Head Lice: What Families Need to Know

What are Head Lice?

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the head and hair and feed on small amounts of blood.

• They do not jump or fly.

• They do not live on pets.

• They do not spread disease.

• They are not a sign of poor hygiene.

• They are common among elementary and middle school-aged children.

Most individuals who have lice have had them for several weeks before discovery. For this reason, routine home monitoring is more effective than notification after identification. 

Signs and Symptoms of Head Lice

Children with head lice may experience:

• A tickling feeling of something moving in the hair

• Itching of the scalp caused by sensitivity to lice bites

• Irritability or difficulty sleeping, as lice are more active in the dark

• Sores on the scalp from scratching, which may become irritated 

Often, the first sign is the presence of eggs, called nits. Nits are tiny oval-shaped eggs that attach firmly to the hair shaft close to the scalp. Unlike dandruff or dry skin, nits do not easily brush or flick off the hair.

Families are encouraged to check their child’s hair periodically throughout the school year as part of regular grooming.

How Head Lice Spread

Head lice spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact

This is the most common way lice move from one person to another and typically occurs during close contact among friends, siblings, or during activities where heads touch.

Less commonly, lice may spread through sharing personal items such as hats, helmets, hair accessories, brushes, combs, or pillows. Spread through shared items is possible, but not the primary method of transmission.

Important Facts About Transmission:  Lice do not jump or fly; they crawl. Casual contact, such as sitting near another person, is unlikely to result in transmission. Head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene and can affect individuals of all backgrounds.

What Can Parents/Guardians Do?

If you suspect or discover lice:

1. Confirm the presence of live lice.

2. Begin treatment according to product directions or your health care provider’s guidance.

3. Remove nits (eggs) as recommended.

4. Notify the school nurse so we can support your child’s return to school.

Students may remain in school until the end of the day if lice are discovered and may return after appropriate treatment has begun, consistent with public health guidance.

School Response & Expectations

School nurses adhere to the Paramus Board of Education’s head lice procedures, which reflect current public health recommendations. 

When lice are identified at school:

• The parent/guardian of the affected student is notified directly.

• Confidentiality is maintained in accordance with student privacy laws.

• Guidance regarding treatment and return to school is provided.

Consistent with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses:

• Students are not excluded from school for the presence of nits alone.

• Students found with live lice may remain in school until the end of the day and may return after appropriate treatment has begun.

Why the District Does Not Send Lice Notifications

We understand that parents want to be informed about health matters that may affect their children.

In accordance with guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health and national health organizations, the district does not issue classroom, school-wide, or district-wide notifications for head lice. 

Research and public health guidance indicate that:

• Head lice are common and may be present for weeks before being detected.

• Routine mass notifications can create unnecessary alarm or stigma for students.

• Classroom-wide alerts may create unnecessary alarm or stigma for students. 

Because lice are best managed through routine home monitoring and individualized follow-up, only the parent or guardian of an affected student is notified directly.

We encourage all families to perform periodic head checks throughout the school year as part of normal grooming.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Why wasn’t I notified if there were cases in my child’s classroom?  

Evidence-based public health guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health and national health organizations does not recommend routine classroom-wide notification for head lice. Head lice are common, manageable, and are best addressed through routine home monitoring and individualized follow-up. Mass notifications have not been shown to significantly reduce transmission and may create unnecessary concern or stigma. Families are encouraged to perform periodic head checks throughout the school year.

Is lice considered an “outbreak”?

Head lice do not spread in the same way as communicable diseases such as influenza. They are managed through individual treatment and home monitoring rather than school-wide intervention.

Will my child be sent home?

Students found with lice may remain in school until the end of the day and may return after appropriate treatment has begun. Students are not excluded for the presence of nits alone. 

How can I help prevent lice?

You can help reduce the likelihood of head lice by encouraging your child to avoid head to head contact during play, refrain from sharing personal hair items such as brushes, combs, hats, or hair accessories, and perform routine weekly head checks throughout the school year as part of regular grooming.