Parent/Guardian Information
Your child/ward has indicated interest in participating on the school’s interschool team listed on the corresponding form. The information below is intended to assist you in making an informed decision as to whether you give consent for your child/ward to participate on the school’s interschool team (listed above). If after reading the information, you give consent, please complete the Acknowledgement of Risks, Consent to Participate and the Emergency Contact – Medical Information sections and return the forms to the staff supervisor.
Note: The Acknowledgement of Risks, Consent to Participate and Emergency Contact – Medical Information portions of the form must be completed on behalf of the student who wishes to participate in the interschool sport. These forms must be returned to the staff supervisor prior to the student’s first team tryout.
Please ensure that someone is able to translate and explain this important document to you.
Elements of Risk
The interschool activity programs being offered involve certain elements of risk. Falls, collisions and other incidents may occur, causing injury. Due to the nature of some activities, injuries may range from minor sprains and strains to more serious injuries. All interschool activities carry a risk for the transmission of communicable bacteria and viruses (i.e. COVID 19)
The following list includes, but is not limited to, examples of types of injury which may result in:
- Bumps and bruising, overuse injuries such as muscle sprains & strains
- Fainting, shortness of breath, dehydration
- Cuts and scrapes, broken bones, dental injuries
- Back/spinal and neck injuries, paralysis or prove to be life threatening
- Head injuries and concussion
Injuries as a result from participation in the activity can occur without any fault on either the part of the student, or ÄÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ (HCDSB) or its employees or agents, or the facility where the activity is taking place. By choosing to participate in the activity, and completing the Acknowledgment of Risk form, you are assuming the risk of injury occurring. HCDSB attempts to manage as effectively as possible the risk involved for students while participating in school athletics. Carefully following instructions at all times and being physically fit to participate in the activity can reduce the chance of any injury/accident occurring.
Concussion Information
HCDSB Concussion Policy and Procedures will be followed if a student sustains a hit or blow to the head or body and shows signs or symptoms of concussion. Concussion information for the parent/guardian and the student is available on the HCDSB website (Concussion Protocol). Management of a concussion is key to supporting the student during recovery.
Please be advised that your child/ward will be asked to seek medical attention if signs and symptoms of concussion arise. You are required, along with your child/ward, to view the appropriate Concussion Awareness Resource (CAR) provided below. The resources will provide you with the necessary information regarding: the definition and seriousness of a concussion, the signs and symptoms of a suspected concussion, the importance of reporting a suspected concussion, and concussion management including Return to School and Return to Physical Activity.
CAR documents can also be found on the .
Please initial under the section of Acknowledgment of Risks that you have viewed the Concussion Awareness Resource
For a diagnosed concussion that occurs as a result of activity outside of the school setting, you are to inform the school Principal as soon as possible.
Non-Concussion Related Injuries/Illness
When an athlete misses a practice/game due to an injury or illness requiring professional medical attention (e.g. medical doctor, chiropractor, physiotherapist), the parent/guardian must inform the coach/staff supervisor who will then provide the form – Request to Resume Athletic Participation: Non-Concussion. A parent/guardian will complete the form and return it to the coach/staff supervisor giving their child/ward permission to return to practice and/or competition.
When students are returning to activities with injuries/illnesses such as spinal injuries, fractures, torn ligaments or mononucleosis etc., the parent/guardian is requested to provide the coach/staff supervisor with the treatment, management and recovery plan from their child/ward’s medical professional.
Student Accident Insurance Notice
ÄÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ does not provide any accidental death, disability, dismemberment, and medical/dental expenses insurance on behalf of the students participating in the activity. For insurance coverage of injuries, you are encouraged to consider the STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE PLAN made available by the school to parents at the beginning and throughout the school year. Please initial under the Acknowledgment of Risks section that you have read and understand the Student Accident Insurance Notice.
In your child/ward’s best interest, we recommend an annual medical examination. It is important that your child/ward participate safely and comfortably in the interschool athletics program. Please note the following:
- Students, with applicable medical condition, will have their emergency medication readily accessible at all practices and competitions (e.g. asthma inhalers, epinephrine auto injectors, diabetes blood testing and fast acting sugar).
- Certain types of jewellery can pose a hazard and cause injury to the wearer and/or other participants during practices and competitions. Students must comply with the instructions of the coach/staff supervisor, following the governing body/association policy, and/or the board/school procedures, when requested to remove jewellery. Medic alert identification that cannot be removed must be taped or securely covered.
- If your child/ward wears glasses that cannot be removed during interschool activities, the wearing of an eyeglass strap and shatter-resistant /shatterproof lens is required.
- Attention should be paid to environmental concerns (e.g. protection from sun, hypothermia, dehydration and frostbite).
- In the event that the student uses personal or borrowed sports equipment, the student or parent/guardian (if the student is under the age of 18) is responsible for ensuring that the equipment is in good working order, fits properly, conforms with recognized safety standards, and has not been altered from its original condition.
Communication of Injury/Illness
If your child/ward sustains an injury or contracts an illness requiring medical attention, during the competitive season of this sport, it is your responsibility to contact the coach/staff supervisor to provide any necessary or updated information that might influence their ability to participate in the sport.
Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS)
SADS refers to a variety of cardiac disorders which are often genetic and undiagnosed that can be responsible for sudden cardiac death in young apparently healthy people. Fainting or seizure during/after physical activity or resulting from emotional excitement, emotional distress or being startled can be a warning sign of sudden arrhythmia death syndrome. The school response is to call emergency medical services (911) and inform the parent/guardian. The parent/guardian is to be provided information on – Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS), which contains information about SADS as well as a Documentation of a Fainting Episode Form. The student is not to participate in physical activity until cleared by a medical assessment. The form is completed by a parent/guardian and returned to the school administrator/designate.
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Private Motor Vehicles Transportation and Insurance
ÄÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ recognizes that private motor vehicles may be used for transportation. All volunteer drivers must complete the HCDSB Transportation of Students in Private Vehicles Driven by Volunteer Drivers form. Student drivers must complete the Transportation of Students in Private Vehicles Driven by Other Student Drivers and student passengers are to complete the Student Passenger Request Form to be approved by the principal/designate. HCDSB requires all drivers to have a minimum of $1 000 000 third party liability insurance coverage. HCDSB provides non-owned Automobile Liability Insurance for claims that exceed the owner’s insurance while the vehicle is being operated for HCDSB business. This coverage would respond to claims that exceed $1,000,000.
Athletic Eligibility
To allow successful teams to participate at OFSAA tournaments the HCAA abides by the OFSAA transfer policy. If your child/ward has transferred to a different school after entering grade 9 they must complete an OFSAA Transfer Appeal form. Not all students who transfer will be eligible to participate in interschool athletics upon registration at a new school. Please speak with the team coach as soon as possible to determine eligibility and take the appropriate steps to complete the transfer appeal process.