Concussions and Head Injuries

The Oologah-Talala Board of Education recognizes that concussions and head injuries are commonly reported injuries in contact sports.

On an annual basis, a concussion and head injury information sheet shall be completed and returned to the school district by the youth athlete and the youth athlete's parent or guardian prior to the youth athlete's participation in practice or competition. The athletic director shall provide written instructions to all coaches to ensure that no youth athletes are allowed to participate in practice or competition prior to the receipt of a concussion and head injury information sheet. Any coach or staff allowing a youth athlete to participate in practice or competition prior to the receipt of a signed concussion and head injury information sheet shall be disciplined and may be terminated from employment in the extra duty assignment.

A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury during a practice or game shall be removed from participation at that time. Any youth athlete removed from participation shall not be allowed to participate until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and receives written clearance to return to participation from that health care provider. "Return to learn" guidelines shall be provided to teachers and relevant school personnel pertaining to athletes returning to the classroom after sustaining a concussion or head injury. "Graduated return to athletic participation" guidelines shall be provided to coaches and staff members pertaining to youth athletes returning to activity after sustaining a head injury or concussion.

The school district shall impose the following minimum penalties for failing to remove an athlete from an activity:

• 1st offense: The coach or staff member will be required to attend additional training.
• 2nd offense: The coach or staff member will be suspended from the sport or activity until an appearance in front of the board of education. The appearance before the board of education may involve a determination as to whether the coach or staff member will continue employment in the extra duty assignment.

Additional free online concussion training programs are available at:
The Center for Disease Control
National Federation of State High School Associations
Return to learn guidelines
Graduated return to participation guidelines

Legal Citations

The qualifications and procedures outlined in this policy are based upon the following Oklahoma Statutes (O.S.):

• 70 O.S. §24-155