Schools

What's Trenton Public Schools' Policy on Concussions?

Trenton Board of Education members voted in favor of recent changes to the concussions and athletic activities policy Monday.

Students at Trenton High School are gearing up for the start of the 2013-14 school year, which will include participation in several different sports by hundreds of students.

While some sports are considered more dangerous than others, the risk for suffering a concussion is always apparent. But, what is the district's policy on concussions sustained during sports?

On Monday, Trenton Board of Education members voted in favor of making changes to the concussions policy at Trenton Public Schools—to update the policy to better match new Michigan High School Athletic Association guidelines.

IDENTIFYING A CONCUSSION

The concussions and athletic activities policy at Trenton Public Schools defines a concussion as "a type of traumatic brain injury as recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

The definition goes on to include:

A concussion may cause a change in a person’s mental status at the time of the injury, including, but not limited to, feeling dazed, disoriented, or confused, and may or may not involve a loss of consciousness. 

According to the policy, if any student should suffer a concussion while playing any sport, coaches and administrators are required to remove the student from playing in any athletic activity. The child is not allowed to return until he or she is cleared by a medical doctor.

PREVENTION

Students and parents must be provided educational materials on the risks of concussions, as developed by the Department of Community Health (DCH).

All coaches, employees, volunteers, and other adults who are involved with youth sports must have completed a concussion awareness training program.

The MHSAA guidelines meet all the requirements of Michigan law and department of community health guidelines regarding concussion awareness training and protection for youth athletes. 


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