By: Christian Collington, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TheIFP.ca

Acton District School is preparing a multiday homecoming weekend in June 2027 to mark 100 years of local education, community spirit and shared memories.

Initiated by Kelli Pfeiffer, the principal of Acton District School, the organizing committee met in late April to begin mapping out the massive milestone.

Leading the charge as committee co-chairs are Acton District alumni Shannon Furzer and Coun. Alex Hilson, who were tapped by Pfeiffer to help guide the planning.

“It’s an important milestone for the school,” Furzer said. “So it’s easy to volunteer for something like that when it’s important for the community.”

Hilson said the work is about honouring the school’s central place in Acton and creating space for people to reconnect.

“It’s a central place in the community and it has played that central role over different physical locations over the last century,” Hilson said. “It’s just an honour to create the space to bring people together to be able to celebrate all that history and time together.”

Originally established in 1927 as Acton Continuation School in an old stone house on School Lane, the institution relocated to Acton Boulevard as Acton District High School in 1954.

It moved to its current home on Cedar Road in 1977 and was renamed Acton District School in 2021 after expanding to welcome grades 7 and 8 students.

For Furzer, the centennial is about rekindling a sense of community and small-town connection.

“We were all part of this community at some point,” Furzer said. “It’s just nice to get back together to see one another, to see where you have gone, where your travels have taken you, to see faces that you might not have seen since you left high school.”

Hilson described the weekend as a rare homecoming-style moment for the town.

“It’s a very special opportunity,” Hilson said. “I think when people come in, they want to feel that and feel connected with those people they went to school with and all the things that have changed over their lives.”

A full weekend of homecoming events

The committee has outlined an ambitious, multiday itinerary aimed at bringing together generations of past graduates and former staff.

On Friday, June 11, an opening ceremony and social gathering is planned at the Acton Arena to kick off the weekend.

Then on Saturday, June 12, daytime activities will be at the school, including student-led tours, an “In Memorial” room, intramural sports, a craft show co-ordinated by the school and a historical display curated by Scott Brooks featuring decades of school memorabilia.

During the evening, alumni will gather for ticketed decade-specific events held at local hubs, including the Acton Town Hall for the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, the Acton Legion for the ’80s and ’90s and the Mexican Way restaurant for the 2000s.

An all-alumni breakfast at the school followed by closing ceremony will wrap up the centennial on Sunday, June 13.

Merchandise commemorating the centennial is now available for purchase online.
Community support and call for alumni

With planning gaining momentum, the committee’s immediate focus is spreading the word, gathering alumni contact information and securing local support.

Furzer said representatives will host information booths at the upcoming Leathertown Festival and the Acton Fall Fair, to build interest and get a better sense of numbers.

“What we really do need now are the alumni,” she said. “We don’t know how many people are going to come.”

Hilson said volunteers, sponsorship and memorabilia are also all high priorities.

Former students, staff and volunteers interested in getting involved or loaning historical memorabilia can reach out to the committee via email at acton100years@gmail.com.