Protecting Students from Head Injuries and Concussions
Protecting Students from Head Injuries and Concussions
Active children have a higher risk of getting a concussion. These head injuries can happen at any time, including during non-sporting activities. The OCSB is dedicated to protecting our students from all types of head injuries. When head injuries occur in our schools, we treat them seriously and carefully. We know that recognizing and responding to a concussion is vital to a child’s recovery.
How Concussions Happen
How Concussions Happen
A concussion can happen from a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly back and forth within the skull. A person can fall and hit their head on the ground, but a blow to the body could also result in a brain injury. For example, a person can be pushed very hard from behind, causing their head to jerk backward (like whiplash). This can cause a head injury or a concussion.
Recognizing the Signs of a Concussion
Recognizing the Signs of a Concussion
Signs and symptoms of a concussion can be subtle and may not be noticeable right away. Symptoms can last for days, weeks or even longer, and may include any of the following:
- Headache, pressure in the head, or dizziness.
- Temporary loss of consciousness or amnesia.
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering.
- Unusual behaviour such as depression, anger, or irritability.
- Drowsiness or difficulty falling asleep.
- Ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting.
- Sensitivity to light and sound.
Do You Need to Find a Concussion Form? Access It Now ›
What Happens at School
What Happens at School
School staff, students, and parents must follow very specific steps in the event of a suspected or medically diagnosed concussion. If a suspicious injury to the head or body occurs, an assessment checklist is used to determine if there are any concussion signs or symptoms. The checklist then illustrates which steps to follow next. Students with medically diagnosed concussions are documented as they move through the detailed time-out periods.
The OCSB strongly suggests that all students with a suspected concussion seek professional medical attention. In cases of head or body trauma where the student was, for any time, unconscious, unresponsive or dazed, parents are required to seek medical treatment before the student can return to school. Only a medical doctor can diagnose a concussion.
Recovery: Return to Learn & Return to Physical Activity
Recovery: Return to Learn & Return to Physical Activity
The terms “return to learn” and “return to physical activity” are used to help identify and deal with concussions. Parents and school staff work closely together (using detailed charts and forms) to carefully track a student’s activities after a suspected or medically diagnosed concussion.
Return to Learn
The injured student must reduce all mental and physical activities for at least 24 hours, in order to assess the severity of the injury. This is essential, since learning and memory difficulties may make it very difficult for the student to concentrate and recall learning during this period.
Return to Physical Activity
The injured student is removed from the possibility of re-injury (recess, gym class, sports) during the healing process. Even a small amount of physical activity may lead to a re-injury that can have serious and lifelong permanent effects on the brain.
Need Help? We’ve Got you Covered
Need Help? We’ve Got you Covered
Not sure what to do if your child might have a concussion? We’ve created a quick-reference Concussion Protocol Fact Sheet to help you assess the situation and take the right steps. View Protocols ›
For more in-depth guidance, our Support Document for Concussion-Related Brain Injuries includes tools and resources for prevention, identification, and management. View Support Document ›
