Gardening used as wellness tool at Columbiana school
Joshua Dixon Elementary School Counselor Cathi Raub-Carney, center, and garden farmer Tracy Stuba, left, were presented with Key Clipper Awards by the Columbiana School Board this month for helping teach students how to garden. Presenting the award is school Principal Kim Sharshan. (Submitted photo)
Longtime educator and Columbiana Schools administrator David Buzzard, left, was recognized for his years of service this month by the Columbiana School Board. He was presented with the Key Clipper Award by Superintendent Dr. Don Mook. (Submitted photo)
Joshua Dixon Elementary School Counselor Cathi Raub-Carney, center, and garden farmer Tracy Stuba, left, were presented with Key Clipper Awards by the Columbiana School Board this month for helping teach students how to garden. Presenting the award is school Principal Kim Sharshan. (Submitted photo)
Longtime educator and Columbiana Schools administrator David Buzzard, left, was recognized for his years of service this month by the Columbiana School Board. He was presented with the Key Clipper Award by Superintendent Dr. Don Mook. (Submitted photo)
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COLUMBIANA -- Joshua Dixon Elementary School students are learning the importance--and fun--of gardening.
Columbiana School Superintendent Dr. Don Mook said that school counselor Cathi Raub-Carney received a Bonnie Hoppel grant and was able to put that funding and some other donations toward using gardening as a wellness opportunity for the students.
Raub-Carney was also able to acquire expert help from Harvey's Garden Farmer Tracy Stuba.
The women were both presented with the school district's Key Clipper Award for their work with the students during this month's Board of Education.
Their work was recognized for not only increasing physical activity among students, but also social interaction, focus, and time on task.
Students were educated by Stuba on seeds, soil, and sun and the vegetables grown in the garden were then served during school lunches through the cooperation of Nutrition Inc.
The experience also gave students to opportunities gain more confidence and improve communication skills.
Another person presented with a Key Clipper Award during the meeting was longtime educator David Buzzard.
Buzzard has spent the last 14 years working in Columbiana Schools and will retire at the end of this school year.
The school district noted that Buzzard has spent his entire career focused on the youth of both Columbiana and Jefferson counties, and has been a "great asset to Columbiana schools."
He is also being recognized by the Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce as Educator of the Year.
In other business, the board then approved:
-- The retirement resignation of Brenda Goughenour, Aide, effective Aug. 1, 2023.
-- Miranda Avnet as school psychologist on a two-year limited contract.
-- A one-year supplemental contract for extended duty for the 2023-24 school year for Amanda Cleghorn, high school guidance counselor, up to 15 days at her per diem rate.
-- A one-year supplemental contract for extended duty for summer 2023, for Cathi Raub-Carney, middle school/elementary guidance counselor, up to five days at her per diem rate.
-- Krista Goodzinski as elementary library volunteer.
-- A two-year agreement modification to the resolution from June 14, 2022, to include the agreement with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center through June 30, 2027, to offer Virtual Classroom, an internet- based educational curriculum designed for Grades K-12.
The next board meeting was set for 6 p.m. May 9 in the high school Media Center.