All 12 Howard County Public Schools Receive Safe Sports School Award for Second Time
February 3rd, 2017
All 12 Howard County public high schools recently received the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School Award for their Sports Medicine Programs. This is the second time HCPSS high schools have been awarded this honor. In 2014, HCPSS was the first school system in Maryland to have all of its high schools win the award. The award recognizes secondary schools that provide safe environments for student athletes.
“Student safety is our highest priority,” said Superintendent Dr. Renee A. Foose. “This award reinforces our dedication to providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment to our student athletes.”
To achieve Safe Sport School status, the athletic programs must meet the following requirements:
- Create a positive athletic health care administrative system
- Provide or coordinate physical examinations before participation
- Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities
- Plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment
- Provide a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes
- Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions
- Provide or facilitate injury intervention
- Create and rehearse a venue-specific emergency action plan
- Provide or facilitate psychosocial consultation and nutritional counseling/education
- Be sure athletes and parents are educated of the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities
The 12 HCPSS high schools are: Atholton, Centennial, Glenelg, Hammond, Howard, Long Reach, Oakland Mills, Marriotts Ridge, Mt. Hebron, Reservoir, River Hill and Wilde Lake.