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Athletic participation helps our students grow, learn, and enjoy themselves while they use and develop their personal, physical and intellectual skills.
Welcome to the Division of Athletics at The School District of Philadelphia. On our site, you will find the various athletic programs and initiatives that The School District of Philadelphia has to offer. It is our goal to engage as many students as we can in the health and wellness that our athletic programs offer.
All school and team schedules can be located on ArbiterLive. To search for a specific school, type the name of the school in question in the search bar.
The School District of Philadelphia’s Division of Athletics, with its long and storied tradition of success in the Philadelphia Public League, operates with the commitment to educate our student-athletes on the importance of values and teamwork. As a member of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and the Philadelphia Public League (PPL), we look to give our student-athletes the best possible experience during their years in our schools. Athletics are a privilege at all District schools and we emphasize the role of the student before the athlete.
Our coaching staff consists of dedicated men and women who serve as outstanding role models for our student-athletes. These coaches understand that besides competing to win, their role as a coach includes development of character, development as a player, and sportsmanship on all levels. The athletic philosophy at The School District of Philadelphia is no different from our academic philosophy – the playing fields are an extension of the classroom.
The student-athletes at our member schools understand they represent not just themselves and their family, but the entire school community when they put on their uniform. How they conduct themselves on and off the field is important to their overall well-being and attitude towards success.
For schools hoping to add programs or modify existing programs, please contact our Executive Director of Athletics, James Patrick Lynch at 215.400.4190 or jlynch@philasd.org.
The Office of Facilities & Operations organizes and schedules all request for use of our Athletic Facilities for non-school district entities. Information on the Use of Facilities process, applications, forms, and a list of related costs can be obtained by visiting their website.
The Division of Athletics for the School District of Philadelphia is responsible for the distribution and maintenance of all AED units for member public schools within the district. It is imperative that schools have access to AED devices to ensure the safety of students and staff in the event of a cardiac emergency.
The Division of Athletics currently distributes and services Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 AED units:
Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 units are the only units that are currently serviced. If your building has any other brand or model of unit, our department will NOT be able to provide equipment or service to these units. If you wish to have a unit replaced, please contact Gavin Tulone at gtulone@philasd.org or at (215-400-5696).
While each School District of Philadelphia site is different in size and layout, it is recommended that AED units be located within or in close proximity to these locations inside/outside of your building:
Main Office: The main office is the center of communication for each SDP building in the event of an emergency and a safe area to store these devices away from students.
Nurse’s Office: In most medical emergencies, the nurse is the first point of contact and potentially the most readily available.
GYM/Athletic Complex: While cardiac emergencies involving students are rare, they are very possible. The most likely time that a student could suffer a cardiac emergency is during physical activity or an athletic competition.
AED devices should be kept in a secure yet accessible location that is away from students. It is recommended that these units be stored in wall-mounted cabinets that are provided by the Division of Athletics. Wall-mounted cabinets generally come in two forms:
These cabinets are not required for storage of AED units, however the Division of Athletics would like to outfit as many AED units as possible with appropriate methods of storage if requested.
It is the responsibility of each School District of Philadelphia site to maintain all AED units within their respective locations. The following equipment should be checked and recorded in an appropriate manner to ensure that each unit is functioning properly.
AED Electrode Pads:
There are two types of electrode pads: adult and pediatric (pediatric pads are only given to buildings with elementary and middle school students. Buildings with only high school students do not need pediatric pads unless special requirements are given)
Each set of pads has an expiration date which is located on the back of the pad. When this date passes, the pads are no longer useable and need to be replaced. The unit will let you know when pads have expired.
It is important to know that pediatric pads are only to be used in an emergency. Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 units are programmed to recognize adult pads only. While pediatric pads will work in the device, they are NOT to be stored within. The unit will display a Red X in the “Rescue Ready” window and will beep until adult pads are replaced.
Batteries:
While batteries can last anywhere from 3-5 years, the exact date of expiration is highly variable. The date located on the back of an AED battery is the Manufacture Date and NOT the Expiration Date. Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 units will notify you when the battery is about to expire. If you would like to check the health of your battery, simply open the device and look at the battery gauge, located in the bottom left corner of the display box:
When the bottom most light is blinking red, the battery needs to be replaced (blinking red does not mean that the battery has completely expired).
All AED defibrillator pads can be disposed of in the regular garbage. The only piece of equipment that cannot be disposed of in regular ways is the battery. Due to the lithium core, batteries cannot be thrown away in the garbage. The Division of Athletics will collect old batteries during site visits and dispose of them through our office. Additionally, all batteries can be taken to any OfficeMax or OfficeDepot for proper disposal.
It is the Division of Athletics goal to make sure that all of our SDP sites are equipped with the appropriate units for a safe and worry-free environment. We understand that each SDP site is unique and requires different amounts of equipment to best satisfy the needs of the building
Any questions or concerns regarding AED service, distribution, or any of the information provided above can be sent to Gavin Tulone at gtulone@philasd.org and at (215-400-5696).
If you are interested in becoming a partner, please contact athletics@philasd.org
Your school is invited to participate in the 129th running of the Penn Relays, on April 24-26th, 2025. We are encouraging all of our schools to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.
With the permission of your school’s Principal, a staff member from your school will be permitted to sponsor a team(s) and attend the “Relays”. Please feel free to contact us if you need any clarification.
Field Trip Opportunity
In addition to sponsoring teams, The University of Pennsylvania and the Penn Relay Carnival would like to invite your school to attend the “Relays” at a vastly reduced cost. What a great way for your school to both reward and relieve stress for your students for doing their best during the testing cycle! More information about this opportunity can be found at:
Read below for more Information and to Register, or click HERE
Questions can be directed to: jnihillphilasd@comcast.net
Date: April 25-27th, 2024
Teams: For 2024 each school is permitted to enter:
Fourth Grade Team (One)
Fifth Grade Team (One)
Sixth Grade Team (One)
All teams must be COED!!!
4×100 events
Small School Girls’ 4×100
Small Schools Boys’ 4×100
Large School Girls’ 4×100
Large School Boys’ 4×100
Note- Divisions are determined by the number of students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grade. Organizers will determine which division teams are in.
Shuttle run events
Fourth Grade Shuttle Run Elementary Schools
Fifth Grade Shuttle Run Elementary Schools
Sixth Grade Shuttle Run Elementary Schools
Trials to Determine Finalists
Date: Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Time: 1:30 PM
(Rain Date – Thursday, April 11, 2023. at 1:00 PM)
Site – Gratz Supersite
Qualifiers
The eight (8) teams with the best qualifying times will participate in the event finals at the Penn Relays on Friday, April 26, 2024.
To register your team(s) please complete this Registration Form
Elementary School or Middle School Shuttle Run Team
Deadline: Registrations must be received by Monday, April 22nd, at 3:00pm.
Middle Grades 4×100
Deadline: Entries must be received no later than April 5th, 2024.
Schools with grades sixth through eighth grades are eligible to participate in this event. Schools may enter both a girls’ and boys’ team.
Large School Girls and/or Boys Team
Teams entered will be divided into two divisions (Large and Small) based upon enrollment of sixth, seventh and eighth graders. After your application has been received and processed, you will receive a confirmation email
PLEASE NOTE: It is our intention to keep all schools that have completed the registration process updated via email. Coaches will then be able to better prepare the participants for their race.
NOTE: Special officials will be monitoring all starts and baton passes. Seconds will be added to team’s final time for jumping, starts or passes.
300 Yard Shuttle Run Rules and Regulations
General Instructions
A. Pupils should wear sufficient top clothing for adequate protection in case of inclement weather conditions while waiting before and after their races.
B. On arrival, all coaches should pick up their team packets from staff outside of Section EA. This section is located on South Street next to the river.
C. Approximately one hour before the race is scheduled, all Shuttle Teams should assemble in the lower sections of SA and SB
D. The teams will be summoned to the field area. They will enter the field by going down the steps and proceeding to the field through the gate next to the number area. Athletes will be taken to the proper starting points by event officials.
E. Coaches are not permitted on to the field. Only credentialed personnel are permitted. Security personnel will be monitoring for any unauthorized person.
F. As soon as their races has been completed, all participants will be return to the grandstand by the personnel on the field.
G. Coaches should make provisions for securing the valuables of their pupils.
Please be reminded that many times the races run ahead of schedule. Keep alert for your event.
Supervisory Committee Rules
A. Participating students must secure parental permission to compete (Form EH80). Pupils participating in the regular physical education program without medical restriction shall be considered medically cleared for participation.
B. Any pupil may be prohibited from competition at the discretion of the Principal.
C. A pupil shall not represent his school on a day when he has been absent from school, except by permission of the Principal.
D. Pupils must be academically eligible according to School District policy.
E. A student who is entered in the 4×100 relay may not be entered into the shuttle relay for their school.
F. In the 300 yard shuttle relay race participants must be:
12 years or younger for 6th graders
11 years or younger for 5th graders
10 years or younger for 4th graders
All District and Charter School participants are required to fill out the following medical form (the “CIPPE”) before participating in any athletic competitions sponsored by the School District of Philadelphia:
PIAA Comprehensive Initial Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation (CIPPE)
Locations
Click Here for a list of locations and events to receive a sports physical.
Create an NFHS Learn account by going to nfhslearn.com
**Free courses should be completed first before requesting paid ($) courses using the NFHS PAID COURSE REQUEST FORM**
IMPORTANT NOTES
IMPORTANT NOTES
A COACH MUST PASS THE WRITTEN EXAM PRIOR TO THE START OF THEIR SPORT’S SEASON IN ORDER TO RECEIVE RATED PAY
RETRO PAY WILL NOT BE AWARDED FOR PASSING AN EXAM AFTER A SEASON HAS STARTED
WHY THIS DESIGNATION IS IMPORTANT
Coaches in the SDP are encouraged to continue to develop themselves as coaches of their teams. Through the SDP Coaching Program, we offer two levels of “rating” — Qualified (Level III) and Highly-Qualified (Level IV). Once you become a Qualified or High Qualified coach, it provides you with credentials to coach within the SDP. As stated in “The Bridge”, a coach who is Highly-Qualified can bump a non-highly-qualified coach from a position within their school building if they want to coach that sport. Being designated as Highly-Qualified protects your rights as a coach in your school building.
THE PATH TO HIGHLY QUALIFIED
After earning an NFHS Coach Level 2 Certificate and passing the written exam…
IMPORTANT NOTE
The Sport Chair will determine the result of the practical examination, and if passing whether to rate a coach Qualified (Level III) or Highly Qualified (Level IV) based on the results of the exam.
NFHS Paid Course Request Form
Please submit this form if you have completed all FREE required courses for NFHS Coach Level 2 certification.
Written Exam Schedule
Click here to register for the next exam
TITLE IX INFORMATION
DISCLOSURE OF INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES
In compliance with the Pennsylvania General Assembly Act 82 of 2012, The School District of Philadelphia has filed the Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Forms (Disclosure Forms) for the school year. The Disclosure Forms provide a detailed review of athletic programs offered by the District, the number of students participating, the cost of each competitive athletic program, and other relevant information regarding each team that operates as a member of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) for grades 9 through 12. Please note: Many of our schools partner with neighboring schools to form cooperative partnerships (co-ops) for their athletic programs. The data on the Disclosure Forms reflects those students who are participating in a program at a particular school, regardless of where they are enrolled. If you have further questions, please contact the Division of Athletics (athletics@philasd.org).
School District of Philadelphia Interscholastic Athletics Disclosure Forms are available here:
Please visit the PA Department of Education website for more information about the Disclosure of Interscholastic Athletics Opportunities and Act 82.
For more information about the District’s Title IX Policies and Procedures please review Board Policies here and find the District’s Title IX Coordinator information below:
Andrea Prince, MACP
Title IX Coordinator
The School District of Philadelphia
antiharassment@philasd.org
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