Frequently Asked Questions

1.      How do I know if my child has a current physical on file in the health office? You should keep track of your child’s annual physical date on your calendar and submit the 4 page Pre Participation form once a year immediately after the physical has been completed. Forms are processed all year long. Physicals are considered current 365 days from the date of the examination. If you are not sure if your child has a current physical on file please contact the health office to inquire.

2.      If my child had a physical last year how long is it considered current for? Physicals are current for 365 from the date of the exam. Simply add one year to the date of the physical exam to get the date of expiration. Please note, physicals are considered current from the date of the exam, not the date the paperwork is signed by the doctor.

3.      What is a health history update form and how do I know if my child needs to hand one in? The health history update form is a snapshot of your child’s health since the last physical exam. Health history update forms are required for each season of sports if a new physical is not being handed in at that time. A new and separate update is required for each season of sports. The form cannot be dated more than 90 days prior to the start of the sport. The health history update form is not required if a new physical is being submitted.

4.      Why is the deadline to turn in forms so important? The process to medically clear an athlete is a lengthy and time consuming one. The school doctor must review and approve each new physical individually. The health office receives hundreds of physicals each season. The school doctor guarantees that every physical handed in by the deadline will be reviewed prior to the start of the season. Physicals handed in after the deadline will not be cleared prior to the first practice or tryout. The health office works with the school physician and athletic office to build rosters prior to the first practice.

5.      If my child is scheduled for a physical after the deadline what should I do? If your child has an annual physical after the deadline you may have to have your child’s annual physical date reset to accommodate school athletic deadlines and ensure clearance for the first day of practice or tryouts. Some insurance companies will only pay for one physical per year. One popular option is to schedule a one-time walk in appointment at a walk in clinic and pay out of pocket for an exam and completion of the required paperwork. You would then bring your completed paperwork to the nurse’s office for processing prior to the deadline. A visit to your child’s pediatrician after the start of the season for their annual physical is recommended and will automatically reset the annual physical date to accommodate school deadlines. Be sure to have all physical exams recorded on the NJ Annual Athletic Pre-Participation Form and submit them to the health office after completion.

6.      Who should the forms be given to? All physical forms and update forms should be given directly to the health office secretary. All forms must be completed in their entirety and must be signed, dated and stamped where indicated prior to processing. Please review the directions for each form carefully prior to completion. Incomplete packets will be returned to the athlete until all missing or incomplete items are completed.

7.      How do I know ahead of time what the sports schedule is and when upcoming due dates are? All information is posted on the DVRHS Health Office webpage.

8.      How will I know if my child has been cleared for participation? Our school doctor and nursing staff guarantee that all athletes who hand in their completed paperwork prior to the deadline will be reviewed prior to the start of the season. Once a physical is approved by the school physician and the health office a clearance letter will be sent to the parent or guardian of the athlete.  While the paperwork is being processed, the status of your son or daughters clearance can be tracked by checking your Rschool Registration account.