Concussion Information

The Board of Education of the Dunkirk City School District recognizes that concussions and head injuries are commonly reported injuries in children and adolescents who participate in sports and recreational activities and can have serious consequences if not managed carefully. Therefore, the Dunkirk City School District adopts the following policy to support the proper evaluation and management of head injuries.

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works?  Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.  Health care professionals may describe a concussion as a "mild" brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. However, their effects can have serious effects and recovery from concussions will vary.

What are some signs or symptoms of a concussion?

While district staff will exercise reasonable care to protect students, head injuries may still occur. Physical education teachers, coaches, nurses and other appropriate staff will receive training to recognize the signs, symptoms and behaviors consistent with a concussion. Any student exhibiting those signs, symptoms or behaviors while participating in a school-sponsored class, extracurricular activity, or interscholastic athletic activity shall be removed from the game or activity and be evaluated as soon as possible by an appropriate health care professional.

The possible signs or symptoms of a concussion may include:

• Headache that does not go away
• Changes in mood, behavior, or emotions
• Lack of interest in typical enjoyed activities
• Inability to focus
• Slurred speech
• "Glass" eyes
• More information and symptoms can be found HERE.

What happens if a concussion is suspected or diagnosed?

The student shall not return to school or activity until authorized to do so by the appropriate Concussion Management Team. The school’s chief medical officer will make the final decision on returning to activity activities, including physical education class and interscholastic sports. Any student who continues to have signs or symptoms upon returning to activity must be removed from play and reevaluated by their health care provider. 

The student-athlete will go through a series of Return to Play days which slowly increase the exertion of exercise over 5 days.  Our Return to Play protocol can be found HERE.