Although it is unpleasant, the occurrence of head lice is common throughout the country. If there is a reported case of head lice, the schools follow the approved administrative procedures based on the most current, research-based information. If an infestation is verified, the infested student is not sent home, the parent is given the option to pick the student up. Students cannot come back to school until treatment can be completed. If requested, parents are given information about the treatment steps to follow. The student may return to school as soon as treatment can be verified. Instructional time must be protected.

The building administrator and school nurse have discretion about which students to examine. It is not best practice to either examine the entire school/classroom or notify the entire parent population regarding selected infestation of head lice. The school intends to prevent the spread of head lice while protecting a student’s right to privacy.

 Additional information is available on these websites:

• National Organization of School Nurses
• Center for Disease Control
• American Academy of Pediatrics

Please be reminded that we are following the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control by eliminating all school head checks and additionally ensuring that no violations of the HIPPA regulations take place by having outside providers or parent volunteers engage in this practice in the school setting.

Sincerely,
Joseph Siracuse
Elementary Principal

TIPS FOR PRESCRIPTION OR OVER-THE-COUNTER HEAD LICE TREATMENT

• Whether using an over-the-counter head lice product or a prescribed treatment, it is very important that you read and follow all directions on the product’s label.
• Do not treat someone who does not have live lice (or nits close to the head). Do not use these products as a prevention method to avoid lice.
• It is recommended that both the person getting treated and the person administering the treatment put on clean clothing after the treatment is completed.
• Be cautious not to use more than one head lice medication at a time.
• 8-12 hours after treatment, examine your child’s head again. If you see a few lice still around, but they are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb the dead lice and any remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed nit/lice comb.
• To comb through the hair, sit in a well-lighted area. Part the hair into small sections and comb through one section at a time. Be patient and thorough, it can take a lot of time.
• 8-12 hours after treatment, if no dead lice are found and lice appear to be as active as before, the medicine may not be working. Do not re-treat until speaking with your health care provider. Your healthcare provider may recommend using a different lice medicine.
• Re-treatment is generally recommended for most lice medicines after 9-10 days. This should kill any newly hatched lice before they produce new eggs. Be sure to follow the instructions for the product you are using.
• It is important to check the hair and comb through it with a nit comb every 2-3 days. This will help to remove nits and lice and can decrease the chance of self-re-infestation. Do this for 2-3 weeks to be sure all lice and nits are gone.
• Wash combs, brushes, hats, and other hair accessories of the affected person in hot water.

TIPS FOR COMBING OUT HEAD LICE AND NITS

• Use a fine-toothed louse or nit comb. These combs may be included within packages of medicated head lice treatment or you may buy one from most drug stores or pet supply stores. Combs with metal teeth spaced close together seem to work best. 
• Sit behind your child, and use a bright light (and magnification if needed), to inspect and comb through the hair, one small section at a time. 
• Repeat combing until no more active lice are observed.
• Comb daily until no live lice are discovered for two weeks. It may take several hours each night for several nights to tackle the problem. An entertaining video may help keep the child occupied during this time.
• Adult female lice cement eggs to the base of a hair shaft near the skin. As the hair grows, eggs are moved away from the scalp. Eggs more than ¼ inch from the scalp are nearly always hatched and do not mean live lice are present. 
• Combs, brushes, hats, and other hair accessories in contact with an infested person should be washed in hot water each day to dislodge any lice or nits.

TREATMENT OF CLOTHES AND OTHER ITEMS

A clothes dryer set at high heat or a hot pressing iron will kill lice or their eggs on pillowcases, sheets, nightclothes, towels, and similar items your child has been in contact with during the previous two days. (Lice and their eggs do not live more than one to two days off the head.)

• Lice and their eggs on objects (such as toys) may be killed by freezing temperatures. Objects that cannot be put in a clothes dryer can be placed in a freezer (or outdoors if sufficiently cold) for several days. This treatment is rarely required.

CLEANING THE HOUSE AND CAR

• Once lice fall off of the head, they usually die within a day and eggs generally cannot live much longer. Thoroughly vacuuming the house and furniture is all that is necessary for cleaning the home. A major cleaning effort will do little to further eliminate head lice. 
• Insecticide treatments for the home, vehicles, or carpets and furniture are not needed and unnecessarily expose family members to the insecticides.

See District Policy #7000 regarding head lice on page 374.