CONCUSSION INFORMATION SHEET

A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious.  They are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head.  They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works.  Even though most concussion are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly.  In other words, even a "ding" or a bump on the head can be serious.  You can't see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness.  Signs and symptoms of concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear.  If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, seek medical attention right away.

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

*Headaches  *Amnesia  *Pressure in head  *Don't feel right  *Nausea or vomiting  *fatigue or low energy  *neck pain  *sadness  *balance problems or dizziness  *nervousness or anxiety  *blurred, double, or fuzzy vision  *irritability  *sensitivity to light or noise  *more emotional  *feeling sluggish or slowed down  *confusion  *feeling foggy or groggy  *concentration or memory problems (forgetting game plays)  *drowsiness  *change in sleep patterns  *repeating the same question/comment

Signs observed by teammates, parents and coaches include:

*Appears dazed  *Vacant facial expression  *confused about assignment  *forgets play  *is unsure of game, score, or opponent  * moves clumsily or displays in-coordination  *answers questions slowly  *slurred speech  * shows behavior or personality changes  *can't recall events prior to hit  *can't recall events after hit  * seizures or convulsions  *any change in typical behavior or personality  *loses consciousness

What can happen if my child keeps on playing with a concussion or returns too soon?
Athletes with the signs and symptoms of concussion should be removed from play immediately.  Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury.  There is an increased risk of significant damage from a concussion for a period of time after the concussion occurs, particularly if the athlete suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one.  This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even to severe brain swelling (second impact syndrome) with devastating and even fatal consequences.  It is well known that the adolescent or teenage athletes will often fail to report symptoms of injuries.  Concussions are no different,  as a result, education of administrators, coaches parents and students is the key to student-athlete's safety.

If you think your child has suffered a concussion.
Any athlete even suspected of suffering a concussion should be removed from the game or practice immediately.  No athlete may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance.  Close observation of the athlete should continue for several hours.  IESA and IHSA policy requires to provide their school with written clearance from either a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches or a certified athletic trainer working in conjunction with a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches prior to returning to play or practice following a concussion or after being removed from an interscholastic contest due to a possible head injury or concussion and not cleared to return to that same contest.  In accordance with state law, all IHSA member schools are required to follow this policy.  You should always inform your child's coach if you think that your child may have a concussion.  Remember its better to miss one game than miss the whole season.  And when in doubt, the athlete sits out.

By checking yes on the upcoming questions you agree to allow your child to participate in the schools activities or sporting teams/clubs.  You also agree to the athletic regulations and terms that are printed in the schools handbook which is available upon request.  Each student and his or her parent/guardian must read and sign this Agreement to Participate each year before being allowed to participate in interscholastic athletics or intramural athletics.
I acknowledge reading the eligibility rules of any group or association sponsoring any athletic activity in which I want to participate, and I agree to abide by them.
Before I am allowed to participate, I must: (a) provide the School District with a certificate of physical fitness (the Pre-Participation Physical Examination Form from the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA), or Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association (SIJHSAA) serves this purpose), (b) show proof of accident insurance coverage, and (c) complete all forms required by any association sponsoring the interscholastic athletic activity, including when applicable and without limitation, IHSA Sports Medicine Acknowledgment & Consent Form, Acknowledgement and Consent.
I agree to abide by all conduct rules and will behave in a sportsmanlike manner. I agree to follow the coaches’ instructions, playing techniques, and training schedule as well as all safety rules.
I understand that Board policy 7:305, Student Athlete Concussions and Head Injuries, requires, among other things, that a student athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or head injury must be removed from practice or competition at that time and that the student will not be allowed to return to play or practice until he or she has successfully completed return-to-play and return-to-learn protocols, including having been cleared to return by the treating physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, physician assistant, treating advanced practice registered nurse, or a certified athletic trainer working under the supervision of a physician.
I am aware that with participation in sports comes the risk of injury, and I understand that the degree of danger and seriousness of risk vary significantly from one sport to another with contact sports carrying the highest risk. I am aware that participating in sports involves travel with the team. I acknowledge and accept the risks inherent in the sport(s) or athletics in which I will be participating and in all travel involved.