Bethlehem and Easton School Head Lice Policies

Head lice policies can vary from district to district, even if they are very close to one another. Schools in Bethlehem do not restrict children from attendance for head lice, while schools in Easton retain a strict “no nit” policy.

BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOLS

Bethlehem schools discontinued their “no nit” policies. The schools have heeded the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that stipulates that there is no basis for children to miss school because of lice and that schools should discard their “no-nit” policies. The AAP states that “head lice cause no medical harm, are not a health hazard or a sign of poor hygiene and are not responsible for the spread of any disease. No healthy child should be excluded from or miss school because of head lice,” the report says.“lice found on combs are likely to be injured or dead.”

Related link: Allentown and Bethlehem Schools

The Bethlehem school site further states:

• Ask the school nurse to check your child’s close friends and playmates, children who your child spends a great deal of physical time with. This means you will have to share names. This is not a time to find someone to blame. Check your other children and yourself as well. Odds are you and your other children do not have lice, but look anyway.
• Vacuum your home especially the areas your child plays in. Wash his or her bedding and put the stuffed animals in the dryer on hot if possible. These actions are precautionary but may help. It is not necessary or advised to spray the various lice sprays found in stores.
• Remove the nits (lice eggs) from your child’s hair. Instructions will be included in the lice shampoo. This helps you know if you eliminated the problem.
• Send your child to school. There is no reason for any child to miss school for lice.
• Use information found on the web wisely. There is a lot of misinformation out there. Here is a web site with facts! https://identify.us.com/idmybug/head-lice/head-lice-FAQS/index.html”

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EASTON AREA SCHOOLS

HEAD LICE (PEDICULOSIS CAPITIS) POLICY:

“The student must be “lice free” and “nit free” to attend school.

When a possible case of head lice (live or nits) has been reported the following procedures will be followed:

1. The student(s) will be sent to the school nurse and assessed immediately. If live lice or nits are found, siblings in the school/district will be examined.
2. The school nurse will call the parents/guardians of the infested child and explain exclusion of the child from school and treatment.
3. The nurse will review the following information with the parents/guardians: v Assist parent/guardian to recognize lice/nits v Give written information of how to care for child/children and environment, including “no nits” policy, parent/adult guardian must bring student(s) to school upon return, etc. v Give letter from principal regarding “two-day excused absence” v Optional: give shampoo and review instructions
4. Upon return of the child/children to school, they will be brought by parent/adult guardian to the nurse to be examined. If the child/children is/are free of live lice and nits, they will be re-admitted to school. If the child/children has/have live lice or nits, they will be excluded with the parent/guardian and instructions will be reviewed.
5. The child/children may be periodically checked in school over the next several months for re-infestation. Parents/guardians should be rechecking child/children also.
6. If live lice or nits are found, the child’s/children’s class/contacts will be screened, as necessary, as soon as possible.
7. If the number of head lice cases reach 20% of an individual classroom or school, the school nurse will notify the principal. The principal will notify the parents/guardians of the outbreak with an information letter and corrective actions. This procedure may be modified at the intermediate and secondary levels at the discretion of the school nurse and principal.”

PENNSYLVANIA STATE LAW

Pennsylvania law prohibits “no nit” policies for schools. If your child’s school still adheres to a policy which is in opposition to current recommendations of the CDC and National Association of School Nurses the following documentation may be of interest to you.

Ҥ 27.71. Exclusion of children, and staff having contact with children, for specified diseases and infectious conditions.

(11) Pediculosis capitis. The person shall be allowed to return to either the school, child care or other group setting immediately after first treatment. The person shall be reexamined for infestation by the school nurse, or other health care practitioner, 7 days post treatment.”

Source: Pennsylvania State Code

Whether your child’s school enforces a “no nit” policy or not, LiceDoctors can help you today to get your child back to school tomorrow, lice AND nit free. Call 484-725-6362 for convenient and effective treatment.