Athletics → Health/Safety
The health and safety of student-athletes is a primary concern of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). MCPS has full-time certified athletic trainers (ATCs) at every high school, and coaches must pass multiple health and safety related courses in order to retain their certification. Moreover, the school system has numerous plans, procedures, and protocols that address various health and safety related issues.
An effective health and safety program is a two-way street. Parents/guardians and student-athletes, as well as school personnel, must have a fundamental knowledge of important health and safety related factors, and must exercise fundamental precautions. In this respect, there are systemwide requirements and expectations for coaches, athletic trainers, parents/guardians, and student-athletes.
For a comprehensive preview of all Health and Safety-Related forms and documents, refer to the Summary of MCPS Health and Safety Forms, Documents, and Procedures.
Required Safety-Related Forms, Documents & Courses for Students and Parent/Guardians is a list of required forms that must be reviewed and signed by the student-athlete and parent/guardian, in addition to resources that student-athletes and parents/guardians are required to read prior to athletic participation.
Student-Athlete Health and Safety PowerPoint is a PowerPoint developed by MCPS that is presented to all student-athletes before the season starts or early in the season. The PowerPoint is presented by coaches, and provides student-athletes with a review of fundamental health and safety related issues. Click here for high school, click here for middle school.
Concussions and Baseline Testing includes the MCPS Concussion Plan, the MCPS Baseline Testing Plan, and several information sources related to concussions and head injuries. Also included are Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletics Association (MPSSAA) recommendations on limiting contact exposure for contact and collision sports, including basketball, field hockey, football, boys’ lacrosse, girls’ lacrosse, soccer, and wrestling.
Heat Index is a resource for coaches and athletic department personnel to determine the precise heat index in “real” time. Based on the reading, practices or contests might be adjusted according to heat guidelines outlined in the MCPS High School Athletics Handbook.
Heat and Hydration includes the MCPS Heat Plan, Fall Heat Plan Q and A, Heat Restrictions, and other heat and hydration related information.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) includes information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), and MPSSAA on MRSA and MRSA prevention strategies.
Performance Enhancing Substances includes numerous documents and information primarily from the NFHS regarding steroids, dietary supplements, and other substances that purport to enhance performance.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest includes information from the MS DE, American Heart Association, and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation.
The Return to R.A.I.S.E. Plan includes the latest COVID-19 procedures and protocols for MCPS Athletics.
Student Accident Report (MCPS Form #525-2).