Clear Stream Avenue child advocate leads after hours learning

After School Program Site Director Lauren Golombas was recently named the Margo O’Connor Child Care Advocate of the Year for her efforts to keep students learning after classes have ended for the day at Clear Stream Avenue School.

Golombas was honored last Friday at the 14th annual Stand for Children Day in Eisenhower Park, sponsored by the Child Care Council of Nassau and the Nassau County Association for the Education of Younger Children. She was nominated for the award by Clear Stream Avenue School Principal John Singleton.

Singleton, who introduced her to facilitators and pre-schoolers from child care programs across the county in attendance Friday, said he was grateful to Golombas for engaging the school’s children. “Not only is she a positive role model, but she goes above and beyond to make children feel loved,” he said. “Simply put, Lauren makes learning fun.”

The Hewlett Harbor resident received degrees in childhood and special education from Molloy College in May 2009. Golombas then began working as a substitute teacher in Valley Stream District 30 three days after graduation, starting at Shaw Avenue School.

Golombas said she got a look at the after school program while substituting for others at Clear Stream Avenue School. Not liking what she saw, she decided to find out how she could step in.

“I saw the way it was running, and there were no books, there was no art and there was no music,” she said. “I felt like I was meant to come in and do this. I’ve put my heart and soul into this program and I feel blessed to be supported by my bosses and the parents.”

Since taking over the program sponsored by the YMCA in September 2010, Golombas said she has tried to incorporate educational and playful activities for approximately 40 students in the program. After they’ve finished their homework, Golombas said the Valley Stream students have had birthday parties, completed art projects with recycled materials, played sports and learned dance routines to Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson songs, among other activities.

Jan Barbieri, the executive director of CCCN, said the passion that Golombas has for child care is one shared by all members of the non-profit organization. The group has sponsored the Stand for Children Day event in the park for 14 years to commemorate the Stand For Children Rally held in Washington D.C. in 1996, attended by more than 300,000 people.

Margo O’Connor, a former CCCN board member and elementary school principal from Freeport, organized a bus trip for Long Island area advocates to the rally 15 years ago. Barbieri said O’Connor’s dedication to caring and speaking for the youth was why the advocate award was named in her honor — and why Golombas received it this year.

“Lauren takes the extra step when it comes to the children she works with,” she said. “The status quo isn’t good enough. We had a wonderful principal tell us that this is someone who comes in everyday and is actively involved in their lives. That was what Margo was all about.”

Feeling honored to have been recognized for her work this year, Golombas said she hopes to make the program better for the children in 2011-12. “I want to plan more educational activities for them,” she said. “Even if we are playing kickball, they know they can learn something.”