LYNN — As Reading Across America week nears its end, Sisson Elementary School invited officials, including Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson, to read to students in their classrooms on Thursday.

“(Reading) just unlocks a whole different world,” said Chantel Ryan, program specialist. “You can go anywhere, like they say, you can just sit down in your own home, but be in a different world.”

Ryan said the week includes reading-based activities, a book fair, and a theme for each day of the week.

This year, Monday was ‘hats off to reading,’ where students got to wear a fun hat; Tuesday was ‘reading is a superpower,’ where students dressed up as superheroes; Wednesday was ‘multicultural day,’ or a nod to literature around the world, where students wore clothing from countries that represented them; Thursday was, ‘dress as your favorite book character;’ and Friday is ‘cozy up with a good book,’ where students will wear their pajamas.

Ryan said the week is especially important to the school, as half the student population is English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. 

“It’s important that (ESL students) really get the language, and realize the value in enjoying a book,” Ryan said.

Fifth-grader Ore-Oluwa Adekoya said that her favorite part of the week so far has been the book fair, because she got one new book for herself, and another for a friend.

She said her favorite part about reading is, “when you get to the most exciting part of the book, … I like to stop in between, so then I have more excitement to have the next day. So, something to look forward to.”

Other guest readers on Thursday included: Hong Net, Councilor-at-Large; Brian LaPierre, Councilor-at-Large; Nicole McClain, Councilor-at-Large;  Lorraine Gately, School Committee Member; Brendan Crighton, State Senator; Dan Cahill, Lynn State Representative; Deb Ruggiero, Deputy Superintendent; Doneeca Thurston, Director of Lynn Museum; Tony Uva, Lynn Firefighter; among many others.

“Books are very important and there are different books for many different reasons, and if you read (a) book thoroughly enough, you’re going to find the message and this message can be very important for you in your life,” Adekoya said. “Continue reading because it’s very important, it’s very important.”