Birchmount CI 50th reunion

The year was 1964.

The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” was at the top of the charts, Gilligan’s Island made its television debut, and Scarborough’s Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute opened its doors for the very first time.

Former Birchmount students from near and far are returning to Birch Cliff this weekend for the school’s 50th anniversary reunion.

Also BEAP’s 25th anniversary

Birchmount is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Birchmount Exceptional Athlete’s Program (BEAP) that has helped produce many famous athletes including Wayne Simmonds, Peter Zezel and Justyn Warner.

Events

Events at the school itself kick off Saturday May 31 with a breakfast for former and current staff members from 10:30am – noon. Any former teachers wishing to attend need to register by calling the school office.

For the general public, the school is open on Saturday from noon until 4:30pm.

There will be music and refreshments in the cafeteria as well as decade rooms filled with memorabilia from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. There will also be a room dedicated to BEAP.

Organizer Melanie Slater says unfortunately nobody stepped forward to organize a room for students who graduated between 2000 and 2010, even though the organizing committee has been advertising since January.

“The graduates from the 60s and 70s have been driving this event. And their stories are hilarious,” said Slater. “They’re fantastic and I can’t fault them for their enthusiasm. It wouldn’t be happening without them.

Birchmount Staff 1968/1969

Rick Wallace, one of the original Birchmount students from 1964 said he can’t wait for the reunion.

“I love being at the school. I love being there, I love to see it. Just being there is a big part of it, and seeing people from so long ago,” said Wallace.

A booklet from the 1960’s describing the new school

Slater describes the reunion as a low-key affair without speeches, where the emphasis will be on reconnecting and socializing.

The BEAP program has organized a volleyball game for 2pm on Saturday.

On Friday night there’s a social taking place at the Tara Inn although Slater says all 260 tickets have been sold out.

One group of graduates from the 70s and 80s have organized a separate gathering at the Dogfish Bar and Grill at Bluffers Park.

For more information about the official events or some of the informal gatherings planned by graduates, you can check out the reunion’s Facebook page here or another page here.  You can also email birchmountpark50@gmail.com.

Attendees are being asked to bring a non-perishable item for the food bank.