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3425 - Student Sports - Concussion, Head Injury and Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Policy 3425
Students

Purpose
Consistent with the requirements of Washington State law, this policy reflects the District’s commitment to the safety of student athletes.
 

Concussion and Head Injury
The Tacoma School District #10, Board of Directors recognizes that concussions and head injuries are commonly reported injuries in children and adolescents who participate in sports and other recreational activities.  The Board acknowledges that the risk of catastrophic injuries or death is significant when a concussion or head injury is not properly evaluated and managed. 

Therefore, all competitive sport activities in the District will be identified by the administration and all appropriate District staff, coaches and team volunteers will complete training as required by the District to recognize warning signs and symptoms of concussion and head injury. Additionally, all coaches will comply with Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) guidelines for the management of concussions and head injuries. The District will provide students and parents with easy access to information regarding warning signs and symptoms of concussion and head injury in digital and print formats. In recognition of the diverse linguistic needs of our community, the District will work with families to make information available in their native language.

Consistent with Washington law, the District will utilize guidelines developed with the WIAA and other pertinent information to inform and educate coaches, youth athletes, and their 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.  Annually, the District will distribute a head injury and concussion information sheet to all parents/guardians of student participants in competitive sport activities. This information will also be available and easily accessible in digital formats, including on the District’s public website.

Prior to their first use of school facilities, all private nonprofit youth programs must provide a written statement of compliance with this policy in regard to concussion and head injury with proof of insurance as required by RCW 4.24.660.

 

Sudden Cardiac Arrest
The Board of Directors further recognizes that sudden cardiac arrest is reported to be the leading cause of death in young athletes.  The District will utilize resources and expertise from a range of sources, which may include the WIAA, the University of Washington Medicine Center for Sports Cardiology, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), to make available online information that provides student athletes, their parents/guardians and coaches with information about sudden cardiac arrest.  The District will also maintain a link on its website to the OSPI website where OSPI’s online information guide will be posted. 
 

Annually, prior to participating in an interscholastic athletic activity, students and their parent/guardian must review the online resource guide and return a signed statement to the school documenting their review. This form may be combined with the annually distributed head injury and concussion information sheet referenced above.

Every three years, prior to coaching an interscholastic athletic activity, all coaches will be required to complete an online program on sudden cardiac arrest and provide a certificate of completion to the District.

All coaches, including volunteers, will complete training or refreshers as required by the District. Additionally, all coaches will comply with WIAA guidelines for the management of sudden cardiac arrest.

Prior to their first use of school facilities, all private nonprofit youth programs must provide a written statement of compliance with this policy in regard to sudden cardiac arrest with proof of insurance as required by RCW 4.24.660.  

Cross References:

2151- Interscholastic Athletics and Activities

3418 - Emergency Treatment
 

4260 - Use of School Facilities
   
   

Legal References:

RCW 4.24.660 Liability of school Districts under contract with youth programs
 

Chapter 28A.600 RCW Students
   
       

 

Washington State Schools Directors’ Association (WSSDA) model Policy 3422 adopted with modifications.

Adoption Date: 1/25/2024