Prevention of Head Lice Outbreak

Additional Resources

What we’re doing:

Our school strictly enforces a “no-nit” policy.  Children found to have nits or lice are not permitted back to school until checked and cleared by the school nurse.

School-wide head lice screenings will be performed during the first few weeks of school and periodically thereafter.

Children are encouraged not to share clothing, hair accessories, hats, scarves, helmets, combs and brushes in school.

Carpeted classrooms are vacuumed daily.

How you can help:

Check your child’s head frequently as catching it early may prevent it from spreading and keeps the child from missing school and parents from missing work.  This is best done in a well-lit area with magnification.  The use of a detection comb is recommended. Look for nits as well as live lice. Differentiate nits from dandruff by how easily they can be moved.

Parents are encouraged to report if head lice are found on your child to school, day care, camp, church, and social groups so that other children in the facility can be checked.

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It may be helpful for children with long hair to keep it tied or braided.

Be aware that lice are passed by direct, head-to-head contact, possibly by shared items (listed above) that come in contact with the head. It is questionable that they may also be passed by falling from the host to carpeting, household furniture, theater chairs, and linens.

Know that head lice do not jump or fly, they are not drowned by water, pets do not transmit them, they do not transmit disease, they survive on clean and dirty hair, cutting the hair does not get rid of them, nor do they prefer long hair.

Home remedies such as kerosene, margarine, Vaseline, dog shampoo, pine oil, vinegar and alcohol preparations are ineffective and may be dangerous.

Repeated use of pesticidal shampoos and treatments are discouraged.  Consult with your doctor for repeated cases.

Please feel free to contact the school nurse for any questions or assistance you may need.