Special Reading Space Gets New Home at Glen Ellyn School

The following information comes from a Community Consolidated School District 89 press release.

Michael’s Place will be rededicated at 6 p.m. Sept. 10 at Park View School.

Michael’s Place is a special place in Park View School where children can cultivate a lifelong love of reading. It offers a quiet place where grown-ups read children stories or help them improve their reading skills.

The space was created in 2001 by the Pihos family in memory of their son, Michael. Michael’s parents, former state Rep. Sandy Pihos and her husband, Bill, are champions of public education and literacy. They felt a literacy center benefitting children in the community was a fitting tribute to their son. Michael attended Park View and graduated from Glenbard South before he was killed in 1999 in an accident at the age of 19.

A mural created for the space has been restored and reinstalled in the central hallway for all children to enjoy. A photo collage and framed article describing Michael Pihos and his achievements hang above a bookcase containing a special collection of books.

Along with the reading space, Michael’s Place is the home of a volunteer reading program to help students improve their reading skills.

Principal Barb Petersen hopes the new visibility helps recruit more volunteers to participate in the program. Residents interested in volunteering for the reading program may contact Mrs. Peterson at the school, 630-858-1600 ext. 3182 or via email at bpeterson@ccsd89.org