Concussion Protocol

Parents should be aware of a new state law that helps them, their children and school personnel to recognize, prevent and treat concussions and head injuries.

A concussion is defined as a type of traumatic brain injury, caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that can change the way the brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in New York State in 2009, approximately 50,500 children under the age of 19 visited the emergency room for a traumatic brain injury, and, of those, approximately 3,000 were hospitalized.

Most people who suffer a concussion do recover quickly, however, in more severe cases, a concussion can be fatal. Unlike a broken bone or a laceration, outward signs of a concussion can’t be seen. By learning to identify the signs and symptoms of head trauma coaches, teachers and parents can help keep children safe.

Law Requirements

The state’s “Concussion Management and Awareness Act,” which went into effect in July 2012, requires:

• The immediate removal from athletic activities, including physical education classes, interscholastic sports and other extracurricular activities, of any student that has or is believed to have sustained a mild traumatic brain injury.
• No students will be allowed to resume athletic activity until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours, and have been evaluated by and received written and signed authorization from a licensed physician. For interscholastic athletics, clearance must come from the school’s medical director.
• Education and training for coaches, teachers and other school personnel on the symptoms and treatment of mild traumatic brain injuries on a biennial basis.

School-specific protocols for concussion and return to play

The Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District recognizes that concussions and head injuries are commonly reported injuries in children and adolescents who participate in sports and recreational activity and can have serious consequences if not managed carefully. Therefore, the District adopts the following policy to support the proper evaluation and management of head injuries.

Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. Concussion occurs when normal brain functioning is disrupted by a blow or jolt to the head. Signs and symptoms of a concussion include, but are not limited to: amnesia, confusion, dizziness, headache, loss of consciousness, nausea, poor attention, poor coordination, slurred speech, visual disturbance, and vomiting. Recovery from concussion will vary. Avoiding re-injury and over-exertion until fully recovered are the cornerstones of proper concussion management.

While District staff will exercise reasonable care to protect students, head injuries may still occur. Physical education teachers, coaches, nurses and other appropriate staff will receive training to recognize the signs, symptoms and behaviors consistent with a concussion. Any student exhibiting those signs, symptoms or behaviors while participating in a school sponsored class, extracurricular activity, or interscholastic athletic activity shall be removed from the game or activity and be evaluated as soon as possible by an appropriate health care professional. In the event there is any doubt as to whether a pupil has sustained a concussion, it shall be presumed that he or she has been so injured until proven otherwise. The school nurse will notify the student’s parents or guardians and recommend appropriate monitoring to parents or guardians. If the school nurse is not available at the time signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion are exhibited, the coach, athletic trainer, or staff member in charge of supervising the student will notify the student’s parents or guardians and recommend appropriate monitoring to them.

If a student sustains a concussion at a time other than when engaged in a school-sponsored activity, the District expects the parent/legal guardian to report the condition to the school certified athletic trainer or school nurse so that the District can support the appropriate management of the condition.

The student shall not return to school or activity until he or she has received written, signed authorization from a licensed physician to do so. Any student who continues to have signs or symptoms upon return to activity must be removed from play and be reevaluated by their family health care provider. The District’s chief school physician will make the final decision on return to activity, including physical education class, recess, and after-school sports. Any and all authorizations to return to activity will be maintained by the District in the student’s permanent medical file.

The Board further recognizes the importance of ensuring that a student who has suffered a concussion be provided time for cognitive rest as necessary. As a result, a student who has sustained a concussion will be provided with appropriate safeguards and educational accommodations during the healing phase of their recovery. Because of the short-term nature of concussion, a student may require significant short-term program modifications without the benefit of an IEP or 504 Plan already in place. The District will ensure that any orders for cognitive rest during school hours or graduated return to classroom activity specified by such student’s physician are followed.

The Superintendent, in conjunction with the Director of Physical Education and Athletics and the chief school physician, will develop regulations and protocols to guide the return to activity.