See the full Board Policy (7522 , page 352) here.

SUBJECT: CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT

Return to School Activities and Athletics

The student will not return to physical activity (including athletics, physical education class, and recess) until he or she has been symptom-free for not less than 24 hours and has passed the return to play protocol and has been evaluated and received written authorization from a licensed physician.

*For purposes of the head injury RTP protocol, an appropriate physician evaluation is completed by a practicing MD or DO within the following specialties: family medicine, pediatrics, sports medicine, neurology, or neurosurgery, with preference given to the individual’s primary care physician. Family members and friends of the family who are medical providers may not serve as an appropriate physician. The physician completing the physician’s evaluation form should document name, degree, specialty, practice name (if applicable), address, and phone number.

In accordance with Commissioner’s regulations, the District’s Medical Director will give final clearance on a return to activity for extra-class athletics. 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. 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.

The District will follow any directives issued by the student’s treating physician with regard to limitations and restrictions on school and athletic activities for the student. The District’s Medical Director may also formulate a standard protocol for the treatment of students with concussions during the school day.

In accordance with SED guidelines, this Policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary in accordance with SED guidelines. The Superintendent, in consultation with the District’s Medical Director and other appropriate staff, may develop regulations and protocols for strategies to prevent concussions, the identification of concussions, and procedures for removal from and return to activities or academics.

RTPP:

1. The graduated progression (following the guidelines of the Zurich Progressive Exertion Protocol):

Phase 1: low impact, non-strenuous, light aerobic activity such as walking or riding a stationary bike.  If tolerated without a return of symptoms over a 24 hour period, proceed to:
Phase 2: higher impact, higher exertion, and moderate aerobic activity such as running or jumping rope.  No resistance training.  If tolerated without return of symptoms over a 24 hour period proceed to:
Phase 3: sport specific non-contact activity.  Low resistance weight training with a spotter.  If tolerated without a return of symptoms over 24 hours proceed to:
Phase 4:  sport specific activity, non-contact drills.  Higher resistance weight training with a spotter.  If tolerated without a return of symptoms over a 24 hour period, proceed to:
Phase 5:  full contact training drills and intense aerobic activity.  If tolerated without return of symptoms over a 24 hour period proceed to:
Phase 6:  Return to full activities without restriction.