History, Structure, Mission
CANDO History
Thanks to Maureen Mrenna, former CANDO Board member, for providing much of this historical information.
During the 2005-06 school year, BPS101 Gifted Services Coordinator Elizabeth Selander brought parents of students in the middle school Challenge Math courses together to discuss the current program. Participating parents found the experience so beneficial, that they determined to meet on a more regular basis to discuss the needs of their gifted students in BPS. Ms. Selander connected this group with parents at BHS whom had first organized CANDO in previous years when their children were in elementary- and middle school-level programs. CANDO was re-established as a resource, advocacy and networking group of parents of gifted students.
The newly re-formed CANDO group sponsored one event monthly at Rotolo Middle School. These events were games nights for students or speakers for parents. In addition, parents met informally about twice monthly to share their experiences. Parents were expressing frustration with what they felt was inadequate communication from BPS about services for their students as well as inconsistencies in the services being delivered across the district (services looked quite different at every school site).
In the winter of 2006-07 Ms. Selander requested CANDO representatives to serve on a BPS committee that was re-evaluating gifted services across the district. Maureen Mrenna, Ann Hejna, and Gwen Seelley-Joossee served as the representatives on the Gifted Committee, and continued in that capacity through January 2008, when the committee's conclusions were submitted to the BPS Board.
In the fall of 2007, the language arts component was cut from gifted services. At some schools, 4th and/or 5th grade students who had been receiving gifted services in language arts as 3rd or 4th graders continued to receive services. However, continued delivery of differentiated curriculum in language arts for gifted and talented students was left to the discretion of the classroom teacher.
In October 2007 CANDO hosted a Meet the Administrators meeting. The meeting had moderated format where parents submitted questions prior to the meeting, and a parent-moderator put questions to the panel. The panel included: Dr. Jack Barshinger, BPS Superintendent of Schools; Mr. Alan McCloud, BPS Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education; Ms. Elizabeth Selander, BPS Gifted Services Coordinator; Dr. Jan Wright, BPS Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.
Through the spring of 2009 the Gifted Committee continued to meet with the goal of implementing the proposed changes to gifted programming, including adding personnel and restructuring gifted programming at the middle school-level.
During the summer of 2009, following the economic downturn nationwide, BPS budgets were frozen, and the committee was informed that none of the proposed changes to gifted programming would occur in the 2009-10 school year. In addition, CANDO parents learned that upon the retirement of Ms. Selander at the end of the 2009-10 school year, her position would not be filled. There would be no Gifted Services Coordinator in BPS 101.
In February of 2010 CANDO sponsored a town-hall format meeting with Dr. Jan Wright at Rotolo Middle School. The meeting was very well-attended, and the overall message communicated to Dr. Wright was that parents were dissatisfied with the scope of services being offered to gifted/talented elementary and middle school students, and that the quality of services offered at each school site differed dramatically across the district, and even within grade levels in the same school. Dr. Wright explained that there were not systems in place to dictate services that should be offered to students identified as gifted/talented, and that BPS could not hold teachers accountable for service delivery to this student population. Services offered to gifted and talented students were completely dependent on each teacher’s understanding of differentiation of curriculum and commitment to offering enriched or accelerated opportunities for learning to his/her gifted and talented students. Parents in attendance were clearly in agreement that this approach to serving gifted and talented students was inadequate, inequitable, and unacceptable.
CANDO parents re-grouped in the fall of 2010 and researched budget-neutral programs and services for gifted and talented students. After an extensive literature review, as well as a review of programming/services offered in neighboring school districts, the group formally proposed a cluster-grouping model of service delivery for gifted students at the elementary school-level, that could also be extended to the middle school grade levels. The group submitted their findings and proposal for the cluster-grouping model to the BPS Board in the winter of 2010.
Fall of 2010-11 brought together a newly formed Gifted Services Committee, under the direction of Dr. Jan Wright, and the newly hired .25FTE Gifted Coordinator Jennifer Conant. The committee had as voluntary participants elementary school teachers from across the district, two elementary school principals, and four CANDO parent representatives: Ann Hejna, Maureen Mrenna, Dave Stone, and Deb Grizzell. Meeting monthly, the committee considered a multitude of service delivery models, looking for a budget-neutral option for service delivery to gifted students. The cluster-grouping model first recommended by CANDO in 2010 was adopted as the most research-supported and economically viable service delivery model for the elementary schools in BPS 101.
The committee agreed to continue meeting monthly in the 2011-12 school year to formulate a service delivery model for the middle school, with the goal of having services in place by the start of the 2012-13 year. However, when Dr. Jan Wright accepted the principal position at AGS, the Gifted Committee was disbanded. It was not reconvened with attendance by CANDO representatives until the fall of 2012, under the direction of Mr. Brad Newkirk, BPS Chief Academic Officer.
Since 2012-13, the Gifted Services Committee has regularly scheduled quarterly meetings each academic year. The Committee is comprised of CANDO Board members and parent representatives, BPS Gifted Specialists and Dr. Brad Newkirk, BPS101 Chief Academic Officer.
During the 2005-06 school year, BPS101 Gifted Services Coordinator Elizabeth Selander brought parents of students in the middle school Challenge Math courses together to discuss the current program. Participating parents found the experience so beneficial, that they determined to meet on a more regular basis to discuss the needs of their gifted students in BPS. Ms. Selander connected this group with parents at BHS whom had first organized CANDO in previous years when their children were in elementary- and middle school-level programs. CANDO was re-established as a resource, advocacy and networking group of parents of gifted students.
The newly re-formed CANDO group sponsored one event monthly at Rotolo Middle School. These events were games nights for students or speakers for parents. In addition, parents met informally about twice monthly to share their experiences. Parents were expressing frustration with what they felt was inadequate communication from BPS about services for their students as well as inconsistencies in the services being delivered across the district (services looked quite different at every school site).
In the winter of 2006-07 Ms. Selander requested CANDO representatives to serve on a BPS committee that was re-evaluating gifted services across the district. Maureen Mrenna, Ann Hejna, and Gwen Seelley-Joossee served as the representatives on the Gifted Committee, and continued in that capacity through January 2008, when the committee's conclusions were submitted to the BPS Board.
In the fall of 2007, the language arts component was cut from gifted services. At some schools, 4th and/or 5th grade students who had been receiving gifted services in language arts as 3rd or 4th graders continued to receive services. However, continued delivery of differentiated curriculum in language arts for gifted and talented students was left to the discretion of the classroom teacher.
In October 2007 CANDO hosted a Meet the Administrators meeting. The meeting had moderated format where parents submitted questions prior to the meeting, and a parent-moderator put questions to the panel. The panel included: Dr. Jack Barshinger, BPS Superintendent of Schools; Mr. Alan McCloud, BPS Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education; Ms. Elizabeth Selander, BPS Gifted Services Coordinator; Dr. Jan Wright, BPS Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.
Through the spring of 2009 the Gifted Committee continued to meet with the goal of implementing the proposed changes to gifted programming, including adding personnel and restructuring gifted programming at the middle school-level.
During the summer of 2009, following the economic downturn nationwide, BPS budgets were frozen, and the committee was informed that none of the proposed changes to gifted programming would occur in the 2009-10 school year. In addition, CANDO parents learned that upon the retirement of Ms. Selander at the end of the 2009-10 school year, her position would not be filled. There would be no Gifted Services Coordinator in BPS 101.
In February of 2010 CANDO sponsored a town-hall format meeting with Dr. Jan Wright at Rotolo Middle School. The meeting was very well-attended, and the overall message communicated to Dr. Wright was that parents were dissatisfied with the scope of services being offered to gifted/talented elementary and middle school students, and that the quality of services offered at each school site differed dramatically across the district, and even within grade levels in the same school. Dr. Wright explained that there were not systems in place to dictate services that should be offered to students identified as gifted/talented, and that BPS could not hold teachers accountable for service delivery to this student population. Services offered to gifted and talented students were completely dependent on each teacher’s understanding of differentiation of curriculum and commitment to offering enriched or accelerated opportunities for learning to his/her gifted and talented students. Parents in attendance were clearly in agreement that this approach to serving gifted and talented students was inadequate, inequitable, and unacceptable.
CANDO parents re-grouped in the fall of 2010 and researched budget-neutral programs and services for gifted and talented students. After an extensive literature review, as well as a review of programming/services offered in neighboring school districts, the group formally proposed a cluster-grouping model of service delivery for gifted students at the elementary school-level, that could also be extended to the middle school grade levels. The group submitted their findings and proposal for the cluster-grouping model to the BPS Board in the winter of 2010.
Fall of 2010-11 brought together a newly formed Gifted Services Committee, under the direction of Dr. Jan Wright, and the newly hired .25FTE Gifted Coordinator Jennifer Conant. The committee had as voluntary participants elementary school teachers from across the district, two elementary school principals, and four CANDO parent representatives: Ann Hejna, Maureen Mrenna, Dave Stone, and Deb Grizzell. Meeting monthly, the committee considered a multitude of service delivery models, looking for a budget-neutral option for service delivery to gifted students. The cluster-grouping model first recommended by CANDO in 2010 was adopted as the most research-supported and economically viable service delivery model for the elementary schools in BPS 101.
The committee agreed to continue meeting monthly in the 2011-12 school year to formulate a service delivery model for the middle school, with the goal of having services in place by the start of the 2012-13 year. However, when Dr. Jan Wright accepted the principal position at AGS, the Gifted Committee was disbanded. It was not reconvened with attendance by CANDO representatives until the fall of 2012, under the direction of Mr. Brad Newkirk, BPS Chief Academic Officer.
Since 2012-13, the Gifted Services Committee has regularly scheduled quarterly meetings each academic year. The Committee is comprised of CANDO Board members and parent representatives, BPS Gifted Specialists and Dr. Brad Newkirk, BPS101 Chief Academic Officer.
CANDO Bylaws
Bylaws
Effective May 8, 2007
I. Name
The name of the organization is Challenge Advocacy Network Development Organization (CANDO).
II. Mission
The mission of CANDO is to:
Act as an advocate for gifted students at the district and state levels; identify and coordinate additional enrichment opportunities in a safe social environment for students in the Challenge program; provide support and educational programs for parents of gifted students.
III. Membership
Any parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the Batavia Public School District 101 Challenge program(s).
IV. Leadership
A. The Board of Directors shall comprise the following elected officers:
1. Reporting to the CANDO Chair:
a. Fundraising Committee Chair—Organize fundraising efforts.
C. Actions by the Board of Directors:
A. There shall be at least 30 days notice to the general membership of any proposed amendments to these bylaws.
B. Amendments to these bylaws shall require a simple majority of votes of those present at a regularly scheduled and announced general meeting.
VI. Parliamentary Authority
The rules in Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised 10th Edition shall govern in all cases in which these bylaws are silent, provided that they are not inconsistent with these bylaws or any rules or standing orders of the organization.
VII. Dissolution
A. Written notice to all members 30 days prior to the next regular meeting and two-thirds votes of members present in favor of dissolution shall be required.
B. In the event of a favorable vote for dissolution, all assets of the organization shall be immediately converted to cash. Following the satisfaction of any outstanding debts, all remaining money shall be contributed to an agreed-upon philanthropic organization.
C. Upon dissolution, all official records of CANDO shall be given to the School District office or destroyed, as appropriate.
Bylaws
Effective May 8, 2007
I. Name
The name of the organization is Challenge Advocacy Network Development Organization (CANDO).
II. Mission
The mission of CANDO is to:
Act as an advocate for gifted students at the district and state levels; identify and coordinate additional enrichment opportunities in a safe social environment for students in the Challenge program; provide support and educational programs for parents of gifted students.
III. Membership
Any parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the Batavia Public School District 101 Challenge program(s).
IV. Leadership
A. The Board of Directors shall comprise the following elected officers:
- CANDO Chair—Coordinate the communication and efforts of other officers and committee chairs; establish meeting dates and agendas and notify members.
- Resource Chair—Coordinate the identification of additional enrichment opportunities for children and parents.
- Advocacy Chair—Coordinate representation of CANDO at district and state levels.
- Program Chair—Coordinate enrichment and social events for students and education programs for parents.
- Secretary-Treasurer—Keep records of actions and funds received or disbursed; create and make minutes and records available to the membership.
1. Reporting to the CANDO Chair:
- Communications Officer—Gather and publish news, articles, and event notices.
- Webmaster—Creat and maintain CANDO’s Web presence.
- Membership Officer—Create and maintain CANDO’s membership list, including email addresses.
- School Liaisons—(as least one for each elementary school, at least one from the John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School, at least one per grade at Rotolo Middle School, and at least one per grade at Batavia High School) Coordinate CANDO activities for individual schools; keep track of school calendar to facilitate planning; act as point person for parents’ questions; organize any school-based meetings for CANDO families; assist Enrichment Coaches in coordinating PETS program for student in grades K-2 (Elementary School Liaisons).
- Resource Fair Liaison—Help with the Kane County and other Resource Fairs; solicit parent volunteer for Resource Fairs; represent the District on the planning committee
- Newsletter Contributors—Keep an eye for news and opportunities and submit that information to the Communications Officer.
- IAGC Representative—Monitor and inform CANDO members/Challenge families what’s happening at the state level.
- School District Representative—Attend School Board meetings and represent gifted students’ needs; monitor and inform CANDO members/Challenge families what’s happening at the district level.
- Interschool Council Representative—Attend and participate in any meetings of the Batavia Interschool Council in order to communicate pertinent information to CANDO members.
- Speaker Seeker—Plan educational programs for parents.
- Outing Organizer—Plan fieldtrips and other kid-centered enrichment activities.
- Party Planner—Plan social events.
a. Fundraising Committee Chair—Organize fundraising efforts.
C. Actions by the Board of Directors:
- A quorum shall consist of three elected officers present at a regularly scheduled meeting or at a specially-called meeting of the Board.
- Provided there is a quorum, motions of the Board of Directors shall be approved by a simple majority of elected officers voting.
- Elections will be held in May before the last day of the month.
- The elected officers shall be chosen by a simple majority of those present at the May meeting to serve for one year, beginning with the date of their election or until their successors are elected.
- The elected officers shall approve, by a simple majority vote, any appointed officers. Appointed officers shall serve for one year, beginning with the date of their appointment or until their successors are appointed.
- Chair and officer vacancies during term shall be filled by appointment by a simple majority of the elected officers. Such mid-term appointments shall last until the next May election or until their successors are elected.
A. There shall be at least 30 days notice to the general membership of any proposed amendments to these bylaws.
B. Amendments to these bylaws shall require a simple majority of votes of those present at a regularly scheduled and announced general meeting.
VI. Parliamentary Authority
The rules in Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised 10th Edition shall govern in all cases in which these bylaws are silent, provided that they are not inconsistent with these bylaws or any rules or standing orders of the organization.
VII. Dissolution
A. Written notice to all members 30 days prior to the next regular meeting and two-thirds votes of members present in favor of dissolution shall be required.
B. In the event of a favorable vote for dissolution, all assets of the organization shall be immediately converted to cash. Following the satisfaction of any outstanding debts, all remaining money shall be contributed to an agreed-upon philanthropic organization.
C. Upon dissolution, all official records of CANDO shall be given to the School District office or destroyed, as appropriate.
