Seniors excited about freebies with NEISD Star Card
Barbara Schmitz has been swimming at the Blossom Athletic Center every day for the past forty-three years.
“I swim for my mental health,” she said.
Barbara used to pay to use the facility but about eight years ago, her two adult daughters who are previous NEISD students, told her about the NEISD Senior Stars Membership Card.
“My daughters told me about it. They went to Churchill, so they told me you need to get it,” she said.
Edith Broadnax has been an administrative assistant in the Superintendent’s Office for 20 years and has been giving out the cards ever since.
“The program was designed to give back to the taxpayers of the district who are 65 years and older who reside in this school district. We provide them with a pass to get in for free to the tennis courts, to swim at the pool, to attend the fine arts performances, and they can also take some adult education classes. Some of the classes are offered at a discount, so it’s a great benefit to our seniors,” she said.
Broadnax said it’s a good way for the seniors to socialize, learn, exercise and just have fun at many of the District’s events.
“At 65 and older, we are just beginning our life! They enjoy watching the grandkids and watching the band perform at halftime, it’s an exciting time,” she added.
Back in the Bill Walker Pool at the North East Aquatic Center, Schmitz said she hopes others will come and enjoy the perks of residing in such a great school district.
“I think it would encourage older people, parents whose kids have already graduated to still keep on going and exercise. It’s not only the pool, it’s all the things that North East has. If you have a Star Card, you can go, for free,” Schmitz said.
She encourages others to keep up with the sport and said she swims with great company.
“If you want to meet people and get into a sport and you are willing to have your hair a mess, come on over. There is a group of us that come early even before we get into the water and everybody just gets to know each other,” she added.
Along with mental health, Schmitz said swimming has many other benefits like physical therapy, it helps those recovering from surgery, and it is high impact for those unable to go the gym.
Anyone 65 and older interested in receiving a Senior Stars Club Card can call the NEISD Superintendent’s Office for more information at 210-407-0556 or visit the 6th floor at 8961 Tesoro drive where your age and address will be verified.
For more information online, click here: https://www.neisd.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=139&ModuleInstanceID=8567&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=55399&PageID=261
Discover the NEISD way, where our educators care about the community and keep learning accessible at any age.
