• Revision of Head Lice Policy

    Denton ISD Regulation

    Date: 02/10/2017

    Related Policy Code: FFAA

     

    Head Lice Policy

    Head lice, although not an illness or a disease, is very common among children and is spread very easily through head-to-head contact during play, sports, or nap time and when children share things like brushes, combs, hats, and headphones. If careful observation indicates that a student has head lice, the school nurse will contact the student’s parent to determine whether the child will need to be picked up from school. After the student has undergone one treatment, the parent should check in with the school nurse to ensure treatment has been effective. More information on head lice can be obtained from the TDSHS website at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth/lice.shtm.   

    Administrative Guidelines for Head Lice (Pediculosis)

    Administrative Guidelines for Head Lice (Pediculosis)

    • If a student has evidence of pediculosis (live lice and/or nits), the student must be treated before coming back to school.

    • If live lice are found on the student, then the student must be sent home. If only nits are found on the student, then the student may return to class for the rest of the school day.

    • Before returning to school, the student must be assessed and cleared of lice by the School Nurse.

    • Students are given the day they were sent home and the following day to treat for lice, and those days will be counted as excused absences.

    • Any absences related to lice beyond the allowed days, will be unverified/unexcused.

    • If the student is not cleared, he/she will be sent home for additional care. Each additional day will be taken on a case by case basis upon evaluation by the school nurse. Additional days allowed by the school nurse will be  counted as EXHLT absence.

    • Chronic or recurrent episodes of Pediculosis (head lice), may be reported to TDFP (CPS). Excessive absences may result in court action for violation of the compulsory attendance law.

    • The school nurse will provide information on the treatment and prevention of head lice to the parent. If there are more than three cases in a classroom at the same time, the nurse will send a letter home to the parents.

    • Information regarding head lice will be made available on the Health Services and campus websites.
Last Modified on November 1, 2022