Every school year, we hear about cases of pediculosis in our schools. Pediculosis, which is spread most commonly by close person-to-person contact, does not pose a health hazard, transmit disease, nor serve as a sign of poor hygiene. However, making you aware can serve as a chance to catch cases early. We urge you to check your child as needed to make certain there are no problems. We suggest checking for about two weeks after a notification and then as needed.  

Pediculosis can be spread:

• Directly through contact with an affected person's head/hair

• Indirectly by placing clothing of an affected child in contact with the clothing of an unaffected child and by sharing such items as combs, brushes, hats, caps, scarves, wigs, pillows and bedding.

Lice cannot jump, leap or fly.

Should your child have a case of pediculosis:

• Please notify the school nurse.

• Contact your healthcare provider for his or her recommendation, which may include treating your child with an over-the-counter pediculosis product from your drugstore. Read the instructions carefully. You may have to repeat treatment within two weeks. It is very important to comb out the nits.

If a student is found to have live lice/viable nits (1/4 inch or less from scalp), the school nurse will:

• contact the parent to inform them that it has been determined that their child has live lice/viable nits.

• provide educational information to the parent.

• encourage the parent to treat the child and have them return to school the day after treatment.

If a parent/guardian is unable to be reached educational materials will be sent home with the student regarding head lice.