ST. AMBROSE SCHOOL, CHAFFEE, MO

St. Ambrose School

Chaffee

St. Ambrose School first began with ground breaking on August 20, 1917 by Father Clooney, the pastor, and members of the parish council. Classes in the new St. Ambrose School began on September 2, 1918 with an enrollment of 191 students in Grades 1 thru 8. The Sisters of Mercy from St. Louis, MO staffed the school.

In September 1922, St. Ambrose opened a high school on the third floor of the building also staffed by Sisters of Mercy. Because of state accreditation and the difficulty of students to gain admission to institutions of higher learning, the pastor chose to close the high school in 1931. Since the closing, the graduates of St. Ambrose can receive their secondary education at Notre Dame High School in Cape Girardeau or at the local high school.

In 1972, the Sisters of Mercy left the school. At this time, the school was staffed by an all lay faculty for the first time since the school's beginning in 1918. It was at this time that there was serious consideration to closing the school entirely. Strong opposition by members of the parish kept the school open.

The 1976-77 school year marked the beginning of the first kindergarten class with an enrollment of 15 students. This was a big help for a steady growth in enrollment.

With the continuation of the school on a solid basis due to the students, faculty, and parish, a meeting was held in July 1982 to decide whether to renovate or begin plans for a new school building. By March, 1983, St. Ambrose Parish family indicated their approval in pledges and gifts for a new school building.

Father Kunkel, the pastor, officiated at the ground breaking ceremony on June 18, 1983. On September 6, 1983, classes began in the school portion of the building with an enrollment of 102 students. Dedication of St. Ambrose School-Parish Center took place on December 9, 1983 with Bishop Bernard Law officiating.

The school year of 1989-90 saw the return of teaching sisters to St. Ambrose School. Sister Carla Marie Lusch, S.S.N.D. became the full-time principal and still fills that position.

The 1990-91 school year sees an enrollment of 107 students from 64 parish families. The faculty consists of Sister Carla, principal; Mrs. Ellen McAuley, kindergarten; Miss Kara Arnzen, 1st and 2nd grade; Mrs. Jody Grim, 3rd and 4th grade; Mrs. Carla Pope, 5th and 6th grade; Miss Christina Brumleve, 7th and 8th grade; Mrs. Sheila Eby, Language Arts; Mrs. Ellen Seyer, Music.

Through the 72 years since St. Ambrose School began in 1918, the wide range of talents from music to sports and computers and the strong commitment of the parishioners have made St. Ambrose School what it is in 1991.

At least three generations and nearly 2,500 students have attended St. Ambrose. Graduates have been successful in the business, professional, and agricultural fields. Perhaps, more importantly, they have become solid, civic-minded Christian citizens of their community, their state, their nation, and their church.

St. Ambrose School is what it is today due to a kaleidoscope of people. Catholic Schools Week theme, "Kaleidoscope of People," is going to be celebrated with many different activities. This special week will include the presentation of a quilt made by all the students at St. Ambrose, craft booths, special liturgies, dress-up day, baby pictures' display, writing friendly letters to students on the west side of the state, and bowling. The themes for each day range from patterns of growth, to family, to community, to world, to friends. Thursday at 1:00 P.M., we will join the other Catholic Schools in the Nation for a prayer service for peace.

We would like to end by saying "Thank You" to the kaleidoscope of people who have made St. Ambrose School what it is today.