Hingham schools line up concussion policy with state mandate
The Policy Committee of the School Committee recently reviewed and suggested changes to a new state-mandated “Concussion Policy” for Hingham Public Schools and recommended the policy and protocols for prevention and management of sports-related head injuries to the full School Committee.
Athletic Director Margaret Conaty and Athletic Trainer Al Blaisdell participated in the process. The School Committee is expected to vote on the policy at its Feb. 6 meeting and is encouraged to provide input in the meantime.
The policy, which follows Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations, requires a pre-season physical prior to participation in sports practices and games.
Any student participating in interscholastic athletics must also present a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian and pay all applicable fees before participating in school sports.
Hingham Public Schools instituted the ImPact program in 2005, under which all student-athletes receive a baseline concussion screening exam twice during their high school career. Post-concussion tests are administered on an “as needed” basis.
A fall pre-season parent/student/coach concussion clinic is offered each year at the Fall Pre-Season Parent/Student/Coaches Workshop conduced by the Hingham High athletic trainer, who also conducts an annual coach’s workshop.
Prevention and recognition of sports-related head injury training is conducted on an annual basis using a variety of teaching tools for all coaches, paid and volunteer; all student-athletes and their parents; the athletic director and athletic trainer; and school nurses.
Any student who sustains a head injury or suspected concussion during a practice or game, or exhibits signs and symptoms of a concussion or loses consciousness to any degree, is removed from the practice or competition immediately and is not allowed to participate further that day.
It is a coach’s responsibility to communicate the nature of the injury directly to the player’s parents. There are specific rules governing a student’s return to play.
“This is another one of many state mandates coming down the pike,” commented Supt. of Schools Dorothy Galo. “We’ve been doing concussion testing and training for a number of years.”