The 60th Anniversary Celebration of West Side Middle School in Groton is Sept. 12 at the Groton Elks Club, but memories were flowing on a recent afternoon happy hour at Mr. G’s in New London. The first topic: Arbor Day.

The tree-centered holiday in April might not be a big deal at West Side anymore. Retired teacher Julie Cagle, one of several former West Side students and staff planning the reunion, said many students probably don’t know what it is, but many of the trees on the school campus were the result of former principal John Bates’ love of the holiday.

“Mr. Bates was the second principal of West Side, and he was huge on Arbor Day,” said Sandy Barnes, committee chairwoman. “Every year, he planted a tree outside, and every student had to go by the tree with a spoonful of dirt and throw it into the hole. … All those trees that were out front were planted by him, everywhere, all around the school, all his trees.”

West Side Middle School, which opened in 1955 as West Side Junior High School, has always had a child-centered culture, according to Cagle. As such, the proceeds from the anniversary celebration are going to the school’s student activity fund to support field trips and any other activities. Cagle said the committee is also planning a roller skating event for students and their families in November to raise money for the fund. Saturday’s event is for former students and teachers.

Groton Mayor Marian Galbraith taught at West Side for 25 years and said that projects were always a large part of the school’s programming. One of the most memorable was “Groton’s Greatest Generation,” in which veterans of World War II from Groton came into the school and told their stories to the students. The students filmed the interviews and wrote articles based on the veterans’ experiences.

“Recently we had a commemoration in the city for the end of World War II,” said Galbraith. “A lot of the people the kids int erviewed were part of that ceremony.”

The variety of projects, which also included a migration unit with an Ellis Island simulation, allows West Side to teach students the content in a way they’ll remember for years to come.

Groton historian Jim Streeter attended the school in the late 1950s, and even though he spent a lot of time in the office as a self-proclaimed “little hellion,” he still has a lot of good memories of gym class, shop and even his junior high school class ring.

“These things stick out to me, and that’s quite a few years ago now … we’re talking 60 years ago,” Streeter said. “That’s part of my make up, you know, I’m an alumni of West Side Junior High School, and you feel proud that you are.”

Saturday’s event starts at 7 p.m. and will feature hors d’oeuvres and cash bar, a slideshow, West Side trivia and visits from former faculty, including former vice principal Harriet Sonk, who served while Barnes was attending the school in the 1960s. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased via check to West Side 60th Celebration Committee, c/o City of Groton Mayor’s Office, 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340.

a.hutchinson@theday.com

Twitter @ahutch411