Lawrence Woodmere Academy alum becomes a director

Barbra Feldman, a lifelong resident of the Five Towns and a long time community volunteer, was recently tapped to serve as director of Lawrence Woodmere Academy’s Summer Program.

“It’s really all about the kids here (at Lawrence Woodmere Academy),” said Feldman, who is a graduate of LWA. “There’s nothing like seeing kids really happy, challenged and not feeling pressured for being who they are.”

Feldman, a current resident of Hewlett Neck, has lived in the Five Towns all her life. She and her husband were very involved with the summer program when Mandy Goldberg resigned as director of the Summer Program, Feldman said it was a natural transition for her to become full-time director and work side-by-side with Sue Keilson who had been assistant director for more than 25 years.

Previously, Feldman worked at the Franklin Early Childhood Center, was PTA president for two years at Hewlett Elementary, three years at Woodmere Middle School and PTA president at Hewlett High School for three years.

She was also Central Council president for the Hewlett-Woodmere School District for two years and is the founder of the Hewlett-Woodmere Civic Action Association, a community driven organization that shows the community the importance of the school budget.

Hewlett-Woodmere Superintendent Joyce Bisso remembers Feldman when she was PTA president, when Bisso was the principal of Hewlett High School and said Feldman was an outstanding citizen of the community and PTA president. “She’s a tremendous advocate for students,” Bisso said. “She is also a great advisor and doesn’t stay distant from making things happen.”

While the Summer Day Program is still months away, Feldman has already come up with plenty of new ideas that will keep her busy. First, she would like to start with the Counselors In-Training (CIT) and get them more involved in community service. The CIT programs are for eighth, ninth and tenth graders and the camp counselors are parents or teachers, with the occasional junior or senior college student.

Next, Feldman will have campers come up with a program for the summer to benefit the Sunrise Day Camp that offers camp free of charge to those with cancer and their siblings or The Class Act Sports Foundation that offers athletics and sports equipment to under privileged kids.

Campers will plan the entire program and the staff will be on hand to help. Feldman thinks campers will be inspired when they see how much control they have. “We’re not looking to raise a lot of money because it’s not about the money, it’s about letting our kids see how they can help kids who are less fortunate,” Feldman said.

Also new for the summer is an Aeroball court, a basketball type court with fabric covered walls on trampoline beds, that ties into the theme of the 2011 Summer Day Program; reaching new heights and soaring into new adventures. The program will also offer traditional activities such as sports clinics and a play.

“Kids come to camp and feel excepted because it’s like a family here,” Feldman said. “So many kids are getting through their year to come here over the summer.”