Ten years ago, Morgan Hill’s fledgling recreation program began to take shape at the newly-built Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center on 17000 Monterey St., and has steadily grown into the full-scale, respected cornerstone it is today.
The same can be said of Nancy Domnauer – one of the center’s original instructors – who has spent the past decade introducing approximately 450 of Morgan Hill’s youngest learners to education, friendship and fun at her weekly “KinderClass” for preschool-aged children.
Although Domnauer transitions out of her role as a center instructor in mid-December, she is committed to community volunteerism and early childhood education. Domnauer will partner with a local book store – BookSmart – to continue her popular program beginning in January.
“I realized that the CCC would be an ideal place to provide an enriching preschool program for parents with young children,” said Domnauer. “Because there were only a few options available in Morgan Hill 10 years ago, I developed KinderClass with the hope of familiarizing children and parents with preschool and kindergarten routines. I am grateful to have taught so many children and to have met so many kind families in our special town.”
The “KinderClass” program is designed for children between the ages of 2-and-a-half and 5, along with their parents, grandparents or caregivers. It is offered one day a week and is limited to 10 students per class.
Domnauer’s philosophy is to consistently provide a welcoming place where young children and families can form friendships and take positive, strong steps on a life-long educational journey. The class was the first program at the center to consistently sell out all of the openings and is a prime example of how an individual community member can strive within a community-focused setting to make a positive difference while fulfilling a personal passion.
“There are so many options for preschool education, and some of them are just too overwhelming to even consider,” said Jin McGarvey, a Morgan Hill resident who has been bringing her children to the class since 2009. “However, Nancy’s program has offered us the perfect mix of family involvement, creativity and instilling a wonder for learning that has made a distinct impression on our kids’ growth.”
Domnauer is continuing her “KinderClass” program with BookSmart, located 80 East Second St. in Morgan Hill. The class meets once a week and will begin Wednesday and run Jan. through Feb. 13. There will be two one-hour classes, with one beginning at 10 a.m. and a second beginning at 11:15 a.m. Cost to register is $90 for a six-week session, with a $20 material fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. Register at BookSmart or call 408-778-6467 for more information.
“Nancy is one of our most valuable Developmental Assets Champions in our recreation department. She has proven to be a great mentor to parents looking for valuable information on early childhood education considerations and has, without a doubt, helped us fulfill the recreation department’s goals,” said Chiquy Mejía, youth development coordinator with the City of Morgan Hill.
About the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center
The Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center opened its doors Dec. 7, 2002, in a joint celebration with the Morgan Hill Community Foundation. Ten years later, the center continues to be a vibrant and thriving campus. It is a venue of choice for large and small events, community festivals, concerts, public art, theater and business meetings. The campus is the home of the Morgan Hill Recreation Preschool, Gavilan College Morgan Hill Satellite Campus, South Valley Civic Theater, Chamber of Commerce’s Friday Night Music Series, Mushroom Mardi Gras, Morgan Hill Rotary Club, Morgan Hill Community Foundation events and dance studios.
To celebrate the success of the past 10 years, several community events will be held at the center campus and will be highlighted over the course of the next six months. The events represent a wonderful sampling of the people and community organizations that have made the Community and Cultural Center the vibrant campus it is today.
January 3, 2013: Good Morning Morgan Hill Chamber Breakfast at the CCC, www.morganhill.org
February 8: “BIG” (Opening Night), South Valley Civic Theater, www.svct.org
February 19: Tuesday Night BINGO, Friends of the Morgan Hill Senior Center, www.fmhsc.org
March 15: 10th Annual Helping Hands Healing Hearts Awards Luncheon, Community Solutions, www.communitysolutions.org
March 23: Spring Fest/Easter Egg Hunt, Las Madres of Morgan Hill, www.lasmadresmorganhill.org
April 12: South Valley Wine Auction, Alliance member of Morgan Hill Community Foundation, www.southvalleywineauction.org
April 19: 8th Annual Youth Action Council (YAC) Senior Citizens Ball, www.mhrecreation.com
April 27: Art a la Carte, El Toro Culture & Art Foundation, www.morganhillcf.org
About the Morgan Hill Recreation and Community Services Division
The Recreation and Community Services Division strives to enhance the community’s quality of life, public safety and economy by providing high quality and diverse program opportunities. With a focus on customer satisfaction, the department, along with its operating partners, is responsible to manage the City’s recreation facilities, programs and activities in a manner that satisfies the recreation and leisure needs of the Morgan Hill community, while attracting visitors from throughout the Bay Area.
