Traditions
The Pike School Traditions Guide
All-School
- All-School Family BBQ
- Annual Art Show
- Annual Fund Kick-Off Event
- Book Fair
- Buddy Program
- Dress Down Days
- Faculty Skit for Students
- Library Visitors
- Parent Association Halloween Social
- Pike Fest
- Pike Spirit Weeks
- Read Across America
- Reading Without Walls
- Secondary School Fair
- Visiting Day
All-School Family BBQ
Annual Art Show
Our Annual Art Show is held in May each year. Our Art Show displays the creativity and expressive achievements of our students. This campus-wide exhibit showcases the visual artwork of our student body. Each student has at least two pieces of their art work displayed in the show.
Annual Fund Kick-Off Event
In October, all Pike families and Annual Fund supporters are invited to kick-off the fundraising year and to celebrate the tremendous support Pike receives from our generous donors. It's an event to inspire and inform our community of the endless possibilities their gifts provide for our students and faculty
Book Fair
Buddy Program
This school-wide program provides a chance for the entire student and faculty community to come together several times a year. Buddies work on curricular projects, community service initiatives, and just have fun together. These experiences develop leadership skills in our older students and allows all to demonstrate our motto, "Non sibi solum," which means not for oneself alone.
Dress Down Days
Faculty Skit for Students
Library Visitors
Parent Association Halloween Social
Pike Fest
Pike Fest gives students the opportunity to engage with globally focused arts and cultural activities. Teachers/staff/families can use this opportunity to share their culture, heritage, and/or personal passion in a format that is innovative and engaging for students. Our third annual Pike Fest will take place on Thursday, February 20, 2020.
Learn more about this day and how you can get involved.
Pike Spirit Weeks
Read Across America
Along with the Pike community, Lower School students participate in celebrating National Read Aloud Day during the LS Assembly. First grade students present a rhythmic choral reading of One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and share their own versions of There's a Wocket in My Pocket. Second grade students perform a Dr. Seuss rap and an exuberant rendition of Green Eggs and Ham. The Pre-K students attend the assembly wearing Cat in the Hat headpieces of their own creation. Finally, a special Dr. Seuss birthday cake is served!
Reading Without Walls
Secondary School Fair
Visiting Day
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day, Pike invites all families, friends, alumni, and special guests to explore our community. Guests are welcomed to visit the classrooms with their students and learn about life at Pike. The Lower School students perform their first concert of the year. Pike graduates return to reunite with friends and teachers. Recent alumni also participate in a panel to share their perspectives about transitioning to high school.
Lower School
- Authors' Picnic (Grade 2)
- Authors' Tea (Grade 1)
- Community Read Along
- Community Helpers (Pre-K)
- Family Tradition/Cultural Sharing (Kindergarten)
- I Read to Mr. Waters (Grade 1)
- Japanese Children's Day (Grade 1)
- Learning about Families (Pre-K)
- Lower School Concerts
- Someday Sundae Party (Kindergarten)
- Study of Bears (Kindergarten)
- Study of Owls (Grade 1)
Authors' Picnic (Grade 2)
Authors' Tea (Grade 1)
In March, as a part of the first grade writing program, students craft an autobiography. In these autobiographies, they include important information that they know or they have researched about themselves. They share their work with friends and family during the Authors' Tea. Students (with a little help from their teachers) prepare all the food.
Community Read Along
Community Helpers (Pre-K)
During their unit focused on Community Helpers, the Pre-K students visit several important organizations in our local community, e.g., the safety center/fire station, bakery and grocery store. Some years local community helpers (like the mobile vet) visit the Pre-K classroom to talk about their jobs. In addition, we like to incorporate parents into our everyday school life. This can be as easy as joining in for a field trip or coming to class to talk about family traditions or hobbies.
Family Tradition/Cultural Sharing (Kindergarten)
To build community and awareness of the rich cultural heritage within our school, kindergarten families are invited to share their special traditions, celebrations, or cultural heritage. Family members read stories or folktales, lead the grade in a simple craft project, share artifacts, or talk about their family's traditions.
I Read to Mr. Waters (Grade 1)
Japanese Children's Day (Grade 1)
First grade students study the country of Japan and learn about its location, geography, culture, and traditions. Students learn how to greet each other in Japanese, work with a master origamist to learn the art of origami, visit the Japanese House at the Children's Museum in Boston and have a formal tea ceremony at school, learn how to make sushi by a visiting sushi chef, and write their own haiku. On Japanese Children's Day students share their poetry and paintings, Japanese songs, and even put on a taiko drumming performance for their families.
Learning about Families (Pre-K)
Lower School Concerts
During the months of November and May, Lower School students perform for parents, faculty, and staff. Students who study instruments outside of Pike are encourage to accompany various songs. A recent concert theme was "Family Favorites." In order to select songs for the concert, students interviewed family members. Song selections are from a diverse range of languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, and Japanese.
Someday Sundae Party (Kindergarten)
Study of Bears (Kindergarten)
As part of their study of bears, a multidisciplinary unit in which they learn about the physical features, habitats, and behaviors of several types of bears throughout the world, kindergarteners have a day when each student brings to school his or her favorite teddy bear. The children play games that make use of their knowledge of the bears they have studied. They also tell their class about their special bear, an activity shared with teachers and Mr. Waters. Each child also suggests a special feature about his or her bear (Best Dressed Bear, Pinkest Bear, Biggest Bear, etc.) and receives a custom-made award for the bear, which recognizes that superlative characteristic.
Study of Owls (Grade 1)
First grade science includes a study of plants, seeds, and owls. Marcia and Mark Wilson run EYES ON OWLS as an educational enterprise that brings owls to schools to teach students about our wild neighbors and their habitats. They have been visiting Pike first graders each year sine 1996. After a slide presentation of extraordinary owl photographs by Mark, Marcia and Mark introduce seven of their live companions to groups of first graders: two screech owls, a barred owl, a barn owl, a great horned owl, a snowy owl, and an Eurasian eagle owl.
Middle School
- Biography Fair (Grade 3)
- Bradford Ski Program
- Field Day
- Fish Festival (Grade 3)
- Greek Myth Skits (Grade 4)
- Merrowvista (Grade 5)
- Middle School Clubs
- Middle School Concerts
- Movie Premiere (Grade 5)
Biography Fair (Grade 3)
After having read a biography of his/her choosing, each third grader transforms into his/her character for the Biography Fair. During the fair, students read their journal entries in front of third grade families in the theater. Later, students showcase their knowledge as they are touched and brought to life in the Biography "Wax Museum."
Bradford Ski Program
Field Day
Fish Festival (Grade 3)
After learning all there is to know about fish and their environment, third graders participate in raising and releasing trout or salmon (depending on the year). Students culminate their study in a fun event where they share the knowledge and skills developed during this unit with their classmates and family.
Greek Myth Skits (Grade 4)
Merrowvista (Grade 5)
Middle School Clubs
Middle School Concerts
Movie Premiere (Grade 5)
Upper School
- Adventure Trip (Grade 9)
- Drama Production (Grades 8 & 9)
- Ecology School in Maine (Grade 7)
- Field Day
- Lazarus House Food Drive (Grade 7)
- Northeast Passage Sled Hockey Game and Fundraiser (Grade 9)
- NYC Trip (Grade 9)
- Washington, D.C. Trip (Grade 8)
Adventure Trip (Grade 9)
Drama Production (Grades 8 & 9)
In the fall of eighth grade, theater class consists of collaborative play-making projects. During this process, students participate as playwrights, director, and actors. They also participate in at least one technical role, such as lighting, sound, set or poster design, costumes, props, set building, assistant stage manager, backstage crew, and crew leader. Many of these positions require students to take on a leadership role. Through this project, students experience all aspects of play making and production from start to finish.
In ninth grade, students continue to build on the skills they learned in eighth grade. Ninth graders act as directors and designers for a play that has already been written and is chosen by them.
Ecology School in Maine (Grade 7)
In October, the seventh graders spend two nights and three days at The Ecology School in Saco, Maine. The students will work in both advised and mixed groups to examine the salt marsh and and forests nearby. This experience includes lessons that dovetail with and supplement Pike's various curricula.
Field Day
Lazarus House Food Drive (Grade 7)
Northeast Passage Sled Hockey Game and Fundraiser (Grade 9)
In November, ninth graders coordinate an annual Sled Hockey Game at Phillips Academy's Harrison Rink as part of their unit on disability in their "Foundations in Justice" course. Proceeds from the game will benefit Northeast Passage, a nonprofit organization that offers a wide range of services through adaptive sports and recreation for individuals with disabilities. In the last two years, Pike has raised more than $5,500 for the organization toward the purchase of new sleds. All of the community is invited to attend.
NYC Trip (Grade 9)
Ninth grade students participate in four days to New York City during the month of January. They explore the rich diversity of cultures, art, history, and performance art available in this urban center. From visiting world-class museums, eating in various ethnic neighborhoods, and attending theater and musical performances, students are able to share new experiences and continue to develop their appreciation for art and diversity.
Washington, D.C. Trip (Grade 8)
In April, with various staff and faculty, the eighth grade students spend a week in Washington, D.C. They explore all aspects of the history and culture of the city and our nation. Their trip includes visits to memorials, Arlington Cemetery, and Mount Vernon. In addition to sightseeing, students take in a baseball game and attend a performance at Lincoln Center.