To help kick off the 2008-2009 “Rush to Read” program, Rush defensive lineman Joe Peters visited Canton Middle School in Streamwood last Friday.  Peters addressed more than 1,000 seventh and eighth grade students on the importance of education and reading.  Following Peters’ talk, he answered questions from students and watched as teacher competed in a fastest uniform contest. 

Also in attendance was a representative of SCORE Educational Centers, sponsor of the “Rush to Read Program,” who met with Canton teachers about helping assist the learning process.

“It was great to see the students get excited and show enthusiasm about the new school year and participating in the Rush to Read program,” said Peters. “The school welcomed me and made me share in their cougar pride.”

“Rush to Read,” the reading incentive program developed by the Chicago Rush, returns for its eighth year with more than 230 Chicagoland schools and nearly 100,000 students participating. 

The “Rush to Read” program asks third through eighth graders to read one extra book per month for four months and write a report on each.  Each student who completes the program earns complimentary tickets to a 2009 Rush regular season home game.  In addition, each student receives a Chicago Rush bookmark and each participating classroom receives posters to help track students’ progress.

For more information about the “Rush to Read” program, or to enroll a school, teachers or administrators should contact Laura Visin, Rush community relations manager, at (773) 243-3439 or lvisin@chicagorush.com