Concussion Management

The governing body of each school district and open-enrollment charter school with students enrolled who participate in an interscholastic athletic activity shall appoint or approve a concussion oversight team. The NYOS School Board will approve the members of the concussion oversight team.

1. Physician

1. is the result of a physical, traumatic force to the head; and

2. that force is sufficient to produce altered brain function which may last for a variable duration of time.

“Concussion” means a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain caused by a traumatic physical force or impact to the head or body, which may:

A. include temporary or prolonged altered brain function resulting in physical, cognitive, or emotional altered sleep patterns; and

B. involve loss of consciousness.

1. If at any time during contest or event a student displays signs and symptoms of concussion the student will be held out of play immediately.

2. The individual who removes the student from the contest shall notify the coach immediately. Once the coach is notified, the parent/guardian of the student shall be notified.

3. Parents will be instructed to very carefully monitor the student during the first 24 hours after the initial signs of the concussion. Parents will be provided specific information explaining the signs and symptoms of a worsening condition and encourage parents to take the student to an Emergency Room should any of the signs or symptoms appear during the 24 hour period.

4. Any student who sustains a concussion will be prohibited from athletic participation for at least five days and as many as seven days as determined by the Athletic Director and Assistant Director of Operations.

5. Following the participation prohibition period, the parents should have the student evaluated by their physician of choice. The physician must complete a concussion evaluation instrument which includes the protocol for the students return to participation.

6. The student shall not return to participation until the Athletic Director and Assistant Director of Operations confirms that

• the student has been evaluated by a treating physician selected by the student’s parent;
• the student has completed the Return to Play protocol established by the Concussion Oversight Team;
• the Athletic Director and Assistant Director of Operations has received a written statement from the treating physician indicating, that in the physician’s professional judgment, it is safe for the student to return to play; and
• the Athletic Director and Assistant Director of Operations has received the required Return to Play form completed and signed by the student’s parent.

• headache
• nausea
• balance problems or dizziness
• double or fuzzy vision
• sensitivity to light or noise
• feeling sluggish
• feeling foggy or groggy
• concentration or memory problems
• confusion

• appears dazed or stunned
• is confused about what to do
• forgets plays
• is unsure of game, score or opponent
• moves clumsily
• answers questions slowly
• loses consciousness
• shows behavior or personality changes
• can’t recall events prior to hit
• can’t recall events after hit

1. a coach;

2. a physician;

3. a licensed health care professional; or

4. the student’s parent or guardian or another person with legal authority to make medical decisions for the student

1. The student-athlete shall be immediately removed from game/practice.

2. The student-athlete shall be evaluated by an appropriate health care professional as soon as practicable.

3. The student-athlete’s parent or guardian shall be informed about the possible concussion and given information on concussions.

4. If it is determined that a concussion has occurred, the student-athlete shall not be allowed to return to participation that day regardless of how quickly the signs or symptoms of the concussion resolve and shall be kept from activity until a physician indicates they are symptom free and gives clearance to return to activity. A coach of an interscholastic athletics team shall not authorize a student’s return to play.

1. the student has been evaluated; using established medical protocols based on peer-reviewed scientific evidence, by a treating physician chosen by the student or the student’s parent or guardian or another person with legal authority to make medical decisions for the student;

2. the student has successfully completed each requirement of the return-to-play protocol established under TEC Section 38.153 necessary for the student to return to play;

3. the treating physician has provided a written statement indicating that, in the physician’s professional judgment, it is safe for the student to return to play; and

4. the student and the student’s parent or guardian or another person with legal authority to make medical decisions for the student:

A. have acknowledged that the student has completed the requirements of the return-to-play protocol necessary for the student to return to play;

B. have provided the treating physician’s written statement to the person responsible for compliance with the return-to-play protocol and the person who has supervisory responsibilities; and

C. have signed a consent form indicating that the person signing:

i. has been informed concerning and consents to the student participating in returning to play in accordance with the return-to-play protocol;

ii. understands the risks associated with the student returning to play and will comply with any ongoing requirements in the return-to-play protocol;

iii. consents to the disclosure to appropriate persons, consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-191), of the treating physician’s written statement and, if any, the return-to-play recommendations of the treating physician; and

iv. understands the immunity provisions under TEC Section 38.159.

• Student-athlete shall be symptom free for 24 hours prior to initiating the return to play progression.
• Progress continues at 24-hour intervals as long as student-athlete is symptom free at each level.
• If the student-athlete experiences any post concussion symptoms during the return to activity progression, activity is discontinued and the student-athlete must be re-evaluated by a licensed health care professional.
• Phase 1:
• No exertional physical activity until student-athlete is symptom free for 24 hours and receives written clearance from a physician and submission of the required documentation following the concussion injury.
• Phase 2:
• Step 1. When the athlete completes Phase 1, begin light aerobic exercise – 5 – 10 minutes on an exercise bike, or light jog; no weight lifting, resistance training, or any other exercise.
• Step 2. Moderate aerobic exercise - 15 to 20 minutes of running at moderate intensity in the gym or on the field without a helmet or other equipment.
• Step 3. Non-contact training drills in full uniform. May begin weight lifting, resistance training, and other exercises.
• Step 4. Full contact practice or training.
• Step 5. Full game play.

• Notify school receptionist and all classroom teachers regarding the student-athlete’s condition.
• Advise teachers of post concussion symptoms.
• Advise teachers and administrators that the student may need (only until asymptomatic) special accommodations regarding academic requirements (such as limited computer work, reading activities, testing, assistance to class, etc.) until concussion symptoms resolve.
• Advise teachers and administrators that the student may only be able to attend school for half days or may need daily rest periods until symptoms subside. In special circumstances the student may require homebound status for a brief period.