To All Parent(s)/Guardians(s):

In accordance with requirements set forth in New Jersey Administrative Code-Title 6A, Chapter 16 & approved by both the NJ Dept. of Education and the NJ Dept. of Health & Senior Services- a Physical Examination of each candidate for a School Athletic Team, Squad or Intramural Sport must be conducted within 365 days prior to the first practice session.

“Each student medical examination must be conducted by a “Healthcare Provider (Physician or Advanced Practice Nurse) chosen by the student’s parent/guardian at the student’s “Medical Home” (Healthcare Provider’s Facility)

The Pre-Participation Evaluation {PPE} was recently updated jointly by the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine in 2019 and 2023. The sports physical form has been tailored to comply with New Jersey law and has been adopted by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE)

There has been a change in the requirements for submission of the updated PPE. The History Form and the Physical Examination Form within the packet do not need to be submitted to the student’s school. The History Form and the Physical Examination Form should be kept by the healthcare provider who completes the PPE.

• Only the Completed "Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Medical Eligibility Form" needs to be submitted to the School Nurse. The Medical Eligibility Form provides space for the healthcare provider to share relevant health information with the school if necessary and includes a recommendation regarding the student’s ability to participate in athletics.
• Once the Completed "Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Medical Eligibility Form"is submitted to the School Nurse:

it will be reviewed, processed & transported to the Somerdale Park School Physician for review.

• The School Physician will complete & sign off on a parent letter indicating whether your child has been approved or not approved to participate in the Somerdale School & Sterling Inter-District Sports Programs

  In addition, to participate on a School Athletic Team, Squad or Intramural Sport:

• Each student whose PPE was completed more than 90 days prior to the first practice session is required to provide a “New Jersey Department of Education Health History Update Questionnaire” This questionnaire must be completed/ signed by the student's parent/guardian & submitted to the School Nurse prior to the 1st practice or tryout for review to determine if student continues to be eligible to participate.
• Each Parent/Guardian must also submit “Policies For Athletic Participation Parent/Guardian Acknowledgment Form” following their review of the attached “Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes”, Opioid Use & Misuse Educational Fact Sheet", “NJSIAA Concussion Policy” & "Sports Related Eye Injury" Pamphlets.

All students wishing to participate on a School Athletic Team, Squad or Intramural Sport must submit the Health Care Provider Completed "Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Medical Eligibility Form" indicating the date of exam & the “Policies For Athletic Participation Parent/Guardian Acknowledgment Form” on time per the deadlines indicated below- There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to meeting these deadlines because all Forms must be taken to the school physician by the school nurse to allow time for the physician to Review & Approve; this is a time consuming process & we must be sure to have all forms reviewed/approved prior to the first practice/tryout session.

DEADLINES:

• AUGUST 15th -Fall Sports Physicals:(Park School Soccer,Park School After-School Sports,Sterling Inter-District Sports Programs- i.e. Wrestling, Field Hockey, Marching Band & Golf Team) must be turned into Main Office by August 15th
• NOVEMBER 1st -Winter Sports Physicals:(Park School Girl’s/Boy’s Basketball) must be turned into School Nurse by Nov. 1 st
• MARCH 1st -Spring Sports Physicals:(Park School Girl’s Softball/ Boys Baseball) must be turned into School Nurse by March 1st

If your child does not have a “Medical Home”(Physician/Advanced Practice Nurse) or if you have any other questions or concerns please contact me at the number above or contact the school secretary over the summer and they will contact me.

**** Please Note: Although the NJDOE Law now only requires that the HCP house the completed Physical & History Forms - Parents may & are encouraged to request a copy of the completed History & Physical and submit to the School Nurse so that your child's School Health Records can be updated with the current physical information. As Always please reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

Thank you,  

Mary E Dow, BSN  RN CSN - School Nurse

Somerdale Park School Health Office

301 Grace Street

Somerdale, NJ 08083

Rev5/28/24MED