SCHOOL DISTRICT RESPONDS TO CHS FOOTBALL RECRUITMENT COMPLAINTS

We told you recently about several South Mountain Middle School parents who were concerned about Columbia High School football team recruiters coming to their school to sign students up for the CHS program,

Specifically, they objected to the recruitment occurring during school hours and including claims that CHS football was "safe."

The district responded with this statement to Maplewoodian.com:

No misleading claims were made.  Students were told that 

"with the new style of teaching tackling, head injuries have 

been reduced." The athletic physical packet, which is mandatory 

to participate in a sport, includes a form that explains the
dangers of concussions in all sports, including football. 

Students cannot participate in high school athletics unless 

their parents sign this form.

Student health and safety is always our first priority, including 

in athletics.  All of our coaches are certified in First Aid & AED 

usage, as well as concussion awareness and heat illness prevention. 

We provide baseline tests for all athletes twice during their high 

school careers (usually freshman and junior years unless
they transfer in). We also hold information sessions with health 

care providers about concussions and cardiac issues in athletics.