Pickering students participate in annual walk

LYNN – For the second straight week, students at the Pickering Middle School participated in a school-wide fundraiser, this time raising money for field trips and school supplies with the eighth annual Pickering Middle School Pond Walk.Over 450 students participated in the event, which featured a walk around Sluice Pond. Students were also scheduled to continue around Flax Pond on the other side of the school, but rain cut the event short.Participating students asked for donations from friends and family in exchange for participating in the event, which Principal Robert Murphy said is a welcome chance for both students and faculty to get out of the classroom for a good cause.”This is a good day for us, we are very excited. Any time you get to go out and get a little exercise it is a good thing,” Murphy said. “This is very positive for us, it is off the beaten track for the kids and provides a good outlet for us to burn some energy before we are stuck inside for the winter.”Lynn police provided an officer to make sure students were safe crossing the busy streets, and some faculty volunteered to stay in the building with students who chose not to participate. Those who did not want to walk were given the opportunity to submit an essay for a contest with a chance to win prizes.Students were treated to pizza and soda after the event concluded.”It’s just another way to do something different and raise some money for things that we need,” said Murphy.The money will go primarily toward funding field trips and school events, along with needed materials such as a set of Spanish dictionaries that have already been purchased for one teacher.Last week, the school held a team spirit day, where students were allowed to break the dress code and support their favorite sports teams by wearing jerseys and hats. Money donated from students and parents went to the annual Item Santa Fund, which raises money to buy Christmas gifts for needy children in the area.