Bonnie Shook RN, BSN, PHN
rn@keppel.k12.ca.us

The California Department of Public Health

Parents can find a wide range of information regarding health that affect people of all ages.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) works to protect the public's health in the California and helps shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. The Department's website provides access to a variety of programs and services.

• California Department of Public Health

• Departamento de Salud Pública de California

How to Minimize Head Lice

Head lice are small insects that live in people's hair and feed on their blood. Lice glue their eggs, or "nits," to hair so that the nits do not get brushed off. Lice die quickly (within two days) without feeding so they cannot live very long away from your child's head. Nits take six to nine days to hatch, and seven or more days for the lice to become egg-laying adults. How do people get head lice? Children can give head lice to other children when they share combs, hats, clothing, barrettes, helmets, scarves, headphones, or other personal items. Head lice are a problem in homes, day care centers, elementary, and preschools. Kids are much more likely to get lice from family members and playmates than from classmates at school.​

Parent's Guide to Head Lice

• A Parents Guide to Head Lice

• Una Guia Para Padres De Familia Sobre Los Piojos de la Cabeza

The Health Services department coordinates and plans health related services programs for students and schools in Keppel Union.

Keppel Union employs a registered nurse as our Health/Attendance Service Supervisor. School nurses strengthen and facilitate the educational process by improving and protecting the health status of children and by identification and assistance in the removal or modification of health-related barriers to learning in individual children. The major focus of school health services is the prevention of illness and disability, and the early detection and correction of health problems. The school nurse is especially prepared and uniquely qualified in preventive health, health assessment, and referral procedures. California Education Code 49426 outlines the major responsibilities of school nurses. Examples of duties performed by the Health Services department are:

• Makes nursing diagnosis and exercises judgement in the disposition of individuals who become ill or who are injured at school

• Assists in caring for major emergencies

• Conducts screening procedures for vision and hearing at designated grade levels

• Keeps accurate records and notifies parents and appropriate school personnel of results

• Assists when necessary, parents in making contact with appropriate medical and social resources

• Screens pupil health records and prepares lists of the identified physically handicapped children in each classroom and notifies the teacher of special health related conditions - diabetes, epilepsy, hard of hearing, visual impairments, etc...

• Conferences with students, parents, teachers, and principals in the process of facilitating proper student health care

• Conducts workshops for parents and school personnel to upgrade skills and knowledge of good health and safety practices

• Make necessary home calls to appraise student absences related to health problems, illnesses, communicable diseases, welfare  and make referrals for necessary action

• Participates as a member of the school IEP team in making decisions concerning students with exceptional needs

• Organizes resources for school health clinics

Students entering school must show proof of the following immunizations:

Students Entering Kindergarten

Students Entering Grade Seven