5141.221

Students

Pediculosis

The Board of Education (Board) is committed to maximizing students' academic performance and physical well-being in a healthy and safe environment. The Board recognizes that head lice infestations do not pose a health hazard, are not a sign of uncleanliness, and are not responsible for the spread of any disease. However, archaic policies cause many unnecessary absences from school with potential negative effects on academic performance. Misinformation about head lice causes anxiety for parents/guardians and school staff. The goals of providing a healthy and safe environment for students with head lice are to (1) maximize academic performance; and (2) minimize absences due to unnecessary exclusion from school of students with head lice.

Screening

Based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Board recognizes that school-wide screening for nits alone is not an accurate way of predicting which children will become infested with head lice, and screening for live lice has not been proven to have a significant decrease on the incidence of head lice in a school community.

The school nurse will provide information to families of all children on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of head lice as necessary. Parents are encouraged to check their children's heads for lice if the child is symptomatic. The school nurse may check a student's head if the student is demonstrating symptoms.

Management on the Day of Diagnosis

The Board recognizes that head lice infestation poses little risk to others and does not result in additional health problems. The management of pediculosis should proceed so as to not disrupt the education process. Nonetheless, any staff member who suspects a student has head lice will report this to the school nurse or Principal. Students known to have head lice will remain in the class provided the student is comfortable and unless live lice are seen by the school nurse.  If a  student is not comfortable, he/she may report to the school nurse or the Principal's office. Such students will be discouraged from close direct head to head contact with others and from personal items with other students.  District employees will act to ensure that student confidentiality is maintained in order to avoid embarrassment.

The Principal or school nurse will notify the parent/guardian by telephone or other available means if their child is found to have head lice. Verbal and written instructions for treatment will be given to the family of each identified student. Based upon the school nurse's recommendation, other children who were most likely to have had direct head-to-head contact with the assessed child may be screened for head lice.

Criteria for Return to School

Students will be allowed to return to school after proper treatment as recommended by the school nurse. The Board recognizes that The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses discourage "no nit" policies. Therefore, no student will be excluded from attendance solely based on grounds that nits may be present. The school nurse may recheck a child's head. In addition, the school nurse is encouraged to offer extra help or information to families of children who are repeatedly or chronically infested.

Legal Reference:  American Academy of Pediatrics, Clinical Report on Head Lice Infestation, September 2002, Revised February 2007.

Policy adopted:  4-15-2024