From Nurse Ronnette
Head Lice is Nothing but a NUISANCE!
Students diagnosed with live head lice do not need to be sent home. Out of courtesy parent will be called and asked to pick up their children as it can be easily transferred to other children, especially those in the younger classrooms who do not understand personal space.
If a child is thought to have head lice (diagnosed during the school week) letters will be sent home to notify families. Families should then take the time to check their child/ren for head lice.
Children should be treated at home and return to school the next day after appropriate treatment has begun. Nits may persist after treatment, but successful treatment should kill crawling lice.
Head Lice are spread most commonly by direct head-to-head contact. Head lice survive less than 1-2 days if they fall off a person and cannot feed. Not only does your childs’ hair need to be treated (that includes removal of the nits from the hair with a special comb or pinching them in between your finger to remove it down the length of the hair) but so does your house. These are some things that you can do that can help prevent and control the spread of lice:
- Disinfect combs and brushes used by soaking them in hot water (at least 130F) for 5 – 10 minutes
- Machine wash and dry clothing, bed linens and other items that was worn or used during the 2 days before treatment. Clothing or items that are not washable can be dry-cleaned OR sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks.
- Vacuum the floor and furniture.
- Spending money on housecleaning activities and fumigant sprays are not necessary to control head lice and can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
Please remember to contact the School Nurse if your child has any medical issues, change in their medical history, or has anything contagious.
Just a reminder please keep your children home if they are not feeling well (For example: sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, fever.) All children should be kept home a full school day.