Dear Parent/Guardians,
As we return for the new school year and are adjusting to life after a pandemic some of the inconveniences of life are returning. We have seen an uptake in lice this school year. We need your help to monitor your child/children if you see evidence of lice infestation (scratching head a lot). Our policy is to send home any student with live lice to be treated. They can return to school once the lice and nits have been removed. To do this parent/guardian must have the nurse check for any lice/nits before being allowed to ride the bus or return to the classroom. This is best done after the AM arrival of all students.
The following information is provided for you about head lice, even though your child is lice free at this time. Please keep this for reference.
- Even though they do not jump or fly, they can spread from one student to another by sharing combs, brushes, clothing, hats and in bedding. Head lice can happen to anyone. It is not a sign of poor health habits or being dirty.
- There are many lice treatment shampoos on the market as well as other mechanical and manual methods of controlling the lice.
- Bedding, clothing, and hats should be laundered in very hot water (120 degrees) on the same day or evening your child is treated.
- Nits (lice eggs) are tiny, white, pearly eggs that attach themselves to the hair shaft close to the scalp. The nit can be removed manually by pinching between two fingernails and pulling it off the hair shaft, or by using a "nit comb", available in most pharmacies.
- All members of the household need to be checked when there is one case of head lice in your immediate family.
- When the child that has been treated for head lice returns to school, their head should be checked by the school nurse or health representative to ensure that it is free of lice and nits.
Thank you for your help and cooperation! We look forward to another great year at Kelso C-7 School!
Nurse Rongey