Sheldon ISD students showcase sports medicine program as district celebrates record AP achievements

Sheldon ISD trustees spent part of the meeting recognizing students and staff and hearing directly from students enrolled in the district's sports medicine program.

Staff introduced three seniors from the program; Lydia Gitania spoke on behalf of the students, describing the program's structure and partnerships with athletic trainers, EMTs, nurses and physicians. "We deal with a total of 49 high school teams and a total of 40 middle school teams," Lydia said, and she listed program activities including CPR training, splinting, injury assessment and rehabilitation.

Lydia and her classmates noted program caseloads and experiences that include about 52 athletes visiting the training room daily, 12 active surgical cases during the school year with associated post-op rehabilitation, and 32 athletes currently receiving appointments or medical assistance through the program. Several students said the hands-on opportunities helped them clarify career plans in health fields such as physical therapy and physician assistant studies.

Separately the board's presenter noted Sheldon ISD recorded the district's highest number of AP recognitions to date: 25 AP Scholars and one AP Scholar with honors, with three AP Scholars from the STEM Academy and 22 from the Early College High School. The presenter described AP Scholar definitions and praised the advanced-academics team and teachers credited with the results.

The board also announced quarterly CARE awards for staff nominated by peers for outstanding customer service and recognized King High School's tennis team playoff appearance and marching band placements at recent contests.

The school leaders and students did not request formal board action; the item served as community recognition and program description.