District 58 Focuses on Concussion Safety in School Sports

Now more than ever, the dangers of concussions in youth sports activities are a prevalent part of school safety discussions.

District 58 in Downers Grove is no exception, and with the Illinois General Assembly’s passing of the Youth Sports Concussion Safety Act, schools in the district have raised their safety supports to abide with the new law.

"District 58 is very sensitive to our students' safety, and we believe these new protocols will enhance our existing concussion response procedures," Jessica Stewart, Assistant Superintendent for Special Services, said in a release from the district.

This is how District 58 is playing its part in increasing concussion safety:

• Forming a concussion oversight team: Stewart herself, PE teachers, district principals and nurses work together to help students who have suffered concussions. They develop protocol for students who have had concussions and provide them with resources for getting back into the daily grind of school, including rescheduling services and limiting their screen time at school.
• Staff training: Everyone affected by student concussions (oversight team, PE teachers, principals and nurses) has been trained by the Illinois Elementary School Association in concussion response protocol.
• Concussion emergency action plans: These plans have been developed for each school in District 58 and include protocol for dealing with concussions and other serious sports injuries. The plans are reviewed with families at the beginning of sports seasons.
• Information Sheets: Parents and students are provided at the beginning of sports seasons with a concussion information sheet and a student pre-participating sheet that must be signed before the student can participate in school sports.

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