Concussion Management at Chautauqua Lake Central School

The Board of Education recognizes that concussions and head injuries are the most commonly reported injuries in children and adolescents who participate in sports and recreational activities. The physical and mental well-being of our students is a primary concern. Therefore, the Chautauqua Lake Central School District has adopted a policy to support the proper evaluation and management of concussion injuries.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). A concussion occurs when normal brain functioning is disrupted by a blow or jolt to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Recovery from concussion and its symptoms will vary. Avoiding re-injury and over-exertion until fully recovered are the cornerstones of proper concussion management. Concussions can impact a student's everyday life, as well as academics and athletic pursuits.

For any student participating in interscholastic sports, information on concussions is included with the permission or consent form required from a parent/guardian.

In addition, links to information on concussions and concussion management are on the district website, www.clake.org. Select Health & Safety under the Departments heading, and locate the Concussions link near the top of the page. The same information is also linked from the Athletics, which is also located under the Departments heading.

Each school coach, physical education teacher, school nurse and certified athletic trainer who works with and/or provides instruction to students in school-sponsored athletic activities (including physical education class and recess) must complete a course of instruction every two years, relating to recognizing the symptoms of concussion or MTBIs and monitoring and seeking proper medical treatment for students who suffer from a concussion or MTBI. Included in their training are guidelines for the return to school and school activities for a student who has suffered an MTBI, even if the injury occurred outside of school.

The District requires the immediate removal from all athletic activities/PE of any student who has sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) or concussion. Any student demonstrating signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion while participating in class, extracurricular activity, or interscholastic athletic activity shall be removed from the class, game or activity and must be evaluated as soon as possible by an appropriate health care professional. Such removal is based on display of symptoms, regardless of whether such injury occurred inside or outside of school. If there is any doubt as to whether the student has sustained a concussion, it is presumed that the student has been injured until proven otherwise. The District will notify the student's parents/guardians and recommend appropriate evaluation and monitoring.

Once a student diagnosed with a concussion has been symptom free for at least 24 hours, a private medical provider may choose to clear the student to begin graduated return to play progression. The District Medical Director has the final authority to clear students to participate in or return to extra-curricular athletic activities in accordance with Commissioner's Regulations.

ImPACT Testing

Since CLCS implemented the Concussion Management Plan in May 2012, school nurses have performed 330 baseline ImPACT (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) tests on student athletes.  This testing is used as one step in the Concussion Management Plan to give physicians a tool in assessing a student who sustains a concussion.

ImPACT testing evaluates multiple aspects of brain function, such as memory, processing speed and reaction time.  It is a computer test that takes the student about 20 minutes to complete and is given every two years.

This past school year there were nine reported student concussions.  Using the baseline ImPACT information, along with post ImPACT testing and symptom evaluation, physicians were able to better evaluate the athlete’s post-injury condition and track recovery for a safe return-to-play plan, thus reducing the chances of long-term neurological effects.

The success of the District’s Concussion Management Plan is dependent on prompt reporting of all suspected concussion injuries by students, parents and coaches, allowing immediate initiation of concussion management.

ImPACT testing does not prevent concussions.  Using this tool along with proper equipment, practicing good sportsmanship and following the coach’s rules for safety and the sport are all part of our plan to provide safe play and prevent injury.

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Additional Concussion Resources

NYS Department of Health Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents & Caregivers

Concussions: The Invisible Injury | NYSPHSAA Student-Parent Information Sheet

LEARNet: A resource from the Brain Injury Association of NYS

NYS Education Department Guidelines for Concussion Management