Head Lice

• A student suspected of head lice will be referred to the school nurse or health room specialist.
• If students are identified with lice by either the presence of lice or nits, the nurse or health room specialist should:
• Notify the parent/guardian via phone call and email and provide instructions or suggest resources on how to treat head lice. Parent/guardian may choose to come pick up child and begin treatment, or may prefer child return to class. If parent/guardian is unavailable, send the child back to class.
• Notify the custodian to specifically vacuum any carpeted areas in the classroom.
• Notify the teacher to bag up any stuffed animals and/or pillows in the classroom.
• Students may return to school the day after treatment has begun.
• Cases will be managed discreetly so that students are not ostracized, isolated, humiliated, or psychologically traumatized.

1. Be alert to signs of potential lice cases in the classroom and send any students suspected to have head lice to the health room. Signs and symptoms of head lice may include: Abnormal itching of the head and scalp
   • A tickling feeling of something moving on the head or in the hair
   • The detection of live lice
   • Nits (lice eggs) or empty cases from hatched lice attached to hairs
   • Sore or scratch marks on a student’s head caused by scratching, or nits
   • Irritability and trouble sleeping (Head lice are most active in the dark).
2. Discourage close head contact in your classroom. Separate coats by hanging on the back of individual chairs during times of suspected lice.

1. Be trained regarding lice identification and screening procedures by the school nurse
2. Protect the confidentiality of students and their families.
3. Be aware of parent/guardian’s responsibility.

• Contact the school nurse if you know or suspect that your child has lice. The school nurse is a resource to answer your questions and provide information on how to remove and prevent head lice.
• Notify the school nurse when the child has received treatment for head lice.
• Machine wash clothing and bedding. Use the hot wash/dry cycle.
• Soak brushes, combs and hair clips in hot water above 120 degrees for 10 minutes.

The use of environmental sprays is NOT recommended due to their toxicity. Be sure to follow the instructions on any lice treatment. Contact your health care provider with any questions. 

The Issaquah School District is committed to following current evidence-based practices recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control. This means some strategies used in the past are outdated will not be used anymore. These strategies include:

• Routine or periodic classroom and school-wide screenings for the presence of head lice-data shows this is a labor- intensive task, with little return.
• Sending home classroom letters –this is a potential violation of patient confidentiality
• Immediately sending home a student with head lice –this is denying a student access to their education. Head lice are not a health hazard and are not responsible for the spread of any disease.