A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Recovery from a concussion and its symptoms will vary, and avoiding re-injury and over-exertion until fully recovered are the cornerstones of proper concussion management.
Concussions can impact a student’s academic performance as well as their athletic pursuits. As such, the District supports the proper evaluation and management of concussion injuries.
Identification of Concussion and Removal from Athletic Activities
The District requires the immediate removal from all athletic activities of any student who has sustained, or is believed to have sustained, a MTBI or concussion. Any student demonstrating signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion while participating in a class, extracurricular activity, or interscholastic athletic activity will be removed from the class, game, or activity and must be evaluated as soon as possible by an appropriate health care professional. This removal must occur based on display of symptoms regardless of whether the injury occurred inside or outside of school. If there is any doubt as to whether the student has sustained a concussion, it will be presumed that the student has been injured until proven otherwise. The District will notify the student’s parents and recommend appropriate evaluation and monitoring.
The District may, in collaboration with their Medical Director, allow District staff who are appropriately licensed or certified healthcare professionals and credentialed to use validated neurocognitive computerized testing to review and obtain baseline and post-concussion performance data. These tools are not a replacement for a medical evaluation to diagnose a concussion or clear a student to return to activities. The District must seek authorization from the parent prior to the testing. Additionally, parents should be given a copy of the results.
Return to School Activities and Athletics
A student will not return to physical activity (including athletics, physical education class, and recess) until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours, and have been evaluated and received written and signed authorization from a licensed physician. This written authorization should be sent to the school for review by the District’s Medical Director. Additionally, the District’s Medical Director has the final authority to clear students to participate in or return to extra class athletic activities. All authorizations will be kept on file in the student’s permanent health record. The standards for return to athletic activity will also apply to injuries that occur outside of school. Staff should be aware that students may exhibit concussion symptoms caused by injuries from outside activities and that these visible symptoms also indicate a removal from play.
View Board Policy #7516 – Concussion Management
View NYSED Concussion Guidelines
CDC Releases Heat-related Illness Tips
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages coaches, athletes, and those exercising outside in hot weather to know the warning signs for heat-related illness and take action when needed.
Ways to act against heat-related illness:
- Stop all activity and get to a cool environment if you feel faint or weak.
- Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when the sun is hottest.
- Schedule workouts and practices earlier or later in the day when the temperature is cooler.
- Pace activity. Start activities slow and pick up the pace gradually.
- Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more.
- Have a workout partner. Monitor each other’s condition.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Seek medical care immediately if you or a teammate has symptoms of heat-related illness.
- Coaches can learn more about how to protect the athletes in their care by taking CDC’s accredited Web-based course on how to recognize, treat, and prevent heat-related illness. School nurses and athletic trainers may also find the course useful for sharing information with others who work with athletes.
For more information on extreme heat and heat safety, call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or visit the Centers for Disease Control website.