Concussion/ Head Injuries

BVSD has a concussion management​ plan to care for your child - please let the school know if you child has experienced any head injury.

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury. Concussions are caused by a bump or blow to the head. Even a "ding," "getting your bell rung," or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.
 
You can't see a concussion. Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury. If your student reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, seek medical attention right away.

Resources

Concussion Information for Parents

BVSD Concussion Protocol - how concussions are managed in BVSD

CDE Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - Dept of Ed Resources for Parents and Educators

CDC Heads Up - Brain Injury Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion?

Here are some of the symptoms that are typically associated with a concussion.
 

Symptoms you might see Symptoms they  might report
  • confusion
  • vomiting
  • balance/coordination off
  • slow responses
  • behavior or personality changes
  • can't remember the event
  • headache or "pressure" in the head
  • nausea or vomiting
  • balance, coordination or vision problems
  • dizziness
  • sensitivity to light or noise
  • feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy
  • concentration or memory problems
  • confusion
  • just feeling "not right"

What should you do if you think your child has a concussion?

  1. Seek medical attention right away. A health care professional will be able to decide how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for your student to return to full activity.
     
  2. If your student is an athlete, keep them out of play. Concussions take time to heal. Don't let your student return to play until a health care professional says it's OK. Students who return to play too soon - while the brain is still healing - risk a greater chance of having a second concussion. Second or later concussions can be very serious. They can cause permanent brain damage, affecting your student for a lifetime.
     
  3. Report any prior concussion. Doctors should know if your student had a recent concussion.
     
  4. If your student is not an athlete, they still need time to recover and heal.  Keep physical and mental activity low key and let your school know - they will facilitate a return to learning strategy to support your student.
     
  5. Important - Notify the school if your student has had a concussion/head injury. Find your school's health team.