Policies & Guidelines

If an athlete is injured during practice or competition, the Athletic Trainer will evaluate the injury and recommend a course of action.

The Athletic Trainer’s recommendation may be as simple as taping an ankle, referring the student-athlete to their family physician or, in some rare cases, sending the athlete to the Emergency Room.

If an athlete has been seen by a doctor, or the Athletic Trainer has decided the athlete needs to see a doctor, they cannot return to practice/competition until they have a signed note, from a Physician (Chiropractors and Physical Therapist’s do not count) that clearly describes the injury and states that the injured athlete is cleared to resume full athletic participation.

WIAA Rule 18.13.3 “to resume participation following an illness and/or injury serious enough to require medical care, a participating student must present to the school officials a physicians medical release.”

If an athlete participates without providing a Physicians note, that athlete is an ineligible player which can result in forfeits of any games that athlete participated in.

An Injured athlete cannot return to practice/competition until the Athletic Trainer clears him/her for participation, regardless of physicians note.

Athletes returning to participation after prolonged rehabilitation and inactivity must have an appropriate number of practices prior to full participation.

Concussion Management

• If an athlete is suspected to have sustained a head injury, the Athletic Trainer will evaluate the athlete for a concussion.
• Per the Zackery Lystedt Law in the state of WA, “if concussive signs/symptoms are present any athlete under the age of 18 must be removed from participation for the remainder of the day.”
  • If no concussive symptoms are present and the evaluation shows no sign of a concussion per the Athletic Trainer’s testing, the athlete can return to participation.
• If an athlete has been evaluated for a concussion and held out due to concussive symptoms, the Athletic Trainer will contact a parent with instructions on what to do when the athlete arrives home.
• The following day the athlete is required to check in with the Athletic Trainer after school for a follow-up concussion evaluation. If concussion “like” symptoms are still persistent, then the athlete is required to be evaluated by a Physician, who is trained in concussion management.
• If an athlete is being monitored for a concussion, the Athletic Trainer will communicate directly with the concussion team at Inglemoor. This team consist of the athletic director, school nurse, student’s counselor and assistant principal, and their teachers.
• Once an athlete is seen by a Physician for a concussion, they are required to complete the Concussion Return to Play Protocol.
• Again, despite what the Physicians note states the athlete cannot be cleared to full participation until the Athletic Trainer clears him/her.

Concussion RTP Protocol

Anytime an athlete sustains a concussion/head injury we follow these guidelines to safely return the athlete to play (RTP). Concussion Management Guidelines are designed to be in accordance with the Seattle Sports Concussion Program and Zackery Lystedt Law.

• Athlete goes to their Primary Care Physician for clearance.
  • When the physician clears the athlete for RTP, they are required to complete the physical activity progression before being released back to athletics.
• The athlete is required to check in with the Athletic Trainer daily to report their symptoms.
  • Light aerobic activity in a controlled environment (i.e. 20 min of a stationary bike) may be initiated by the Athletic Trainer, research has shown this to aid in concussion recovery
• Full Return to Learn must occur first before the additional Return to Play steps are completed.
  • This includes working in the classroom without restrictions or return of symptoms.
• Once they have reported to be symptom free for 24 hours after full Return to Learn, the ImPact test will be administered.
  • The ImPact test is a computerized neurocognitive assessment tool used to evaluate and manage concussions. The athlete’s post injury test score can be compared to their baseline test scores, if they have taken the test prior to injury. If they do not have a baseline test, we will compare their scores to normative data.
• The ImPact test results are sent to a neurologist, for review. The neurologist emails the athletic trainer back with any concerns/red flags the test might have highlighted as an area of concern. If there is nothing of concern the neurologist will release the athlete to begin the 3-step in the physical activity progression.
• The 3-step physical activity progression is as follows:
  • Step 1- 20 min on a stationary bike, elliptical, treadmill, etc. AND a workout with the Athletic trainer
  • Step 2- Non-contact sport specific practice
  • Step 3- Contact practice
• Only one step can be completed per day and if any symptoms arise the activity is stopped immediately and attempted again the next day.
• Once all of these steps are completed the athlete will be released for full participation in athletics with no restrictions.

Note: If an athlete sustains a concussion the Athletic Director, school nurse, coaches, athlete’s counselor, and teachers are notified of the injury. They are given specific instructions of what a concussion is and the signs/symptoms to look for. In addition, if modifications in the classroom are needed due to prolonged concussion symptoms, that can be facilitated as well.

Our concussion management and RTP progression is developed using the guidelines outlined by: The 4th International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport, the NATA Sport Concussion Position Statement, and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association

The opportunity to participate in the athletic program or as an elected or appointed school leader in the Northshore School District is a privilege available to all students.

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► Northshore School District's 2025-26 Students Rights & Responsibilities Handbook along with the Athletic Code is currently being revised. . . 

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