March 29, 2010

Rutland Middle School Celebrates its 60th Anniversary

KELOWNA, BC: Still youthful at 60, Rutland Middle School is getting set for a reunion party on Tuesday, March 30 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

RMS was established in 1950 when Kelowna had roughly half of the current population, orchards spread across much of the fertile valley, Big White wouldn’t open for another 13 years, and heading west meant taking a ferry across the lake.  Throughout it all, RMS has been a vibrant fixture in our community.  

Highlights of the 60th Anniversary Reunion include a fashion show with student models wearing styles from the past six decades; a Sock Hop and other dances; a silent auction to raise money for the Mali Saba Children’s Home in Kenya (www.hopeforthenation.org); displays and book sales by the authors of Down Memory Lane and a tribute to Ben Lee, a retired RMS teacher and City Councilor. 

The event will be opened by Dr. Sandra Sellick, Principal; Hugh Gloster, Superintendent of Schools; Director of Instruction Norm Bradley; Board of Education Chairperson Rolli Cacchioni and Trustee Wayne Horning.

“We are looking forward to welcoming alumni, parents and everyone who is interested in seeing how RMS developed over the years,” says Dr. Sellick, Principal at RMS.  “Former students should especially enjoy our ‘Decade Drop-In Visits’ where they can meet others who attended school during the same decade.  We’ll also have an interesting Memorabilia Table, featuring special items from each decade.”

Those looking for memorabilia from this event are invited to purchase a “Blast from the Past” t-shirt commemorating the 60th anniversary.  Proceeds will help to support the reunion. 

Approved by the Superintendent on March 29, 2010

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For comments, please contact:

Dr. Sandra Sellick, Principal, Rutland Middle School, (250) 765-2988

Rod Baruta, Vice-Principal, Rutland Middle School, (250) 765-2988

Hugh Gloster, Superintendent of Schools, School Board Office, (250) 860-8888

For background information, please contact Lisa Harrison lharriso@sd23.bc.ca or 470-3284.