School districts across the state and the nation implemented a concussion management policy last school year and were required to further revise that policy in the 2012-2013 school year. At the regular monthly meeting of the SSISD Board of Trustees, the Board reviewed the policy and was informed of the concussion management oversight team. Concussion management has become more and more important as undetected head injuries have become more prevalent. Texas House Bill 2037, Tasha’s Concussion Law provides school districts with the guidelines to form local policy and guidance to help protect student athletes. The bill defines who the licensed health care professionals are that will participate in the development and implementation of the concussion oversight team in schools. The bill mandates a concussion oversight team chosen by each school district that is headed by at least one physician with concussion management training. The bill requires students who are suspected of having sustained a concussion must be removed from the activity immediately. As well the student suspected of sustaining a concussion must be evaluated by a physician of his/her choosing. The school district shall verify the student has successfully completed each requirement of the return-to-play protocol necessary for the student to return to play that is established by the concussion oversight team. The treating physician shall sign a write statement indicating that, in their professional judgment, it is safe for the student to return to play. A coach of an interscholastic athletic team may not authorize a student’s return to play. Additionally the bill requires that sponsors and coaches be trained through an education course that provides for the identification and prevention of concussions. It is important for parents, school staff, coaches, and students to be aware of this law so that it is interpreted and applied consistently across the sports and extracurricular activities. The concussion management policy is available on the SSISD website under the parent resources section.Parents, let us know how we can help you the first day of school all the way until the last day of school!! Please check the website at www.san-saba.net for school information and follow us on facebook, too! If you have any question about this article or any other question about school happenings please contact me at 325/372-3771 or email me at lglaze@san-saba.net .