Head Lice

What You Need to Know

Pediculosis, head lice, is classified as a nuisance condition and is not known to transmit infectious disease from person to person. The primary goal of identification and notification of lice infestation in the school setting is to ensure that the child receives safe and effective treatment. Parents and/or guardians have the responsibility to treat infestations.

The school district will follow recommendations for the school setting from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of School Nurses, and the Centers for Disease Control. Most cases of head lice are acquired outside of school. No healthy child should be excluded or allowed to miss school because of head lice or nits. Current research on head lice does not support that exclusion policies result in reduced transmission of head lice. 

Head lice screening programs have not been proven to have a significant effect over time on the incidence of head lice in the school setting and are not cost-effective. The school district will emphasize prevention and education as a primary measure to control head lice in the school setting. The school nurse will assume the major teaching responsibility for educating parents, teachers, and students about the transmission and treatment of head lice.