ST. CATHARINES — Next year Laura Secord Secondary School will mark 50 years of education.

On Dec. 4, students and staff at the school came together to form the No. 50 on the grounds of the school for a photograph to commemorate the milestone anniversary. Planning is in the works for a celebration, which will take place on May 21, 2016. The school originally opened its doors in September 1966, under the direction of principal James H. Smith.

“We’re just in the planning stages, but we’re looking forward to have a celebration where everyone can come in, walk around the school and reminisce,” said Mike Balsom, a cooperative education and business teacher who is helping lead the organization of the event with fellow staff member Jane Davies.

While they’re still early in the process, Balsom said he expects an all-day celebration, with formal ceremonies taking place during the day and evening, along with an open-house style invite for people to roam the halls and check out some of the classes decorated for various decades.

“It’s a great chance to come in, see some of the old memorabilia and photos, and take a trip down memory lane,” said Balsom.

One plan, he said, is to organize an evening celebration that will feature some of the wealth of musical talent who has attended the school over the years, complete with a house band and special guest performances. Balsom said they’d also like to add to the school’s hall of fame that was launched about a decade ago.

“We have some very distinguished grads and it would be great to recognize them and have them play part,” he said.

There’s a tight-knit atmosphere at the St. Catharines school, says principal Ruth Hernder. There are numerous teachers who once were students there, and now there are generations of families that have attended the school.

“We had our open house the other night, and you would look into the audience and it really showed,” said Hernder.

Balsom said he’s hoping grads will get involved and help with donating memorabilia and sharing their stories. For example, he said he is looking for members of the 1970-71 senior boys’ basketball team that won The Standard tournament to tell their story about how a school known for its arts programs has also had talented athletes over the years. Anyone interested in helping can contact Balsom or Davies at the school by calling 905-934-8501, or by visiting the “Laura Secord Secondary School 50th Reunion” page on Facebook.