Reading lounge at Myers becomes reality through dedicated partnership

There's nothing like a good partnership to make a great idea a reality. And that's just what happened recently between teachers and staff at Myers Elementary School and Masco Corp.

Sue Szabo, a Masco representative, visited the school in October. She asked staff if they had any projects in the works and Susan Oswald (Myers' reading specialist) and Marilyn Vargo (Myers' social worker) pitched an idea for a new student reading lounge in the building.

Hence, the "Reading Lounge or Die Trying Committee" was created. Masco donated $1,000 to the project and teachers and staff at Myers donated another $200. The result was a beautiful new room focused on reading.

The intention of the project was to create a place where pupils could find direct access to current, high-interest literacy mediums -- as well as some old-fashioned comfort. The result was an environment for learning and will foster a love for reading.

The room is an inviting, student-inspired space filled with a variety of literacy materials including favorite characters, pop-up books, story boards, magazines, a listening station, two Amazon Kindles and an iPad.

Children are encouraged to go in and explore ... wonder ... or just read.

"We are very proud of the positive impact the lounge has had on our students," stated school officials in an email release on the subject. "We were honored to recognize members of our school and community who made the project possible."