A Windsor High School Community Problem Solving Team placed second in the Senior Division Civic and Cultural Issues category at the “2013 Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI) Conference” at Indiana University. The June 5-9 conference was attended by 2,000 students representing 13 countries. The winning team of Windsor High School students Kaitlyn Ali, Shanai Chambers, Jeremy Fredette, and Daniel Hammersmith were recognized for their project called Operation Courtyard. The students sought to enlist the help of school officials to renovate Windsor High’s central courtyard, which was clear cut due to damage incurred during Nor’easter Alfred in October of 2012. The students also met regularly with students, teachers and administrators, and applied for and received a $5,000 Toolbox for Education grant from Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. Two Windsor High School Community Problem Solving teams qualified to compete at the international conference. The second team, Words Hurt, was comprised of students Michael Harper, Daniel Kastner, Akash Kunver, Juliet Orszalak, and Stella Rivera,. The Words Hurt team sought to raise awareness of the devastating effects of bullying and mean spirited behavior by hosting an assembly featuring motivational speaker John Halligan, whose son committed suicide after constant bullying. The event was funded through a grant from the Windsor PTSA. In addition to the two high school’s Community Problem Teams, Windsor was represented by Sage Park Middle School student Danielle Gozzo, who advanced to the international conference’s Middle Division as a Scenario Writer. Both of the Windsor High School teams were coached by Seminar teacher Carla Brigandi, and Danielle Gozzo was coached by Sage Park Middle School Challenge teacher Shirley Cowles. In order to qualify for participation at the “2013 Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI) Conference”, students first must compete and receive a recommendation from their State Affiliate. Future Problem Solving Program International’s (FPSPI) mission is to develop the ability of young people globally to design and promote positive futures using critical, creative thinking. Founded by creativity pioneer, Dr. E. Paul Torrance, FPSPI stimulates critical and creative thinking skills, encourages students to develop a vision for the future, and prepares students for leadership roles. FPSPI engages students in creative problem solving within the curriculum and provides competitive opportunities. Future Problem Solving Program International involves thousands of students annually from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, and the United States.
