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.”
