Welcome To The Pickering Middle School

Our middle school encompasses grades six through eight and focuses on the learning needs of early adolescents. We emphasize the acquisition of basic skills and application of these skills for academic success. Throughout our students’ three years at Pickering, we support them as they develop into life-long learners.
Pickering Middle School utilizes the interdisciplinary team approach at each grade level. Each student is assigned to a cluster which is divided into four sections.

These groups rotate among the four content area teachers (ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies). The purpose of this approach is to promote communication, coordination, and cooperation among subject area teachers. We offer elective classes in Music, Art, Health, PE, Instructional Technology, and Fitness. We also offer 5th major classes in foreign language and strategic reading.

Our History

Originally children from Wyoma Square used a chapel on Auburn Street as a school until seventy students moved to a newly built schoolhouse on Boston Street in the year 1770. Miss Nana Pickering was the first principal, and the school was named after her in 1884 when an addition was completed.

When educational studies developed the idea of a "Junior High" system, Pickering was the first to be built in the city. On December 6,1917, a cold Tuesday morning, Pickering opened, costing $236,000 to build and $58,000 to furnish (A fancy house can cost that much today and $8000 might furnish one room!). In 1927, a Columbia University group of educators recommended an addition to be built. After World War II, the addition, including the gym, the west wing, and the Sisson School next door were completed.

Pickering’s Motto
“Pride in our past, confidence in our future”, reflects our belief that we provide our students with the necessary tools for success as they continue on their path of life-long learning.


Home of the Pickering Tigers!

Our Special Photo Banner (Top of our page)

Snowflakes For Sandy Hook
Faculty members heard that the Sandy Hook community has been looking to decorate the new school building with snowflakes to welcome students to a winter wonderland upon return.  In order to show their support to Sandy Hook, students in all classes created cutout and origami snowflakes of all shapes and sizes to send to the new site of the Sandy Hook Elementary School.  Along with the snowflakes, each homeroom of Pickering Middle School sent cards of sympathy and support for the Sandy Hook community. 

Thousands of snowflakes were sent in this first shipment, yet students have been encouraged to create more to donate before the deadline of January 12. 

If you are interested in sending snowflakes or another donation, you can send them to:  Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514.

Pickering Middle School Faculty List | 2012-2013

	Subject | Faculty	Grade	Room
Art
	A. Russell	All Grades	205
Autism and Asperger Syndrome
	E. Marc	All Grades	3
ELA
	C. Griffin	6	13
	C. Donovan	6	C
	L. Belliveau	7	8
	V. Kelly	7	110
	K. Dulong	8	214
	B. Siaki	8	109
Health
	D. Coffey		Float
Inclusion | Academic Support
	C. Pappas	All Grades	Float
	R. Reed	All Grades	E
	R. Hemingway	All Grades	8
	J. Mackey	All Grades
	R. McLaughlin	All Grades	202
Information Technology
	E. Drasich	All Grades	211
Language and Literature
	N. Palmer	All Grades	Library
	D. McPhillips	All Grades	Float
	K. Ford	All Grades	Float
Math
	B. Mercedes	6	D
	J. Quinn	6	14
	K. Sawyer	7	108
	E. Scalise	7	113
	M. Speropolous	8	210
	M. Twomey	8	103
Music
	A. Rozakis		5
Physical Education
	R. Bennett	All Grades	Gym
	J. Foley	All Grades	Gym
Science
	B. Cennami	6	11
	F. DiPietro	6	B
	M. Drakopoulos	7	111
	S. Wintersteen	7	204B
	L. Gately	8	102
	J. Joyce	8	213
Social Studies
	J. Johnston	6	9
	C. Weeks	6	A
	K. Coman	7	208
	K. LaPierre	7	114
	M. Prince	8	103
	K. Walsh	8	205
Spanish | World Language
	S. Bremer	All Grades	Float
	M. Rodriguez	All Grades	Float
Special Education
	A. Desroches		206 B
	M. Gilchrist		206 A
	K. Miller		207
	B. Ropes		217
	D. Migliaccio		17

Pickering Clusters | 2012 - 2013

	Cluster 1 | Grade 6	Click To Visit Cluster 1
	Cluster 2 | Grade 6	Click To Visit Cluster 2
	Cluster 3 | Grade 7	Click To Visit Cluster 3
	Cluster 4 | Grade 7	Click To Visit Cluster 4
	Cluster 5 | Grade 8	Click To Visit Cluster 5
	Cluster 6 | Grade 8	Click To Visit Cluster 6
	Cluster 7	Click To Visit Cluster 7
	Mrs. Bremer	Click To Visit Mrs. Bremer
	Mrs. Rodrigues	Click To Visit Mrs. Rodrigues

Pickering Curriculum Overview | Resources

Here is a list of links that may be of some use to parents, teachers, and students.

	Website
	Massachusetts Department of Education		Education
	City of Lynn Official Website		Government
	Lynn Housing Authority
	The Lynn Museum		Arts
	M.B.T.A. Schedule		Transportation
	MassPort | Logan Airport
	Yahoologans		For Kids
	More info to follow...

Pickering 2013 News | Announcements | Important Dates

	DESCRIPTION	DATE	TIME
	Clothing Drive April 1 though 10th! Pickering Voices is sponsoring a clothing drive with Project 351! Students, please bring any new or gently used clothes: Infant to Adult. Drop off centers will be in Room 109 and Room 115. The drive will run from 4/1-4/10. !! Clean out your closets !!
	Pickering Middle School Yearbook Parents if you'd like to order Pickering Middle School Yearbook ($17), go to http://ybpay.lifetouch.com enter the Lifetouch ID: # 5892113 so they know it's for Pickering. You can also send in a check for $17 payable to Pickering Middle School. Please put 'Yearbook' in the subject line.
	Pennies for Patients Pickering will be having a fundraiser called 'Pennies for Patients'. The money raised will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Students will be receiving information and a small box to use to collect pennies. This fundraiser will send a positive message to all students to 'Make a change by Making change'. For more information about this program, you can visit www.schoolandyouth.org or call Mrs.McRobbie in the guidance office.
	Honor Roll Makes News!	Dec. 19th	LYNN ITEM CLICK HERE!
	The Pickering Winter Concert	Dec. 11th	6 PM
	Picture Day Retake | Thursday	Nov. 29 2012	See Main Office For Your Form
	Time is running out... Order your school portraits today. Your Pickering child was photographed on 10/09/2012 and we don't want you to miss this important milestone in your child's life. Call 1-866-955-8342 and provide your Picture Day ID OB012416Y0 to order. Don't miss this opportunity for a professional quality image. Your child's school portrait captures this moment for you to cherish for years to come. Lifetouch - 11000 Viking Drive, Suite 400 Eden Prairie, MN, 55344, USA
	Music That Motivates Me!	Click Here For Photos!
	Thrills and Chills Dance!	Click Here For Photos!
	Student Picture Day	Tuesday October 9th	TBA
	Intramural Fitness Sign Up	Sept. 24-28th	Room 102
	Intramural Dodge Ball Sign Up	Sept. 17-25th	Room 102
	Sign up for Intramural Dodge Ball will begin this week from Monday 9/17 up until next Tuesday 9/25. Please see Miss Gately in Room 102. Dodge Ball will begin the first week of October on Mon, Wed and Fridays; schedule for 6th 7th and 8th Graders will be posted on the Bulletin Board outside of the Main Office.

Pickering Activities

The Math Team
The Pickering Middle School Math Team is made up of students from all three grades at Pickering. Any student is allowed to join the Math Team. The Math Team meets several times throughout the year. The competition is among other schools who are in the Intermediate Math League http://imlem.org/. The competition involves students solving complex math problems as a team. The math problems include all aspects of math including algebra, geometry, number theory, etc. It is a very rigorous and challenging competition. Over the years the Pickering Middle School Math Team has performed exceptionally well against other students within the league. For more information about the Intermediate Math League visit their website.

The History Project | Supervised by Mr. Migliaccio
Students will develop projects with the goals of identifying and cataloguing historical evidence of the City of Lynn. The Project's goal is to support historic preservation, document Lynn's history, and teach students the principles of urban archeology. Students will also learn how to create a Power Point presentation, various media productions and presenting to community and school groups. Students will have the opportunity to attend field trips in order to learn primary and secondary research techniques.

Yearbook Club
The Pickering Yearbook Club is now going into its fifth year here at Pickering Middle School. Members are meeting periodically to organize the pages of this year's book, which is coming along great!. This year is the first time it will be printed to full color. All of the student's pictures, class pictures, sports, clubs and clusters will be in color, and the members are getting excited to see it all come together. We are trying to take several pictures during the year of different events and class school projects going on so many of the students will have a chance to see their pictures in the yearbook. The Yearbook Club members usually meet on Tuesdays after school in Room 114. If you are still interested in becoming a member, you are welcomed to come in and join us, as the members are few, but dedicated, loyal and doing a great job. So drop by and join us!! The sales campaign is going on now. Two hundred, fifty books are ordered each year. They go on sale now, but are not given to the students until the end of the school year. I can't wait to see it!!

Bowling Club | Supervised by Mr. Kelly and Mrs. Ropes
When: Feb.25th - April 15th (Wednesdays)
Where: Metro Bowl, Peabody, Ma. (Directions) :: (Metro Bowl's Website)
Time: 3 - 4:30 PM
Other: Cost is $8 per week (includes shoes and 3 strings of bowling) We will also be having a pizza party the last week. Parents are responsible for getting their child to and from the bowling alley.

Chorus | Supervised by Mr. Rosakis
Students meet for weekly rehearsals every Wednesday from 2:30-3:30 in Room 005. During rehearsal, students learn various body and vocal warm ups, and the importance of doing warm ups so they can take care of their voices. The chorus also performs several pieces of music from different time periods and of different styles, from Classical to Pop. In addition, students cover proper performance etiquette, good posture, proper breath support, and other topics that will help them become better singers. Any student who signs up for chorus is expected to be at each rehearsal and at any performances. There will be one or two performances during the school year (to be announced). Chorus is open to any student who is interested and dedicated, from 6th through 8th grade. Speak to Mr. Oberkrieser in Room 005 for any additional information.

Intramurals
Students participate in various seasonal sports throughout the year. Some of the sports include: volleyball, dodgeball, floor hockey and more. See Mr. Doyle in room 204A for more information. pickeringcamera@gmail.com

Mock Trial Team | Supervised by Ms. Coman
Every year Pickering competes with other junior high schools in mock trial competition. The preparation for trial is a great opportunity to learn the intricacies of the law. Through careful study of affidavits students discover ways to win over their opponents. The skills developed go a long way toward helping students to build strategies for success in any challenge they take on as well as present themselves speaking on their feet when it counts.

2013 Pickering Basketball Schedule

	Date	Teams	Location
	January 1 | Thu.	Pickering At	Marblehead
	January 7 | Mon.	Swampscott At	Pickering
	January 16 | Wed.	Revere At	Pickering
	January 18 | Fri.	Pickering At	Breed
	January 21 | Mon.	Gloucester At	Pickering
	January 24 | Thu.	Pickering At	Marshall
	January 28 | Mon.	Pickering At	Swampscott
	February 4 | Mon.	Pickering At	Revere
	February 6 | Wed.	Breed At	Pickering
	February 8 | Fri.	Pickering At	Gloucester
	February 11 | Mon.	Marblehead At	Pickering
	February 14 | Thu.	Marshall At	Pickering

Pickering Community Activities

Cluster of the Month Award | The Cluster of the Month Award is given to a cluster based on its attendance, discipline, citizenship and overall academic performance. In recognition of the cluster's achievement, they are given a plaque with the cluster name and the month they won the award. They also get to keep the Tiger within their cluster for the month.

Pickering Community Team | The mission of the Pickering Community Team is to develop and foster a positive culture and climate for both faculty and students at Pickering Middle School. The PCT will also extend beyond the school and into the community to establish ties with organizations and businesses to help further enrich the students' life experiences while at Pickering Middle School.

Pickering's Parent and PTO Webpage

The Pickering Middle School Calendar
Select the "Agenda" tab for a complete list view of events.
CLICK FOR FULL SCREEN CALENDAR