The Pando Initiative
In Latin, Pando means “to spread out,” and the Wichita-based non-profit organization Pando Initiative does just that — it spreads out into the community and connects with resources to support students as they achieve their full potential.
The Pando Initiative has been supporting schools in Wichita, Derby, and Haysville for nearly 35 years, but the 2023-34 school year was the first year Pando partnered with Maize USD 266 schools. A full-time Pando employee, called a student support advocate, was hired for each of the five elementary schools in Maize.
The Pando Initiative's goals:
- To get students to graduate from high school
- To help students feel supported by their friends, family, school, district, and the community
The Pando program:
- Provides basic needs, including clothing, hygiene items, food, and school supplies
- Offers groups for students, such as empowerment groups, mindfulness, and social skills groups
- One-to-one mentoring, as well as small lunch groups, social-emotional support, goal-setting for attendance, and incentives for improvement
“We want them to graduate feeling good about themselves and feeling like they’ve accomplished their goals. Kids do so much better if they have at least one adult in the building that they feel connected to or feel like they can go to as a safe space if something is going on.”
- Kenya McConico, Pando Program Director
Find the Pando student support advocates here:
- Maize Central Elementary School
- Maize Elementary School
- Maize South Elementary School
- Pray-Woodman Elementary School
- Vermillion Elementary School
Learn more
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