The Band-Aid Bulletin: Understanding Concussions

The Stanwood-Camano School District posted this on its website on 2025-10-16 17:00:00.

In this second edition, our school nurses highlight one of the most common — yet often misunderstood — student health concerns: concussions.

Whether they happen on the playground, during PE, or in after-school sports, recognizing and responding to concussions quickly is key to keeping students safe and supporting their recovery at school.

Concussions are one of the most frequent injuries among children and teens involved in sports and recreation — and if not properly managed, they can lead to serious health effects. Early reporting and evaluation of concussion symptoms are key to ensuring timely care and a shorter recovery.

Common symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, difficulty concentrating, irritability, or sleep disturbances. “Red flag” symptoms such as neck pain, seizures, or loss of consciousness require immediate emergency attention. It’s important to note that more than 90% of concussions do not involve loss of consciousness, and symptoms may appear gradually over time.

Prevention starts with safety: minimizing contact and collisions, enforcing sports rules, and using protective equipment like helmets and mouthguards. Washington’s Zackery Lystedt Law requires schools to follow strict concussion management policies and report diagnosed concussions annually, helping keep student safety at the forefront.

Supporting Students After a Concussion

A concussion can temporarily affect how a student thinks, learns, and feels. Many students experience “mental fog,” fatigue, slower processing speed, and difficulty concentrating — which can make classwork or screen time overwhelming during recovery.

Schools can help by providing short-term accommodations such as:

• Reduced workloads
• Extended deadlines
• Scheduled rest breaks
• Limited screen use

Emotional changes like irritability, frustration, or sadness are also common and may impact social interactions. To support recovery, school staff, families, and healthcare providers work together on a Return-to-Learn plan tailored to the student’s needs. In some cases, ongoing symptoms may require formal supports through a Section 504 plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP).

For more information and prevention resources, visit the Island County Health Department’s Concussion Prevention Toolkit.