1. Chaos or Community? Nick Azzarito Andy Lasek

2. Problem Statement New Canaan is distinguished for its sheltered, stable, and uninfluenced qualities. New Canaan is distinguished for its sheltered, stable, and uninfluenced qualities. For the most part, these qualities are good for raising a family. For the most part, these qualities are good for raising a family. However, those that have lived here since birth wrongly believe that this is so all around the world. However, those that have lived here since birth wrongly believe that this is so all around the world.

3. Proof of Problem 100 High school students polled. 100 High school students polled. When asked how aware they were about the issues of the towns surrounding New Canaan, 60% reported being relatively unaware. When asked how aware they were about the issues of the towns surrounding New Canaan, 60% reported being relatively unaware. Again, over half reported that they felt isolated from neighboring towns living in New Canaan. Again, over half reported that they felt isolated from neighboring towns living in New Canaan.

4. How To Involve NC Teens In Surrounding Towns Methods of Change InstitutionsGovernmentalPrivate School System Improving Public Ed. Magnet Schools Voucher System (For Seniors) Puts a Market on Public Education Sports Makes Towns Enemies Deep Issue of Competition Too Hard to Fix/Too Little Effect Dead End Work With Existing Policy Bureaucracy’s Inhabitant Process Dead End New Programs Formation Of Committee Targeting Local Issues Teen Summit Social Target Broadening of Cultural Interaction Overly Separated Events Like Concerts Lack Of Excitement Dead End Economic iblast Proliferation Proof of Concept (Survey) Contradictory Data on Spending Dead End

5. Solution 1: Financial Stimulus Enact a program similar to iblast, except aimed towards teens and spread throughout Fairfield County. Enact a program similar to iblast, except aimed towards teens and spread throughout Fairfield County. Based on the theory that teens spend much more money in town than in the surrounding towns. Based on the theory that teens spend much more money in town than in the surrounding towns. Goes with the belief that spending more time in other towns better exposes teens to other cultures Goes with the belief that spending more time in other towns better exposes teens to other cultures

6. Pros and Cons With the economy at its current state, local vendors will be willing to make a deal akin to iblast. With the economy at its current state, local vendors will be willing to make a deal akin to iblast. Discounts would be an effective way to encourage teens to spend more time in other towns. Discounts would be an effective way to encourage teens to spend more time in other towns. Lingering question: does spending money in a town increase one’s awareness about the town’s problems? Would not be a long term solution, benefits would be indirect.

7. The Verdict Not worth undertaking. Not worth undertaking. Same survey shows teens spend the same amount, if not more in surrounding towns thanks largely to fast food. Same survey shows teens spend the same amount, if not more in surrounding towns thanks largely to fast food. Because the purpose for pursuit would be perpetually unclear, the chance of success would be very low. Because the purpose for pursuit would be perpetually unclear, the chance of success would be very low.

8. Solution 2: Magnet Schools Would restructure Fairfield County High Schools to specialize in the industries a particular town hosts. Would restructure Fairfield County High Schools to specialize in the industries a particular town hosts. Seniors would elect the specialty they wanted to learn more about and attend a high school tailored to it. Seniors would elect the specialty they wanted to learn more about and attend a high school tailored to it. A voucher system would fund the program, with supplemental money, making it profitable for the schools to have the best run, most attractive program. A voucher system would fund the program, with supplemental money, making it profitable for the schools to have the best run, most attractive program.

9. Pros and Cons A major restructuring would make public schools competitive with private again. A major restructuring would make public schools competitive with private again. Would give teens a chance to try a profession before committing to it. Would give teens a chance to try a profession before committing to it. Because the vouchers would only be for seniors, poorly run schools still couldn’t be bankrupted, instead would miss out on the supplemental voucher money. Because the vouchers would only be for seniors, poorly run schools still couldn’t be bankrupted, instead would miss out on the supplemental voucher money. When was the last time public anything was restructured? No matter how much you want to study Blackhawk helos, teens will not leave NCHS to go to Bridgeport Central. High School sports would be completely disheveled.

10. The Verdict Nearly impossible in this lifetime. Nearly impossible in this lifetime. Teenagers will realistically never be able to restructure education. Teenagers will realistically never be able to restructure education. Some schools have more to lose than others, and unions would proceed to crush any hopes of success. Some schools have more to lose than others, and unions would proceed to crush any hopes of success. People we talked to liked the idea only until they realized we were serious. People we talked to liked the idea only until they realized we were serious.

11. Solution 3: FC Teen Summit Would be structured similarly to Model UN Would be structured similarly to Model UN Hosted by NCHS, NC Volunteers Hosted by NCHS, NC Volunteers Teens from around Fairfield County would discuss varying issues within their own towns, and the group as a whole would seek and discuss solutions. Teens from around Fairfield County would discuss varying issues within their own towns, and the group as a whole would seek and discuss solutions.

12. Pros and Cons Fairly simple and inexpensive. Fairly simple and inexpensive. Would have very tangible results- the group would have the ability to present solutions to leaders that could enact them. Would have very tangible results- the group would have the ability to present solutions to leaders that could enact them. Already have support from several school principals outside of New Canaan, as well as Jeb Walker. Already have support from several school principals outside of New Canaan, as well as Jeb Walker. The experience would benefit few outside the roughly 30 students in attendance. Could be viewed as the elitist town of New Canaan coming to Fairfield County’s rescue.

13. The Verdict Doable, worth pursuing. Doable, worth pursuing. Because of its simplicity, the idea is fairly elegant. The multipurpose room can be reserved for free, and with the help of volunteers as moderators, the only expense would be snacks and other little things. Because of its simplicity, the idea is fairly elegant. The multipurpose room can be reserved for free, and with the help of volunteers as moderators, the only expense would be snacks and other little things. Because of the support of various school administrators, this idea can be accomplished. Because of the support of various school administrators, this idea can be accomplished.

14. Plan of Action Contact principals of neighboring high schools to poll interest. Contact principals of neighboring high schools to poll interest. Plan with student leaders a timeline for meetings. Plan with student leaders a timeline for meetings. Start tapping people to chair/ run the committee. Start tapping people to chair/ run the committee. Once dates are scheduled, send out invitations for students to attend, and reserve the multipurpose room. Once dates are scheduled, send out invitations for students to attend, and reserve the multipurpose room. About 2 weeks prior to the convention, research potential issues for discussion, as well as scripting essential questions. About 2 weeks prior to the convention, research potential issues for discussion, as well as scripting essential questions.

15. Solution 4: Border Crossings Border Crossings was an after school program for students wishing to learn more about the various problems in Fairfield County towns. Border Crossings was an after school program for students wishing to learn more about the various problems in Fairfield County towns. It was cut for 2009-2010 due to budget short falls. It was cut for 2009-2010 due to budget short falls. It is our plan to identify the failure of the class as it is and rework it to be successful. It is our plan to identify the failure of the class as it is and rework it to be successful. There where two major flaws: Firstly, it was an after-school night course, and secondly it was under special education. There where two major flaws: Firstly, it was an after-school night course, and secondly it was under special education.

16. Our Vision Rework Border Crossings as a full time course at NCHS with similar objectives in mind. Rework Border Crossings as a full time course at NCHS with similar objectives in mind. Make the class an elective that students can take without having to compromise with after school activities. Make the class an elective that students can take without having to compromise with after school activities. Base the course off of case studies, similar in format to what is popular at business schools. Base the course off of case studies, similar in format to what is popular at business schools.

17. Our Vision Pt. 2 The class would spend time examining various aspects of society that have been successful in some towns but unsuccessful in others. The course would also study how some towns have successfully achieved change and how that may be instated in other towns. The class would spend time examining various aspects of society that have been successful in some towns but unsuccessful in others. The course would also study how some towns have successfully achieved change and how that may be instated in other towns.

18. Pros and Cons Accomplishes our ultimate goal. Accomplishes our ultimate goal. Does the best job widening the awareness of NCHS teens. Does the best job widening the awareness of NCHS teens. Least radical change, best compromise. Least radical change, best compromise. Only obstacle is raising money. Only obstacle is raising money. It would cost roughly $12,000 per year to fund.

19. The Verdict The best option for a solution and most likely to be pursued. The best option for a solution and most likely to be pursued. While $12,000 is expensive for students to raise, the economy permits five+ philanthropy groups to donate money for this worthy cause. While $12,000 is expensive for students to raise, the economy permits five+ philanthropy groups to donate money for this worthy cause.

20. Plan of Action Determine the cost to revive course ($12k) Determine the cost to revive course ($12k) Find groups that could potentially give aid (Rotary Club, United Way, NC Community Foundation, Chamber of Commerce, HBS Club of Fairfield County Find groups that could potentially give aid (Rotary Club, United Way, NC Community Foundation, Chamber of Commerce, HBS Club of Fairfield County Email various members of aforementioned groups. Email various members of aforementioned groups. Work to secure funding. Work to secure funding. Work with Mr. Pavia to present funding as a lasting work/donation to NCHS. Work with Mr. Pavia to present funding as a lasting work/donation to NCHS. Find a teacher willing to run the renewed Border Crossings Course as an elective. Find a teacher willing to run the renewed Border Crossings Course as an elective.

21. Conclusion This project did a good job highlighting how lucky we are to live in NC, the problems just aren’t that big. This project did a good job highlighting how lucky we are to live in NC, the problems just aren’t that big. We scaled the ideas down nicely, from restructuring the public school system to reviving a course we feel in important to keep. We scaled the ideas down nicely, from restructuring the public school system to reviving a course we feel in important to keep. Got a good idea of how long it takes to bring about change. Got a good idea of how long it takes to bring about change.