Category Archives: Health

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

Free Tdap Immunization Clinic – Daily Republic

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By Tim Goree

The California Department of Public Health is closely following the rate of immunization during the pandemic and immunization requirements for admission to school in California for the 2020-2021 school year. The Law requiring students to have a Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) booster prior to entering 7th grade remains in place during Distance Learning.

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District is holding a Tdap immunization clinic on Tuesday, September 15th from 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM at Grange Middle School, 1975 Blossom Ave., Fairfield to provide students this required immunization free of charge.

Source: Press Release: Free Tdap Immunization Clinic

Solano Office of Education to distribute PPE to schools – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

The Solano County Office of Education will be distributing personal protection equipment to area public schools.

The program is in conjunction with the California Office of Emergency Services.

The supplies provided by the state include N95 masks for school medical staff; more than 58,000 cloth masks (sizes 7 to 12); more than 76,000 cloth masks (sizes K-6); more than 58,000 disposable masks (sizes 7 to 12); more than 76,000 disposable masks (sizes K-6); more than 25,000 disposable masks (sized for adults); more than 12,000 disposable face shields; 540 touchless thermometers; and more than 1,600 gallons of hand sanitizer.

Source: Solano Office of Education to distribute PPE to schools

Air pollution warnings extend through Wednesday – Daily Republic

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By Glen Faison

Smoke from a massive wildfire that’s blanketed the area for the better part of the week prompted the Bay Area Air Quality Management District on Saturday to extend an air pollution alert through Wednesday.

The action bans burning wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors, across the greater Bay Area region.

Air quality is expected to be unhealthy with the heaviest pollution in the East Bay, which includes Solano County, and Santa Clara Valley, the air district reports.

Source: Air pollution warnings extend through Wednesday

Free Tdap Immunization Clinic – Daily Republic

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By Tim Goree

The California Department of Public Health is closely following the rate of immunization during the pandemic and immunization requirements for admission to school in California for the 2020-2021 school year. The Law requiring students to have a Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) booster prior to entering 7th grade remains in place during Distance Learning.

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District is holding a Tdap immunization clinic on Wednesday, August 19th from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM at Grange Middle School, 1975 Blossom Ave., Fairfield to provide students this required immunization free of charge.

Students that need the Tdap booster and are unable to attend the above clinic should contact their doctor or health clinic as soon as possible. All students must have proof of immunization on file before advancing to 7th grade.

Source: Press Release: Free Tdap Immunization Clinic

FSUSD to host pair of free Tdap immunization clinics next week – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Fairfield-Suisun Unified, teaming up with the Solano County Public Health Department, is hosting two free Tdap immunization clinics next week for incoming seventh-graders.

State law requires incoming seventh-graders to have two doses of varicella and a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) booster given after age 7 and prior to entering seventh grade.

In a press release, Tim Goree, director of administrative services and community engagement for the sprawling Solano County school district, said the free clinics are an opportunity for children to receive these immunizations at no cost, regardless of medical insurance coverage.

Source: FSUSD to host pair of free Tdap immunization clinics next week – The Reporter

Required Tdap Immunizations Provided Free of Charge – Daily Republic

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By Tim Goree

The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, in partnership with the Solano County Public Health Department, is hosting two Tdap immunization clinics next week. California Health Laws require that students entering the 7th grade must have two doses of Varicella and a Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) booster given after age 7 and prior to entering 7th grade. These clinics are an opportunity for children to receive these immunizations, free of charge, regardless of medical insurance coverage. Children who will not take part in these clinics should schedule Tdap immunizations with their doctor as soon as possible.

The first clinic will be held at Grange Middle School on Wednesday, July 29th from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM. The second clinic will be held at Crystal Middle School on Thursday, July 30th from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM. Only one clinic needs to be attended to receive the required immunization.

Source: Press Release: Required Tdap Immunizations Provided Free of Charge

CDC Will Provide Virus-Testing Guidance for Schools as Pressure to Reopen Grows – Education Week

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By Andrew Ujifusa

Schools may be out for the summer, but the heat is on for them to reopen in less than two months.

That was one big takeaway from a congressional hearing Tuesday, in which several senators as well as federal health officials agreed that getting children back into classrooms next fall is vital for students, their parents, and for the nation at large.

The Senate education committee hearing took place as public pressure mounts on schools to resume some form of normal operations in the upcoming academic year, due in part to concerns about a weakened economy and the long-term welfare of children and families.

Source: CDC Will Provide Virus-Testing Guidance for Schools as Pressure to Reopen Grows – Politics K-12 – Education Week

Supervisors recognize National Nurses Week in Solano County/Grant for Wellness to SCOE – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

The Board of Supervisors this week adopted a resolution recognizing May 6-12 as National Nurses Week in Solano County.

“Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities in a variety of settings, and includes the promotion of health, the prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people,” the resolution states.

Source: Supervisors recognize National Nurses Week in Solano County

Solano County Schools To Close For 2 Weeks: Coronavirus | Dixon, CA Patch

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By Maggie Fusek

All public and charter schools in Solano County are closed beginning Monday because of the situation surrounding the coronavirus — COVID-19 — the Solano County Office of Education announced Friday.

“In light of the ever-changing situation with COVID-19, Solano County superintendents and charter school administrators have made the difficult decision to close schools ­­­­­­­­­for two weeks beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 through Friday, March 27, 2020,” SCOE said in statement. “Superintendents and charter school administrators will make a determination at that time about any further closures.”

Source: Solano County Schools To Close For 2 Weeks: Coronavirus | Dixon, CA Patch

Coronavirus has reached the U.S. What can schools do? | Education Dive

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By Naaz Modan

“Given the growing epidemic nature of this virus, we need to do what we did when Ebola was very problematic,” Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said on a press call.

But Jacqueline Moline, an occupational and environmental medicine specialist, said she has noticed an absence of concrete guidance from the government. “Some of the information is rather opaque,” Moline said, leaving frontline workers in a “loop” between state agencies and the CDC.

Source: Coronavirus has reached the U.S. What can schools do? | Education Dive

North Bay Regional Center board meets in Fairfield – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

North Bay Regional Center’s board of directors will conduct a business meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Solano County Office of Education, 5100 Business Center Drive in Fairfield.

North Bay Regional Center provides services under a state contract to people with developmental special needs who live in Solano, Napa and Sonoma counties.

The meeting is open to the public. For more information, call 256-1224.

Source: The Week Ahead: North Bay Regional Center board meets in Fairfield

Student vaping epidemic has California schools frantically mobilizing [Los Angeles Times]

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Students at Crescenta Valley High School have created an anti-vaping app. At nearby Rosemont Middle School, 55 students have joined an anti-vaping club. Santa Monica schools have booked 20 anti-vaping and drug awareness student assemblies and parent meetings. Staffers at various Southern California campuses are stepping up patrols of hidden nooks, installing costly detection devices, bringing in addiction counselors and modifying health curricula.

The recent surge of lung illnesses and deaths linked to vaping, an increasingly entrenched habit among many youths, largely caught school authorities flat-footed, and educators are urgently mobilizing anti-vaping efforts against what they see as a dangerous teen epidemic.

“We’ve seen this develop very quickly, ” said Crescenta Valley Principal Linda Junge. “We’re seeing a public health crisis that has come onto campus.”

Source: Student vaping epidemic has California schools frantically mobilizing [Los Angeles Times]

First Solano student wellness center opens; goal is for 25 countywide – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

A student wellness center opened this week at Golden Hills Community School, the first in a $1.7 million investment to open 25 centers in the school-based Wellness Center Initiative launched by the Solano County Office of Education.

“As educators and community leaders, we know that mental health can create significant barriers to effective learning. School-based wellness centers can create opportunities to destigmatize mental health, foster open dialogue with students around issues like suicide prevention or bullying, and teach coping strategies that build resilience and help students manage stress before negative behaviors or violence occur,” Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement released Friday by her office.

Source: First Solano student wellness center opens; goal is for 25 countywide

School wellness centers ‘really about youth engagement’ – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Educators have long believed that keeping kids interested and focused in the classroom can stem the dropout rate, an idea confirmed by recent Solano County, state and U.S. Department of Education statistics that reveal four-year high school graduation rates have increased over the past decade, topping 80 percent in many school districts.

The key is meeting students’ academic, social and emotional needs. But, in the first two decades of the 21st century, marked by a tragic series of school shootings and other daily toxic stress, it is the latter aspect that is getting more attention from school leaders, counselors and teachers, said Kim Govi, foster and homeless youth program manager for the Solano County Office of Education in Fairfield.

“There is an increasing focus on mental health and it has become a priority in Solano County,” she said Wednesday at the Golden Hills Community School wellness center on Clay Bank Road in Fairfield, which celebrated a ribbon-cutting event earlier in the morning. “We are expanding mental health services and support.”

Source: SCOE official: School wellness centers ‘really about youth engagement’ – The Reporter

School districts deploy vaping sensors in e-cig crackdown | Education Dive

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By Natalie Gross

The hazards of vaping have gained national attention in recent months as a spike in related illnesses have led advocates, lawmakers and even the president to decry the industry. And now, administrators and school leaders are grappling with how to properly address it in their local schools.

Elizabeth D’Amico, a behavioral scientist with the RAND Corp., recently said that the rise in the popularity of vaping among teens is somewhat to blame on misinformation. Students seem to think vaping is not as harmful or addictive as traditional cigarettes. Yet, as previously reported, half of the teens who vape go on to use combustible cigarettes in one year. And according to the U.S. Surgeon General, the chemicals in e-cigarettes can harm adolescent brains, which are continuing to develop until the age of 25.

Source: School districts deploy vaping sensors in e-cig crackdown | Education Dive

Five things to know about California’s new vaccine law – The Reporter

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By Elizabeth Aguilera

California has a new vaccination law on the books. It cracks down on inappropriate use of medical exemptions that allow kids to skip some or all vaccines and still enter school. It gives power over the exemption process to public health officials and will create a vaccination database of all children with medical dispensation.

Supporters of the law are pleased that doctors will no longer be the final authority on medical exemptions and could be investigated if they write too many. The more children who get vaccines, the safer schools will be for all kids, the proponents say.

Critics fear the law will effectively shut down access to waivers for kids who could be harmed by vaccines, which carry some risk, or who need them for other medical reasons. Doctors may fear the investigative provisions of the law, opponents say, and thousands of children could even be tossed out of school if they are not fully up-to-date on vaccines.

Source: Five things to know about California’s new vaccine law – The Reporter

Schentrup, Sports Medicine Visit Vanden High School – Solano College

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The Solano College Sports Medicine program teamed up with the Solano County Office of Education to visit Vanden High School this week.

Solano College athletic trainer and sports medicine faculty Bailey Schentrup spent the day teaching students from Miss Smith’s medical science classes hands-on skills such as athletic taping techniques, basic anatomy palpation skills, and stretching techniques.

Students were introduced to several therapeutic exercise fields of study, including the Solano College Sports Medicine/Athletic Training major and its courses.

Source: Schentrup, Sports Medicine Visit Vanden High School – Solano College