Category Archives: Health

SPI Pledges to Help Counter the Fentanyl Crisis – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond provided testimony at a joint hearing of the California Assembly Select Committees on Fentanyl, Opioid Addiction, and Overdose Prevention; Public Safety; and Health to share updates on efforts he and the California Department of Education (CDE) have undertaken to address the ongoing opioid crisis that claimed the lives of over 6,800 Californians in 2021 alone

“There are plenty of resources to help. We all have the ability to help save a life,” Thurmond said. “So we encourage students who need help to call 9-8-8 and obviously any one of our thousand school districts can contact the CDE directly for help on how to access Narcan, drug prevention, education, and substance abuse treatment programs. I want to assure these committees and the people of California that my team at the CDE and I are doing what we can to fight the fentanyl epidemic. We are focused not only on prevention and education but effective treatments, especially naloxone (Narcan)—a lifesaving drug when administered after an opioid overdose.”

Source: SPI Pledges to Help Counter the Fentanyl Crisis – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

Free NARCAN forum on Thursday – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Local school districts, along with several health institutes, will host a free forum on NARCAN, a drug to treat opioid overdoses.

This forum is for educators, parents and community members focusing on Naloxone (NARCAN) and strategies for opioid and fentanyl awareness and prevention.

The event will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Benicia Unified School District, 50 East K St. in Benicia.

Source: Free NARCAN forum on Thursday

Efforts to Support Student Access to Healthy Meals – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) leadership, and state and federal stakeholders on a visit to Betty Reid Soskin Middle School to hear more about the district’s innovative farm-to-school program.

Soskin Middle School serves 450 students—60 percent of whom are considered to be socioeconomically disadvantaged—and is the frontline of the vital work of feeding students healthy school meals through the California Universal Meals Program. The school is named after Betty Reid Soskin, a pioneering Bay Area civil rights activist and the nation’s oldest National Park Ranger, who was designated as an Ambassador to California Education by Thurmond in September 2021.

“As we celebrate National Nutrition Month and National School Breakfast Week, I take great pride in promoting the fact that California became the first state in the United States to implement a statewide universal meals program for all school-age children within the public education system. As a result, millions of children access two free healthy meals during each school day. And not only that, but we have also supported other states in following suit,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “The Universal Meals Program removes the stigma associated with free and reduced-price school meals and is a critical component in the framework for the Transforming California Schools Initiative designed to create one cohesive educational system with integrated, interdependent strategies.”

Source: Efforts to Support Student Access to Healthy Meals – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

Dan O. Root II Health and Wellness Academy hosts successful Math Festival – Daily Republic

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The Dan O. Root II Health and Wellness Academy hosted a Math Festival on Feb. 16, providing students with a hands-on approach to learning math and giving parents and families the opportunity to see what their children are learning in the classroom.

During the school day, students participated in a variety of math-focused activities at different stations. Each station was designed to promote problem-solving skills and was tailored to the level of the students. The activities included games, puzzles, and other interactive experiences that made learning math fun and engaging.

Source: Dan O. Root II Health and Wellness Academy hosts successful Math Festival

FSUSD to host final meetings of Fentanyl Awareness Town Hall series – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest the tsunami of overdose deaths — driven largely by the spread of illicit fentanyl — may have peaked in March 2022.

Researchers found an astonishing 110,236 people, many under the age of 40, died in a single 12-month period, a record, the CDC reported.

While last year was certainly deadly, there are signs the worst of it may be over, some officials believe.

Source: FSUSD to host final meetings of Fentanyl Awareness Town Hall series – The Vacaville Reporter

Fairfield-Suisun district schedules fentanyl awareness town hall meetings – Daily Republic

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The Fairfield-Suisun School District will host a series of three fentanyl awareness town hall meetings to educate parents and community members on the dangers of fentanyl.

The meetings will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at locations throughout the district. The first meeting will take place Jan. 18 at Solano Community College, 4000 Suisun Valley Road in rural Fairfield. The second meeting will be held Jan. 25 at The Salvation Army Kroc Center at 586 E. Wigeon Way in Suisun City. The third meeting will take place Jan. 31, at the Public Safety Academy campus at 230 Atlantic Ave. in Fairfield.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun district schedules fentanyl awareness town hall meetings

County health leaders issue fentanyl warning – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The stories have made headlines for several years: A young person bought a pill they thought was Oxycodone, Norco, or similar opioids.

But it wasn’t. It was a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl and that person who had so much more living to do ended up cold, perhaps naked and lying on the coroner’s examination table, leaving behind a grieving family and friends.

“Teens take street pills thinking they’re Oxycodone, Adderall or Xanax,” Robin Cox, bureau chief of Solano County’s Health Promotion & Community Wellness (VibeSolano). “They don’t realize they are counterfeit pills until it’s too late — their first encounter with the counterfeit pill can often be fatal.”

Source: County health leaders issue fentanyl warning – The Vacaville Reporter

Health Guidance for Schools During Extreme Heat – Letters (CA Dept of Education)

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The California Department of Education is partnering with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to provide you with additional critical announcements to support California school communities during this period of intense heat.

Please find important information from the CDPH about the risks of heat events as well as ways to monitor conditions and take precautions to protect your school communities on the CDPH Interim Health Guidance for Schools on Sports and Strenuous Outdoor Activities During Extreme Heat web page at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/ExtremeHeatPages/extreme-heat-guidance-for-schools.aspx.

Source: Health Guidance for Schools During Extreme Heat – Letters (CA Dept of Education)

FSUSD to host free COVID vaccine clinics for students 12 and older – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

With Solano Public Health and Solano Emergency Medical Services, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District will host a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic for students age 12 and older in the coming days and weeks.

Those Interested should meet at Grange Middle School, at 1975 Blossom Ave., in Fairfield.

Students age 12 and older will receive only the Pfizer vaccine and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to their appointment, Angie Avlonitis, executive director of the district’s administrative services, noted in a prepared statement.

Source: FSUSD to host free COVID vaccine clinics for students 12 and older – The Reporter

Dixon USD selects Care Solace for enhanced mental healthcare services – The Reporter

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Dixon Unified School District is pleased to announce that it has selected Care Solace, an organization determined to streamline mental health care to support behavioral and mental health referrals for our nearly 3,000 students, families and staff members.

Care Solace equips school districts with a web based tools making it easier for students, families and staff to connect with resources and providers in their communities.

“School is more than a place to learn, it’s a place where students come to feel safe and supported. Even with the resources and support provided by our district mental health staff, we see that there’s an unmet need,” Superintendent of Dixon Unified School District Brian Dolan said in a press statement.

Source: Dixon USD selects Care Solace for enhanced mental healthcare services – The Reporter

Medical science students assist with mass vaccination clinic at Vacaville High School – The Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

Vacaville High School’s medical science program has been around for more than a decade, providing students opportunities to witness the work of medical professionals firsthand to bring their lessons to life.

On Wednesday, they had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Solano Public Health hosted a mass vaccination clinic on their campus, and students volunteered to assist with check-ins, direct them to the vaccination area, fill out cards for next appointments and observe patients for 15 minutes following their shots, which were administered by medical professionals.

The clinic came two weeks after Solano County expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all residents 16 and older. Benjamin Gammon, the county’s Emergency Medical Services coordinator, said previously, the only people as young as 16 who could get vaccinated were those with chronic conditions.

Source: Coronavirus: Medical science students assist with mass vaccination clinic at Vacaville High School – The Reporter

Solano’s weekend Covid numbers improve, but county still in purple – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

The number of novel coronavirus cases over the weekend was slightly lower than at the same time last week, but Solano County will still have to experience even fewer cases over the next four days to get into the less restrictive red tier.

The Public Health Division reported Monday there were 91 new cases since Friday’s update, a three-day average of 30.33.

It took the total since the pandemic started to 30,115.

Source: Solano’s weekend Covid numbers improve, but county still in purple

Local educators start receiving vaccinations – Times-Herald

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By Thomas Gase

Year after year, educators hope to have multiple pens, sheets of paper, erasers, rulers and calculators to help them get through a class. Now most of them are thankful to add COVID-19 vaccination shots to that same list.

Nearly 1,000 of the 2,000 educators and teachers from throughout Solano County took advantage of vaccine invitations and made appointments for their shots, according to Lisette Estrella-Henderson, the county’s superintendent of schools. Many had attended a vaccine clinic last week at the Solano County Office of Education.

In Napa County, 950 doses were made available to Napa district and county office of education teachers. The county has released 1,000 more doses to be administered to all Napa County school staff Monday and Tuesday, according to American Canyon High principal Crystal Lopez.

Source: Local educators start receiving vaccinations – Times-Herald

Solano County partners with VUSD for first Vacaville vaccination clinic – The Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

As Solano County Public Health continues to host more COVID-19 vaccination clinics throughout the county, one finally came to Vacaville Monday. The agency partnered with Vacaville Unified School District to host one at Markham Elementary School.

Benjamin Gammon, Solano County’s Emergency Medical Services coordinator, said 1,500 people were scheduled to receive the first of two doses of the Moderna vaccine, with the recipients again consisting of individuals in vulnerable populations such as seniors ages 65 or older or with chronic illnesses, first responders and health care workers.

Additionally, there was a doctor in the parking lot where people lined up to sign in. The doctor also worked with the Solano County Office of Emergency Services and Solano County Sheriff’s Office to assist people with mobility issues.

Source: Coronavirus: Solano County partners with VUSD for first Vacaville vaccination clinic – The Reporter

Solano vaccine event gets 1,000 in the door, more in coming days – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

There seemed to be a little turnabout is fair play going on Friday at the headquarters of the Solano County Office of Education.

Teachers were told to follow the yellow “ribbon,” and later were sent to sit down quietly for 15 minutes before being allowed to go.

It was all part of a vaccination clinic at which 1,000 teachers and other school staff received their first of two Covid-19 vaccinations. They will be back in three weeks to get the second.

Source: Solano vaccine event gets 1,000 in the door, more in coming days

SCOE hosts mass vaccination clinic for educators – The Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

It has not been an easy 12 months since Solano County schools closed to stop the spread of COVID-19. But as the county moves through the first phase of the vaccination rollout, a little bit of hope arrived Friday.

The Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) hosted a vaccination clinic for employees in schools throughout the county that have already opened or registered with the California Department of Public Health’s Safe Schools for All website. Approximately 1,800 employees from throughout Solano were invited to sign up for vaccines and 1,000 made appointments to receive them, according to Lisette Estrella-Henderson, Solano’s superintendent of schools.

She was thrilled with the turnout.

Source: Coronavirus: SCOE hosts mass vaccination clinic for educators – The Reporter

Health officials say Solano not lagging behind in Covid-19 vaccinations – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

Solano’s top health official said those concerned, or complaining, that the county is trailing others in the Bay Area with vaccinations simply do not understand the realities of the situation.

Dr. Bela Matyas said vaccinations are not something that can be easily compared county to county.

The county as of Monday had vaccinated about 55,000 people, although the state also has private contracts with the hospitals, pharmacies, Travis Air Force Base and the Vacaville prisons, and the county does not receive reports on the number of people vaccinated through those contracts.

Source: Health officials say Solano not lagging behind in Covid-19 vaccinations

Alliance for a Healthier Generation Offer Free Stress Management Classes for FSUSD Classified Staff – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

It’s a simple fact: we are better able to support children’s well-being once we take time to nourish our own physical, social, and emotional health. Though change and uncertainty can magnify stress, knowing simple ways to mitigate these feelings can go a long way in fostering our own personal well-being.

On November 18th, 2020, classified staff in the Fairfield-Suiusn Unified School District will have the opportunity to participate in a stress management workshop. This training, facilitated through our partnership with Kaiser Permanente’s Resilience In School Environment (RISE) and Alliance for a Healthier Generation, is focused on supporting staff wellness.

Source: Press Release: Alliance for a Healthier Generation Offer Free Stress Management Classes for FSUSD Classified Staff

Webinar on Public Health Guidance – Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a special webinar today for thousands of school leaders, parents, and educational partners to answer questions and assist schools in their understanding of state public health guidance as they continue to ensure the health and safety of students and staff during the pandemic.

The State Superintendent was joined by Ben Chida, Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary in the Governor’s Office, and Dr. Erica Pan, Acting State Health Officer at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

“I want to acknowledge how proud I am of California’s entire education community, and I just have to commend everyone for doing your part,” Thurmond said. “This is not easy, but I am inspired by our students, educators, administrators, families, and partners leaning in under unimaginable circumstances. Thank you to our partners in the Governor’s Office and CDPH for helping school leaders plan for the weeks and months ahead. We are grateful for all efforts to help schools navigate these complicated decisions in their communities.”

Source: Webinar on Public Health Guidance – Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

With schools starting online, vaccinations head for recess – Daily Republic

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By Tribune Content Agency

Dr. Chris Kjolhede is focused on the children of central New York.

As co-director of school-based health centers at Bassett Healthcare Network, the pediatrician oversees about 21 school-based health clinics across the region – a poor, rural area known for manufacturing and crippled by the opioid epidemic.

From ankles sprained during recess to birth control questions, the clinics serve as the primary care provider for many children both in and out of the classroom. High on the to-do list is making sure kids are up to date on required vaccinations, said Kjolhede.

Source: With schools starting online, vaccinations head for recess