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District presents expanded concussion-management policy and K–12 protocol
Summary
Unionville‑Chadds Ford officials presented updates to concussion policy to extend conservative return‑to‑learn and return‑to‑activity protocols beyond athletics, described team roles and proactive education, and answered board questions about baseline testing and K–12 consistency.
Superintendent and district concussion coordinator James Vogler presented the school district’s revised concussion-management approach at the board’s Oct. 14 work session, emphasizing that the policy treats concussions as a student‑learning issue addressed through the district’s MTSS (multi‑tiered systems of support).
“An increase in reported concussions isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” Vogler said, adding that better training and awareness mean more students are identified and managed appropriately. Vogler introduced a concussion-management team that includes a high‑school MTSS and concussion coordinator (Jess Bogish), the district head athletic trainer (Sydney Schnars), and the district nursing coordinator (Lisonbee Newbrow).
Vogler told the board the revised policy moves beyond an athletics focus and standardizes conservative early accommodations for both return‑to‑learn (classroom and cognitive activities) and return‑to‑physical‑activity protocols. He said baseline/impact testing is a helpful tool but not required to diagnose a concussion; the district currently uses baseline testing for higher‑risk athletes and begins baseline testing at roughly seventh grade for those activities.
Board members sought clarification about identification of concussions that occur outside school and whether the policy applies K–12. Vogler said the policy’s “nuts and bolts” apply to all grade levels and that nurses and athletic trainers use the same documentation systems across schools. He also described layered communications and timelines used by MTSS coordinators to determine which internal and external team members are notified for a given student.
No vote was taken; policy edits and recommended citation changes were routed through the policy committee for final reading and will appear on the board’s approval agenda in coming months. The administration said the changes reflect evolving professional guidelines and expand protections and supports to nonathletic student activities such as performing arts and dance.
