Sample Interschool Parent/Guardian Letter

This sample letter is intended to serve as a guide for stakeholders to create a letter that aligns with the policies and procedures in their respective school division/school.

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Please retain these pages for your information.

Your child/ward has indicated a desire to participate on the interschool team:

The content of this page is to provide you with information on the interschool program. Parents/guardians are requested to complete the Interschool Medical Information and Consent to Participate Form and return it to the appropriate school personnel.

Note: A student is ineligible to participate in try-outs, practices or competitions without first providing the coach with the completed forms.

The risk of injury exists in every athletic activity. Falls, collisions and other incidents may occur and cause injury. Due to the nature of some activities, injuries may range from minor sprains and strains to more serious injuries affecting the head, neck or back. Some injuries can lead to a concussion or paralysis or prove to be life-threatening. Injuries as a result of participation in an activity can occur without fault on either the part of the student, or the school division and its employees or agents, or the facility where the activity is taking place. A student choosing to participate in the activity assumes the risk of an injury occurring. The chances of an injury can be always reduced by carefully following instructions while engaged in the activity. The school division attempts to manage, as effectively as possible the risk involved for students while participating in school athletics.

(School/School Division may wish to provide information about their concussion protocol/procedures)

[Name of School Division]’s concussion policy and procedures will be followed if a student sustains a hit or blow to the head or body and shows signs and/or symptoms of concussion. Please be advised that you will be asked to seek medical attention (i.e. medical doctor or nurse practitioner) for your child/ward if signs and/or symptoms of concussion occur. Concussion information for parents/guardians and students is available at (school division website).

You and your child are encouraged to review  Parachute’s Concussion Guide for Parents and Caregivers.

For a diagnosed concussion that occurs as a result of activity outside of the school setting, you must inform the school principal as soon as possible.

You are advised to be aware of:

• the dangers of participating with a concussion;
• the school board concussion policy; and
• the importance of encouraging the ethical values of fair play and respect for opponents.

You are advised to review Sample Concussion Prevention Strategies, or (equivalent school board concussion prevention strategies) with your child/ward.

Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome refers to a variety of cardiac disorders which are often genetic, undiagnosed, and may be responsible for sudden cardiac death in young apparently healthy people.

Fainting or seizure during/after physical activity or resulting from emotional excitement, emotional distress or being startled can be a warning sign of sudden arrhythmia death syndrome. The school response is to call emergency medical services (911) and inform the parents/guardians. Parents/guardians could be provided with the information found in Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS), which contains information about SADS as well as a Sample Fainting Episode Form. The student should not participate in physical activity until cleared by a medical assessment and the Sample Fainting Episode Form is returned to the appropriate school designate.

For further information please visit www.sads.ca.

Notify the coach should your son/daughter/ward sustain an injury or contract an illness requiring medical attention during the competitive season. You must complete a Return to Physical Activity Form (Non-Concussion Medical Illnesses/Injuries). Request this form from your son/daughter/ward’s coach.

If a student misses an interschool activity due to illness or injury requiring professional medical attention (for example, medical doctor, chiropractor, physiotherapist), the principal and/or coach must receive communication from the student’s parent/guardian, giving the student permission to return to play.

An annual medical examination is strongly recommended.

Students must follow their individual Plan of Care in having immediate access to their emergency medications (for example, asthma inhalers, epinephrine auto injectors) when participating in interschool activities.

Students must wear appropriate athletic footwear and clothing (and where required, protective equipment for the activity) for interschool athletics. Prescribed team uniforms for competition will be designated by the local sport-governing association.

Certain types of jewelry can pose a hazard and cause injury to the wearer and/or other participants during practices and competitions. Students must comply with the instructions of the teacher/coach, following the governing body/association policy, and/or the school division/school procedures, when requested to remove jewellery.

Medic alert identification and religious articles of faith that cannot be removed must be taped or securely covered.

Students that require glasses during physical activity must have a safety strap and/or shatterproof lenses for their glasses.

Students are to come to school prepared to participate safely outdoors protecting themselves from environmental conditions where appropriate (for example, use of hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, appropriate clothing.)

A safety inspection must be carried out at home of any equipment brought to school for personal use in interschool practices and competitions (for example, skis, skates, helmets) to ensure it is in good working order and is suitable for personal use.

The [name of school division] does not provide any accidental death, disability, dismemberment/medical/dental expense insurance for student participation in school sponsored activities (for example, curricular, intramural and interschool). For insurance coverage of injuries, parents/guardians are encouraged to consider a Student Accident Insurance Plan from an insurance company of their choice.

[Include your specific Transportation Policy here]