Policies
Middletown Public Schools No. 7040
Concussion Policy
CONCUSSION POLICY
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that interferes with normal function of the brain. All concussions are brain injuries. A concussion can be caused by a blow to the head or even a blow to the body alone. The force moves or twists the brain in the skull. It is important to know that loss of consciousness is not required to have a concussion. In fact, less than 10% of athletes lose consciousness. Even what appears to be a mild blow to the head or body can cause the brain to suddenly shift or move. This motion can injure and damage brain cells. Research has shown that this damage may take up to 2 weeks to heal, but it can take longer.
Concussion affects people in four areas of function:
1. Physical – This describes how they feel: headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tiredness and loss of consciousness (which is uncommon in concussion).
2. Thinking – Poor memory and concentration, responds to questions more slowly and asks repetitive questions. Concussion can cause an altered state of awareness and thinking.
3. Emotions - A concussion can make a person more irritable or sad and cause mood swings.
4. Sleep – Concussions frequently cause trouble falling asleep and may wake athletes up overnight, which can make them more fatigued throughout the day.
The risk for girls is much higher than boys in the same sports; in fact soccer and basketball carry twice the risk for concussion in girls than boys. Most importantly, concussion can happen to anyone in any sport.
These are some SIGNS concussion (what others can see in an injured athlete):
• Dazed or stunned appearance
• Change in the level of consciousness or awareness
• Confused about assignment
• Forgets plays
• Unsure of score, game, opponent
• Clumsy
• Answers more slowly than usual
• Shows behavior changes
• Loss of consciousness
• Asks repetitive questions or memory concerns
These are some of the more common SYMPTOMS of concussion (what an injured athlete feels):
• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizzy or unsteady
• Sensitive to light or noise
• Feeling mentally foggy
• Problems with concentration and memory
• Confused
• Slow
STUDENT/ATHLETE SCREENINGS AND INSURANCE
All students/athletes will be required to take a concussion screening test prior to being permitted to attend practices, games, or otherwise in order to establish student baseline data. The baseline data is needed to evaluate the athlete should a concussion occur. The Athletic Director or designee will be responsible for tracking which students have completed the screening prior to the commencement of a sports season.
Students who exhibit signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from practice or competition and will not be permitted to return to play in any physical contact activities without being cleared by the expressed written consent of a licensed physician.
All Middletown Public Schools coaches will educate themselves annually in regards to concussion and take the “Concussion in Sports – What You Need to Know” course offered by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
Due to the severity of concussion impact, the Middletown School District requires that all student athletes have proper insurance. Proof of insurance will be required prior to allowing a student athlete to participate in school athletics. If the student athlete is not insured, student insurance must be purchased from the School Department to ensure that the student athlete has coverage in case of emergencies.
The School District utilizes a program called SCAT5 to help determine if and when a student athlete has suffered from concussion. Please see our form from the Rhode Island Concussion Management Consortium for more information.
It is our objective to educate every student athlete about the dangers of concussions, as well as to the prevention and assessment of head injuries.
1st Reading – January 16, 2014
2nd Reading – February 27, 2014
Update & Review - December 18, 2025
3 Year Review Due - December 2028