LYNN—Edward A. Sisson Elementary School celebrated Read Across America Week with enthusiasm and community spirit, drawing participation from students, educators, and local leaders, including Massachusetts state senators and Lynn city councilors.
Principal Erin Zukowski, herself a former Sisson student, emphasized the excitement the annual event brings to the school.
“It’s my first year as principal here, but I’ve been in Lynn Public Schools for 25 years in different roles,” she said. “I love it. It’s what I was meant to do. I love the kids. I love the people here, and the families are great.”
Zukowski highlighted several activities organized to foster a passion for reading among students. “The kids here at Sisson are so excited about Read Across America. We have our book fair going on all week. Yesterday, we played book bingo, and students won books as prizes. Tomorrow, we’re pairing up book buddies across grades to read together and make bookmarks. It’s basically a week to get excited about reading.”
Acknowledging the challenges, she added, “Unfortunately, we don’t have a library here anymore, so teachers are awesome about letting the kids take books home.”
Zukowski praised curriculum instructional teacher Patty Marcus and Reading Specialist Dena DiPardo for their crucial roles in organizing the event.
“Patty Marcus and Dena DiPardo were really instrumental in making this happen.”
Marcus shared her enthusiasm, noting the joy that community participation brought to students. “I absolutely love to see the joy on kids’ faces when stakeholders from the community come in to celebrate with our students. Our kids are very curious. They’re articulate in asking questions and genuinely want to know. Seeing people from our community coming into our building helps students connect to how invested these community members are in their education.”
Mayor Jared C. Nicholson visited Sisson during the event, highlighting the city’s commitment to literacy and education.
“Public schools have had a really strong Read Across America program. It’s great for me because I get to interact directly with the people we most want to serve—not only the students but also the teachers, staff, custodians, and the whole team here,” Nicholson said. “The hope is that we’re able to communicate, as a community, the priority we put on education and particularly on reading for our youngest residents.”
Nicholson also shared his personal passion for reading.
“I love reading with my boys. It’s one of my favorite things to do. They’re 5 and 2, and we try to read a lot together,” he said. “Books are a way to find knowledge and ideas that you wouldn’t otherwise come across, and that brings insight into other areas of your life. I’ve always tried to carve out time for reading—for pleasure, for fun.”
Students from Ms. Donnelly’s third-grade class shared their perspectives, highlighting the personal and educational importance of reading.
Kathryn, a third-grader, said, “I like to read because it helps me in my education, and it’s a fun activity when you don’t have anything to do.”
Her classmate, Kenna, added, “One thing that I like about reading is that I get to learn a lot of stuff — like if it’s a space book, I get to learn about space. It’s good education for people who don’t know how to read yet, and also for little kids who want to learn. If there are words you don’t know, you can learn new words and new things by reading.”
The event also featured Officer Eric Ricci, the elementary school resource officer with the Peabody Police Department, who read to students accompanied by comfort dog Ella, a favorite among the Sisson students. Ricci was joined by Capt. Doug Marcus, who enjoyed seeing the students’ excitement firsthand. “It’s great to be able to spend time with the kids and amazing seeing how happy the kids are when they see you,” Marcus said.
The celebration highlighted the community’s dedication to literacy and education, with similar events taking place in other Lynn schools.
