

Staley's "Tackling Reading" program reinforces targets students in first-through eighth-grade, and reinforces the importance and excitement of reading. 

During the 45-minute assembly, students learned the five essential components of reading, as outlined by the National Institute for Literacy: phonetic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

"This program reinforces St. Mary’s commitment to the personal growth and individual success of every student, and to exploring creative ways to help students achieve academic excellence from the start of their education at St. Mary’s and throughout high school," said Jill Tierney, director of development and marketing for St. Mary of Gostyn.

As a wrap-up to the assembly, Staley's emcee invited St. Mary's students to participate in the Tackling Reading challenge, a five-week, incentive-based reading program. Every student who finishes the program will win a prize, and one or two students will win a mini camp day with Chicago Bears players.

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