Completing All of the Back to School Tasks

Back to school preparation is not just limited to pencils, notebooks, and earbuds. Middle school brings the addition of a sports physical for students who want to represent their school on a sports team. This past August, Start 1 Spark fulfilled a long-standing request and co-hosted sports physical clinics at Brookland and Lucille Brown middle schools.

“When we first started talking with Henrico County about a partnership with middle schools, officials identified sports physicals as a critical need. It’s taken five years but we finally found the right partner with Dr. Daphne and her team at PedsFirst to come to our partner schools for sports physical clinics. We’re thrilled to be able to launch this opportunity as part of back to school season,” said Start 1 Spark’s Founder, Amber Lancaster. 

Dr. Daphne C. Edwards and her team handled the sports physicals for both events. She explains the importance of having sports physicals for children before they participate in athletics.

“Sports physicals are important because they help detect occult illnesses, or diseases that could put them at risk of injury or possibly even death,” said Edwards.

Brookland Middle School eagerly accepted the opportunity to host a clinic. 

“I believe it is important for us to have a physical clinic here because our demographics have working families and transportation may be an issue for them,” said Tyree Walker, Athletic Director of Brookland Middle School. “It was good to have a centralized location where the students could come, ask their questions about sports, get the physical done, and take care of the necessary paperwork.”

At Lucille Brown Middle School, Start 1 Spark was excited to include sports physicals as part of the organization’s first event with the school. Athletic Director, Joseph Brown, reiterated the requirement for a sports physical prior to students trying out for teams. 

“It’s important because it's a necessity. Students and parents know that they need one to participate in the sport. With the community we live in, many students don’t go to the doctor regularly,” said Brown. 

For parents and students, having easy access to sports physicals helped build excitement and enthusiasm for the new school year. 

Derrick Fredrick and Kaean Fredrick shared their experiences about getting a sports physical at Brookland.

“I think this sports physical clinic is very helpful. I believe it will help kids grow, learn, and learn how to be teammates with others,” said Derrick. 

Kaean further stated, “I think this clinic at the school made things easier because now I don’t have to go all the way to the doctor for a physical.”

Heaven Brooks, a Lucille Brown Middle student, attended the sports physical clinic and said that she can’t wait to do a sport this year. 

“I hope to do either cheerleading again or track and field for the upcoming school year,” said Brooks. 

Her mother, Leticia Clark shared about how partnerships between Start 1 Spark and Lucille Brown are important and how Start 1 Spark is committed to the students. 

“I love how they are committed to the kids and how they also communicate with the parents. I love the fact that as parents, we get notifications about what events are happening, so we can be there for the kids,” said Clark.

For Start 1 Spark, no event happens without volunteer support. Continuing its long partnership with Start 1 Spark, members of the Kiwanis Club of Henrico checked in families, helped translate medical forms, and encouraged students to try-out gently used sports gear donated by community members.

Frank Telegadas, a Kiwanis member, shared why community involvement is needed to support students. 

“It is important for us to realize that it takes a village for us to come together and support these students, because without us the children won’t be able to get that support,” said Telegadas.

The sports physical clinics at Brookland and Lucille Brown middle schools highlighted how when physicians, schools, families, and volunteers come together, students can overcome challenges and be ready to play in the sports they love all year long.