Oh No! I did not get my athletic clearance…what do I do?

Coach is already getting email from parents and kids that have missed the clearance day…here is what you do.

1.  You have to complete the concussion protocol test AT HOME…there is no longer an opportunity to do this on campus.  Do this first!
2. You and your parents must complete all the on-line registrations forms.
3. You must have had your annual physical, and your doctor and parents must sign physical forms Part 1 and Part 2.
4. Instructions for steps 1-3 are on-line at this link.
5. Once you have completed 1-3, you can take your physical forms to Javier Margarito, the trainer.  Javier will be available in the main office on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10-2 pm.  Come to the main office and ask for Javier.
6. Parents should also go to the Monta Vista Athletic Boosters and join in support of cross country at the MVAB site.

Please remember you may not join practice and you are not on the cross-country team until you have been cleared!  Do not bring your physical forms to practice, Coach Flatow and Coach Johnson are not able to clear you…go see Javier on Monday!

A few other FAQs and answers:

Q:  I forgot to ask my parents to make an appointment for my doctor, and now we can’t get an appointment with my doctor until September.  What should I do?

A:  There are walk-in clinics and urgent care clinics that do not require appointments.  I can’t recommend any particular clinic, but there are many kids that have done this in the past.  This might cost money that could have been saved if you went to your usual doctor, but if you want to join the team, a walk in clinic is probably the best option.  The last day to join MVXC17 for seniors, juniors and sophomores is August 18, and for freshmen the last date will be August 28; so you need to get your physical done before then.

Q:  I’m having trouble completing the concussion screen on-line, what should I do?

A:  This should be straightforward, but if there are issues, you will have to talk to Javier Margarito.  His email address is javier_margarito@fuhsd.org contact him with any questions you might have.

Q:  If I can’t find Javier, can I give the physical form to the coach?

A:  No, only the Monta Vista Athletic Trainer, Javier Margarito, can clear you.  Find Javier in the school’s main office on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10-2 pm.

Q:  Am I going to have enough time to train for cross-country and study, too?

A:  In the last four years, we have had 4-year XC/Track athletes go on to college at MIT, CalTech, Stanford, UC Berkeley and other UCs, Johns Hopkins, Carnegie-Mellon…so yes, you can be a good student and an athlete, too!  Even if are not going to run on your college team, being a dedicated athlete is viewed favorably by college admissions offices.

Q:  This seems like a lot of work, and I’m not sure I am good enough to join the team.  Should I do this?

A:  Oh, yea!  Cross country is great.  We accept athletes of all abilities, so long as you are willing to work hard!  Also, for incoming freshmen, cross-country is a great place to meet older MV students who can look out for you and help you get settled in high school life.

Q:  I don’t think I’m good enough, and I don’t think I’m a runner.  Can I really be part of the cross country team?

A:  You will be amazed at how much you improve over the course of the season.  Runs that seem incredibly hard in August will be your easy day runs by the end of October.  You don’t believe this now, but work hard and you will see.

Q:  So, is the cross-country team really awesome?

A:  Cross-country is the bomb!

Q:  When is the first practice?

A:  Monday at 3pm!  Full start up schedule is here.

Q:  Have I been cleared already?

A:  Below is the list of everyone who has been cleared as of 5pm on Friday, August 4.  If you have not on this list, please email Javier (email above) or go see him (office hours above).