Student Sports: Concussions and Head Injuries

File: IGDK-R

Lake Washington School District recognizes that concussions and head injuries are potential injuries in children and adolescents who participate in sports and other recreational activities. The District acknowledges that the risk of catastrophic injuries or death are significant when a concussion or head injury is not properly evaluated and managed.

A concussion is a traumatic injury that alters normal neurological functioning of the brain.

The process of managing head injuries/concussions will be shared by the following groups:

  1. District Athletic Director Duties:
    Each spring, the District Athletic Director shall review any changes in forms or requirements for concussion and head injury management made by the WIAA. Any changes made by the WIAA will be adopted and used for the upcoming school year. Additionally, the District Athletic Director will identify those programs that are classified as competitive sports activities and, therefore, subject to this regulation.
  2. Building Athletic Director Duties:
    Building Athletic Directors, upon receiving notification of a head injury/concussion, will ensure communication with the appropriate school officials (nurse, psychologist, and/or counselor) as a means to establish any assistance the student-athlete will need in the classroom during their recovery.
  3. Parent and Student-Athlete Responsibility:
    On an annual basis, a concussion and head injury information sheet will be signed and returned by the student-athlete and the student-athlete's parent and/or guardian prior to the student-athlete's initiating practice or competition. Parents and students are expected to report signs and symptoms of a concussion to their coach or trainer.
  4. Coach’s Responsibility:
    1. Training: All paid and volunteer coaches will undergo training in head injury and concussion management annually through attendance at a WIAA or similar clock hour presentation which uses WIAA guidelines or by completing WIAA online training.
    2. Eligibility: A student-athlete who has not completed all eligibility requirements identified for that sport shall not be allowed to participate in practice or competition.
    3. Reporting: A student-athlete who is suspected of or has reported sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game will be immediately removed from play. A coach will follow guidelines listed below in “Return-to-Play after Concussion or Head Injury” to have a student further participate in the sport.
  5. Athletic Trainer Responsibility:
    1. Athletic trainers will manage high school student-athletes progression to return to play as outlined in “Return-to-Play after Concussion or Head Injury” below.
    2. Athletic trainers will follow accepted guidelines for concussion management and will have final authority following physician clearance for clearing high school student‑athletes for competition.

Return-to-Play after Concussion or Head Injury:

  1. A high school student-athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until:
    1. The student-athlete has been examined by the athletic trainer and, if the athlete is assessed with presenting symptoms of a concussion, must complete the steps below before returning to competition.
      1. The student-athlete receives written clearance from a physician, licensed and trained in the evaluation and management of concussions, to return to participate.
      2. Once a high school student-athlete has been cleared for participation by a physician, the athletic trainer will monitor the student-athlete through a gradual return-to-play protocol. Student-athletes may complete only one step per day and must remain free of symptoms between days. The athletic trainer will have final authority for clearing high school student-athletes for competition.
      3. The re-occurrence of symptoms, cognitive change, or functional impairment during any of the previous steps will result in the athlete being pulled or restricted from activity. Parents will be contacted if there is a re-occurrence of symptoms.
  2. A middle school student-athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until:
    1. The student-athlete receives written clearance from a physician, licensed and trained in the evaluation and management of concussions, to return to participate.
    2. The re-occurrence of symptoms, cognitive changes, or functional impairment during any of the previous steps will result in the athlete being pulled or restricted from activity. Parents will be contacted if there is a re-occurrence of symptoms.
Student raises hand while teacher talks to class