Pickering students dress up for good cause

LYNN – Donning a crisp, new Red Sox hat and an authentic Jason Varitek uniform, Pickering Middle School Principal Robert Murphy looked more like a man ready to spit sunflower seeds than give orders Friday morning.With the Red Sox playoff push in full force, and the Patriots’ dominant start and the recent improvements to the Celtics roster following close behind, excitement for local sports is at an all-time high, and no one could blame the principal for his outward display of enthusiasm.But Murphy’s tribute was part of a greater cause, an effort to bring hope and joy to those in need at the holiday season. In exchange for breaking the usual dress code, students and faculty were asked to pay $1, which will be donated to the Item Santa fund to help less fortunate families provide Christmas gifts for their children.”It lets kids have fun and get away from the norm, and it allows us to celebrate as a school,” Murphy said. “Helping the less fortunate here in Lynn gives kids an idea of their civic duty and it is a good way to teach these kids at an early age to give back.”The student donation number had reached $300 by 10 a.m. Friday, and that does not include money donated by the faculty and staff. Faculty member Kathy Coleman said even students who did not want to participate in the team spirit day still donated money, which impressed school leaders.”I am very impressed with the number of kids that have donated. Once they learned that the money was going to charity, they realized it was a great idea,” Coleman said. “Some didn’t want to dress up but they still gave money anyway. To put that mindset in these kids at this age that you can give and really help out is wonderful.”Murphy said another aspect of the spirit day was to build community at the school both between students and the new school leadership. When he was hired in the summer, he spoke at length about “raising the bar” for both students and faculty, and creating a healthy, successful learning environment.He is hoping that the success of the sports day will carry over into other events, and he is thinking of having another day with some different themes in the future.”It gives us a chance to bend the rules a little bit and have some fun. It shows them that we’re human too. I was out this morning and they see me with my red sneakers on and my hat, and I don’t look much like a principal,” Murphy said. “Usually the dress code doesn’t allow hats, and calls for the shirts to be tucked in. Some participated today and some didn’t, and that is fine, it is just something different we are trying to do to show some school spirit and help raise the bar a little more.”Thousands of families are served each year by the Item Santa, and Murphy said he made sure that students knew that some of the less fortunate could be right next to them.”I told them that we could have some kids here whose parents rely on the Item Santa, so this could be helping the person in the next classroom or the next seat,” he said. “Civic responsibility is something that isn’t taught a lot. We try to teach it, but this is a chance to really drive the point home that it is OK to help other people.”The Item Santa fundraising drive will begin immediately following Thanksgiving, but some changes have been made heading into its 41st year.All who intend to request help providing for dependent children must complete application forms regularly printed in the Item over the next month.The forms require applicants to provide information on the legal guardian and dependent child, as well as a letter of approval confirming need from a doctor, social worker, school administrator or minister as well as a brief letter describing need to the Item Santa.Applications must be received by Nov. 21, and all information must be delivered in person to the Salvation Army, 1 Franklin St., Lynn between Oct. 15 and Nov. 21.