Athletic Sign Up Form

A Concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. They are caused by a bump, blow, or a jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly. In other words, even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or a bump on the head can be serious. You can’t see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. If your student-athlete reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, seek medical attention right away.

- Headaches - “Don’t feel right - “Pressure in head” - Fatigue or low energy - Nausea or vomiting - Sadness - Neck pain - Nervousness or anxiety - Blanca problems or dizziness - Irritability - Blurred, double, or fuzzy vision - More emotional - Sensitivity to light or noise - Confusion - Feeling sluggish or slowed down - Concentration or memory problems - Feeling foggy - Repeating the same question/comment - Amnesia - Change in sleep patterns

- Appears dazed - Shows behavior or personality changes - Vacant facial expressions - Can’t recall events prior to event - Confusion about assignment - Can’t recall events after event - Forgets plays - Seizures or convulsions - Is unsure of game, score or opponent - Any change in typical behavior or personality - Moves clumsily or displays uncoordination - Answers questions slowly - Slurred speech

Any student-athlete who has sustained a concussion will be started on a supervised Gradual Return to Sports Participation Program only after obtaining written medical clearance from the licensed health care provider. - Each stage in concussion rehabilitation should last no less than 24 hours with a minimum of 5 days required after activity is started to consider a full return to competition. - If symptoms recur during the rehabilitation program, the student-athlete should stop immediately. - Once asymptomatic after at least another 24 hours, the student-athlete should resume at the previous asymptomatic level and try to progress again. - Student-athletes must contact their licensed health care provider if symptoms recur. - Any student-athlete with multiple concussions or prolonged symptoms may require a longer concussion-rehabilitation program, which is ideally created by a physician who is experienced in concussion management. As each sports concussion is unique, the concussion management plan should be individualized for each student-athlete. The ultimate goal of the concussion program is to allow a safe return to play and minimizing any long-term health problems from a concussion.

Total and complete physical and cognitive rest (no tv, video games, reading, etc). Objective of this stage is recovery.

Walking, swimming, stationary cycling keeping intensity <70% max heart rate, but no resistance exercises. Objective of this stage is to increase heart rate.

Specific sport-related drills, but no head impact. Objective of this stage is to add movement.

More complex training drills and may start light resistance training. Objective of this stage is to increase the exercise, coordination and cognitive load.

After medical clearance, participation in normal training. Objective of this stage is to restore confidence and assess functional skills by coaches.

Normal game play.

Student-athletes with the signs and symptoms of concussion should be removed from play immediately. Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the student-athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury. There is an increased risk of significant damage from a concussion for a period of time after the concussion occurs, particularly if the student-athlete suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one. This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even to severe brain swelling (second impact syndrome) with devastating and even fatal consequences. It is well known that adolescent or teenage student-athletes will often under report symptoms of injuries. And concussions are no different. As a result, education of administrators, coaches, parents and student-athletes is the key for the student-athlete’s safety.

Any student-athlete even suspected of suffering a concussion should be removed from the game or practice immediately. No student-athlete may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance. Close observation of the student-athlete should continue for several hours. New Covenant Schools requires the consistent and uniform implementation of well-established “return to play” concussion guidelines that have been recommended for several years: “A student-athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from the competition at that time” and “…may not return to play until the student-athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and received written clearance to return to play from that health care provider, which will initiate the ‘Gradual Return to Sports Participation Program’. You should also inform your child’s coach if you think your child may have a concussion. Remember…it’s better to miss one game than miss the whole season. And…”when in doubt, the athlete sits out.” For current and up-to-date information on concussions you can go to: http://www.cdc.gov/Concussions

Choosing to participate in sports carries with it a number of responsibilities and one of the most important is taking care of your uniform. The purpose of this form is to set forth the terms and conditions for maintaining and returning uniforms and equipment issued to student-athletes by the athletic department.

1. Each team member will be assigned a uniform and any necessary equipment through the team’s head coach at the beginning of the season. Any uniforms or equipment issued to the student-athlete, EXCLUDING any apparel or equipment that the student-athlete is responsible for purchasing, is property of the school and must be returned at the end of the season.
2. All school-issued gear must be returned IMMEDIATELY at the request of the coach or the athletic department at the end of the season or if required by the coach after each game.
3. If a student-athlete fails to return any requested gear at a time designated by the athletic department, he/she will be billed the replacement fee for all outstanding athletic gear and not allowed to return to any other New Covenant School teams until the uniform is returned or the replacement cost is paid in full.
4. If a student-athlete ceases participation, voluntarily or otherwise, before the team’s season ends, he/she is to return all school issued gear immediately or abide by the policy outlined in #3.
5. All gear is to be returned in the condition it was issued. If equipment is damaged beyond ordinary wear and tear, the student-athlete will be billed a replacement fee.
6. As a general rule, most uniforms require a cold water wash and rinse, and line drying or tumble drying on low heat. If you are unsure how to care for your uniform, please contact the head coach or athletic department.
7. Uniforms and equipment are expensive, and we need your cooperation to help keep costs down and keep our teams looking their best. Your signature below indicates that you understand and will abide by the expectations set forth above.

My child, named below, has permission to participate in the school-sponsored Athletic Events, Field Trips and Community Service Days while he/she is a student at New Covenant Schools. This permission covers the duration of his/her tenure at the school, or until otherwise agreed in writing. I understand that all school standards regarding conduct, as detailed in the Student-Parent Handbook, are in effect during each of these trips.

I understand that my child will travel to and from the off-campus sites in one of three ways:

1. The New Covenant Schools vehicle driven by an employee of New Covenant Schools.
2. Private vehicle driven by an employee of New Covenant Schools.
3. Private vehicle driven by a parent of New Covenant Schools

I understand that the school cannot check or supervise each driver’s records or habits.

I hereby release, discharge and indemnify New Covenant Schools, its administration, staff, employees, officers, directors, coaches, volunteers, insurers, agents, and representatives from any and all claims, causes of action, liability or damages arising out of, or relating to the transportation of my child, except in the case of negligence on the part of New Covenant School.

I assure that my child has valid medical and accident insurance. In the event I cannot be reached, I give the adult representatives of the school permission to authorize emergency medical treatment.

I also authorize New Covenant Schools to bill my student account for travel and lodging charges related to overnight Athletic or other Extra-Curricular Events.

Our athletic department runs a concessions kitchen as a service to our community by providing food during peak, dinnertime hours. We depend on the help of our parents to make this a success. Each family with a student athlete is required to serve at least one shift per athlete per each season played. There may be occasional reason to serve additional shifts. I understand that I will be required to work periodically in the concessions kitchen during games as a parent of an athlete. Assignments will be made for games and it is my responsibility to switch with another parent or find a responsible student to replace me if I cannot work that assigned time slot.

The sports fee covers costs related to providing extracurricular sports and taking responsibility for our athletes after school hours, which is not covered by tuition. A student can play as many sports as he/she wants and will be charged only one fee for the whole year.