FWISD offering comprehensive physicals for middle school students

by PegNews wire

The Fort Worth ISD Athletic Department is partnering with John Peter Smith (JPS) Hospital to offer affordable physical examinations for all FWISD students in grades 6th through 8th. Students are required to have a physical exam in order to enroll in a FWISD athletic class or participate in interscholastic sports.

The examinations will take place on Saturday, May 19, at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center, 5101 C.A. Roberson. This facility is located at I-20 and Wichita Street (east of I-35) in MAPSCO 92-T.

The cost of the comprehensive medical exam is $15. Physicians and specialists from JPS will conduct the exams, which will include musculoskeletal, heart, lung, abdomen and scoliosis screenings, as well as hernia screenings for male students.

"The exam itself is worth about $2,500," says FWISD Athletic Director Herb Stephens. "Statistics show when you do physicals in youths one out of 500 will be found to have a heart condition. Last year we saw about 600 kids and one of them was discovered to have a heart condition that had been previously undetected. That's why we will have a cardiologist. Our thought process is that it's all about our kids' safety and well-being."

This year the District and JPS hope to screen more than a thousand students. Twenty to thirty physicians will perform the exams and will be assisted by at least that many nurses.

"This is a great opportunity for Fort Worth ISD students to benefit from a top-notch physical exam," says FWISD Assistant Athletic Director Lisa Langston. "We hope parents and students will take advantage of the exams to prepare for the upcoming sports season."

Transportation will be provided by bus to and from each of the 17 FWISD middle schools that compete in athletics. To ensure the safety of the students, pick-ups and drop-offs at the Activity Center will not be permitted.

Parents of interested students must complete the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Evaluation forms, which can be picked up by middle school students at the main office of each participating school. Cash payment and the completed forms must be turned in to the school's internal finance secretary on or before Friday, May 11.

A schedule of pick-up and estimated return times to and from the middle schools will be available to participating students by Wednesday, May 16.

For more information, parents may contact individual middle school coaches, or call the FWISD Athletic Department at 817-871-3270.