Bruce Township K-5 Elementary School first opened in 1958.
It closed its doors for good at the end of the 2004-05 school year.
The school was located on 3199 E. 12-Mile Road in Dafter, a little over 10 miles south of Sault Ste. Marie.
The building still stands today after being sold to a private citizen in 2016 at a cost of $2,500.
While it was a school with a small population, averaging around 130 students a year, it allowed everyone in the school – students and staff – to know each other like family.
Nearly two decades later, one former Bruce Township School student wants to bring everyone who went to, or worked at, the school to a Blast from the Past Reunion this Saturday, Aug. 3.
Organizer Nicole Cornwell went to Bruce Township School and has fond memories.
"Bruce was a school like no other. It was a family atmosphere. The teachers cared about all their students. The teachers and lunch ladies and everyone who worked there were all really nice people. If you went to Bruce Township, it is like you kept your friends forever. People grow up and move away but when you run into them, it's like the old days," Cornwell said.
Despite it being a small school, it still had a lot of things going on.
"They had a reading program that helped people with their reading. They had sports. I played basketball. It was a small school, but it was the best school. When we heard it closed, we were sad. Why they closed it, I do not know. But it is a shame," Cornwell explained.
Then Cornwell came up with an idea to bring all those who attended the school or worked at the school, to have a day to share laughs and memories.
"We are having Bruce Township School Blast from the Past School Reunion. It is for the whole school. I was planning it with Andy Bailey, but he passed away unexpectedly. So, I told myself no matter what, we would have it this year. He would want us to have it. I have tried passing the word around Facebook so people know. But I have no way of knowing where people are. I am still trying to reach out to people," Cornwell continued.
After some planning, Cornwell came up with a schedule.
"The plan is to meet everyone Friday night at Pickford Hay Days. Saturday, we will have the reunion from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bruce Township Hall which is located across the road from the school. There will be corn hole boards to play and there is a baseball field there and a play area for kids. It will be nice to see everyone," Cornwell said.
But Cornwell needs help.
"I am asking people to bring a dish to pass. I hope I can talk to the guy that owns the school and hope he will let us get our picture taken in front of the school and hope he will let everyone go down memory lane. This is also to honor Andy Bailey because he truly wanted to get everyone together. He was all excited and he said it would be nice to have a fire and talk about the good old days. It was just an amazing school. When you left there you knew you had a good education," Cornell concluded.
For more information about the reunion, click here.
