Do I Have to Report Head Lice to School?
WouterYou might be wondering if you need to report head lice to school if your child has them. Well, it all depends on the school district. In Illinois, for example, schools can decide to report all suspected cases to the school nurse, which will then send a note home with the child when school is over. The note should state that prompt treatment of the lice is in the child’s best interests. However, if two or more students have head lice, the school can ban the child from school until the infestation is treated.
The best way to prevent head lice is to get your child tested privately. You should make sure your child has a clean head and clean hair. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you do not touch your child’s head with anything other than your own. You should also make sure your child has their own pillow and space to sleep. Checking your child’s head frequently for nits is also very important. It is best to notify your child’s friends and family, and try to teach them not to share head accessories. Head lice can be transmitted to others through these methods, so you should do everything possible to prevent it from happening to your child.
If your child has head lice, it is important to report it to the school nurse. They will perform a check on your child, as well as the other students in the class. They will report active lice and give you instructions on how to treat your child. If your child has head lice, they may have to stay at school until the end of the day. Make sure to avoid direct head-to-head contact with other students if you suspect they have the lice.
