Blog Archives

MANAGING A CONCUSSION AT WHS

3/29/2018

If your child sustains a head injury and is diagnosed with a concussion, please notify either the school nurse or athletic trainer. The trainers will monitor students who are involved in UIL sports. The nurses will monitor students who are either not involved in WHS athletics OR non-UIL sports such as Rugby and Lacrosse. Cheerleading falls under the trainers, dance and band fall under the nurses.

Once your child has been identified, we will have them fill out a symptom score sheet. We like to see them daily at first and then several times per week so that we can advocate for them and monitor their progress.

Once you provide doctor’s orders, we will send them to all of your child’s Teachers, Counselor and Assistant Principal. We want to help them be successful at WHS.

Typical concussion support for academics are extended times on tests, quizzes and homework. Students may need to be excused during technology driven content OR if they are having significant symptoms, they may come rest in the nurses’ office or go see the trainers.

Please reach out to us if your child has sustained a concussion or you THINK they may have one. We can help assess them and recommend a medical referral.

Holly Hubbell, RN or Cindy Seferian, RN,
512.732.9285
Cody Watkins, WHS Athletic Trainer,
512.732.9280 ext. 33916

Most importantly, if you think your child sustained a concussion, they must avoid contact sports or activities until they are cleared or symptom free.

Please review this handout!

The Mental health benefits of exercise

3/22/2018

Yesterday marked the first day of Spring! Now that we have ditched the cold weather for good, we can finally return to outdoor activities that keep us physically moving. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve your mental health. Research shows that teens need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity most days of the week. Why? Teens who exercise regularly feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more positive about themselves and their lives. Exercise relieves tension and stress, enhances well-being through the release of endorphins, and creates a sense of mindfulness through repetition. Whether you are someone who exercises regularly, or someone who can’t stand the thought of sweating on purpose, here are some tips to improve your exercise level:

1. Start Small: Setting extravagant goals like waking up at 5am EVERY morning to work out, or signing up for a marathon when you haven’t run in 6 months will only leave you defeated if you fall short. Create achievable goals that fit your level and continue to build from there.

2. Focus on Activities You Enjoy: Any activity that gets you moving counts! If you hate the gym, opt for taking a walk with a friend, kayak on Lady Bird Lake, or play a pick-up game of basketball in your free time.

3. Reward Yourself: Exercising will already provide a sense of accomplishment and positive energy, but in addition to those perks you can also treat yourself. Reward yourself perhaps with an extra episode of your favorite TV show, a refreshing smoothie, or some time to meditate.

Don’t know where to start? Try some of these!
Free yoga & group classes in Austin: https://fitt.co/austin/free-fitness-groups-classes-austin/

Kayak/Paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake

Take your bike to school instead of the bus

Join a school sport or local recreational team

Learn to box using a student discount: http://www.lordsboxing.com/

Find an online fitness class channel you enjoy on Youtube

Go for a hike on the Greenbelt, Mt. Bonnell, or Hamilton Pool

Swim at Barton Springs

Take a dance lesson

Find a 5k, 10k, 13.1, or 26.2 road race to run: https://austinrunners.org/calendar/

Austin is one of the best cities for staying active because of its wide variety of activities offered. We challenge you this spring to find an activity you enjoy and get moving

Stay healthy Chaps!

Nora Schultz, MSSW Intern

Managing a concussion at WHS

3/21/2018

Most importantly, if you think your child sustained a concussion, they must avoid contact sports or activities until they are cleared or symptom free.

Please review this handout!

Spring Break & Sleep

3/7/2018

With midterms in full force it can be tempting for teenagers to stay up all night and put off sleep until spring break. While spring break can be a great time to catch up on some rest and relaxation, it’s important that sleep is a year-round priority.

According to the Child Mind Institute, less than 8% of American teenagers get the sleep they need. This leaves the vast majority sleep deprived. So how does going without the recommended nine hours of sleep each night actually impact teenagers?

-Increased risk of unintentional injuries and death. Drowsiness and fatigue are found to dramatically increase the potential for car crashes and other non-driving related accidents.
-Inability to self-regulate. Lack of sleep has been linked to aggression, impulsivity, and inability to stay on task and focus.
-Substance use and risky behavior. Sleep deprived teens are far more likely to use stimulants like caffeine and nicotine to get through the day. In addition, they are more likely to deal with sleep-related negative moods by self-medicating with alcohol.
-Mood. Less sleep has been found to be correlated with increased depressive symptoms, anxiety, irritability, feelings of hopelessness about the future and suicidal ideation.

What if the moodiness, constant battles and reckless behavior we typically associate with “normal” teenage angst could be lessened with a good night’s sleep? Wouldn’t that be great? Here are some tips parents can use to help their teenagers get more sleep:

-Be consistent with sleep schedules – even on the weekends!
-Screens off an hour before bed time.
-Watch the snacking.
-Simplify your teen’s after school schedule.
-Set a good example with your own sleep habits.
-Streamline mornings.
-Ask your teen, “What can I do to help keep you track?”

Teens are not likely to change their habits unless they recognize more sleep actually makes them feel better. Parents play an important role in encouraging commitment when it comes to their teen’s sleeping schedule.

Have a safe and sleep-filled spring break!

Kristi, Katie & Elizabeth

What Failing Students Want Us to Remember

3/1/2018

By seeing students as more than their grades, we can enable them to reach their potential.

Our schools in the United States operate primarily as meritocracies: Grades are earned, students are tracked into achievement groups, and awards and rewards are provided for those who perform satisfactorily. If a child isn’t performing at an expected level (for whatever reasons) negative descriptors are often assigned to that child, like “nonproficient reader,” “failing student,” or “poor test taker.”

We need to realize that the current model only allows a child to be labeled “a successful student” by how well she performs as a test taker and grade maker. This narrative can actually exacerbate any pre-existing trauma and even produce trauma in a child who previously had none.

So when a student is not performing, progressing, or participating, we need to pause and look beyond that child’s actions. We need to look beyond any behaviors of defiance or refusal. In this way we can break the curse of those long lingering—and possibly traumatizing— labels and begin to meet that child with a clearer picture of reality. When we do this, we’re able to better see what that child, whether 7 or 17 years old, is actually trying to tell us.

Read on to learn how you, as a parent, can help your child realize they are MORE than their grades!

Stay Healthy, Chaps!
-Kristi Waidhofer

The contents of the Healthy Chaps site, including text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only. Nothing contained in this site is or should be considered or used as a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Never disregard medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider or delay seeking it because of something you have read on the Internet, including on the Healthy Chaps site. We urge you to seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. In case of emergency, please call your doctor or 911 immediately.

MANAGING A CONCUSSION AT WHS

The Mental health benefits of exercise

Managing a concussion at WHS

Spring Break & Sleep

What Failing Students Want Us to Remember

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