Bellows Falls Union High School has developed this protocol to address the issue of the identification and management of concussions for students who participate in school sports (including physical education class).  Act 68 was passed into law in 2013 and requires that schools have an action plan.

A safe return to activity protocol (learning and athletics) is important for all students/athletes following any injury, but it is essential after a concussion.  The goal of this concussion protocol is to ensure that concussed students/athletes are identified, treated and referred appropriately for return to learn and return to play. Consistent use of a concussion management protocol will ensure that the student/athlete receives appropriate follow-up and/or academic accommodations in order to make certain that the student/athlete is fully recovered prior to returning to full athletic play activity (including physical education class).

This protocol will be reviewed annually by Whitney Patterson, APRN and Connor Bean, Athletic Director.  Changes and modifications will be reviewed and written notifications will be provided to athletic department staff, coaches and other appropriate school personnel.

All coaches are required to certify concussion management training every two years. Caregivers and athletes must be educated about concussions annually.  The written documentation of coaches' annual training shall be kept in the athletic director’s office and the student/caregivers in the student file and be tracked by the Athletics Director.

Recognition of Concussion

These signs and symptoms – following a witnessed or suspected blow to the head or body – are indicative of a probable concussion.

Signs (observed by others)

• Forgets plays

• Appears dazed or stunned 

• Exhibits confusion 

• Unsure about game, score, opponent

• Moves clumsily (altered coordination)

• Balance problems

• Personality change

• Responds slowly to questions

• Forgets events prior to hit

• Forgets events after the hit

• Loss of consciousness (not required)

Symptoms (reported by athlete)

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Nausea or vomiting

• Double vision, blurry vision

• Sensitive to light or noise

• Feels sluggish

• Feels “foggy”

• Problems concentrating

• Problems remembering

Any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion must be removed from competition or practice and will not be allowed to train or compete with a school athletic team until the athlete has been examined by and received written permission to participate in athletic activities from a health care provider (per Act 68, approved by the VT Legislature in 2013). Parents / Guardians will be notified of a suspected concussion and a student may not be permitted to drive home.

The coach of each individual sport, Athletic Trainer, school nurse, has been designated as the individual who can make the initial decision to remove a student athlete from play when it is suspected the athlete may have suffered a concussion.  In this instance, at BFUHS, “student athlete” also refers to any student participating in a physical education class.

Act 68 requires that schools must outline the steps required before a student athlete can return to athletic or learning activity. For more information on Return to Learn and Return to Play requirements please review the following VPA documents:

• Link to Return to Play
• Link to Return to Learn

Kelly O’Ryan, Principal, and Whitney Patterson, APRN/School Nurse, are the persons designated by the school to approve the Graduated Return to non-contact physical activities.

Kelly O’Ryan, Principal, Rob Weltz, Athletic Director, and Whitney Patterson, APRN, are the individuals who make the final decision regarding the student’s return to athletic activity.