Pando News – May 2023

Pando Celebrates Successes In Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Did you know that Pando programs help provide support and resources to students and families in our schools? Pando understands that mental health is a large and important part in student attendance and success.

2022-23 School Year Impacts:

In the 2022-23 school year, PandoKids™ provided mental health support and resources to students and families in Wichita, Derby, and Haysville schools. As a result, Pando has seen countless success stories like the one below:

As a sixth grader who had experienced childhood trauma, Kayla persevered through mental health struggles and made the choice to work on herself. Pando worked with her and the parents to make a plan to keep her safe at school, providing different resources over the years and a safe place for her to come talk if she needed a break. This student also had connections outside of school with her therapist,  as well as support from her family. With the support of Pando and her community, everyone began to see her transform. She began to open up to teachers and peers and her positive connections began to blossom into strong relationships. Along with this, Kayla’s grades began to improve and she began to use her voice to share her experience with other people who experienced a similar situation, speaking at local events and advocating for herself.

She is now thriving and feels prepared to go on to high school! Pando is proud to have been able to support her and provide resources to help Kayla thrive!

 

Pando Expands To Maize Elementary Schools
Maize USD 266 and Love Like Remi are proud to announce a partnership to bring Pando Initiative programs to all Maize Elementary Schools.

This effort will ensure that every student in Maize elementary schools receives the support needed to thrive in school and the community. Each of the 5 schools will house a full time Pando Staff (Student Support Advocate) that will work with district staff to compliment services provided to increase student achievements in both academic and non-academic subjects.

Pando is currently hiring Student Support Advocates for full-time positions in the Maize Elementary Schools. To apply, please email your resume to kblucher@pandokids.org.

To learn more about the Love Like Remi Foundation, please visit www.lovelikeremi.com
“We are so excited for the opportunity to expand to additional schools and help more students thrive!”

Penny Olsen, Pando Executive Director

Pando is Hiring For The 2023-24 School Year
Pando is hiring Student Support Advocates (SSA) for the 2023-2024 school year to connect with students to help them thrive in school and life. A successful SSA is persistent, patient, socially aware and empathetic! Pando SSAs bring together students, families, and the community to impact lives and walk alongside them to accomplish goals.

What’s SO great about working for Pando:

  • The opportunity to create the Pando program that best fits the needs of your school, as well as the ability to find creative ways to impact students,
  • PAID winter, spring and summer breaks based on the district school calendar,
  • Additional Paid Time Off (PTO),
  • Option to participate in group medical, dental coverage, vision, 403(b) plan,
  • Employer provided life insurance,
  • Employer provided EMPAC services,
  • Option to participate in a pre-tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

Positions start end of July 2023

If you are interested in applying, please send your resume to kblucher@pandokids.org.

Meet Our Staff

Daniel Morford

Marketing Manager

Daniel, Marketing Manager, has been with Pando since July 2022. He comes from a nonprofit youth organization background, with an emphasis on marketing and volunteer recruitment.

Daniel has two children; 3 year old and one year old girls. In his free time he enjoys working on projects around the house, and spending time with his family.

Daniel is a Kansas native, and has his Bachelors in Nonprofit Management from Southern New Hampshire University.
“The stories that I get to hear from our Student Support Advocates are the highlight of my day, sometimes my week. The best part of my job? I get to share the successes made possible by the support and hard work of our Pando Staff!”

-Daniel Morford, Marketing Manager

Upcoming Events

Cooking for a Cause 2023

Mark your calendars for Wichita’s premiere tasting event!

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Wichita Scottish Rite – Temple Live

Posted in News on May 31, 2023.

Help Our Children Succeed

Gifts to Pando support the 1,800 students on our caseload and the 25,000 students we serve annually through our PandoKids™ and RealityU™ programs.

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