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Laredo ISD announces $2,000 Driscoll Health Plan donation to subsidize student sports physicals
Summary
Laredo ISD officials said Driscoll Health Plan donated $2,000 to subsidize sports physicals; athletic trainers and Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic have been holding clinics at high schools, with 26 free physicals allocated per high school and a $25 charge for others.
Ale Pena, Laredo ISD director of nurses, told the Student Services Committee on Monday that Driscoll Health Plan donated $2,000 to help cover sports-physical fees for Laredo ISD students.
"So this year, we've been able to work with Driscoll Health Plan to acquire $2,000 donation which they are making for us to use for sports physical fees," Pena said. Athletic trainers, in partnership with Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic, have been scheduling clinics at each high school to provide the physicals.
The district allocated the donation evenly, Pena said, covering 26 free physicals per high school; any additional students pay $25 to Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic. Pena reported turnout figures for clinics already held: 41 students at Martin High School and 113 students at Siguaro (Sierra) High School, the latter including some middle-school students.
Parents receive a copy of the completed physical form for their records. Pena said Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic allowed verbal parental consent by phone for students whose parents had not signed the form; a parent does not need to be present during the physical. She said campus counselors and athletic trainers are being asked to identify the most needy students so the clinics can prioritize those who cannot afford the fee.
Board members raised questions about coverage for students who participate in Special Olympics and whether that group was included in the clinics. A board member asked, "Do special athletes, are they included in here? Do they need a physical to go to Special Olympics?" Pena said she would check and follow up with the board.
Pena said the clinics began May 1 at Martin High School and that additional high school clinics were scheduled the week of May 8; she also said Nixon High School's clinic was scheduled for the coming Thursday. She told the committee she will provide a campus-by-campus breakdown of clinic participation to the board.
Next steps: Pena said she will return to the board with the detailed breakdown of students served at each clinic and will confirm whether Special Olympics athletes are included in the program.
