Head Lice

Purpose

This policy addresses the reporting or discovery of head lice on a student. Pediculosis (head lice) represents one of the most common communicable childhood diseases. It is therefore not unusual within a school for children to get head lice, but it is one that should be eliminated as quickly as possible. The policy aligns with recommendations on dealing with head lice in schools from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Association of School Nurses.

Duration

This policy is permanent but is subject to revision.

Policy

Section 1. Scope of This Policy

  1. Students who are discovered to have lice will have their parents/guardians notified and provided with information on the treatment of head lice. Students are required to stay at home for the duration of their lice treatment.

Section 2. Discovery of Lice

  1. If a parent/guardian discovers lice on their child, they should contact the school immediately so that the school nurse may be notified.
  2. If school personnel discover lice, the school nurse (or designee) will contact the student's/students' parents/guardians by phone and/or email as soon as is feasible (but within one school day) to notify them and provide them with information on the treatment of head lice.
  3. A student returning to school after being treated for lice will be rechecked by school officials upon return. The parent/guardian of the student may be required to provide evidence of treatment prior to the student returning to the classroom.

Section 3. Treating a Classroom

  1. As a courtesy, a letter informing families in the class of the discovery of lice will be emailed home for grades K–5 as soon as is feasible (but within one school day). Classroom-wide notification does not occur in grades 6–8.
  2. All families will be encouraged to screen children at home for a period of two weeks following the discovery of lice.
  3. All siblings of children diagnosed with lice will be screened by school officials.
  4. Infested classroom rugs, furniture, pillows, etc. will be vacuumed.

Resources

Approval and Review

Approved

Effective

 Last Review

Next Review
9/18/18 9/18/18 06/2023 06/2026