Head Lice Information

In order to prevent and control head lice infestations, the following will be done:

• If a case of head lice is identified, the district procedures regarding head lice will be followed.
• Checking for head lice, parent notification if lice are present, and documentation on the Lice Log will be done by trained school personnel.
• Students with chronic problems may be asked to obtain a physician's verification of treatment and freedom from nits prior to returning to school. A meeting with parents, the school nurse and principal also may be necessary.

Any student having live head lice will be excluded from school until appropriate treatment is administered. Parents will be notified and given standard instructions on appropriate treatment (When your child comes home with head lice). Students should be treated without delay and return to school the next school day. Students will come to the Wellness Center before the student returns to the classroom for a clearance check to make sure there are no live lice. Also, it is expected that the student will be 'nit free'. If some nits are remaining, the parent will be notified that continued nit removal is necessary. The student will be rechecked daily until all nits are removed or to confirm a substantial reduction in the number of nits. When all nits are removed, the student will be checked weekly for one month. After one month without re-infestation, the student will be checked monthly to assure that no lice or nits are present. All lice checks will be recorded on the Lice Log.

In cases of chronic problems in a given classroom or student, all students in the classroom or the individual student may be checked periodically to ensure no re-infestation has occurred.

If problems are significant or extended in nature, the school nurse, in conjunction with the principal, may decide to notify the entire school community. In this case, standard letters will be sent home with each student. Letters will outline procedures for prevention, identification and appropriate treatment of head lice.