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The New Jersey Department of Health advocates that children with nits should be allowed to remain in school and that “no nit” policies should be discouraged. Despite this, some districts in New Jersey continue to maintain “no nit” policies in an effort to discourage the spread of head lice within the school. "Because a child with an active head lice infestation has likely had the infestation for a month or more by the time it is discovered, he or she should be allowed to remain in class, but be discouraged from close direct head contact with others. The child’s parent or guardian should be notified of the infestation that day by telephone, or by a note sent home with the child at the end of the school day. The parent or guardian should be advised that prompt proper treatment is in the best interest of the child and his or her classmates. Other children in the school who were most likely to have had direct head-to-head contact with the infested child should also be checked. Classroom or school-wide screening has not been proven to be necessary or effective at controlling the spread of head lice. Some schools have “no nit” policies under which a child is not allowed to return to school until all nits are removed. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses discourage such policies."
More information: www.nj.gov
More resources: American Academy of Pediatrics - www.aap.org National Association of School Nurses - www.nasn.org Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - www.cdc.gov
Union County Schools Lice Policies
Berkeley Heights Schools
The district monitors students but does not maintain a “no nit” policy. "When a case of lice is identified in a classroom, the child is sent home for treatment. The child may return the next day after being checked by the school nurse and cleared to remain in school. The child must be brought to school by the parent or guardian and is not to ride the school bus to school. An information letter is sent home with all the students in the class that helps parents identify and treat head lice. Children in that class will also receive a letter with directions to use a large zip lock bag for coats and school items for 2 weeks until the class is lice free. Back packs will not be allowed in school during this time. It is extremely important for parents to monitor their children daily for head lice. Thank you in advance. We need your support in order to prevent the spread of lice!"
More information: www.bhpsnj.org
Mountainside Schools
This district has the same lice policy as Berkeley Heights. "When a case of lice is identified in a classroom, the child is sent home for treatment. The child may return the next day after being checked by the school nurse and cleared to remain in school. The child must be brought to school by the parent or guardian and is not to ride the school bus to school. An information letter is sent home with all the students in the class that helps parents identify and treat head lice. Children in that class will also receive a letter with directions to use a large zip lock bag for coats and school items for 2 weeks until the class is lice free. Back packs will not be allowed in school during this time. It is extremely important for parents to monitor their children daily for head lice. Thank you in advance. We need your support in order to prevent the spread of lice!"
More information: www.mountainsideschools.org
New Providence "No Nit" Policy
New Providence schools maintain a “no nit” policy as follows: "Parents often ask when should a child be kept at home from school for illness. Below are a few suggestions that will benefit the ill child and protect the health of other students and staff. Please check with your family doctor about specific guidelines for your child. A child should be kept at home for the following.... Pediculosis (head lice) until treatment is given and all nits have been removed."
More information: www.npsd.k12.nj.us
Somerset County Schools Lice Policies
Bridgewater-Raritan School District
Schools in this district have a clear cut "no nit" policy in place. "Head Lice - May return to school when nit free."
More information: www.brrsd.k12.nj.us
Somerville Schools
Like the Bridgewater schools, Somerville schools retain a "no nit" policy as follows, "Head lice is a condition that can occur at any time to anyone. It has nothing to do with a child’s hygiene. It is most important to treat the problem of head lice quickly because delays will only spread the infestation throughout your family and to others. If anyone in your family has head lice or comes in contact with someone who does, notify the school nurse immediately. Your child will be excluded from school until all the live lice and nits (eggs) are removed from the head. The school nurse will inspect excluded students prior to their re-entry into school. If your child has had head lice, check their hair every day for at least two weeks. A periodic check of all family members is also recommended. Encourage your child not to share combs, brushes, or hats with others."
More information: www.somervillenjk12.org
Warren Schools
The Warren School District will allow students to remain in school if they have either very few nits or an old case with nit shells. "Policy states that when a student is found to have lice and/or multiple nits he or she will be sent home. They are not to be re-admitted to school or allowed to take the bus for 24 hours from the time of detection and also NOT TO BE RE-ADMITTED UNTIL THE SCHOOL NURSE VERIFIES THAT THE LICE AND THE NITS ARE GONE. WHEN A STUDENT IS FOUND TO BE INFESTED WITH LICE, THE NURSE SHALL CHECK THE CLASSROOM OF THE STUDENT AND WILL ALSO CHECK ANY SIBLINGS AS WELL."
More information: www.warrentboe.org.
