Suffern Central’s vision is to create an inclusive, dynamic and competitive athletics program that fosters teamwork, sportsmanship, and cultivates a lifelong love of physical activity. We envision a community where every student-athlete feels valued, respected and empowered to reach their full potential while striving for victory.
Students must then have their blood pressure and pulse checked by the school nurse.
A physical exam is done by the school medical officer. The physical is valid for one year. If you do not want the school medical officer to perform the exam, you may submit a copy of a recent physical from your child’s healthcare provider. Your child will still see the school medical officer with all of his/her paperwork, but will not be examined. It is New York State Law that only a school-appointed medical officer certifies a child to participate in sports.
Middle school athletes trying out for a high school sport must have their parents/guardians indicate it in the online sports packet. Additional requirements include a signed parental permission form, a recent tanner rating (done by either private MD or school health care provider), and an agility test.
If an athlete seeks medical attention during a sports season, a clearance note from their physician is required to return to sports.
An athlete who sustains a concussion or head injury must provide a medical clearance note from his or her health care provider and then follow the “Return to Play Protocol” which includes final clearance by the school medical officer before returning to sports. To view our District Concussion Management Protocol, click here for the document.
Re-certification for an Additional Sports Season: Prior to each sports season, an athlete with a valid sports physical (occurring within 1 year) will need to re-certify using the online sports program. Athletes may not re-certify more than 30 days before a sports season begins.
Students may simultaneously participate on a school team and a community team. However, in the event of a scheduling conflict, the school team commitment must come first.
Practice
To be competitive, interscholastic teams may practice as much as six days per week. Practice may be scheduled on weekends and during school holidays.
Schedules
Sport seasons are established by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and do not necessarily follow the Ramapo Central School District calendar. Fall sports begin in August, winter in November, and spring in February. Some practice locations are not limited to the school campus.
Sports Physicals
Students are required to have a sports physical on file at his/her school before tryouts begin.
Teams
Varsity (V) teams are the highest level of interscholastic competition. Teams are open to all high school grade levels, subject to local school policy.
Junior Varsity (JV) teams are competitive developmental teams. Teams are open to freshmen and sophomores. A junior may be selected o play JV according to the coach’s discretion.
Freshman (Fr.) teams are competitive developmental teams. These teams are only open to freshmen unless a 7th or 8th grade student is selectively classified and requested by the sport’s coach.
Modified (Mod.) teams are developmental teams open to 7th or 8th grade students only.
Transportation
Every effort will be made to provide school transportation to off-site locations, but, on occasions, private transportation may be required.
Tryouts
Interscholastic sports are competitive by nature. Team sizes are limited, so a selection process is necessary. Prospective players will be judged according to clear criteria that will be communicated to them at the start of the tryout process.
As a parent of a student-athlete, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child’s program.
Communication you should expect from your child’s coach:
Explanation of the coach’s philosophy
Clear explanation of his/her expectations of players and the team as a whole
Locations and times of all practices and contests
Requirements, such as fees, special equipment, offseason conditioning
Procedures for managing injuries incurred during participation
Disciplinary actions that may impact student-athlete participation
Communication coaches expect from parents:
Direct communication of concerns
Advance notice of scheduling conflicts
Specific concerns regarding his/her philosophy and/or expectations
Any medical or physical limitations that may impact your child’s participation.
Through athletics, students will experience both challenges and triumphs. As with all endeavors, sometimes student-athletes may be disappointed or frustrated by a coach’s decisions. Coaches make judgments based on what they believe is best for the team and its players. Certain issues should be discussed with your child’s coach; others must be left to his/her discretion.
Appropriate concerns for discussion with coaches:
The mental and physical treatment of your child
Ways to help your child improve
Issues not appropriate to discuss with coaches:
Playing time
Team strategy
Other student-athletes
If you have a concern to discuss with a coach, call the coach to discuss or to set up an appointment. If the coach cannot be reached, contact the Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics to request that he set up the meeting for you.
Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature do not generally promote resolution.
If the meeting with your child’s coach does not provide a satisfactory resolution, contact the Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics to schedule an appointment to discuss the issue and determine appropriate next steps.