Each year, there are an estimated 6 to 12 million cases of lice reported in the United States. Pediculosis, commonly known as head lice, can cause a lot of anxiety and stress for the parties involved, let’s try to be understanding of others. Lice do not discriminate against gender, race, or socioeconomic status, and the presence of lice does not indicate poor hygiene. Lice do not fly or jump, they crawl. Head lice is so common in the elementary aged population because children at this age tend to hug, lean in close to each other, have their coats hanging next to each other, and do not understand that personal items should not be shared. You can encourage your children to avoid head to head contact; avoid sharing brushes, hair ties, hats, etc; keep long hair tied back or braided; encourage children to keep all outerwear stored in their backpacks when not in use. Please refer to the district’s Lice Handbook for everything you need to know about lice. After reviewing the handbook and learning about lice/what they look like, please check your child’s hair often. If you find lice or think you have found nits (eggs), please contact the nurse’s office. Please do not send your child to school until he/she has been treated. You will then need to accompany your child to the nurse’s office the next day for a lice check. If live lice are found, you will be referred to your pediatrician, and you will bring your child home. Most available medications do not kill the eggs and a second treatment is advised in the application directions, usually 7-10 days later. Please follow treatment directions exactly as they are stated. After the initial treatment, you should check your child’s hair daily and manually remove any nits.
Additional Reminder: If you have not already done so, please bring in any emergency medications that your child needs in school, along with the appropriate forms signed/stamped by your child’s doctor.
Cassie Carbone
ccarbone@jefftwp.org
973-663-0520, option 2
