Head Lice

Pediculosis, otherwise known as head lice, represents one of the most common communicable childhood conditions. Whether or not we know how this has evolved, it is important to acknowledge head lice as a problem when raising or caring for children.

The Liberty 53 School District shall exclude students due to active head lice infestations. Active infestations shall be defined as any live lice found or nits that are within ¼ inch of the scalp. Nits ¼ inch from the scalp are considered viable. Those outside ¼ inch from the scalp are considered nonviable. Students with head lice and/or viable nits will be excluded from school for the necessary treatment to occur. The student cannot return to school until they are found to be free of viable nits and head lice. The district administration provides the following procedure:

1. Schools will not perform routine school wide head lice screening. However, should multiple cases be reported, the nurse will identify the population of students most likely to have been exposed and arrange to have that population of students examined. This may not include an entire classroom; rather, those close contacts identified per professional nursing judgment. This will not be conducted based on the findings of one sole case detected, sas head lice are not spread through casual contact.

2. If the school nurse or teacher discovers head lice or viable nits on a student in school, the parent/guardian of that student will be notified, and instructed to pick up their student from school. If a parent/guardian cannot be reached, the identified emergency contact will be notified to pick up the student. Other students who reside in the home of the infected student will also be checked. 

3. The school nurse will instruct the parent/guardian concerning various shampoos, sprays, and other appropriate treatments that can be purchased to eliminate head lice or nits and will also give information concerning necessary procedures to be taken in the home to ensure that the head lice are eliminated. 

4. To be readmitted to school a student must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian or relative, and must be examined by the school nurse. The student will at this time be given a slip to be given to the teacher which states that the student should be readmitted to class. If either lice or viable nits are still present, the student will be sent home until the viable nits and/or lice are removed from the hair

5. Within six to ten days after being readmitted to school, the student will be examined again by the school nurse. If head lice or viable nits are found at that time, the parent/guardian will again be called and reinstructed concerning treatment of head lice/nits. The student shall be sent home at that time and readmitted only when the nurse determines they are free of lice and viable nits. 

6. The school nurse will keep accurate and confidential records of students infected with head lice or viable nits.

7. It will be the responsibility of the school nurse to examine a student who is possibly infected with head lice or viable nits and, if warranted, to recommend his or her removal from school. The nurse is also responsible for recommending readmission of the student after treatment is completed. 

8. If it appears the parent/guardian of an infested student is failing to secure timely treatment for the infestation after having been given notice of the existence of head lice or viable nits in accordance with these procedures, the nurse will notify the school principal, who may report the matter to the Children’s Division (CD) of Department of Social Services.

The school nurse will develop education programs regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of head lice for staff, students, parents, and the community.