Rowan County Schools are partnering with St. Claire Regional Medical Center to bring free sports physicals to students. Officials said the promotion will apply to students in 2nd through 12th grade. Students from any school are eligible and are not required to participate in any specific sport or activity to receive the physical.
The free check-ups will be offered on two different dates at Rowan County Senior High School; Monday, February 5 and Wednesday, February 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Rowan County Senior High School. The school district and St. Claire will be offering another free sports physical day in June of this year.
Renee Smith, Director of District Health Services said the physicals are necessary for a number of activities.
“It does fulfill other sports. We do 4H Camp; I have kids going to Girl Scout Camp. We also have our military skills class, which is Rowan County Senior High School, those students have to have a physical also,” said Smith.
Smith added that the sports physicals will check students’ health on basic levels by making sure muscles and joints are intact and strong while also confirming students are capable of being active. She also notes even when free sports physicals are out of season, resources are available to those in need.
“I have parents that call me when we’re out of season to see if we can set up with a provider and usually our providers in town are really, really good about getting those students in and just maybe you know having one low cost for them to have to do; and then I have had them offer to do them for free,” said Smith.
Physical forms will be available both on-site and online at the Rowan County Schools website. Any student under the age of 18 who wishes to have a free sports physical must have a parent or guardian present at the time of the physical.