• District 105’s Measures to Control the Spread of Head Lice at School

    In accordance with the latest recommendations from the following organizations, District 105 has updated its head lice policy:

    Historical practices no longer recommended:

    • Classroom-wide screening upon discovery of a case

    • Regular school-wide screenings

    • Sending notes home to parents of classmates

    • Immediate exclusion upon discovery of lice

    • Nit-free policies for return to school

    School Procedures to Reduce the Spread of Lice:

    • Encourage Personal Hygiene: Remind students not to share personal items such as combs, hats, or headphones. If possible, students with long hair should tie it back.

    • Discourage Head-to-Head Contact: Avoid games or activities requiring close head contact between students.

    • Clean Common Areas: Regular cleaning of shared spaces and items will help reduce the potential for lice to spread through indirect contact.

    • Deep Cleaning: Classrooms where a student has an active case of lice will undergo thorough cleaning and vacuuming.

    School RN Responsibilities:

    • Inspect the heads of students reasonably suspected of having head lice as soon as possible, with parental consent.

    • Check the siblings of any student with head lice, also with parental consent.

    • If a cluster of students is affected in a class, provide head lice information to all parents/guardians of students in the class or grade.

    • Ensure sensitivity and respect when communicating with students and parents/guardians regarding head lice.

    • Inspect the head of any student returning to school after lice treatment, upon parental request.

    • Provide evidence-based education to parents and staff on lice and prevention methods when a case is identified.

    Parental/Guardian Responsibilities:

    • Regularly check children’s hair for lice and ensure immediate treatment if lice are found.

    • Do not permit your child to use other children’s combs, brushes, hats, etc.

    • If lice are detected and your child is kept out of school, follow the school’s absence procedures.

    • Thoroughly wash hats, combs, brushes, and bed linens if your child is treated for lice.

    • Follow your chosen protocol for treatment, and use District 105’s Parent Resource Handout for lice removal and prevention guidance.

    • Review online resources like the CDC’s Head Lice Prevention and Treatment FAQs.

    Lice Prevention Practices for Families:

    • Use personal helmets, headgear, uniforms, and towels in sports.

    • Avoid sharing beds, pillows, and sleeping bags during camps or sleepovers.

    • Teach your child about lice prevention practices to minimize risk.

    These measures help support both school staff and families in effectively managing and preventing the spread of lice.