Now Open: Once Upon a Time Readers and Writers’ Lounge
With a goal to have everyone at H.C. Storm discover a love for reading and a passion for books, H.C. Storm Principal Anne Paonessa dreamed up a magical space.
HCS parents, the PTO, HCS staff members, and the BPS101 Facilities Department all pitched in to turn an underutilized space adjacent to the LRC into a “Once Upon a Time Readers and Writers’ Lounge.”
“It’s not only a special place for students to enjoy a book, but it’s also a space where they can be the author of their own story on their Chromebooks,” said Ms. Paonessa. “When students walk into the Once Upon a Time Readers and Writers’ Lounge, we want them to be inspired.”
HCS parents Matt and Lindsey Williams, owners of of MW Specialties, a Batavia, Ill.-based home improvement and repairs company, built the giant, walk-through wooden book that serves as the entryway to the new space. As soon as this unique piece was completed and in place, HCS Art Teacher Joseph Casbarian went to work. He turned the wooden structure into something you’d see in a Grimm’s Fairy Tale. It’s amazing!
HCS Art Teacher Joseph Casbarian with his work of art. The Brothers Grimm would be proud!
Mr. Casbarian asked students what color to paint the dragon that curls around the archway, and they said, “red.” So, he painted it red. He also added in some pretty awesome eyebrows and a goatee! Check them out:
HCS parents Andrew and Stephanie Schones, owners of Both/And Pictures, a full-service media production company in Batavia, Ill, took photos of HCS students reading and writing, and transformed these images into works of art that now hug the space. The HCS PTO helped to fund the beautiful furnishings and artwork.
Andrew and Stephanie Schones with one of their personalized portraits of HCS students reading.
HCS Principal Anne Paonessa in front of individual student portraits created by Mr. and Mrs. Schones.
The Storm Cloud’s new blue and yellow furniture and artwork throughout the space were made possible by donations from the HCS PTO.
“This new learning space wouldn’t be the same without the efforts of our talented volunteers,” said Ms. Paonessa.
At the May 23 grand opening of the Once Upon a Time Readers and Writers’ Lounge, invited guests enjoyed poetry readings by HCS fifth-graders, Tess Ricke and Marcus Baffes, and a ribbon-cutting featuring HCS kindergartener Jack Williams. Special guest readers, including BPS101 Superintendent Dr. Lisa Hichens and BPS101 Administrators Dr. Brad Newkirk, Tony Inglese, and Steve Pearce sat down with Kristen O’Brien’s kindergarten class for story time. It was magical!
BPS101 Chief Human Resources Officer Steve Pearce reading a Dr. Seuss classic, “Ten Apples Up on Top!” to HCS kindergarten students.
Looking forward to seeing the Once Upon a Time Readers and Writers’ Lounge inspire students for years to come.
