May 10, 2010

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Attached you will find the 2010-2011 fall sports information packet.  Included in this packet are the following color-coded forms:

• The new physical examination form from the PIAA  (white)
• Two forms required by the Federal HIPAA (Privacy) Act.  (blue)
• A “Consent for Medical Treatment” form from UPMC. (green)

(This form must be signed by the student-athlete and a parent/guardian for our athletic trainer, Rob McCabe, who is employed by UPMC, to assess and provide medical treatment in the event of illness/injury.)

Forms are also available on the school district website: www.southfayette.org/athletics

Please note the following changes:

• The PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association Inc.) requires ONE COMPREHENSIVE PHYSICAL EXAM BY AN AUTHORIZED MEDICAL EXAMINER (MD, DO,PAC, CRNP OR SNP), thereby eliminating the seasonal physical requirement.  This physical must be dated after June 1, 2010 and will expire May 31, 2011.

This positive change assures a more thorough examination that can be fulfilled through the individual’s annual medical exam by his/her family physician.  Please note that ALL information for the comprehensive physical must be completed by the parent, student, and physician and Sections 1, 2 and 4 returned to the school district. Only wrestlers must also have to fill out Section 7.  Please be sure to sign for ALL sports in which your son/daughter MAY compete during the 2010-2011 school season. 

Please refer to the “Sports Physical Frequently Asked Questions” attached to this letter for further clarification.

Page 2

Due to changes in this comprehensive physical form provided by the PIAA, athletes are responsible for obtaining their sports physical on their own.  South Fayette School District will not be providing sports physicals.  We encourage you to schedule a physical with your child’s primary care physician, who is most familiar with your child’s health history and immunization records.  For your convenience, we have also included information (attached) of two local medical centers that offer physicals for high school athletes.  Please note that physicals are mandatory for eligibility for all sports. 

All completed packets must be submitted to the athletic office NO LATER THAN MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2010,  AT NOON.   Please DO NOT SUBMIT THEM to the head coach.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the South Fayette High School Athletic Office by phone at 412.221.4542, extension 240 or by e-mail at demnyan@southfayette.org or farkas@southfayette.org.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Mr. Joseph Farkas                                           

Athletic Director

Attachments:    PIAA Comprehensive Initial Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation

UPMC Consent for Treatment Form

HIPAA Release of Information Forms

Medical Center Information for Physical Exams

Sports’ Physicals Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

NOTICE

-     Signing up for a sport and getting a physical does not guarantee making the team!!!

-     All athletes must be present at the first day of practice!!!

MANDATORY FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE (FALL SPORTS)

• August 16, 2010 (Monday)            -   All Fall Varsity Programs
• August 16, 2010 (Monday)            -   Girls & Boys 7th/8th Grade Soccer &

            Boys & Girls 7th/8th Grade Cross Country

• August 25, 2010 (Monday)            -   7th/8th Grade Football

• October 11, 2010 (Monday)          -   Girls 7th/8th Grade Basketball (Sign ups for

            girl’s basketball will be the week of

            September 20, 2010

Offices offering sports physicals for student athletes

Sports Physicals

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is the new physical requirement different from the one previously used?

Under the previous system, student athletes were required to obtain a physical and it was good for one calendar year.

Under the new system, a student can get one physical per school year and it counts for all of the sports they participate in.  Example:  A student who receives a physical in July, 2010 meets all medical requirements, except otherwise noted for injury (providing he/she indicates sports on the form), for the 2010-2011 school year.  The physical must be dated after June 1, 2010.

1. What is different about the requirements for this physical compared to the previous system?

The new physical is expected to be a “comprehensive physical,” completed by the student athlete’s primary care physician, thereby creating a situation in which the student athlete’s personal medical history any other special conditions otherwise unknown by a school district physician can be taken into account.  Physicals must be dated after June 1, 2010.

1. For what period of time is the comprehensive physical applicable?”

Under the new system the comprehensive physical is sufficient for the 2010-2011 school year only.  All physicals must be after June 1, 2010. 

1. Are there any circumstances that would require more than one physical or additional physician’s consent the 2010-2011 season?

Yes, under any combination of one or more of the following circumstances, the PIAA requires a physician re-certification:

1. The student athlete suffers an illness or injury which prohibits participation in 25% or more of the regular season contests of the immediately preceding sports season
2. The student athlete suffers an illness or injury which results in 10 or more days absent from school
3. The student athlete suffers an illness or injury, which requires surgery.

Additionally, the school district may require a physician’s re-certification if the student athlete suffers an illness or injury outside of the season i.e. summer, club sports, etc. that debilitate him/her for a period of time.

In the event that any combination of one or more of these circumstances occurs, the PIAA Re-Certification by Parent/Guardian as well as the PIAA Re-Certification by Physician must be completed.

1. By what date must the comprehensive physical exams be completed and information submitted?

The athletic department will be providing deadlines for submission of all forms.  This information will also be posted on the school district website under athletics. (www.southfayette.org)

1. Section two contains a long list of sports.  Does South Fayette offer all of these sports?

No.  South Fayette School District offers the following sports:

(Listed alphabetically as on the PIAA form)

Baseball (Spring)

Basketball (Winter)

Cross Country (Fall)

Football (Fall)

Golf (Fall)

Soccer (Fall) – boys and girls – SFHS does not have a spring girls’ team

Softball (Spring)

Swimming and Diving

Tennis – girls (Fall) w/Fort Cherry

Tennis – boys (Spring) w/Fort Cherry

Track & Field (Spring)

Volleyball – Girls (Fall)

Wrestling (Winter)

1. What if I misplace the forms?

Additional forms are available in the South Fayette High School Athletic Office or may be downloaded from the school district website: www.southfayette.org/athletics

For any other questions or concerns, please contact the South Fayette High School Athletic Office at 412.221.4542 extension 240 or by email at demnyan@southfayette.org or farkas@southfayette.org.