Gradual Return to Practice and Competitions Protocol:

Complete physical, cognitive, emotional, and social rest is advised while the student athlete is experiencing symptoms and signs of a sports-related concussion or other head injury (Minimize mental exertion, limit overstimulation, multi-tasking, etc.)

After written medical clearance is given by a physician trained in the evaluation and management of concussions stating that the student athlete is asymptomatic at rest, the student-athlete may begin a gradual individualized return to play protocol supervised by a Licensed Athletic Trainer, or in cases where the aforementioned is not available, a physician or licensed healthcare provider trained in the evaluation and management of sports-related concussions.

The following steps should be followed:

1. Completion of a full day of normal cognitive activities (school day, studying for tests, watching practice, interacting with peers) without re-emergence of any signs and symptoms If no return of symptoms, next day advance to:

2 Light aerobic exercise, which includes walking, swimming, or stationary cycling, keeping the intensity less than 70% maximum percentage heart rate: no resistance training The objective of this step is to increase heart rate If no return of symptoms, next day advance to:

3. Sport-specific exercise including skating, and/or running; no head impact activities. The objective of this step is to add movement and continue to increase the heart rate. If no return of symptoms, next day advance to:

4 Non-contact training drills (e g , passing drills) The student-athlete may initiate progressive resistance training If no return of symptoms, next day advance to:

5. Following medical clearance (consultation between school health care personnel, i e , Licensed Athletic Trainer, School Nurse, and student athlete's physician), participation in normal training/practice activities The objective of this step is to restore confidence and to assess functional skills by the coaching staff. If no return of symptoms, next day advance to:

6. Return to play involving normal game exertion or game activity.

● If the student-athlete exhibits a re-emergence of any concussion signs or symptoms once they return to physical activity, she will be removed from further exertional activities and returned to her primary care physician.

● If concussion symptoms reoccur during the graduated return to play protocol, the student athlete will return to the previous level of activity that caused no symptoms.

In all cases, the student-athlete should follow instructions by their physician.

ATHLETIC TRAINING:

We are fortunate to have a full-time certified Athletic Trainer. If a student is injured, the Athletic Trainer must be notified. If the injury is not an emergency and the trainer is not immediately summoned, the injured student-athlete must first notify the coaching staff. Following a review of the injury, the Athletic Trainer will determine the best course of action. If the injury necessitates the attention of a physician, he or she will make that recommendation after consulting with the parent and the Director of Athletics. When an injury occurs, an accident report must be filed with the trainer and the coaching staff.

Coaches will continue to receive CPR/AED, First Aid, and National High School Association Sports Safety training in order to recognize and provide immediate care to student-athletes A student who visits a doctor must bring a note from the doctor stating what the student can and cannot do as well as the date(s) of non-participation, if applicable.

INSURANCE:

The Academy of Saint Elizabeth provides all student-athletes with insurance coverage called Bollinger Insurance for documented injuries. In the event of an injury taking place at an AOSE athletic practice or contest, school accident insurance coverage purchased by the Academy provides coverage on an EXCESS BASIS only. This means that only those medical expenses which are NOT payable by your own personal or group insurance are eligible for coverage under this policy, subject to the limitations and exclusions. If a student-athlete's parent or guardian wishes to obtain school accident insurance coverage, please contact the Director of Athletics, Kelly Abner, for the Bollinger Insurance form

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION:

To promote student-athlete independence and responsibility, we encourage them to seek solutions to problems on their own first If a student-athlete has a concern, she should first discuss it with the Head Coach.

If your daughters' meeting with the Head Coach did not resolve the issue, please contact Kelly Abner, Director of Athletics, to arrange a meeting with the Head Coach and student-athlete.

Students or parents/spectators should not confront any coach before or after a game or practice These can be difficult times for both you and the coach to deal with Meetings of this type do not promote resolution, so the issue will be revisited after a 24-hour waiting period for everyone.

Head Coach Communication Topics:

● Team philosophy and student-athlete conduct

● Daily practice and game attendance

● Individual expectations, requirements, and objectives (goals)

● Practices and games schedules (locations, dates, and times)

● Weight training and competition safety

● Team guidelines, protocols, and consequences

● Warm-up and uniform policies

● Athletic conditioning and injury prevention

● Criteria for end-of-season awards and captain selection process

Student-Athletes & Parents Communication Topics:

● Advance notice of schedule conflicts

● Return to play documentation from a physician or school nurse

● Appropriate Concerns (student-athlete behavior, student-athlete treatment)

*Inappropriate concerns such as playing time, team strategy, play calling, and comparison to other student-athletes are personal matters that should be addressed in person first with the Head Coach and the student-athlete

Please follow the process outlined below when reporting athletic-related concerns to help maintain the Athletic Department's integrity The Director of Athletics will decide which issues will require administrative intervention and which will be resolved within the Department of Athletics

Student-Athlete’s Approach to resolving athletic concerns:

Step 1: Contact the Head Coach via AOSE email to schedule an appointment. If the coach cannot be reached, contact the Director of Athletics and a meeting will be arranged for you. (A response will occur after a 24-hour waiting period)

Step 2: Your daughter speaks and follows up with the Director of Athletics

Step 3: If the problem is not yet resolved, set up a meeting between the Director of Athletics, student-athlete, and parents

Step 4: If the problem is not yet resolved, please make an appointment with the Director of Athletics to discuss the situation