Lancaster and York School head Lice Policies

Schools in York and Lancaster are in alignment with recommendations from the National Association of School Nurses regarding head lice policies and have thus dropped strict “no nit” policies. Students with eggs only (no live lice) will be permitted to return to school.

LANCASTER SCHOOLS

“Purpose

The Board is committed to maintaining a healthy environment for students and staff. To fulfill that commitment, the Board establishes this policy to provide guidelines for the prevention and control of head lice in students.

Guidelines

At any time during the school year, the school nurse may examine a student for head lice. If nits are present the student may remain in school. If live lice are identified the following procedures shall be implemented:

1. The student will be excluded from school until treatment is concluded.
2. The parent/guardian will be immediately contacted to pick up the student. If the parent/guardian cannot be contacted or come to school to pick up the student, the student will not be returned to class and will be sent home as usual with a School District of Lancaster notification form stating the need for treatment before returning to school.
3. The school nurse will provide information to the parent/guardian regarding treatment.
4. The school nurse will examine the student's siblings and other close contacts.

Readmission

After treatment has been completed and all live head lice have been removed from the head, the following procedures shall be implemented:

1. The student shall not attend classes until examined by the school nurse.
2. The parent/guardian shall accompany the student to school.
3. If upon examination the student is found to have live head lice, the student will be denied admission. If nits are present the student may remain in school.
4. After the student has been cleared to return to classes, the nurse may continue to check for

head lice or nits because of the risk of reinfestation. The student will be checked as often as deemed necessary by the nurse. As the student's education is of the utmost importance, no student will be excluded from school for more than two (2) weeks for head lice, unless some means of alternative program is provided. The student may return to school as soon as treated, but only three (3) days will be counted as excused absence.”

Source Lancaster School Board Policy #209.1

YORK SCHOOLS

“The school nurse and individual with a positive infestation of pediculosis must follow this policy. A single live louse will be known as an infestation.

The school nurse will remove at least one live louse and place it in a clear container. The parent/guardian or emergency contact person of the individual will be contacted for exclusion until appropriate treatment for pediculosis is completed. The live louse will be used as a visual aide for the parent/guardian/emergency contact to view and acknowledge the infestation. The individual will remove clothing, hats, and other items from school to be treated at home. This may include, but not limited to Physical Education clothing, coats and other items stored in lockers.

Upon returning to school the individual must present him or herself to the school nurse for a head examination. If one live louse is found restart the exclusion process.

Nits will be removed on a continual basis and progress will be noted by the school nurse by the first day back and the seventh school days. The goal is to have all the nits removed by day seven. The school nurse may examine and follow up with individual students more if needed. If the student has an ongoing infestation lasting more than 7 consecutive school days or 3

infestations within the school year, the school nurse will contact the home school visitor and/or refer to Children and Youth Agency.

The school nurse at the elementary level will check the class, sibling, bus buddy of student(s) infected with lice. If warranted the school nurse may also check those students that are housed together by the same baby sitter. The school nurse at the secondary level will check the siblings of the infected student.”

Source: Conestoga Valley lice policy215

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