Pep talk

Inviting "bears" to safety day at North Elementary School in Des Plaines might seem like an odd choice.

Of course, these were the Chicago Bears, so no worries.

Guard/center Josh Beekman, and running back Adrian Peterson recently visited the Des Plaines school to talk about how they stay safe on the football field.

Police and firefighters also offered ways students in grades three through five can stay safe, featuring hands-on safety demonstrations highlighting fire, bicycle and personal safety.

The students were "pretty awe-struck" by the Bears players, Principal Carol Gibbs said.

Gibbs hopes the Bears return to North Elementary School, 1789 Rand Road, for safety day next year.

"It was really a nice connection to have the children equate us all professionally with people who care about them and really want them to be safe," Gibbs said.

Research has shown it is important for students to feel safe, she added.

"If students don't feel safe, they can't learn," Gibbs said.

This marked the fifth year that the Chicago Bears have partnered with Chicago area fire and police departments and schools to educate children about the importance of public safety.