NOTRE DAME KICKS OFF ANNIVERSARY WITH FAMILY PICNIC

~Correction: Notre Dame started as St. Mary's High School in 1925. It became Cape Catholic High School when it moved to the Ritter Drive building. The name was changed to Notre Dame High School in 1960.

It's not just the smaller class sizes or the caliber of the education students receive at Notre Dame Regional High School that make the school a success, school supporters say. It's the combination of a good education and family atmosphere.

About 100 school supporters, teachers, students and alumni gathered for a family picnic Sunday afternoon on the school grounds. The event was the kick-off to next school year's 75th anniversary celebration.

Other events include heritage days, special liturgies and a ball in October.

Notre Dame school began with a 1953 fund-raising campaign for a Catholic high school in the region. The new school, Cape Catholic High School, opened for classes in September 1954 with 211 students.

The school's name changed in October 1960 to Notre Dame High School. In 1997, the school moved to a new location on Route K past Interstate 55 and became Notre Dame Regional High School.

Students from as far away as Doniphan, Mo., and Cairo, Ill., are enrolled in the school, and even with growing enrollment the school maintains a family focus.

The picnic evoked some of the same feelings that the school does. "It's a family spirit and atmosphere, and everybody feels at home," said Brother David Migliorino, principal at the school.

Its family focus and the inclusive atmosphere that lets parents and alumni remain active in the school make it a success, said Wayne Nenninger, who teaches social studies and is cross-country coach.

Alumni return and can attend chapel services and sometimes come with donations before being asked. "That's the outreach that you see," he said.

All the students and teachers are dedicated to learning, said Jim Glastetter, a science teacher and school alumni.

"It's the community that makes Notre Dame great," said Jerry Grim, an art teacher and girls basketball coach.

Students agreed. Small classes mean that nearly everyone knows everyone else, and that creates a feeling of safety. There are 420 students currently enrolled at the school.

"We feel safe here. With all the school shootings, we don't have to worry about that. Nobody would ever think like that," said Geri Bradshaw, a junior.

And with a 75-year history of Catholic school education, the school is important to parents who want a good education for their children.

Sandy Doyle of Cape Girardeau has a daughter already enrolled at Notre Dame and a son who will begin as a freshman in the fall. Choosing a parochial education was important for her, and not just because of the lessons on faith and morals but the commitment to learning.

"It's every bit of it," she said. The school has a college-preparatory track and the students have choices and more options than they might have had in other situations, especially in larger school settings, she added.

Enrollment at the school is expected to reach 450 next year and could get as large as 600, said Migliorino. "But we don't want to lose our family atmosphere," he said.