Your Child’s Safety and Well-Being
is Our Top Priority
Your Child’s Safety and Well-Being is Our Top Priority
Parents want to know their children will be safe at school, especially when they have medical conditions or life-threatening allergies. Your child’s safety and well-being is our top priority, which is why we have many policies and procedures in place to ease your mind.
Step 1: Report Your Child’s Medical Condition or Illness
If your child has a serious medical condition, you need to inform your school using the Life-Threatening Medical Condition Verification Form. Work with your school staff and health care provider to create a plan of care specific to your child’s condition (see forms below). You must complete all required documents before your child attends school.
Step 2: Keep Your Plan of Care Up to Date
Understanding that your child’s health and medical needs may change over time, it’s important to review your plan of care with your school every year. If no changes are required, submit a Plan of Care Annual Review Sheet. If you need to make a change to your plan of care, submit a new plan of care form to your school (you will find the specific form below).
Find Your Form
Find Your Form
Please complete the form and submit it to the school before your child begins the school year. Click the form links to download, print, and fill out the document. If you need assistance, your school staff is available to help you clarify any questions and print the form.
Asthma
Concussions and Head Injuries
Head injuries can happen at any time, even during non-sporting activities. We take them seriously and follow a well-thought-out process to support your child’s recovery. To ensure your child recovers from a concussion, the school, parents, and student must work together in following these life-saving steps.
4 Ways to Prevent and Respond to Head Injuries
- Be Informed. If your child is participating in an inter-school sport, your school will ask you to review the Ministry of Ontario’s Concussion Awareness Resource and Code of Conduct with your child and sign a form confirming you’ve reviewed the documents. These documents help you learn the signs and symptoms of concussions and will let you know what to do if your child experiences a head injury.
- Communicate and Collaborate. If your child experiences a head injury, the school, parents and student must all work together to support their recovery. The best way to do this is frequent and open communication regarding your child’s recovery. Read our Concussion Related Brain Injuries Support Document to know your role in this protocol.
- Have a Medical Assessment and Monitor your Child. If your child experiences a head injury, it’s essential to have them examined by a doctor or nurse practitioner as soon as possible. Only a doctor or nurse practitioner can diagnose a concussion. Your child might not display symptoms of a concussion immediately, so it’s best to monitor your child for at least 24 hours, both at school and at home.
- Rest and Recover. It is essential to limit all mental and physical activities for at least 24 hours following a head injury. Do not rush the “return to learn” or “return to physical activity” process.
Concussions at School
If a student displays signs or symptoms of a concussion while at school, they will need to be examined by a doctor or nurse practitioner right away. The school will contact the parents or guardians to pick up the student as soon as possible and send them home with forms to complete.
Your child will not be allowed to participate in any physical activity until:
- At least 24 hours have passed since their injury, and
- They display no signs or symptoms of a concussion, and
- A doctor has completed a medical assessment form that is signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the school.
Concussions Outside of School
If your child has a concussion outside of school, they are still required to follow our concussion protocol. If your child has a concussion, please inform your school as soon as possible so we can work together to support your child’s recovery.
Returning to Learn or Play After a Head Injury
If your child is diagnosed with a concussion, there are six steps that must be followed before they’re able to return to learn or play. Your child must remain at each step in the process for a minimum of 24 hours before proceeding to the next step in the concussion recovery process. Read the Steps to Return to Learn or Physical Activity.
Helpful OCSB Resources
- OCSB Support Document for Concussion Related Brain Injuries
- OCSB Policy: Concussion Recognition, Intervention and Awareness
Other Helpful Resources
- Ministry of Education, Policy/Program Memorandum 158 – School Board Policies on Concussion – PPM 158
- Rowan’s Law: Concussion Awareness Resources (Government of Ontario)
- Concussion information and protocols (Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education)
- VIDEO: Dr. Mike Evans: Concussion Management and Return to Learn
Diabetes
Forms
- Diabetes Plan of Care Form (We also accept the CHEO plan of care form.)
- Using Continuous Monitors in School Form
- Request and Consent for Administration of Medication Form (if applicable)
Helpful Resources
Epilepsy and Seizures
Life-Threatening Allergies
Life-Threatening Medical Conditions
These forms are for students who have other medical conditions not covered under the other sections above.
Forms
- Life-Threatening Medical Condition Plan of Care Form (Generic)
- Life-Threatening Medical Condition Plan of Care Annual Review Form
- Request and Consent for Administration of Medication (if applicable)
Helpful resources
- Policy: Administering Medication
Safe Learning Environments So Your Child Can Thrive
At every Ottawa Catholic school, we strive to create safe, inclusive and accepting learning environments. When children know they’re safe, welcome and are valuable members of our school community, they are free to thrive in their learning. That’s why we have policies and procedures in place to promote healthy and welcoming schools throughout Ottawa.
Learn more about these important policies and initiatives:
Access OCSBconnect
Access OCSBconnect
At OCSB, we prioritize the mental well-being of our students. The OCSBconnect service offers a secure and anonymous way for Grade 7 to 12 students to report incidents of bullying, safety concerns, or criminal activities directly to school staff.
Created in response to student feedback, this service aims to foster safer, more inclusive schools by empowering students to report concerns without fear for their own safety. We encourage all students to play an active role in creating a positive, supportive school environment.
