8451 - PEDICULOSIS (HEAD LICE)
Whenever a student is found to be infested with head lice, his/her parent/guardian will be notified of the infestation and the school nurse or designee will notify the parent and ask the parent to pick the student up at their earliest convenience. The student will remain in the classroom until picked up by the parent. The principal or designee will determine the type of activities the student will be engaged in for the rest of the day to minimize physical contact with other children. If head-to-head contact is possible, the student will be excused from those activities.
Additionally, the student will be told of the infestation and reassured that it is a very treatable condition and nothing to be ashamed of. The student also will be educated in the transmission of lice and told not to share combs, hats, etc. with others.
When the parent picks up the student, the parent will be informed that the student needs to be treated before s/he returns and the parent will need to complete Form 8451A F3 before the student is readmitted. The student will be permitted to return to school after it is confirmed that the child is free of any live lice.
The parent will be provided with a notification letter (Form 8451A F2) and a treatment form that provides guidance and educational material concerning the epidemiology, treatment, and follow-up procedures for the infestation (Form 8451A F1) and will also be shown by the school nurse or health staff member the evidence of the student's infestation.
The parent will be informed that other family members might be infested and need treatment.
If the parent is unwilling or unable to identify nits or lice, s/he should be advised where this service is provided (local health department, clinic, physician's office).
If the parent/guardian is unable to visit the school (i.e., pick up the student), a phone call to the parent explaining the above information shall be made, and the referenced cover letter (Form 8451A F2), along with the additional information (Form 8451A F1) will be sent home with the student.
The proper way to confirm the presence of lice is to find actual lice in the child's hair. Transmission of lice most often occurs by direct contact with the head of another infested child as lice do not jump or fly. Indirect contact can include personal belongings of an infested child (combs, brushes, hats, pillows, and bedding).
Only children and family members who have head lice should be treated. If parents are unsure if a child has lice, the hair should be combed with a lice comb to see if lice are present.
Procedure for treatment and follow-up:
If head lice are confirmed at school, the actions described above will be taken.
Parents need to notify the school health staff if they discover lice at home. They should notify parents of their child's close friends.
The school health staff is readily available to discuss treatment and follow-up of head lice.
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