Thank You VanLandingham for Your Generosity

“We are excited about our new Virtual Learning Center,” Laura and Kimberly remarked on behalf of the NOC children. “This is a great opportunity for us … we will have access to computers and internet which will allow us to finish our homework in a timely way; we can now complete our research projects; and we will use learning tools on the internet. We are happy … the Virtual Learning Center will help our parents too. Thank you again.”

The Virtual Learning Center will be an innovative pathway to continuous learning outside the schools and it will help to overcome the digital divide between those who have access to internet and those who do not, especially children who come from poor households and neighborhoods. As Thomas Friedman, author and columnist for New York Times, recently stated, technology vis a vis the internet will pave the way for all of us to find opportunities to enhance our education and acquire new knowledge.  Technology-based learning will be a cornerstone of NOC’s flagship education program.

NOC is already witnessing the impact of using learning tools on the internet. NOC students who are participating in internet-based learning through afternoon school and summer programs are already showing significant gains in learning and avoidance of loss of knowledge and learning from the previous 6 to 12 months. Having access to the internet for learning reduces the overall cost, since it requires fewer on-site teachers and paid staff. Establishing learning centers in target neighborhoods resolves the issue of transportation which often hampers children and women from accessing the internet in places beyond a safe walking distance.

NOC has introduced music to the pre-school program in HHI and Bluffton.
This program started off on a small scale and has grown in popularity among pre-schoolers, as well as moms. Children get totally mesmerized by the music and dance without any inhibitions. Music brings the best out of these children, changing their mood as well as fine-tuning their motor skills. This component makes NOC’s pre-school program extra special for children and mothers who often lack the opportunity to engage in educational activities.

Teachers are working diligently with NOC’s field team to making learning more effective and results-oriented in NOC’s Program Centers. 
 

Recently, teachers met at NOC’s Program Center in Bluffton to develop an action plan to strengthen NOC’s after school learning program, and to create a stronger culture of continuous learning. Special emphasis was placed on time management, better utilization of NOC’s facilities, student responsibility, quality of tutoring, homework support, and use of technology. The teachers recognize that students are improving academic performance, but more can be done to raise results. 
 
Teachers applaud the involvement of parents and the dedication of children in putting in extra effort so that they can excel in school. Teachers, together with NOC’s high school tutors and adult volunteers, have become important frontline education warriors for pre-school and after school programs in low-income neighborhoods served by NOC.

On May 7, the School Improvement Council (SIC) of Hilton Head Elementary School (HH-IB), an Authorized International Baccalaureate School, held its last meeting of the 2011-2012 academic year at the Program Center of the Neighborhood Outreach Connection (NOC) at the Oaks Apartment Complex in Hilton Head Island. Attending were members of the SIC and Jill McAden, Principal, Sarah Owens, Assistant Principal, and several teachers. The meeting was chaired by Diana Magnan, who emphasized the importance of taking into consideration the challenges faced by parents and children living in low-income neighborhoods who are attending HH-IB. 

The participants visited NOC facilities and listened to a brief presentation about NOC’s after school program, which is generating positive results in improving academic performance of participating students. Dr. Sharma, NOC Chair, emphasized the importance of the partnership between NOC and BCSD and collaboration with local schools. He also recognized the valuable contributions of principals and teachers who have actively supported NOC’s after school and summer learning programs. This meeting was a ground breaking initiative with a positive outcome. The parents and children attending HH-IB were very excited to have SIC and the school staff present in their neighborhood.