Common Signs and Symptoms of Head Lice Infestation:
-Tickling feeling on the scalp or in the hair
-Itching (caused by the bites of the louse)
-Irritability and difficulty sleeping (lice are more active in the dark)
-Sores on the head (caused by scratching)
When checking a student for head lice, you may see several different forms: the nit, the nymph, and the adult louse (see below links for images).
Finding a live nymph or adult louse on the scalp or in the hair is an indication of an active infestation. They are most commonly found behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head.
Head lice crawl; they cannot jump of fly.
**Check your child's head at least weekly for head lice.**
Teach your children tips for preventing head lice:
-Do not engage in head-to-head contact (hugging, wrestling, etc.)
-Do not share personal items such as combs, hats, towels, and pillows.
-If your child has long hair, consider sending him or her to school with hair secured in a bun or braid.
Head lice are an inconvenient human condition, like the common cold. However, head lice do not spread disease and do not harm a child's health. Head lice are almost impossible to fully eradicate from our natural world. Therefore families should always assume that contracting head lice is a possibility as their children navigate through any community, whether that community be the homes of friends and relatives, extracurricular classes, travel, school, church, daycare facilities, etc. Research has indicated that head lice are usually not spread in the school setting, but rather through head-to-head contact elsewhere. Identifying a single source of a case of head lice is almost impossible; and regardless, treatment should still be implemented if lice are present, and diligent work by all families at all times is still the best practice.
Historically, when a student has been identified as having head lice at school, others may have reacted fearfully, with blame and ridicule. The Grafton School District chooses to approach this condition, instead, with as much respectful support to the student and family as possible. We value every student's privacy and positive self-esteem.
As our District partners with our families to ensure a healthy school environment, we depend on our families to take on the natural parental responsibility of inspecting their children's heads regularly and often for any signs of head lice.
Our District practices a "no live lice at school" policy Our District Nurse and Health Services Teams at each school are able to offer guidance and provide helpful resources to any family who has identified the presence of head lice.
We value our student's ability to be present at school so that learning can be fairly offered to every student, every day. We also value the need for our families to be able to continue attending work. However, should your child have live lice present on his or her head, then you will be asked to pick up your child from school and begin treatment. If only nits are found (eggs) then you will still be notified and asked to begin treatment, and your child may continue with his or her planned going-home procedure for that day. The District Nurse and Health Services team at your school will then assess your child the following day and work with you to ensure that treatment has been effective.
Click the links below for more information about head lice:
Head Lice 101: What You Should Know About Head Lice
"Life Cycle of a Louse" Source: CDC
Facing Head Lice: A Guide for Families
WI DHS Fact Sheet Pediculosis (Head Lice)
FAQ About Head Lice
Dispelled Myths about Head Lice
Demystifying Pediculosis (Head Lice)
"Head Lice: General Information" Source: CDC
Lice Reminder Letter: Every Week Take a Peek
