School Lice Policies

Schools in the Mesa area have come into alignment with current advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses; they do not hold to a strict “no nit” policy. The school health office does not do classroom screenings. They are strongly discouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses Screening should be performed only when students demonstrate symptoms. Head lice is not an unusual condition in children and has nothing to do with cleanliness. Anyone can get head lice.

Each school district sets its own policies with regard to head lice. Peoria schools do not enforce a “no nit” policy, meaning children are able to return to school once treatment has begun, while Glendale schools continue to exclude children from the classroom if they have live bugs OR nits. Check with your school nurse for particulars on your child’s school lice policy. GLENDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL “Head Lice, Bed Bugs and Other Parasites Head lice, bed bugs and other parasites are easily transmitted from one person to another. It has nothing to do with person hygiene, anyone can become infested.

Tempe schools view lice as a nuisance so they do not exclude children for the presence of nits in the hair. Once an infested child has begun treatment and the live bugs are gone, he or she may return to the classroom. HEAD LICE/PEDICULOSIS While head lice are not considered an infectious disease, they are more commonly found in children due to their close contact with each other. Parents should discourage their children from sharing personal items such as hats, scarves, head bands, helmets, brushes, combs, or pillows to decrease the likelihood of spread from one person to another.