Physical Examinations
 

Star Physical Therapy has an exclusive contract with Williamson County Schools to provide physical therapy services to our high schools.  We are starting to use them for our middle schools as well. 

http://www.starptusa.com/services/sportsmedicine.htm

Recommended Change for 7^th and 9^th Grade Sports Physicals

Starting with the 2008-2009 school year, the State Board of Education recommends that every athlete in the 7^th and 9^th grades receive a complete well child checkup before they participate in sports.  It was reported initially that this recommendation was a requirement but on July 17^th, 2008 the State Board of Education reversed their decision and is now only making it a recommendation.  Therefore, students will be allowed to submit the new physical form or the regular form.  The following is a release from the State Board of Education:

 Update Regarding Proposed Sports Physical Rule Change for 7^th and 9^th Graders

From: Gary Nixon, Executive Director, State Board of Education

Dr. Timothy K. Webb, Acting Commissioner, Department of Education.

Veronica Gunn, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health

Michael Warren, MD, Medical Director, Governor’s Office of Children’s Care Coordination

Ronnie Carter, Executive Director, TSSAA  

There has been a delay in the process of moving forward with the proposed rule change regarding sports physicals for 7^th and 9^th graders.

In the meantime, the State Board of Education still recommends that 7^th and 9^th grade athletes get the well-child checkup/EPSDT screen. Until the rule-making process is complete, however, either exam (the traditional sports physical or the comprehensive well-child checkup/EPSDT screen) will be accepted by the State Board of Education and by TSSAA.

Sports physicals are good exams for clearing students to participate in sports, but this represents only a part of a student’s total health. It is important to also address the physical, social and emotional well-being of children. This can only be accomplished through the full well-child checkup.

Given that the intent of the proposed rule is to improve children’s health, the State Board of Education still recommends that athletes in these two grades get the comprehensive well-child checkup/EPSDT screen. This checkup should be done by the athlete’s primary care provider—this is the doctor or nurse practitioner who takes care of them when they are sick and when they need a checkup.

The Interscholastic Sports Examination Form is the only form needed for these students. TSSAA is accepting this form for these students (and TSSAA will accept this form for students in any other grade as well). Although the comprehensive EPSDT/well-child checkup is recommended, it is not required that athletes have this box checked on their clearance form.

You can download the form from the TSSAA website (http://www.tssaa.org/Forms/forms.htm#Physical) or the TN Department of Health (http://health.state.tn.us/Downloads/sportsphysicalform.pdf).  

All students wishing to participate in athletics during the next school year must have a physical May 1^st or after to be eligible. 

If you have any questions regarding this new rule, you may contact WCS Athletic Specialist, Ralph Ringstaff at 472-4095 or ralphr@wcs.edu.