.svg){kind=logo}
.svg){kind=logo}
Hillsboro schools have a "No Live Lice Policy", meaning children will not be excluded from school solely because of the presence of nits or eggs. In addition, treatment is required if nits are found close to the scalp.
Pediculosis (Head Lice) Protocol
The District recognizes that programs should be conducted in a manner that protects and enhances student and employee health and is consistent with recognized health practices. Consequently, in order to prevent the spread of pediculosis (head lice) in the school setting, District staff shall institute guidelines for classrooms that will assist in the prevention and spread of head lice.
Successful treatment of head lice requires a coordinated approach and may involve the use of antilouse products, combing and implementation of preventative measures recommended by health authorities.
1. Students with suspected cases of head lice will be referred to the health room assistant or office staff for assessment.
2. Students with live lice will be excluded from school.
a. Parent will be contacted to pick student up from school. b. Treatment information will be sent home with the parent.
c. Head Lice Exclusion letter will be filled out and sent home with parent.
d. Parent must bring student in to the school upon return, so staff can recheck student before returning to the classroom. The parent should bring the Head Lice Exclusion letter with them, signed and with the type of treatment and date.
e. If live lice are found upon reentry screening, student will be excluded and rechecked upon return. The student will continue to be excluded from school until a recheck does not reveal any live lice.
f. If no live lice are found upon reentry:
i. Student may return to class.
ii. Student will be rechecked in 1 week.
1. If nits are found again during the 7-day recheck, parent will be notified and student will be rechecked after another week.
3. Students with nits only (eggs) close to the scalp may remain in school that day.
a. Parent will be contacted and given the choice of picking them up immediately or allowing the student to remain in school for the rest of that school day. The student must be treated before returning to school on subsequent days.
b. Treatment information will be sent home with student (privacy maintained), along with the Head Lice/Nit Exclusion letter.
c. Parent must bring student in to the school upon return, so staff can recheck student before returning to the classroom, to ensure live lice are still not present. The parent should bring the Head Lice/Nit Exclusion letter with them, signed and with the type of treatment and date the student was treated.
d. If live lice are found upon reentry screening, student will be excluded and rechecked upon return. The student will continue to be excluded from school until a recheck does not reveal any live lice.
e. If no live lice are found upon reentry:
i. Student may return to class.
ii. Student will be rechecked in 1 week.
1. If nits are found again during the 7-day recheck, parent will be notified and student will be rechecked after another week.
4. Students with nits only, more than ¼ inch from scalp may remain in school.
a. Parent will be contacted.
b. Student may remain in school.
c. Student will be rechecked in 1 week.
d. Resources will be provided to parent upon request.
5. Parental notification:
a. Principal or Office Manager and District Nurse shall collaborate regarding parental notification.
b. Generally, it is advised that if there are two cases of head lice in a school, all parents should be notified.
c. School staff should direct parents to resources on the HSD website, under the Parents tab, then Immunizations and Health, then Resources.
Source: HIllsboro Head Lice Protocol
School districts modify their school lice policies from time to time. Call your school nurse to be sure that you have the most up to date school lice policy. If you do find that your child has lice, LiceDoctors can help you so that your child can return to school the next day. Call LiceDoctors in the Hillsboro area at 503-715-1726.
