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Portsmouth School Board Approved: April 13, 2021
Portsmouth School Board Approved: March 12, 2013
JLCJ
Concussions and Head Injuries
The Portsmouth School Department is committed to ensuring the safety of students while at
school and when participating in any school-sponsored events. The Portsmouth School Board is
aware that head injuries, including concussions, can happen to any student, not just an athlete,
and that the risk of catastrophic injuries or death is significant when a concussion or other head
injury is not properly evaluated and managed.
Section A of this policy applies to all students of the District who experience or are suspected to
have experienced a concussion or other traumatic brain injury, whether in school or out, while
Section B pertains to student-athletes, and other students participating in school sports or other
district athletic activities.
A. Provisions relating to all Students Who have Experienced a Concussion or
Traumatic Brain Injury.
1. Definitions: For purposes of this policy, the terms below will have the ascribed
meanings.
"Head injury" means injuries to the scalp, skull, or brain caused by trauma, and shall
include a concussion which is the most common type of sports-related brain injury.
“Health care provider” means a person who is licensed, certified, or otherwise
statutorily authorized by the state to provide medical treatment (physician, advanced
registered nurse practitioner, licensed physician's assistant, or dentist).
“Student-athlete" means a student involved in any intramural sports program conducted
outside the regular teaching day or competitive student sports program between schools
in grades 4 through 12.
“Sports" means intramural sports programs conducted outside the regular teaching day
for students in grades 4 through 12 or competitive athletic programs between schools
for students in grades 4 through 12, including, without limitation, all NHIAA
sanctioned activities, including cheer/dance squads, or any other district-sponsored
sports or activities as determined by the Board or Administration.
2. Duty to Report. All District employees shall report any accident or incident which
involves a student head injury, including suspected concussion. The report should be
filed in the same manner provided under Board policy EBBB as for that of any accident
requiring first aid. Additionally, teachers should report to the school nurse (or
administrator in charge if the nurse is unavailable) if the student appears to have any
difficulty with academic tasks that the teacher believes may be related to
concussion. The school nurse will notify the student’s parents or guardians and treating
health care provider.
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Portsmouth School Board Approved: April 13, 2021
Portsmouth School Board Approved: March 12, 2013
3. Return to Learning Protocols. After a student has suffered a head injury or concussion,
whether in school or not, before full resumption of academic work, the Building Principal
or their designee will work with the school nurse, a student’s parent/guardian, medical
provider, teacher(s), and other appropriate District staff to establish a graduated learning
reentry plan. The plan will support the student’s full return to academic activities and
ease the stress of making up past work while engaged in present work. The plan must
include:
• Step-by-step instructions and details for students, parents/guardians and school
personnel;
• Time frames for physical and cognitive rest within the first few days post-injury
and throughout the recovery as needed;
• Guidance on a graduated return to extracurricular athletic activities and classroom
studies, including classroom accommodations or modifications;
• Frequency of assessments by the school nurse, school physician if applicable,
neuropsychologist, or athletic trainer until full return to the classroom,
extracurricular and/or athletic activities are authorized;
• Any provisions relative to “return-to-play” for student-athletes;
• A plan for communication and coordination among school personnel and with the
parents/caregivers and the student’s medical provider.
Section 504 or other such accommodations or modifications when appropriate will be
developed in accordance with applicable law and Board policies.
4. Concussion Awareness and Education. To the extent possible, the District will
implement concussion awareness and education into physical education and/or health
education curriculum.
B. Provisions relating to Students Participating in Sports and Athletic Programs.
Consistent with the National Federation of High School (NFHS) and the New Hampshire
Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA), the District will utilize recommended
guidelines, procedures and other pertinent information to inform and educate coaches, youth
athletes, and parents/guardians of the nature and risk of concussions or head injuries,
including the dangers associated with continuing to play after a concussion or head injury.
1. Compliance with NHIAA Procedures and Protocols. All coaches, officials, or licensed
athletic trainers will comply with NHIAA recommended procedures for the management
of head injuries and concussions.
2. Immediate Removal from Play and other NHIAA Protocols. Any coach, official,
licensed athletic trainer, or health care provider who suspects that a student-athlete has
sustained a concussion or head injury in a practice (including tryouts or trainings) or
during a competition shall immediately remove the student-athlete from all physical
activity.
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Portsmouth School Board Approved: April 13, 2021
Portsmouth School Board Approved: March 12, 2013
“Return to Play”. A student-athlete who has been removed from play shall not return to
play on the same day, nor until (a) a Return to Learning Plan has been established
consistent with paragraph A.3 of this policy, (b) they are evaluated by a health care
provider and receives medical clearance and written authorization from that health care
provider stating the student-athlete is symptom free and may return to play and (c) the
student-athlete’s parent/guardian provides written permission for the student-athlete to
return to play. The District shall limit a student-athletes participation as determined by
the student's treating health care provider, unless, based upon the judgement of the coach
or licensed athletic trainer greater limitations are appropriate.
If symptoms of a concussion recur, or if concussion signs and/or behaviors are observed
at any time during the return-to-activity program, the coach must immediately remove the
student-athlete from play. Depending on previous instructions, the athlete may need to
be re-evaluated by the health-care provider or may have to return to the previous step of
the return-to-activity program.
3. Parent Information Sheet. On a yearly basis, the Athletic Director shall assure that a
concussion and head injury information sheet is distributed to each student-athlete and
the athlete's parent/guardian prior to the student-athletes initial practice (including try- out) or competition. This information sheet may be incorporated into the parent
permission sheet that allows students to participate in extracurricular athletics.
• Coach Training. All coaches, including volunteer coaches, will complete training
under the direction of the Athletic Director in head injury and concussion
management as recommended and/or provided by NHIAA, New Hampshire
Department of Education and/or other pertinent organizations.
• Annual Review of NHIAA Concussion Protocols by Athletic Director. No less than
annually, the Athletic Director or their designee shall review any changes that have
been made in procedures required for concussion and head injury management or
other serious injury by consulting with the NHIAA [and the District's on-call
physician]. The Athletic Director shall take steps to implement the then current
procedures and protocols as soon as possible.
Legal References:
RSA 200:49, Head Injury Policies for Student Sports
RSA 200:50, Removal of Student-Athlete
RSA 205:51, School Districts; Limitation of Liability
RSA 200:52, Definitions
RSA 200:63, Head Injuries; Return to Learning and Plan