The PA DOH in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does NOT recommend schools have a no-nit policy or perform school wide head lice checks.
Department of Health regulations (28 PA Code, Chapter 27 Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, Section 27.71) requires that students be excluded if suspected of having live lice.
These regulations do not specify that the student is to be excluded immediately.
It is recommended that students with live lice be sent home at the end of the day and contact the parents and provide instruction to treat the student, any affected family members and the home environment. They are to be readmitted to school immediately following the first treatment.
The Wilson School District has amended the procedure regarding lice to reflect standard practice as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN). The above organizations recommend that when lice are found on a child at school, the parents will be notified and the school nurse will provide the parent/guardian with information on appropriate treatment.
In addition, research supports that it is not necessary for all students in a class to be automatically checked for lice when an active case is found since screening has not been proven to have a significant effect on decreasing the incidence of head lice.
PROCEDURE
If a student presents with possible symptoms of head lice (severe itching of scalp, neck or ear area; dandruff like particles or bugs seen on hair/scalp) that student will be sent to the nurse for evaluation of head lice.
If a school nurse finds live lice on the student, the student may remain in school for the remainder of the school day. The nurse will contact the parents and provide instruction to treat the student, any affected family members and the home environment.
Students may return to school the day after treatment with a pediculicide.
The school nurse may request proof of treatment (empty packaging or receipt).
If nits are present after treatment, the child will be allowed to remain in school. However, the child will be checked weekly or as deemed necessary by the school nurse.
The student will be checked for lice 7 days after the initial treatment.
If the student remains home the day after treatment, that day is considered to be an excused absence. Any additional absences will be unexcused.
Rev.11/21