• lice
     
    LICE PROTOCOL AND PROCEDURE:

    Akron CSD is committed to providing a healthy environment for all students and employees. ACS protocol for lice management in our schools is guided by current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Harvard School of Public Health, and the National Association for School Nurses (NASN). It is the position of these organizations that the management of Pediculosis (infestation by head lice) should not disrupt the educational process and no disease is associated with head lice. Using these recommendations, ACS has established the following guidelines:

    PREVENTION AND EDUCATION

    • In September of each school year, students in all classes grades K-5 will be checked for head lice.

    • Head checks will be scheduled for the days immediately following Christmas and Easter vacation.

    • The school nurse will meet with all students at each grade level in the fall to review health practices that diminish the incidence of head lice.

     When a student is identified with live lice at school, the family will be notified.

    • The student will be sent home at the end of the day. Families may choose to pick up their child earlier if desired in order to receive treatment, but the student may continue to remain in school until the end of the day if the parent chooses.

    • A student with live lice or nits should receive appropriate lice treatment prior to returning to school. Students will not be excluded from school attendance. However, families will be notified if live lice/nits are still present upon their return to school and will be provided information that may require further treatment.

    • The student will be examined upon return to school for the absence of live lice/nits.

    • Educational materials will be shared with the family for proper treatment of the student, other family members, and the home.

    • A standard lice information letter may be sent to families of students in any classroom(s) in which lice has been discovered.

    FACTS ABOUT HEAD LICE

    • Head lice are not dangerous and do not transmit disease. They cause no medical harm and can be effectively treated. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice.

    • Life cycle of head lice: eggs or nits are cemented to the base of the hair shaft, eggs hatch into nymphs, and in 7 days adult lice have matured. Lice can live 30 days on an infected head. Lice will die in 1 – 2 days off the host.

    • Head lice are spread by direct contact only. They cannot jump or fly.

    • All people are susceptible to head lice.

    • Most students with head lice are symptom-free, although some may experience itching.

    • Nits visible farther than 6 mm (1/4 in) from the scalp are generally not viable and an indication of past infestation.

    • Current infestation is confirmed by inspection of the scalp and hair for the presence of nits, nymphs, or adult lice. Lice are often difficult to spot because there are few and they move quickly.

    • Families provide the most effective screening by checking their children regularly at home, using appropriate treatments, and removing nits.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL NURSES, AND THE CDC, PLEASE CLICK HERE.