A concussion is a mild traumatic brain in-jury. Concussions occur when normal brain functioning is disrupted by a blow or jolt to the head. Signs and symptoms of a concussion include, but are not limited to: amnesia, confusion, dizziness, fatigue, headache, loss of consciousness, nausea, poor attention or concentration, poor coordination, slurred speech, visual disturbance, and vomiting. Recovery from a concussion will vary. More information and resources are available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention page.

The Weedsport Central School District has established the following protocol to guide the return of students to school and activities following a suspected concussion, regardless of whether such injury occurred outside of school. Activities include academics, physical education, sports, and playground. The District reserves the right to develop more stringent protections at any time, and to act in a manner that is more cautious in protecting the health and well-being of its students.

Concussion Management

The cornerstone of proper concussion management is rest until resolution of all symptoms, clearance from the student’s physician, approval by the school physician, and then a graded pro-gram of exertion before return to physical education and sports. Any student who exhibits any signs or symptoms of concussion should be evaluated by their private physician. Their physician would complete the Weedsport Central School Physician Concussion Evaluation form. The private physician will use this form to evaluate the student over a series of office visits and to recommend when the student may begin the return to play progression. The school physician then must approve the return to play progression. The graded program of exertion before returning to physical education and sports is broken down into six steps in which only one step is covered each day or for a series of days. The six steps involve the following:

1.  Low impact, non-strenuous, light aerobic activity such as walking or riding a stationary bike. If tolerated without return of symptoms over a 24 hour period proceed to;
2. Higher impact, higher exertion, and moderate aerobic activity such as running or jumping rope. No resistance training. If tolerated without return of symptoms for a 24 hour period proceed to;
3. Sport/physical education-specific non-contact activity. Low resistance weight training with a spotter. If tolerated without return of symptoms over a 24 hour period proceed to;
4. Sport/physical education-specific activity, non-contact drills. Higher resistance weight training with a spotter. If tolerated without return of symptoms over a 24 hour period proceed to;
5. Full contact training drills and intense aerobic activity (sports and physical education class). If tolerated without return of symptoms over a 24 hour period proceed to; 
6. Return to full activities without restrictions after approval from the school physician.