Nearby Historic Nursery School Reopens after Flood

Contributed by Kelly Lethin:

Millbrae Nursery School, a nonprofit co-op preschool, is celebrating its 75th year anniversary with an open house on Oct. 5. This open house celebrates the reopening of the schoolhouse, after an eight-month closure for extensive renovations, after a damaging flood in late January.  

The 75th Anniversary Celebration, which had been previously scheduled for this past spring, is now rescheduled as the renovation nears completion. The celebration will be an open house, held from 11 a.m. -3 p.m. at 86 Center St.. in Millbrae.  

Millbrae Nursery School invites alumni, past staff, and the entire community to celebrate one of the oldest preschools in California, and the newly renovated schoolhouse.  All are welcome, RSVP’s appreciated: (650) 589-3028.

On a weekend in late January, a pipe burst within the schoolhouse, flooding nearly every room, damaging walls, flooring, cabinetry, and school materials. The repairs of the damage will also bring fresh new finishes to what was already a spacious and welcoming school, while still maintaining its historical charm. The staff and the school’s families are very excited to see the renovation complete, and see the improvements to the facility.

As renovations began, Matt Hodges, owner of Accel Gymnastics and a parent at MNS, opened his doors and invited the school to set-up a temporary classroom in his gym’s recreation room, and to utilize the children’s gymnastics area for active playtime. What began as a two-week stay turned into an eigh-month relocation.  

MNS Director Brigidan Bogni-Rodriguez expressed her gratitude for Hodges’ generosity, and the welcoming attitude of the Accel Staff. 

“Because we were able to secure such a perfect temporary facility, we were able to transition the children seamlessly, maintain our curriculum, and focus on the repairs to the schoolhouse. We are extraordinarily thankful to Matt (Hodges), and to the Accel family. They have been so patient and accommodating during our stay, and they have shown true co-operative spirit as they shared their facility with our families.”

While enrollment rates dropped during the closure, MNS expects an increase in enrollment in the first months of the school year, and will be welcoming prospective families at its 75th Anniversary Open House — a good opportunity to tour the facility and meet the staff. Enrollment is now open for the 2013-14 school year.