Visalia and Hanford School Head Lice Policies

Schools in Visalia have let go of stringent "no nit" policies in favor of a "no lice" policy, but Hanford schools still retain a strict "no nit" policy.

VISALIA SCHOOLS

Identification :

When a child presents symptoms of positive active lice infestation such as itching scalp, observed live lice or nits. School personnel trained who have been trained by the Credential School nurse will screen the student.  Privacy will be maintained. Student will be positioned for adequate lighting.  Using PediSticks, hair shafts will be separated and scalp and hair will be examined in a systematic fashion, checking the entire scalp.  

Referral and Instructions

If live lice and /or nits within ½ inch of the scalp are noted, contact parent and recommend treatment for an active infestation of lice.  Refer to child’s physician if parent requests.  Also check siblings of the student enrolled in the school.  

Parent must confirm proper treatment with Permethrin 1 percent using product instructions correctly.  Alternative treatments such as RobiComb, must be cleared by the school nurse.  School personnel should recommend parent remove all nits and treat with Permethrin 1 percent a second time in 10 days to insure all nits are destroyed.  Credential school nurse may provide Permethrin 1 percent with instruction through VUSD Nursing Protocol. Lice care instruction sheets should be given to the parent of the infested student. Information sheets “About Lice” should be given to parents of classmates.

Returning to School

Students may return to school when parent has confirmed proper treatment of lice as noted above and no live lice are noted.  Parent should make an effort to remove all nits, but student may return to school if nits found are more than ½ inch away from the scalp and are not alive.  If school personnel have questions as to if lice infestation is active or not, they should contact their credential school nurse. 

Classroom Screenings and Parent Information :

Class screenings for lice are not recommended, except for when two or more children in a classroom are found to have active lice infestations.  Information sheets “About Lice” should be given to parents of classmates if there are concerns.  Classroom screenings will continue to occur before students leave to SCICON.

Visalia School Lice policy and information can be found here

HANFORD, CALIFORNIA SCHOOL AREA SCHOOL HEAD LICE POLICIES

Hanford School District follows the California Department of Public Health Division of Communicable Disease Control Policy:

CDPH recommends a no-lice policy. The essential components of a no-lice policy are the following:  

• Early detection of head lice infestations through routine screening by parents and/or caregivers 
• Treatment of children found to have live lice
• Distribution of educational material to school staff and parents on head lice, nit   combing, and treatment such as “A Parent’s Guide to Head Lice” brochure (available at local health departments and online).

CDPH policy can be found here

You can be sure that your child will be admitted to school the next day if you call LiceDoctors in Visalia or Hanford at 559-785-0994 . You will be glad that you did. That’s a guarantee!