Garfield School recently held its end of the trimester PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support) celebration highlighted by an anti-bullying performance by Staley da Bear, the official mascot of the Chicago Bears.
The school's PBIS committee hosted the event for students in grades K – 8 as a reward for their showing positive behaviors such as showing respect to others, being responsible for their actions, and persevering in school throughout the trimester.
"Our students earned this exciting and incredibly entertaining program through their positive behaviors," said Garfield's Principal Maricela Clark.
"It was most heartening to see the students enjoying an event that they had earned through their commitment to personifying the principles of affirmative behavior."
PBIS is a process for creating a school environment that is predictable and efficient in achieving academic and social goals.
A key strategy of the PBIS experience is the recognition of student commitment to meeting established behavioral expectations as set by their school.
"Garfield School utilizes the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) cool tools to help students understand that bullying is not a part of the Garfield culture," said Kelly Scully, a Reading teacher who also serves as a member of the Garfield PBIS Team.
"We were excited to have the Chicago Bears official mascot, Staley Da Bear, help us send an anti-bullying message to our students.
"By combining educational strategies and comedy during this high energy show, Staley had a positive impact on the children."
As noted on the team's website, "The Chicago Bears are proud to present the NFL's most informative, hands-on, anti-bullying show! Bear Down on Bullies was created by Staley Da Bear, the team's official mascot, to educate today's youth about the importance of respect, how to deal with and prevent bullying.
Staley and his emcee will jumpstart a child's desire to get along with each other and live in a friendly and welcoming environment by combining education, comedy, and super cool prizes into this high energy show!"