Modesto Area School Head Lice Policies

Modesto School District

Modesto schools have a “no live bugs” policy, having eliminated their “no nit” policy in 2008. This means that students with nits (lice eggs) will be allowed to remain in school while students with live lice will be sent home. In an article in the Modesto Bee, Modesto school officials explain why they have moved toward the more lenient lice policy?

“There is no evidence that a no-nit policy prevents or shortens outbreaks, said the California Department of Public Health, and it recommended schools do away with no-nit policies.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommended that school districts disband no-nit policies.

Greg Spicer, Merced City School District assistant superintendent, said the policy has been a work in progress for several years because attendance had become a major issue.

Students who had live lice were only admitted back to school if their hair was completely cleared of nits, Spicer said, so students could be out for weeks.

"Children would miss weeks of school," Schleth said. "I was so thrilled and relieved when this change happened."

Read more here: The Modesto Bee

Ceres Schools

This school district maintains a stringent “no nit” lice policy and children found to have eggs or live bugs will be sent home for treatment.

“A lice infestation can happen to anyone. Socioeconomic background or lack of cleanliness has nothing to do with determining who gets lice. Lice are insects. They are a treatable condition that can be eliminated once they are discovered. Know the symptoms of a lice infestation. If your child is constantly itching, check the scalp for lice or eggs. The eggs will appear as white specks stuck to the hair near the scalp. Ceres Unified School District has a NO NIT policy, which means all eggs (dead or alive) must be removed before returning to the classroom. You must accompany your child to be checked by school personnel to determine if your child is ready to return to school.” Source: Carroll Fowler School handbook

Turlock School District

This district has a relatively lenient lice policy which is in keeping with recommendations from the National Association of School Nurses: children with live bugs can remain in school until the end of the school day and then will be sent home for treatment.

“The Board of Trustees recognizes that head lice infestations among students require treatment but do not pose a risk of transmitting disease. The Superintendent or designee shall encourage early detection and treatment in a manner that minimizes disruption to the educational program and reduces student absences.

The Superintendent or designee may distribute information to parents/guardians of preschool and elementary students regarding routine screening, symptoms, accurate diagnosis, and proper treatment of head lice infestations. The Superintendent or designee also may provide related information to school staff.

School employees shall report all suspected cases of head lice to the school nurse or designee as soon as possible.If a student is found with active, adult head lice, he/she shall be allowed to stay in school until the end of the school day. The parent/guardian of any such student shall be given information about the treatment of head lice and encouraged to begin treatment of the student immediately and to check all members of the family. The parent/guardian also shall be informed that the student shall be checked upon return to school the next day and allowed to remain in school if no active head lice are detected.

Upon the student's return to school, the school nurse or designee shall check the student for active head lice. If it is determined that the student remains infected with head lice, the school nurse or designee shall contact the student's parent/guardian to discuss treatment. As needed, he/she may provide additional resources and/or referral to the local health department, health care providers, or other agencies.

If a student is found consistently infested with head lice, he/she may be referred to a multidisciplinary team, which may consist of the school nurse, representatives from the local health department and social services, and other appropriate individuals, to determine the best approach for identifying and resolving problems contributing to the student's head lice infestation.” Source: Turlock USD

If your child has head lice, call LiceDoctors at 209-451-2181 and you will receive same day treatment. LiceDoctors treatments are all-natural and are guaranteed to be effective. Ensure that your child will be admitted to school—call LiceDoctors today.