HIGHLAND | Staley the Bear, the official mascot of the Chicago Bears, visited Judith M. Johnston Elementary School recently to teach students in kindergarten through grade 5 how to "score a touchdown for a healthy life."
The "First and Goal" program is an interactive program that teaches youngsters the four downs of a healthy lifestyle - eating healthy, drinking water, getting plenty of rest and keeping physically fit.
“Day in and day out, when the kids come to my gym for their physical education class, I talk to them about the importance of eating healthy foods vs. junk foods, getting proper rest, drinking plenty of water and exercising more than just the two times they see me every week," said Ed Pawlowski, PE teacher.
"I have a chart on the wall that promotes such thinking with visual reminders of healthy food choices like fruits and vegetables vs. unhealthy food choices like donuts and pop tarts.
"Staley and his friend, Cat, did an excellent job of accentuating my philosophy on making healthy life choices. I love the part they did when they talked about 'moderation-eating anything in moderation is the key, not just the healthy food choices but some unhealthy ones as well.'
"Staley cracked me up with his rendition of big vs. small, and I believe the kids loved it, too," Pawlowski said.
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