LICE TIPS

The following information was sent out in The School Nurse Bulletin to all Connecticut school nurses in September 2010: “Head lice infestation is associated with limited morbidity, but causes a high level of anxiety among parents of school-aged children."

Sherry Marbury, state supervisor for the Alabama Department of Education, stated that she "does not expect the debate over how to handle head lice in schools to end any time soon." Schools across the country are becoming more lenient with respect to admission to school with lice or nits (eggs).

Los Angeles County Public School Lice Policies Several key medical organizations have recommended that schools drop “no nit” policies and even allow students with live bugs to stay in school until the end of the school day.

Each school district in Suffolk County is responsible for determining its own head lice policy. Some schools retain “no nit” policies (eggs) and send students home if the nurse finds one nit.

Concord schools generally allow children with nits to return to school after treatment. If a child is found to have live bugs or nits prior to treatment he or she will be sent home to receive treatment. "Keep children home from school when suspected or known head lice. Please notify the health office if you suspect your child has head lice.

Head Lice Policy—Tucson and Surrounding areas School head lice policies vary from district to district. Very often neighboring towns have very different policies regarding infested students entry into schools. As you can see below, while Tucson area schools primarily have “no nit” policies in place there is some variation.

School Head Lice Policy- Salt Lake City and Surrounding Areas In an effort to retain children in school so they do not miss class and in order not to stigmatize children with head lice, if a child is found to have lice, he or she may remain in school until the end of the school day. Utah schools place an emphasis on education regarding head lice and offer parents information on how to identify lice, how lice are transmitted, and suggestions on how to treat head lice.

The Indiana state government web site does not endorse any particular head lice policy, but most school systems no longer support a “no-nit” policy.

Based on the recommendations from the California Department of Public Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Centers for Disease Control, SFUSD now has a NO-LICE Policy. This is a change from the prior policy, which was a “no nit” policy.

In consideration of recommendations by the California Department of Public Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Centers for Disease Control, many districts in Ventura county now have a "no live lice" policy in place. This is a departure from the prior policy, which was a “no nit” policy.