JJIF Head Injury/Concussions in Extracurricular Athletics Activities Policy

HEAD INJURY AND CONCUSSIONS IN EXTRACURRICULAR ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES POLICY

It is the policy of the Wayland Public Schools to provide information and standardized procedures for persons involved in the prevention, training, management, and return to activity decisions regarding students who incur head injuries while involved in extracurricular athletic activities¹ including, but not limited to, interscholastic sports, in order to protect their health and safety as required by Massachusetts law and regulations². The requirements of the law apply to all public middle and high schools, however configured, serving grades six through high school graduation. In addition to any training required by law, the following persons shall complete one of the head injury safety training programs approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) as found on its website: coaches; certified athletic trainers; trainers; volunteers; school and team physicians; school nurses; athletic directors; directors responsible for a school marching band; guidance counselors; employees or volunteers; and students who participate in an extracurricular activity and their parents.

Upon the adoption of this policy by the Wayland School Committee, the Superintendent shall ensure that DPH receives an affirmation on school district letterhead that the district has developed a policy and the School Committee has adopted a final policy in accordance with law. This affirmation shall be updated as per the 105 CMR 201.000 Regulation.

The Superintendent shall maintain or cause to be maintained complete and accurate records of the district’s compliance with the requirements of the Concussion Law, and shall maintain the following records for three years or, at a minimum, until the student graduates, unless state or federal law requires a longer retention period:

1. Verifications of completion of annual training and receipt of materials;

2. Pre-Participation Forms and receipt of materials;

3. Report of Head Injury Forms, or school based equivalents;

4. Medical Clearance and Authorization Forms, or school based equivalents;

5. Graduated re-entry plans for return to full academic and extracurricular athletic activities.

The Wayland Public Schools’ Head Injury and Concussions in Extracurricular Athletic Activities Protocol provides the process to promote the ongoing health and wellness of students with suspected or diagnosed head injuries and their safe return to academic and extracurricular athletic activities. This protocol shall be reviewed yearly by the Wayland Public Schools’ Middle and High School athletic department and/or principal, guidance department, and nurses. The Wayland Public Schools’ Head Injury and Concussions in Extracurricular Athletic Activities Policy shall be included in the student and faculty handbooks.

Notes:

1) Extracurricular Athletic Activity means an organized school sponsored athletic activity generally occurring outside of school instructional hours under the direction of a coach, athletic director or marching band leader including, but not limited to, Alpine and Nordic skiing and snowboarding, baseball, basketball, cheer leading, cross country, track and field, fencing, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, horseback riding, ice hockey, lacrosse, marching band, rifle, rugby, soccer, skating, softball, squash, swimming and diving, tennis, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling.

All interscholastic athletics are deemed to be extracurricular athletic activities.

2) This policy was adopted in response to Chapter 166 of the Acts of 2010. However, the School Committee recognizes that in certain situations, a concussion can be considered a disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and will be addressed in accordance with the District’s policy and procedures under Section 504.

Legal Reference(s): M.G.L c. 111 sec.222; 105 CMR 201.00

Approved by School Committee: September 18, 2017