JJIF - STUDENT CONCUSSIONS AND OTHER HEAD INJURIES

 JJIF - STUDENT CONCUSSIONS AND OTHER HEAD INJURIES

The Board recognizes that concussions and other head injuries are serious and can potentially result in significant brain damage and/or death if not recognized and treated properly.  This policy is intended to promote awareness of this issue as well as the safety of students participating in school-sponsored athletic activities which may pose a risk of concussion or other head injuries.   This policy also applies to other school-sponsored activities that the Superintendent determines, in consultation with school staff, pose a risk of concussion or other head injury (hereafter referred to as “any other covered activities”).

The Superintendent shall ensure that all training, protocols, and forms implemented in the school unit are consistent with materials promulgated by the Maine Department of Education.

1. Staff Training  

All Athletic Directors, coaches, physical education teachers, other school personnel involved in school-sponsored athletics (and any other covered activities), and school nurses shall receive training on an annual basis in the identification and management of concussions and other head injuries which is consistent with protocols identified or developed by MDOE, or whenever MDOE protocols are updated.

The Concussion Management Team (see Section E) may identify other school personnel who shall also receive the annual training.
 

2. Student and Parent/Guardian Acknowledgment

Students who intend to participate in school-sponsored athletics (and any other covered activities), and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are required to sign the School Department’s Acknowledgment Form each year.  Students may not participate in athletics (and any other covered activities) until the Acknowledgment Form is returned to the school. 
 

3. Removal of Students from Athletic or Other Covered Activities, Evaluations and Medical Clearance

Any student suspected of having sustained a concussion or other head injury in any school-sponsored athletic activity (and any other covered activities) must be immediately removed from the activity, practice, or game, and not permitted to return that day.  A student suspected of having sustained a concussion or other head injury must be referred for a medical evaluation and must provide written clearance from a licensed health care provider trained in concussion management prior to their being allowed to resume participation in the athletic activity (and any other covered activities).  Such return to participation may be gradual, and in all cases should be based on current accepted standards of care and the health care provider’s recommendations.
 

4. Academic and Disability Considerations 

Teachers and other school staff should be alert to possible cognitive and academic issues that a student who has suffered a concussion or other head injury may experience.  School staff shall consider graduated re-entry and/or other adjustments to the academic day or expectations, consistent with medical recommendation from the student’s health care provider and as described in the Concussion Report that is developed by the nurse or athletic trainer for all students who experience a concussion.  

If a parent/guardian or school staff member suspects that a student’s concussion or other head injury may substantially limit a major life activity, the student shall be referred to the school unit’s 504 system for consideration as a person with a disability who may require a 504 Plan.  If the student is identified as having a disability as a result of a concussion or head injury, the student’s 504 Team shall address issues regarding participating and accommodations in school programs and activities as a result of that disability.  If a parent/guardian or school staff member believes that the student may need special education as a result of a concussion or other head injury, then the student shall be referred to special education.
 

5. Concussion Management Team

The Superintendent will appoint a Concussion Management Team (CMT) to be responsible, under the supervision of the Superintendent, for making recommendations related to the implementation of this policy.  The CMT will include the Athletic Director and may include one or more administrators, the school physician, the school nurse and athletic trainer, and other school staff for consultants as the Superintendent deems appropriate.

The CMT shall oversee and implement this policy and related protocols for concussions and other head injuries based on the generally accepted standards of care developed by the Maine Department of Education. The CMT will make recommendations to the Superintendent regarding school staff who shall be trained in concussion signs and symptoms and the list of school activities covered by this policy. The CMT shall also be responsible for tracking the number of concussions incurred by students during any covered school activities, the activity associated with each such injury, the number of school days missed, and any other data as directed by the Superintendent.

The policy and/or related protocols should be reviewed when a change in generally accepted protocols is  shared by the Department of Education. 
 

Legal References: Public Law Chapter 688 (2012)

20-A M.R.S.A. §§ 254(17); 1001(19)
 

Adopted: 03/04/13

Amended: 09/19/16

Amended: 05/20/24