Columbia Schools Lice Policy

The Rutherford County School District head lice policy states that the student’s educational program should only be restricted to the extent necessary to minimize the risk of transmitting the infestation.

You have probably read a lot of conflicting information about head lice. Below, we summarize some of the do’s and do not’s of head lice treatment based on 20 years experience in the field. Some of these may surprise you. Do NOT do these things: Do NOT use chemicals to eradicate lice. They are not effective in penetrating the eggs and often do not kill the bugs which have become highly resistant. Do NOT pack up all of your kids toys, brushes, hair bows, or stuffed animals. There is absolutely no benefit in doing that. Lice cannot live off of the head more than a few hours.

Duval County, home of Jacksonville, Florida, has had a “no nit” policy in place since May of 1998. According to the district web site, “Students with nits (eggs) will now be excluded from school until they are nit-free.