LOUDOUN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

340 N. Maple Ave.

Purcellville, VA 20132
(540) 751-2400






Home of the Vikings
http://www.lcps.org/lvhs
Loudoun Valley High School 340 N. Maple Ave. Purcellville, VA 20132
August 6, 2014


Parents of Football Players,

It is our understanding a meeting has been scheduled with Brain Sentry for tomorrow,
August 7th, on the Loudoun Valley campus. The purpose of this meeting is to have
Brain Sentry and/or parents install helmet sensors on Loudoun Valley issued football
helmets.

Administration has discussed this with both Coach McGrath and Brain Sentry. It was
indicated to them that these devices are not to be installed on players helmets. There
are several reasons for this:

There is no scientific proof that helmet sensors are effective and no nationally
recognized medical protocol for their use.
Loudoun County Public Schools has in place a well-articulated concussion protocol.
This protocol follows a nationally recognized medical protocol approved by both the
NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association) and the medical director of INOVA
Concussion Assessment Center.
Targeting - There is a concern opponents will attempt to activate the sensor with
excessive blows.
Each year, Loudoun Valleys helmets are certified by the manufacturer. Installing these
devices may void or invalidate the certification of the helmet.
As indicated by medical professionals, there is a concern with false negatives and false
positives with the sensor. This could create an over-reliance on the device without
regard for other safeguards within our protocols. According to the National Federation
of High Schools, This is a very inexact science and no single-impact force is
guaranteed to cause a concussion. Thus the monitor may signal that a force
great enough to trigger a concussion has occurred and the athlete may be
uninjured, whereas other blows to the head or body may not be forceful enough
to trigger the alert, but result in a concussion.

In sum, the combined unknowns constitute a risk that we are unwilling to take. We
continue to be committed to the safety and welfare of our athletes and open
communication about this issue. However, Loudoun County Public Schools and
Loudoun Valley High Schools position remains that the sensors are not approved.
Helmets with sensors will not be permitted for use during practice or game situations.

Administration plans to be at the school tomorrow morning to ensure none of our
athletes are placed in an awkward or difficult position.


LOUDOUN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
340 N. Maple Ave.
Purcellville, VA 20132
(540) 751-2400






Home of the Vikings
http://www.lcps.org/lvhs
Loudoun Valley High School 340 N. Maple Ave. Purcellville, VA 20132

Loudoun County has a long-standing commitment to the safety of its student athletes,
especially where concussions are concerned. The protocols the school system has
established all certified or above the level of certification required by sanctioning
bodies include:

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) employs School Board Policy 8-58
Concussions In Student Athletes when dealing with concussions. The goals of this
policy is to ensure that student-athletes who sustain concussions are properly
diagnosed, given adequate time to heal and are comprehensively supported until they
are symptom-free. The policy is based on Section 22.1-271.5 of the Code of Virginia.
LCPS reconditions existing football helmets each year and purchases new helmets to
ensure they meet or exceed National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic
Equipment (NOCSAE) standards.
All coaches are required to take the Center for Disease Control or National Federation
of High Schools concussion course each year as a refresher. All coaches have to be
certified in CPR and First Aid.
Athletic directors monitor the amount of contact during practices; monitor practice time
and practice plans to ensure they are within Virginia High School League guidelines;
make sure coaches follow the heat guidelines during practices to make sure athletes do
not get fatigued, which leads to improper techniques; encourage and financially support
coaches attending clinics and conferences to keep abreast of proper techniques; ensure
coaches attend rules clinics each year; and are in constant contact with athletic trainers
to address any concerns they see at practices and games.
LCPS has hosted the Heads Up Football Clinic through USA Football with Richard
Adams presenting. Adams is the former football coach at Annandale High School where
he posted a 132-28 record and led the school to two state titles.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at Susan.Ross@lcps.org.


Very Respectfully,



Susan Ross Kris Kelican Ryan Barden
Principal, LVHS A.D., LVHS Asst. A.D., LVHS