Sports/Athletics: 

• If your child is interested in participating in sports, a current (within one year/365 days) STATE Sports Physical Examination is required as it is the only form acceptable for your child to play sports!
• If you suspect your child might be interested in playing a sport at some point during the school year, take advantage of utilizing the STATE Sports Physical Examination form because, once again, it is the only physical examination form acceptable for sports!

• No other physical examination form is acceptable if your child is playing sports, including the Universal Child Health Record (UCHR)!
• STATE Sports Physical Examination Packets can be obtained via: 
  • School Website, under Nurse tab
  • Health Office, ask School Nurse
  • Physical Examination Form tab, on this site
• The District Nurse page may offer more detailed instructions for sports physical requirements.
• This is the link to register for any school-affiliated sport: https://gpsd-ar.rschooltoday.com/home

Is there a difference between a Physical Examination, a Universal Child Health Record (UCHR) and a “State” Sports Physical Examination?:

• Yes, there is a difference.
• A Physical Examination is 1 page.
• A UCHR is 1 page.
• Both a Physical Examination and a UCHR are less comprehensive than a Sports Physical Examination.
• A Physical Examination on the HCP’s form, or the school’s form.
• A Sports Physical Examination is a State of NJ form:
  • The Sports Physical Examination is a specific form for any student playing a sport for our school!
  • The State Sports Physical Examination is comprehensive and lengthy, and includes the following:
    • Health History Update, filled out by parents/guardian.
    • Physical Examination, filled out by child’s HCP, which shall also include:
      • B/P
      • Pulse
      • Height
      • Weight
      • Vision results for each eye
    • Supplemental Physical Examination for students with special needs, filled out by your child’s HCP.
    • Clearance page, filled out by your child’s HCP.

What is a Universal Child Health Record (UCHR)?:

• You may utilize the UCHR form in place of HCP form or school’s form.
• Remember, if your child decides to play sports, the form acceptable to play sports is the State Sports Physical Examination form. 
• If you have already had your child’s HCP fill out the UCHR, this could potentially delay the process of completion before your child can play sports, and quite possibly cause you to pay more money for your child’s HCP.  

What is a “State” Sports Physical Examination?: 

• A Sports Physical is an athletic pre-participation evaluation which is mandated by the New Jersey Department of Education. 
• This form is required for all students in grades 6-12 who want to participate in athletics and some competitive clubs.
• A Healthcare Provider (HCP)/Physician/Doctor, Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) or Physician’s Assistant (PA) must examine the student and review the medical/health history to determine whether the student may participate in sports with or without limitations. 
• The HCP will maintain a copy of the sports physical and provide a completed copy of the Medical Eligibility form to the parent/guardian.

Do I have to give the school a copy of the completed “State” Sports Physical Examination to the school? 

• The Glassboro Public School District (GPSD) School Doctor is requesting a copy of all forms from the Sports Physical packet to be submitted to the school for review! 
• Request a copy of the entire packet from your child’s HCP.
• Forms will be reviewed and approved by the School Doctor.
• The School Doctor will provide written notification to the parent stating approval or disapproval of the student’s participation in athletics based upon the medical eligibility report.
• Students cannot begin participating until the School Doctor completes the review process. 

How long is a Sports Physical good for? 

• A Sports Physical is good for 365 days from the date of the medical examination.
• If the Sports Physical is completed more than 90 days prior to the first practice session, the student and parent are required to complete a Health History Questionnaire (HHQ).
• For example:  If practice begins on 11/20/24 and the Sports Physical was completed on 8/1/24, the HHQ must be completed because the Sports Physical was completed more than 90 days before practice begins.

What should I do if my child has a significant life-threatening Allergies, Asthma, Seizures, or other Health Conditions requiring emergency instructions or use of medication? 

• Space is provided on the medical eligibility form to indicate medical conditions and medications. 
• Allergy Action Plan, Asthma Action Plan, Diabetic Action Plan, and/or Seizure Action Plan must also be completed by your child’s HCP if your child has allergies, asthma, diabetes or seizures that require medication during school, sports or field trips, and submitted with the completed medical eligibility form. 

What if my child needs further evaluation or medical clearances?

• All required follow up medical testing and clearances must be obtained prior to submitting the medical eligibility form to the school nurse, including vision and hearing examinations.
• All relevant medical documentation should be attached to the Sports Physical form. 
• Medical eligibility forms will not be forwarded to the school doctor for approval until all documentation is provided to the school nurse.   

 Winter Sports: 

• As stated above, if your child is interested in participating in a sport while at Bowe School, a Sports Physical form will be necessary, and the UCHR will not be accepted for playing sports!
• Sports Physicals are required for participation in any sport and will involve a more thorough examination than a regular physical.
• If there is any possibility that your child is interested in sports, ensure that this form is used as no other form is acceptable for sports.

Bowe Basketball: Start Date Pending

• Winter is fast approaching. 
• Sports Physicals are due to your child's school nurse by 11/1/24. 
• Physicals received after this date will still be accepted but may encounter delays in processing/participating.
• Physicals received late will cause student athletes to be held out of participating in practices until your child’s Sports Physical is approved by our School Doctor.

Sports Physical Forms:

STATE Sports Physical Examination Packet 

• https://www.gpsd.us/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=16694&dataid=24382&FileName=Sport%20Physical%20and%20Medical%20Eligibility%20Form%20Complete%20Packet.pdf

Medically Eligible 

• https://www.gpsd.us/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=16665&dataid=24374&FileName=PPEMedicalEligibilityForm.pdf

Health History Questionnaire 

• https://www.nj.gov/education/safety/health/athlete/docs/HealthHistoryUpdatedQuestionnaire_Questions1through10.pdf
• https://www.gpsd.us/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=16694&dataid=24380&FileName=PPEHistoryFormSpanish.pdf

• *This is the link to register for any school-affiliated sport: https://gpsd-ar.rschooltoday.com/home

•  *Return all forms to your child's school nurse upon completion!