NEPN/NSBA CODE: JLCCC
HEAD LICE GUIDELINES
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that no healthy child be excluded from or allowed to miss school because of head lice, and the ‘no nit’ policies for return to
school are be discouraged.
The National Association of School Nurses states that nit-free policies disrupt the education process and should not be viewed as an essential strategy in the
management of head lice.
Health and Health Care in Schools – children with nits do not pose an immediate threat
to the health of others, therefore, excluding these children from school and requiring
them to be treated with a pesticidal product is probably excessive.
Therefore, the procedures to be used in MSAD #60 with respect to head lice are:
Recommendations for schools:
• Routine head check of healthy students is not recommended.
• Check symptomatic student by school nurse.
• When nits 1⁄4 inch or closer to the scalp or live lice are discovered, do not exclude from school, but notify the parent that day and provide instructions on how to treat and eliminate.
• Nurses reserve the right to exclude students if, in their professional opinion, it is
necessary.
• The school nurse may offer extra help to families with chronic infestations.
Adopted: October 2, 2008
Revised: December 6, 2018