Glen Ridge Lice Guidelines

District guidelines for out-break of Head Lice (Pediculosis) in the Schools:

“A policy for head lice must consider not only the infested child but also his or her peers who have already been successfully deloused or who have not yet been infested.  All this considered, the No Nit Policy remains a sensible approach that sets the standard to serve and protect all the children in the group.” (National Pediculosis Association)

The responsibility of the school nurse is to identify an infestation of pediculosis and notify the parents.  It is then the responsibility of the parents to eradicate the problem.

If a parent notifies the school that a child has been diagnosed as having head lice, or if a child is identified as having head lice by the school nurse, that child will be excluded from school until they are found to be nit-free upon examination by the school nurse. The no nit policy helps parents understand and assume their responsibility for head lice control.

Only the students in the affected classroom will be screened to identify any other cases of head lice.  All school-aged siblings should be screened to estimate the size of the problem. Parents should be encouraged to notify outside contacts of their child’s condition.

The screening procedure is as follows:

• Obtain necessary equipment

• Wooden applicator sticks & tongue blades

• Gloves

• Good lighting

• Check each child in the class

• Ask if they have had any itching

• Look for small, silvery eggs (nits) attached to the individual hair follicles

• Check hair, especially, in the back of the head and the areas behind the ears for nits and redness

• Send effected child home with the attached letter explaining the problem and treatment. The child can be readmitted to school after treatment and there is no evidence of nits in the hair.

A letter should be sent to all parents of children in the affected class to make them aware of the problem and to advise them of procedures for them to check their children, themselves, and all family members.

Parents should check their child’s head daily for the next 2-3 weeks, remembering to apply the 2nd  application of shampoo as directed by the manufacturer.