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Columbiana BOE meets historical committee

COLUMBIANA–Elementary School Principal Kim Sharshan along with Judge Mark Frost introduced the Historical Education Committee to Columbiana school board members last week.

“We are new. We are a committee of the Tourism Bureau,” said Frost.

The committee is making an effort to help enhance students’ appreciation for community.

“If you start with the youngsters our hope is they will grow up to appreciate it so much they will stay here to become stake holders of our community,” Sharshan said.

Sharshan introduced multiple approaches to introduce students from kindergarten to eightth grade to historical thinking, heritage, early civilizations along with an introduction to civic participation and skills.

“We have decided to start with the schools,” Frost said.

Historical Society Committee members Jay Groner and Deborah Firestone-Himes donated a text book to each teacher detailing Columbiana history from 1805 – 2005.

The historical curriculum plan includes landmarks, traditions, videos featuring Harvey Firestone along with community connections and partnerships.

Key teaching points across grade levels include early American life, map skills, an understanding of ideas and events, the understanding of market, resource and competition interaction as well as how the past has shaped today.

Sharshan expressed an interest in having students present what they learn through presentations at the Firestone Amphitheater and Legacy Trail.

School board members were impressed with the material presented during the meeting.

Superintendent Don Mook suggested partnering with the Canfield Fair.

“We could submit something probably fairly nice from some of the work you already have to get it presented or put in the fair,” Mook said. “There might be some artifacts that we would be able to get there.”

The idea of the Historical Education Committee goes beyond community education. The committee intends to educate people nationally in order to attract visitors to Columbiana.

“We look to be a resource for all the organizations in the community, a sort of clearing house, central place,” Frost explained.

School board member Kelly Williamson applauded the plan saying that it takes community relationships and binds them together.

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