The School District of the Chatham's Concussion Policy Introduction: This document is designed to provide guidance to the School District of the Chathams Board of Education in the development, establishment, and implementation of policies, procedures, and programs for the prevention, treatment, and education of sports–related concussions and head injuries Part I Background: Legislation (P.L 2010, chapter 94) N.J.S.A 18A:40-41.3) enacted on December 7th, 2010 requires the School District of the Chathams, which participates in interscholastic athletics, to adopt a policy concerning the prevention and treatment of sports-related concussions and other head injuries among student-athletes For the purpose of this policy, “interscholastic athletics” shall be Kindergarten through twelfth grade school-sponsored athletic programs where teams or individuals compete against teams or individuals from other schools or school districts The center for disease control estimates that 300,000 concussions are sustained during sports related activity in the United States and 62,000 concussions are sustained each year in high school contact sports A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow or motion to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain and can cause significant and sustained neuropsychological impairments including, but not limited to, problem solving, planning, memory, and behavioral problems In order to ensure the safety of the student-athletes, it is imperative that athletes, coaches, and parents/guardians are educated about the nature and treatment of sports-related concussions and head injuries Allowing a student-athlete to return to play before recovering from a concussion increases the chance of a more serious brain injury that can result in disability and possible death Part II Guidance for local policy development: The School District of the Chathams will adopt an Interscholastic Athletic Head Injury Training program to be completed by the team or school physician, licensed athletic trainer involved in the interscholastic athletic program, all staff members that coach an interscholastic sport, designated school nurses, and other appropriate school district personnel as designated by the Superintendent This training program shall be in accordance with guidance provided by the New Jersey Department of Education and the requirements of the N.J.S.A 18A:40-41.2 The principal or designee shall distribute the New Jersey Department of Education Concussion Head Injury Fact Sheet and Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement Form to every student-athlete who participates in interscholastic sports The principal or designee shall obtain a signed acknowledgement of the receipt of the fact sheet by student-athlete’s parent and keep on file for future reference Prevention of a sports-related concussion and head injuries is an important component of the school district’s program The school district will require pre-season baseline testing for all student-athletes involved in contact or collision sports before the student athlete begins participation in an interscholastic athletic program using the ImPACT Test (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) software tool, which is a computerized exam Any student-athlete who exhibits signs and/or symptoms of a sports related concussion or other head injury during practice or competition shall be immediately removed from play and may not return to play that day Emergency medical assistance shall be contacted if symptoms worsen or progress and/or if there is loss of consciousness, severe neck pain, or loss of motion, or other neurological symptoms associated with the injury, or any other sign or symptom for which the supervising school staff member determines emergency medical attention is needed The principal, athletic trainer or coach shall contact the student-athlete’s parent and inform the parent of the suspected sports related concussion or other head injury If there are signs of a concussion observed by any school staff member (athletic trainer, coach, team physician and/or school nurse/official), or if there are symptoms of a concussion reported by the athlete to the athletic trainer, coach, team physician, or school nurse/official, then the student/athlete will not be permitted to participate in physical education class or athletics until proper medical evaluation and clearance is obtained as described within this policy The suspected concussion or head injury must be promptly reported to the athletic department for follow-up If a parent/guardian observes any such signs or symptoms, the parent is to seek appropriate medical attention and to inform the coach, athletic trainer, and/or school nurse accordingly The Principal or designee shall provide the student/athlete with Board of Education approved suggestions for management/medical checklist to provide to his or her parent and physician A student/athlete involved in interscholastic athletics and who is suspected of having sustained a concussion or other head injury shall be required to have a medical evaluation by a physician trained in the evaluation and management of concussion to determine the presence or absence of a sports-related concussion or head injuries prior to return to participation in practice or competition The student-athlete’s physician must provide the school district with a written medical release/clearance for the student/athlete indicating when the student/athlete is able to return to activity The medical release/clearance must indicate that the student/athlete is asymptomatic at rest and either may return to the interscholastic athletic activity because the injury was not a concussion or other head injury or the student/athlete may begin the district’s graduated return to play/practice/competition protocol as outlined in regulation 2431.4 A medical release not in compliance with this policy will not be accepted The medical release/clearance must be reviewed and approved by the school or team physician The school district shall provide a copy of this Policy and Regulation 2431.4 to all youth sports team organizations that operate on school grounds In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A 18A:40-41.5, the school district shall not be liable for the injury or death of a person due to the action or inactions of persons employed by, or under contract with, a youth sports team organization that operates on school grounds, if the youth sports team organization provides the school district proof of an insurance policy in the amount of not less than $50,000 per person, per occurrence insuring the youth sports team organization against liability for any bodily injury suffered by a person and a statement of compliance with the school district’s Policy and Regulation 2431.4- Prevention and Treatment of Sports-Related Concussions and Head Injuries For the purpose of this policy a “youth sports team organization” means one or more sports teams organized pursuant to a nonprofit or similar chapter or which member teams in a league organized by or affiliated with a county or municipal recreation department This Policy and Regulation shall be reviewed and approved by the school physician and shall be reviewed annually, and updated as necessary, to ensure it reflects the most current information available on the risk, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sports-related concussion and other head injuries N.J.S.A 18A:40-41.1; 18A:40-41.2; 18A:40-41.3; 18A:40-41.4; 18A:40-41.5 Adopted: R 2431.4 - PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SPORTS RELATED CONCUSSIONS AND HEAD INJURIES (M) A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow or motion to the head or body that disrupts the normal function of the brain Allowing a student/athlete to return to play before recovering from a concussion increases the chance of a more serious brain injury that can result in severe disability and/or death The following procedures shall be followed to implement N.J.S.A 18A:40-41.1 et seq and policy 2431.4 A Interscholastic Athletic Head Injury Training Program The NJSIAA recommends and School District of the Chathams require the athletic trainer and every coach involved in high school interscholastic athletics and any other school district personnel as designated by the Superintendent complete an online course concerning concussions produced by the National Federation of High School Association This training program shall be in accordance with the guidance provided by the New Jersey Department of Education and the requirements of N.J.S.A 18A:40-41.1 et seq B Prevention The School District of the Chathams strongly recommend pre-season baseline ImPACT testing (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) for all student/athletes involved in contact or collision sports before the student athlete begins participation in an interscholastic athletic program The baseline testing program shall be reviewed and approved by the school athletic trainer, school or team physician and any other school district personnel trained in the evaluation and management of sports-related concussions and other head injuries a The School District of the Chathams also strongly recommends students involved with interscholastic contact and/or collision sports to re-test on Impact prior to their junior year to receive a second baseline, understanding an improvement from his or her freshman year may occur, thereby providing a more accurate baseline All school staff members, coaches, student/athletes, and parents of student/athletes shall be informed through the distribution of the NJ Department of Education concussion and head injury fact sheet and parent/guardian acknowledgement form and other communications from the principal, athletic director, athletic trainer, and coaches on the importance of early identification and treatment of concussions improve recovery C Signs and symptoms of a concussion or other head injury Possible signs observed of a concussion: (could be observed by athletic trainer, coach, school/team physician, school nurse, or parent/guardian) The student/athlete: 1) Appears dazed, stunned, or disoriented 2) Forgets plays, appears confused, or demonstrates short term memory difficulty 3) 4) 5) 6) Exhibits difficulties with balance or coordination Answers questions slowly or inaccurately Loses consciousness Shows behavior or personality change Possible symptoms reported by athlete with a concussion: (reported by the student/athlete to athletic trainer, coach, school/team physician, school nurse, or parent/guardian) The student/athlete complains or demonstrates: 1) Headache 2) Nausea/Vomiting 3) Balance problems or dizziness 4) Double vision or changes in vision 5) Sensitivity to light or sound/noise 6) Feeling sluggish, foggy, or groggy 7) Difficulty with concentration, short term memory, and/or confusion 8) Sleep disturbance 9) Irritability D Emergency Medical Attention for Concussion or other head injury Any student/athlete who is exhibiting the signs or symptoms of a sports related concussion or other head injury during practice or competition shall immediately be removed from play and activities and may not return to the practice or competition that day The school staff member supervising the student/athlete when the athlete is exhibiting signs or symptoms of a sports-related concussion or other head injury shall immediately contact emergency medical assistance when symptoms worsen, or progress, loss of consciousness, severe neck pain or loss of motion associated with the injury, or any other sign or symptom the supervising school staff member determines emergency medical attention is needed a) In the event the school or team physician is available when the student/athlete is exhibiting signs or symptoms of a sports-related concussion or other head injury, the physician may make the determination to call emergency medical assistance The school staff member supervising the athlete when the student/athlete is exhibiting signs or symptoms of a sports-related concussion or other head injury during a practice or competition shall report the occurrence to the Principal or designee The Principal or designee shall contact the student/athlete’s parent and inform the parent of the suspected concussion or other head injury E Sustained concussion or other head injury A student/athlete who participates in interscholastic athletics and who sustains or is suspected of sustaining a concussion or other head injury shall immediately be removed from practice or competition and shall be required to have a medical examination conducted by their physician or a licensed health care provider who has adequate training and experience in the evaluation and management of the student/athlete with a suspected concussion The student/athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion or other head injury shall be provided a copy of Board of Education Policy and Regulation 2431.4 and a copy of Board of Education approved suggestions for management/medical checklist to provide to their parent and their physician or health care professional The student/athlete’s physician must provide to the school district, upon the completion of a physical examination, a written medical release/clearance when the student/athlete is able to return to the activity The release form must indicate: a) The medical examination determined the injury was not a concussion or other head injury, the student/athlete is asymptomatic at rest, and he or she may return to interscholastic activity; or b) The medical examination determined the injury was a concussion or other head injury, the student/athlete is symptomatic is not permitted to begin an exercise protocol (graduated return to competition) or permitted to return to sport until a medical re-evaluation; or c) The medical examination determined the injury was a concussion or other head injury, the student/athlete is asymptomatic at rest, with school work and daily living activities and can begin the graduated return to competition (exercise protocol) and begin protocol outlined in section (F) under the care of a licensed athletic trainer, (below) A medical release/clearance that is not in compliance with this requirement will not be accepted The student/athlete may not return to the activity or begin the exercise or graduated return to competition until he/she receives a medical evaluation and provides a medical clearance/release that is in compliance with this guideline F Graduated Return to Competition (exercise protocol) and practice protocol Upon the acceptance of written medical clearance, the student/athlete may begin a graduated return to competition and practice protocol supervised by a licensed athlete trainer, or physical therapist trained in the evaluation and management of concussions or other head injuries The following steps shall be followed: Step – Completion of a full day of normal cognitive activities (attendance at school, studying for tests, watching practice, interacting with peers, using technology, computers) without the re-emergence if any signs or symptoms If there is no return of signs or symptoms of a concussion, the student/athlete may advance to step # 2, below, on the next day If a re-emergence of any signs or symptoms of a concussion occur, the student/athlete shall be required to consult with the student/athlete’s physician or licensed health care provider The student/athlete shall not be permitted to begin the graduated return to competition and practice protocol until a medical clearance, as required in E.3 (above), is provided and approved by the school official, team physician, or student/athlete’s physician Step – Light aerobic exercise, which includes the use of a stationary bike at an intensity of about 70% of maximum percentage of heart rate for a continuous duration of 40 minutes The objective at this step is to increase heart rate If there are no symptoms, the student/athlete may advance to step #3, below, on next day If a reemergence of any signs or symptoms of a concussion occur, the student athlete shall return to step # Step – Sports specific exercises This includes running, or skating No head impact activities The objective of this step is to add movement and continue to increase the student/athlete’s heart rate at about 70% of maximum percentage of heart rate for a continuous duration of 40 minutes If there is no return of any signs or symptoms of a concussion, the student/athlete may advance to step #4, below, on the next day If a re-emergence of any signs or symptoms of a concussion occur, the student/athlete shall return to step #2 Step – Non-contact training drills such as passing drills, agility drills, throwing, catching, etc The student may initiate progressive resistance training (anaerobic conditioning, such as push-ups, sit-ups, etc) If there is no return of any signs or symptoms of a concussion, the student/athlete may advance to step #5, below, on the next day If there is a re-emergence of any signs or symptoms of a concussion occur, the student/athlete shall return to step #3 Step – Upon completing step #4 with no return of any signs or symptoms of a concussion, the student/athlete shall be evaluated for medical clearance based upon consultation between the health care personnel and student/athlete’s physician The student/athlete may participate in sports specific skills and training activities, avoiding physical contact but participating in sports specific drills The objective of this step is to restore confidence and assess functional skills by coaching and medical staff If re-emergence of any signs or symptoms of a concussion occur, then the student/athlete’s physician shall determine the student/athlete’s return to competition and practice protocol If there are no signs or symptoms of a concussion, then the student/athlete may advance to step #6 Step - Return to full contact practice, normal exertion, and/or game activity If the student/athlete exhibits a re-emergence of any signs or symptoms once he/she returns to physical activity, he/she will be removed from further activities and return to step #5 and consultation between the healthcare personnel and student/athlete’s physician will take place G Temporary Accommodations for Student/Athletes with Sports-Related Head Injuries Rest is the best “medicine” for healing concussions or other head injuries The concussed brain is affected in many functional aspects as a result of the injury Memory, attention span, concentration, speed of processing significantly impact learning Further, exposing the concussed student/athlete to the stimulating environment may delay the resolution of symptoms needed for recovery Accordingly, consideration of the cognitive effects in returning to the classroom is also important part of the treatment of sports-related concussions and head injuries Mental exertion increases the symptoms from concussions and affects recovery To recover, cognitive rest is just as important as physical rest Reading, studying, computer usage, testing, texting, and watching movies if a student is sensitive to light/sound, can slow a student recovery In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control’s toolkit on managing concussions, the Board of Education may look to address the student’s cognitive needs in the following ways Students who return to school after a concussion may need to: a b c d e f g Take rest breaks as needed Spend few hours at school Be given more time to take tests or complete assignments (all courses should be considered) Receive help with schoolwork; Reduce time spent on the computer, reading, and writing; and/or Be granted early dismissal from class to avoid crowded hallways And/ or any other conditions or guidelines determined by the student/athlete’s physician ... on school grounds, if the youth sports team organization provides the school district proof of an insurance policy in the amount of not less than $50,000 per person, per occurrence insuring the. .. in accordance with the guidance provided by the New Jersey Department of Education and the requirements of N.J.S.A 18A:40-41.1 et seq B Prevention The School District of the Chathams strongly... a statement of compliance with the school district? ??s Policy and Regulation 2431.4- Prevention and Treatment of Sports-Related Concussions and Head Injuries For the purpose of this policy a “youth