Head Lice Guidelines

RCS Policy 6.4031.1

Pediculosis (Head Lice)

No student shall be denied an education solely by reason of head lice infestation and his/her
educational program shall be restricted only to the extent necessary to minimize the risk of transmitting the infestation.
DETECTION
It shall be the responsibility of the principal or his/her designee to notify a student’s parents in the
event a child is found to have head lice.

Students found with live head lice shall remain in class but shall be discouraged from close direct head
contact with others.
A letter shall be sent home by the child to explain the condition and the treatment requirements for
readmission.
TREATMENT & READMISSION
Prior to readmission, parents shall treat their child according to these procedures. Treatment for
pediculosis (head lice) shall be conducted for any student that has an active infestation. If a student has
an active infestation, the following treatment shall be adhered to before readmission in to school:
1. Apply lice medicine, also called pediculicide, according to the instructions contained in the box
or printed on the label;
2. Have the student put on clean clothing after treatment; and
3. Comb dead and any remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine–toothed nit comb.
In order to avoid re-infestation by lice, check the hair and comb with a nit comb to remove nits and lice
every 2–3 days. Additionally, machine wash and dry all clothing, bed linens, and other items that came
in contact with the student during the two (2) days before treatment; soak all combs and brushes in hot
water; and vacuum the floor and furniture where the student sat or lay.
Evidence that such treatment steps have been taken shall be required prior to the student’s readmission
to school. Evidence may include a determination (after examination) by school official that there has
been improvement (meaning reduction/elimination of head lice and nits) since the parent was notified.

A student shall be expected to return to school no later than the day following notification of the
condition. Failure to meet these requirements shall result in the student’s exclusion until criteria are
met for readmission. The absences will not be excused.
PREVENTION
Head lice is most commonly spread by direct head-to-head contact and by sharing clothing or
belongings. According to the CDC, the following are steps that can be taken to help prevent and
control the spread of head lice:
1. Avoid head-to-head contact during play and other activities;
2. Do not share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, hair ribbons, or barrettes;
3. Do not share combs, brushes, or towels;
4. Do not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets, or stuffed animals that have recently been in
contact with an individual who has an active infestation;
5. Machine wash and dry clothing, bed linens, and other items that an individual with an active
infestation wore or used during the two (2) days before treatment. Clothing and items that are
not washable can be dry-cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag and stored for two (2) weeks; and
6. Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the individual who had an active infestation
sat or lay.
NOTIFICATION
These procedures as to the treatment and prevention of pediculosis (head lice) shall be made available
via the RCS website. In addition, these procedures shall be distributed to the parent/guardian of any
student that has head lice.