Cedar Park and Leander School Lice Policies

Cedar Park Schools

This district has dropped its “no nit” lice policy in accordance with the following state guidelines:

Notice to Parents 

As of September 1, 2017, Texas Education Code, Chapter 38, Section 38.031, Notice of Lice, states the following: "The board of trustees of an independent school district shall adopt a policy requiring a school nurse of a public elementary school who determines or otherwise becomes aware that a child enrolled in the school has lice shall provide written or electronic notice of that fact to:

            (1)  the parent of the child with lice as soon as practicable but not later than 48 hours after the administrator or nurse, as applicable, determines or becomes aware of that fact; and

            (2)  the parent of each child assigned to the same classroom as the child with lice not later than the fifth school day after the date on which the administrator or nurse, as applicable, determines or becomes aware of that fact.”

Additional information about confidentiality is included within the law.

“No-Nit” Policies

A “no-nit” policy is one that excludes students from school based on the presence of lice eggs, whether or not live lice are present. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) does not recommend a “no-nit” policy. We do recognize, however, that school districts may adopt one as a local option. Head lice infestation is a social issue not a health threat. “No-nit” policies place a disproportionate amount of emphasis on head lice management than on real health concerns, which should be a higher priority. This over-emphasis can lead to unproductive use of time by school staff and parents, missed classes, unnecessary absences, and parents missing work.”

The complete DSHS “no-nit” policy is here.  Additional information on “no-nit” policies for schools can be found through the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses and  Texas Health and Human Services. 

Leander Schools

Leander Schools adhere to the same policy as Cedar Park Schools as explained below:

“Head lice are one of the nuisances that parents of students occasionally find themselves dealing with. Leander ISD follows the Department of State Health Services recommendations. Individual head checks are performed on an as needed basis. Mass screenings

will not be conducted. Parents are encouraged to periodically check their student’s head for lice. When live lice are discovered at school the parent or guardian will be contacted to treat their student.”

Source: Leander ISD Parent and Student Handbook

Head lice will not go away on their own. The most direct route to a clean scalp is to call LiceDoctors in the Cedar Park and Leander area at 512-318-2929 . A professional lice technician will make a house call to you to perform a thorough lice treatment. You will no longer be contagious and you will be ready to return to school. Call LiceDoctors day or night. We have the lowest prices in the Austin area and are the only lice treatment company with a medical professionals on staff.