South New Jersey School Lice Policy

Atlantic County School Lice Policies

Atlantic County schools have a "no nit" policy which means students will not be admitted to school unto all lice eggs have been removed from the hair. " If a student is found to have head lice or nits, he/she will be sent home to be treated. The student may not return to school until his/her lice and nits are no longer present." More information: acsssd.net

Galloway Schools

"Galloway Township Public School has a "No Nit" head lice policy. This means any student identified with head lice must be treated for the removal of all head lice and nits. The student may return to school only if accompanied by the PARENT/GUARDIAN and is brought to the SCHOOL NURSE to be checked. The child may not ride the school bus into school. If there is no evidence of head lice or nits the student may return to class."

Camden County School Lice Policies

Education about lice is emphasized and children must be treated, however children will not be prohibited from entering school if they have nits in their hair.

Collingswood School District Head Lice Protocol

"While head lice continue to cause concern, they do not pose a health hazard, are not a sign of uncleanliness, and are not responsible for the spread of any disease. Managing cases of head lice in the schools should be based on scientifically and medically justified evidence. This protocol will standardize our approach across the district and have it reflect evidence- based practice. The following protocol reflects a review of research and position papers by the Center for Disease Control, American Academy of Pediatrics, The Harvard School of Public Health, and the National Association of School Nurses.

1. If live lice are discovered or nits are found in an untreated student the parent is notified and given treatment guidelines. Parents should be advised to treat that same day. The parent has the option of picking up the child right away or getting them at the next natural break (i.e., lunch or the end of the day). The child will be removed from the classroom until picked up by the parent. The parent is advised to notify close contacts of the child.
2. If nits are found but no live lice in an already treated student, an individual assessment is made and the parent is advised of the condition and counseled to check the child for the development of infestation.
3. Upon initial outbreak, notification may be sent to the parents/guardians of the grade involved, detailing how to check for and treat lice. The identity of the child or children involved is kept confidential.
4. A student that has been found to have head lice may return to school after receiving appropriate treatment and being evaluated by the school nurse. Periodic evaluations will be done on an as needed basis determined by the school nurse.
5. The school nurse will screen close contacts and siblings of affected students. No mass screenings will be conducted.
6. Alert custodians to vacuum classroom rugs/upholstery if applicable.
7. Provide school wide information on the identification, treatment and prevention of lice infestation at the beginning of the school year and as needed. Through education, this approach will ease anxiety caused by head lice, reduce unnecessary school absences, limit embarrassment of students, eliminate ineffective and disruptive classroom/grade mass screenings, and decrease unnecessary exposure to potentially toxic chemicals to treat head lice." Submitted 4/10

More information:  www.collingswood.k12.nj.us

Vorhees Schools

"Head Lice/Nits: The child must be treated and may not return to school until all lice and nits are gone. The child must report to the school health office before being readmitted to class." More information: www.voorhees.k12.nj.us

Cherry Hill Schools

This district has a relatively lenient policy regarding admission to school with lice or nits. "Policy on Pedicolosis (Head lice) Students will be excluded from school only if live lice are found, or if five or more nits (egg casings) are found within 1/4” of the scalp. Students will be readmitted to school after the hair is treated and checked by the school nurse for nits. More information: kilmer.cherryhill.k12.nj.us

Cape May County School Lice Policies

Lower Township Schools - "No Nit" Policy

"Head lice are occasionally found throughout the school year. Please check your child’s hair weekly. If lice or nits (eggs) are found please let me know so that I can check the class and other close contacts. Following treatment, all nits must be removed. In order to ensure that all nits have been removed, your child must be checked by the school nurse prior to riding the school bus and returning to the classroom." More information: www.lowertwpschools.com

Avalon schools - "No Nit" Policy

New Jersey State law requires that children be excluded from school for the following reasons: Contagious health problem. Lack of immunizations except when having a waiver. Children with head lice will be excluded from school until the hair has been treated and ALL of the eggs (nits) have been removed. More information: newjersey.webschoolpro.com

Cumberland County School Lice Policies

Bridgeton Public Schools - “No Nit” Policy

Pediculosis (head lice) – highly contagious and once identified must be aggressively treated to prevent transmission to others. The “No Nit” policy is aimed at containing this disease as quickly as possible. The school nurse will provide written information to parents on the care, treatment and prevention of head lice.

1. First occurrence – Student receives excused exclusion for up to three days. Student must return to school with parent, and have clean, dry hair and be “nit free” or student will be returned home.
2. Second occurrence – Same procedure as with first incident.
3. Third occurrence – Student receives a three-to-five day excused exclusion. Student must return to school with a note from a doctor documenting diagnosis, treatment and date student can return to school. Student must also be accompanied by parent; hair must be clean, dry, and “nit free.”
4. Fourth occurrence – exclude until seen by school doctor for diagnosis, not treatment. If diagnosis is positive for head lice the County Health Department will be notified to make a home visit and assist family in getting student back to school. Student can return to school with a note from his/her family doctor stating treatment and date student may return to school. Student must return with parent and have clean, dry hair and be “nit free.”
5. Fifth occurrence – Notify principal that step five has been reached and ask that consideration be given to notifying the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, school attendance officer, and school social worker – to consider the possibility of neglect, and truancy. Disorderly person as addressed in Title 18A:40-9 will be the decision of the Superintendent.

More information: www.bridgeton.k12.nj.us

Gloucester County School Lice Policies

Deptford Township - “No Nit” Policy

(head lice) excluded until treatment is completed and child is nit free. The school nurse will check child upon return to school. More information: dts.schoolwires.net

Logan Township Schools

In cases that involve head lice, as in all school heath issues, it is vital that the school nurse prevent stigmatizing and maintain the student’s privacy as well as the family’s right to confidentiality (Gordon, 2007). More information: www.logan.k12.nj.us

Swedesboro School District

Swedesboro schools have a relatively lenient head lice policy. "Students with nits are allowed to remain in school after they have been treated. Who gets head lice?

• Head lice are most often found on school-age children. Furthermore, lice infestation cuts across all social, economic, and age groups.

What should be done when head lice are detected?

• Inform school or health authorities immediately. They can inspect and treat others to prevent the condition from spreading.
• Please note that it is not a social disgrace, nor is it a sign of any lack of cleanliness or personal hygiene."

More information: www.swedesboro-woolwich.com

Salem County School Lice Policies

Elementary schools and preschools are primary head to head transmission sites for lice. Schools should have established protocols for screening children, education of parents and children, follow-up measures and clear admission and restriction policies in order to prevent or control an outbreak. Many schools have a “no-nit” rule meaning a child is not allowed back to school until there are no traces of nits or lice left on the head. More information: health.salemcountynj.gov