Concussion Management

Commack School District
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Protecting Our Athletes: Safety and the Concussion Management Program

Participating in any physical activity carries the risk of injuries. The Commack School District’s Athletic Program is prepared for all on-field or on-court traumas or emergency situations.

General Safety Protocols

All Physical Education (PE) teachers and all coaches are required to acquire “Concussion Certification.”
All coaches at the middle school and high school are First Aid, CPR, and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certified.
There is at least one AED in each school building, and an AED is always present on the athletic field, whether games are at home or away. An ambulance and doctor are present for all varsity, junior varsity, and middle school football games.
All contact sports equipment is reconditioned and tested by an outside company annually to detect any damage or imperfections. Through this process, subpar equipment is discarded.
Locker rooms and weight training rooms are disinfected with a safe but effective product on a daily basis to prevent the spread of germs. The same is true of wrestling mats that might otherwise harbor bacteria.

State of the Art Concussion Management

Concussions and head injuries are unfortunately a commonly reported injury in children and adolescents who participate in sports and recreational activities. A sideline concussion protocol is followed for all athletes.

The five component plan (below) also includes education for parents and students, proper Emergency Room follow-up, and necessary “Return to Play Protocol.” Baseline neurocognitive impact testing (computer based) is done preseason for all varsity and junior varsity contact sports athletes. This baseline testing is repeated every two years, through St. Charles Hospital.

During each season’s mandatory parent athletic code nights, concussion protocol/education is presented to parents.

A PTA Athletic Advisory Board also meets monthly with our Athletic Director, Patrick Friel, to discuss any matters that may arise. If you have any questions about Commack’s safeguards or procedures, please contact our Athletic Director, Patrick Friel, at 912-2080.

Overview: The Commack Athletic Program recognizes that concussions and head injuries are a commonly reported injury in children and adolescents who participate in sports and recreational activities. The District uses the following guidelines to assist in the proper evaluation and management of head injuries.

Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. Concussions occur when normal brain functioning is disrupted by a blow or jolt to the head. Recovery from concussion will vary. Avoiding re-injury and over-exertion until fully recovered are the cornerstones of proper concussion management.

Any student demonstrating signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion while participating in interscholastic athletic activity will be removed from the game or activity and be evaluated immediately, and will not return to play that day. Commack School District will notify the student’s parents or guardians and recommend appropriate monitoring.

Concussion Management Team: The Commack School District will assemble a concussion management team (CMT). The CMT will consist of the athletic director, school nurse, athletic trainer, school physician, and/or outside consultants as deemed necessary. The District’s CMT will coordinate the training for all coaches and students.

Commack Public Schools Concussion Management Plan

The concussion program consists of five components:

Education
Baseline neurocognitive testing using the ImPACT product
Proper sideline management/guidelines
Proper Emergency Room follow-up
Proper Return to Play Protocol/Clearance back to athletics

Letter from St. Charles Hospital Think Smart! Concussion Management Program

Concussion Q & A for Parents

More information about Concussion Management Testing

Contact Information
By Mail: P.O. Box 150, Commack, NY 11725
By Phone: (631) 912-2000
By Email: webmaster@commack.k12.ny.us
Directions to Commack Schools

The Commack School District Mission Statement
Within the context of a caring community of learners, our primary mission is to provide an exemplary
learning experience that will allow each child to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes, and
values to become a successful, contributing member within our school community and greater society.

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