Norwin's school colors are blue and gold. One is especially appropriate these days.

Happy golden anniversary.

The district that serves North Huntingdon, Irwin and North Irwin is marking 50 years with a number of events and activities throughout the school year. Many are scheduled for homecoming weekend, Oct. 10 and 11.

"It's amazing to see how the Norwin community is showing its pride by coming together to help celebrate an event to remember," Superintendent Jack Boylan said.

"I'm excited," he added. "I've heard so many great stories since I came to Norwin. I can't wait to meet people who contributed to building Norwin's image -- 'Big John' Naponick, Doug Plank, past administrators, distinguished alumni.

"I don't know if they will come. I'm hoping, though."

Norwin was formed in 1958 by a merger of the Irwin and North Huntingdon school districts. There was a Norwin from 1916-1946, but that district split and stayed apart for 12 years.

Helping to mark a half-century of the "new" Norwin is a district flag that was unveiled in August. It is flying above all schools and associated facilities.

"We dedicated the flag during a ceremony at each school," Dr. Boylan said. "I was astonished by a response I witnessed at an elementary school. When the ceremony ended, students applauded. It was spontaneous.

"You don't expect kids that young to know what a 50th anniversary means. They understood. I will never forget that day."

Class reunions and various receptions are planned. Tours of current school buildings and former ones still standing are scheduled.

Alumni recognition nights are scheduled for all boys' and girls' varsity athletic teams.

The traditional football bonfire-pep rally, which had been discontinued, will be revived Oct. 23 on the grounds of Hahntown Elementary School. The Knights will play host to rival Penn-Trafford at 7:30 the next night.

"Nobody seems to know when or why the bonfire-rally was abandoned," Dr. Boylan said. "I think it's a great way to display Norwin pride."

School Directors Del Nolfie Jr. and Don Rhodes are organizing that event. The football team will be recognized and the cheerleaders and band will participate.

The homecoming game Oct. 10 will feature the Knights playing host to McKeesport Area, a perennial WPIAL power. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m.

Norwin's homecoming game in recent years had been played on a Saturday afternoon.

"We had a choice of either Gateway or McKeesport for that game," Dr. Boylan said. "McKeesport was selected as a tribute to the great number of our alumni who moved into the Norwin area from the Mon-Yough Valley."

The traditional crowning of the homecoming king and queen is scheduled for halftime.

North Huntingdon commissioners, Irwin council members and state Rep. James E. Casorio Jr. -- D-North Huntingdon, and a Norwin graduate -- will present proclamations to commemorate the milestone before the game.

The homecoming parade through downtown Irwin business district will begin at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 11. Windows of several businesses along Main Street will display Norwin memorabilia this month.

The homecoming dance will conclude weekend festivities.

On Oct. 11, the district will have receptions and tours of district buildings for alumni and former educators and employees. The schedule:

• Student alumni reception-- 1 to 3 p.m., new gym area of the high school.

• Former and retired teachers -- 3 to 5 p.m., hosted by the Norwin Education Association, at the North Huntingdon/Irwin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 724, Bilott Road.

• Retired administrators and past and present school directors -- 1 to 3 p.m., district administration building, high school campus.

• Secretaries, past and present -- 3 to 5 p.m., hosted by the Norwin Education Association, at the North Huntingdon/Irwin VFW Post 724, Bilott Road.

• Custodians/maintenance staff, past and present -- 1 to 3 p.m., new district maintenance building, Mockingbird Drive, behind Norwin Middle School.

Cafeteria staff, past and present -- 1 to 3 p.m., cafeteria, Norwin Middle School.

There will be open house tours of district schools, past and present, from 1 to 1:45 and 2 to 2:45 p.m.

The district has seven buildings in operation: the high school, middle school and Hillcrest Intermediate; and Hahntown, Scull, Sheridan Terrace and Sunset Valley elementaries.

Business owners have agreed to open former schools Circleville Elementary, Grandview Elementary, Queen of Angels (former North Huntingdon High School and Norwin Jr. High East), old Hahntown Elementary.

The former Hartford Heights, Larimer, Pennsylvania Avenue and Westmoreland City elementary schools will not be open. Irwin High School/Sixth Street Intermediate, North Irwin Elementary and Stewartsville Elementary have been razed. (Stewartsville is being rebuilt and will reopen in August 2009.)