Student concussions drawing attention
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer
In an effort to keep all student-athletes safe and to develop a district-wide consensus on how to treat brain injuries and concussions, the Freehold Regional High School District is participating in a baseline testing grant initiative funded by the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey (BIANJ).

On Sept. 22 during a meeting of the FRHSD Board of Education, Dr. Steve Weintraub, the district's chief medical inspector, gave a presentation on "Concussions in Sports, Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing."

Weintraub told the board and members of the public, "There lacks a standard of care in treating concussions. This campaign by the BIANJ is trying to bring a consensus in the medical community" when it comes to dealing with different diagnoses given by doctors in the wake of a head injury.

According to Weintraub, the school district's impetus for implementing this program is to prevent cognitive problems that may be caused by concussions.

According to information provided by the BIANJ Internet Web site, "The association has the opportunity to provide matching funds for up to 100 high schools to cover one-half of the $1,300 cost for the subscription."

According to Weintraub, this particular grant program is valid for two years. All six of the district's high schools are granted 300 baseline tests per year.

A baseline test indicates a student-athlete's pre-concussion level and is to be obtained with the athlete's preseason physical. The baselines are supposed to be used in conjunction with IMPACT, a software program.

According to the BIANJ Web site, IMPACT is a software program that provides information regarding the severity of an injury and a standard for evaluating recovery from injury.

The IMPACT assessment includes a questionnaire, a concussion history form and computerized neurocognitive tests.

Amy Ghione, the athletic trainer at Howell High School, is getting used to the new program.

"I am happy we have another tool to assess athletes, so they can return to play," she said.

Joan Leimbach, who is one of Howell's two representatives on the school board, said that as a registered nurse she is pleased to see this development related to studentathlete concussions.

The only question that came up about the program was who would clear the student athlete to return to competition after a post-concussion analysis. The board confirmed that Weintraub should have the final say on that matter.

In other business, administrators said the FRHSD's Internet Web site (www.frhsd.com) is being updated.

Donna Evangelista, the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, offered a presentation about a new initiative that will allow teachers to post lesson plans electronically using OnCourse Systems, a service provider of Web-based tools.

Jeff Moore, the district's Web developer/ administrative supervisor, is in the process of redesigning the district's Web site.