(February 27, 2012)
Every year, during the first week of March, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Schools celebrate their Lutheran identity and uniqueness. Lutheran schools have brought countless blessings to our synod for more than 150 years. This year during Lutheran Schools Week, St. Lucas will be celebrating 140 years of Christian education.
Over the past 140 years St. Lucas has seen many changes; structural changes, historical changes and enrollment changes. One thing has remained constant throughout – the Word of God. From the date St. Lucas was founded. October 6, 1872 ,through today, children continue to hear the Word of God every day.
The present school property was purchased in 1891 for $2,000. A four-room school was built for $8,000. In 1919, a large auditorium/gymnasium was added, schoolrooms were remodeled and four bowling alleys were installed in the basement. That same year, the local public school authorities accredited the school. In 1961 the old school, minus the gymnasium and bowling alleys was razed and a new school built. The school enrollment for the 1961-1962 school year was 240. In 1963, the school faculty was increased to eight full-time teachers when enrollment increased to 302. In 1997, two houses to the north of the existing school were razed as well as the school, gymnasium and bowling alleys and our current building was built.
This past year St. Lucas has been blessed by God with new academic recognition. The school has received exemplary accredited status from three accrediting organizations. They are the National Council of Private School Accreditation Board, The Wisconsin Religious and Independent School Association, and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Additionally, an independent study group out of Chicago rated St. Lucas a Tier One school within the city of Milwaukee.
These blessings, and many more will be celebrated with a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, March 3 at 6 p.m.. This celebration will include a meal, a literacy speaker, dessert, and a visual trip through the past 140 years. The meal will consist of salad and spaghetti with meat sauce or meatless sauce. There is a suggested donation of $5 per adult and $3 per child.
All proceeds will to the Elementary Student Assistance Endowment Fund. The Student Assistance Fund helps families who cannot afford a Christian education at St. Lucas. Please contact Ericka Tipton at 414-483-9122 or
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to receive your tickets for the dinner. Your donation can be given when you pick up your tickets.
This year, St. Lucas is connecting National March into Literacy Month with Lutheran Schools Week. The month of March is dedicated to promoting reading and literacy among children. Following dinner on March 3rd, Nicole Angresano, from United Way will be speaking on the topic of literacy.
The Scholastic Book Fair will be at St. Lucas the week of March 4 – 11 as part of Literacy Month. The book fair will be open before and after school, during the academic showcase on Thursday, March 8 and between church services on Sunday, March 11. St. Lucas receives money to purchase Scholastic books based on our sales at the book fair. Please visit the book fair and check out the variety of books along with the teacher’s wish lists.
