NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH CONNECTION
To establish a level playing field for all members of our community, so all may enjoy a better quality of life.
NOC was recently featured in a news report on Savannah NBC affiliate, WSAV3. Reporter Ashleigh Holland noted that NOC “tutors children after school in underprivileged communities in Hilton Head and Bluffton. Organizers say the extra help their program provides can also curb crime by giving kids positive role models.”
For the full report, including video coverage, go to http://www.wsav.com/story/26705587/hilton-head-outreach-program-hopes-to-curb-teen-crime
The Oaks Community Network (OCN) met on September 30, 2014, and adopted Guiding Principles for the new organization. OCN is a grass roots effort to build a stronger community by focusing on safety and security, social events, clean environment, and public relations. OCN is now in the process of establishing various committees, including a Neighborhood Watch.
The Oaks residents are eager to make OCN successful.
A Special Hearty Thanks to Sponsors, Players, and Supporters
NOC values your generosity and partnership….
“Fore the Teachers” tournament a highly successful and wonderful event!
The sky was blue, conditions were perfect for golf, and participants were colorful and festive in their golf attire. Congratulations to a number of deserving prize winners, including both outstanding teams and individual players. But the real winners are children living in underserved neighborhoods and the dedicated teachers who, after a hard day’s work in school, make their way to NOC’s program centers four days a week to help these children excel academically. Yes, NOC is making a difference in the lives of these children who are our future. And each of you played an important role in this, as well.
Thanks for making this happen; we appreciate your support.
Warm regards
Narendra P. Sharma, PhD Gary Tauscher
Founder and Chair, NOC Chair, NOC Golf Committee
In an article titled “Money is not the answer for our bloated public education system,” columnist Diana Furchgott-Roth calls attention to the NOC model of bringing education and health services into 
underserved neighborhoods as an alternative to increased public spending on schools, which until now has resulted in few measurable results in terms of student achievement.
Dr. Narendra P. Sharma, Founder and Chair, NOC, made a presentation to the Board of Education and senior staff of the Beaufort County School District on August 7, 2014, to discuss accomplishments of the NOC/BCSD partnership over the past five years. The presentation also focused on challenges we face in Beaufort County to reduce the significant gap between minority and non-minority students and between students from high-income and low-income families.
Dr. Sharma noted that by maintaining a strong presence and connections with parents in the neighborhoods served, bringing teachers and technology into its program centers in these neighborhoods, and focusing only on education, NOC is strategically placed to supplement learning in the schools. NOC has established a solid track record in generating results and showing academic gains among students participating in its programs. He added that NOC wants to bring more children and additional underserved neighborhoods in Beaufort County into its programs. To accomplish this aim, NOC seeks a stronger partnership with BCSD, as well as help from BCSD in the following areas:
(a) Funding of 50% of the cost of qualified teachers in NOC’s current 4 program centers (2 in HHI and 2 in Bluffton),
(b) Pre-school learning for children in low-income neighborhoods.
(c) Timely sharing of data (including test scores).
(d) Joint grant proposals for funding to expand into new neighborhoods, especially North of the Broad.
Further discussions are anticipated by both sides to strengthen collaboration in order to help high risk children excel academically and graduate on time.
View a summary of Dr. Sharma’s presentation: BCSD Presentation, 2014
