NOC welcomes Judy Blahut, a resident of Hilton Head Island (HHI), as the Program Manager for its Learning Center at Cordillo Courts on HHI. As Program Manager, Judy will bring leadership and management skills to NOC’s programs, including education for children, health screenings, and workforce development, serving the south end of the Island.  She will build on NOC’s existing programs with increased emphasis on results and impact.  Judy is committed to ensuring that the children who come to NOC’s Learning Center enjoy a safe and enabling environment for learning.  She wants these children to excel academically and perform at their respective grade levels.  She will strengthen her field team of teachers and volunteers to provide quality services to the local community.  She wants to engage the parents more actively in each child’s learning and move toward customization of NOC’s learning program in keeping with each child’s needs and challenges.

 Judy brings a wealth of relevant experience and knowledge to her position as Program Manager.  She draws on knowledge and experience from her position as Head of the Walnut Farm Montessori School in Arkansas. She was responsible for providing leadership and management of day-to-day activities, as well as leading efforts for the growth and development of the school. In addition, she was in charge of the professional development of her staff.  She also managed a pool of volunteers and oversaw fundraising activities.  Prior to this assignment, Judy was directly involved in teaching for several years, building hands-on classroom experience.

 Judy has a Master of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Syracuse University.  Judy has also been actively engaged in volunteer and community outreach work.  She maintains memberships in The American Montessori Society and the North American Montessori Teachers Association.

There was much excitement at Cordillo Courts in Hilton Head Island on Sunday, April 30, 2017.  The two-hour NOC-sponsored program was endless fun for more than 150 children, families, and friends from the Island. The children enjoyed a variety of games and activities and their favorite foods and goodies. The music was extra special and added to the festive mood of the afternoon. This was indeed an event that fostered a sense of community and inclusiveness.

 

Special thanks are extended to HH Prep High School students and teachers, Holy Family Church, Providence Church, Holy Family St. Vincent de Paul, the Italian Club, and friends of NOC who provided food, drinks, and gifts for the children. Members of the Hispanic community also provided generous support through music and gifts for the children. We also thank Karla Torres who was MC for the event.

Four students in NOC’s after school program received Student of the Month (March) awards from the Beaufort Elementary School for their respective classes. Awards are based on meeting and exceeding the SOAR criteria: Self Control, On-Task, Achieving Goals, and Respect. Congratulations to Emma, Jalah, Jordan, and Malikyi. John Leadem, NOC’s Beaufort Program Manager, said that “Their smiles show you how proud they all are and I was so happy to be there with them this morning.” He added that “As always, so much credit goes to the awesome teachers who come to NOC’s Learning Centers at Marsh Pointe and Parkview in downtown Beaufort each day, full of energy and enthusiasm in support of NOC’s mission to provide these young people with the opportunity to succeed in school and in life.”

Children at the Cordillo Learning Center are benefiting immensely from NOC’s Monday through Thursday after school program, where they receive support from teachers from local public schools and volunteers. The students receive help in completing their homework, as well as tutoring support. They also have access to computers and internet-based learning to augment their skills in math, reading, and language arts. Before after school classes begin, the children spend half an hour in outdoor activities and enjoy a healthy snack and juice.  The incentive program at NOC’s learning center is a powerful way to motivate children to learn and behave. Standardized test scores confirm that these children are making academic progress.

Some of the children recently went on a field trip to nearby Hilton head Preparatory School.

Great holiday celebrations took place last week at the NOC Learning Centers in Beaufort! NOC students at Parkview and Marsh Pointe Apartments were thrilled with gifts provided by Santa’s Helpers (participants in Island Ladies Night Out, organized by Island News – Thanks, Betty Davis! — and Modern Jewelers). The children loved the gift bags, which were thoughtfully prepared by Nan Krueger and the Youth Group at First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort. A family from Hilton Head Island decided that rather than giving gifts to one another this year, they would give each NOC student in Beaufort a Walmart gift card!   Thanks to Upper Crust for a discount on delicious pizzas purchased with a generous donation from Atlantic Housing (property managers of Parkview). And finally, thank you to Beaufort Elementary Principal Melissa Holland, excellent teachers, volunteers, NOC Program Manager John Leadem, and NOC Board member Will Achurch!

John Leadem, Program Manager for Marsh Pointe and Parkview, commented:   “The holiday parties at both the Parkview and Marsh Pointe Learning Centers were festive and highly successful. The dedicated NOC teachers, who do a wonderful job day in and day out with the kids, participated along with their families. In addition, parents, friends of NOC, teachers from Beaufort Elementary School, and several NOC Board members attended the parties.”  

Principal Melissa Holland remarked: “It was such a nice event. The children were so appreciative and respectful. I am so impressed by the generous gifts and donations the children received at these events. Marsh Pointe is really growing! It was nice to see some parents at that site as well. Thanks again for what you are doing with our students. They love the NOC and we do too!”