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KAWARTHA PINE RIDGE
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Pediculosis Procedures & Resources Guidebook
(To Support Board Policy No. ES-1.2, Pediculosis in Schools)
Head Lice - A Social Nuisance: Not A Health Issue
January, 2012
KAWARTHA PINE RIDGE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Pediculosis Procedures & Resources Guidebook
Table of Contents
1.
Procedure Checklist
2.
Sample Letters -
3.
#
First Notice Letter to Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
#
Pediculosis Treatment Checklist (attach to First Notice Letter)
#
Second Notice Letter to Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
#
Notification Letter to Parents/Guardians of Presence of Head Lice in the Classroom
KPR Pediculosis Fact Sheet
Pediculosis Procedure Checklist
Detection of Pediculosis
The Principal shall:

identify the person(s) responsible for confirming the presence of head lice on a student;

examine students for the purpose of detecting or confirming the presence or absence of head lice;

communicate, upon confirming the presence of head lice, with the student(s)= parent(s)/guardian(s), in a manner
that recognizes the dignity and self-worth of each student and encourages an understanding of pediculosis and its
effects;

exclude from school, as soon as possible, a student with head lice, for the purpose of receiving a head lice treatment,
following notification to the parent(s)/guardian(s);

advise in writing to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of a student(s) with head lice, that the student(s) will be excluded from
school until the first treatment has been concluded and re-examination shows the student(s) is free of live lice (refer
to Sample Letter and Treatment Checklist) ;

provide the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student(s) with head lice, with information about the prevention and
treatment for head lice (refer to Head Lice Fact Sheet and Treatment Checklist);

advise in writing to each parent(s)/guardian(s) that head lice have been detected in his/her child=s classroom and
that examination of their child is advisable (refer to Sample Letter);

re-check the student(s) who had head lice, upon the student(s) return to school, in accordance with the school=s
pediculosis plan, to ensure that the student(s) is free of live head lice prior to re-admission to class;

If live head lice are detected on the re-check, issue second notification (refer to Sample Letter) to
parent(s)/guardian(s) that the student(s) will be excluded until all live head lice are removed from the hair and
confirmation of a second head lice treatment occurs in 7 to 10 days;

ensure affected students are screened again after a second treatment; and

communicate with parent(s)/guardian(s) that on-going home checks are recommended.
Sample
School Letterhead
FIRST NOTICE
Date
Name & Address
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
It has come to my attention that ____________________ has developed a case of pediculosis, also known as head lice.
Head lice do not carry disease. They are a nuisance but not a health hazard. They do not result from a lack of cleanliness. Anyone can get head lice regardless of
their hair length. Head lice do not live on dogs, cats or other animals. They only live on the human head, eyebrows and eyelashes. School children are at a greater
risk since they are in groups more often than adults. Parents can get head lice from their children.
Board Policy No. ES-1.2, Pediculosis in Schools, requires that students who have been confirmed to have head lice be excluded from school for head lice treatment with
the goal that the treatment renders the student free of head lice.
This is to ensure that the head lice will not have the opportunity to spread to other students.
Before your child returns to school, he/she must be treated for the removal of head lice. This may be done by choosing a product purchased at a pharmacy or by
using a non-pharmaceutical (nature products, non-chemicals). Whatever treatment you choose, it must be done along with Anit-picking@. The treatments alone do
not rid the hair of nits. They must be hand picked (or use a special nit comb). This process, unfortunately, is time consuming and laborious, but it must be done to
prevent re-infestation. Please refer to the attached Pediculosis (Head Lice) Treatment Checklist.
Please accompany your child to school, if possible, on re-entry following head lice treatment. If this is not convenient, please complete the attached form and return
with your child. Please advise your child to go to the office for a head check before re-admittance to class. Hair must be completely free of lice if a child is to be
re-admitted.
You will be contacted should head lice be detected when your child is rechecked.
If you have any questions, please call the school.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Sincerely
Principal
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PEDICULOSIS READMITTANCE FORM
Please complete this form, along with the attached treatment checklist, and have your child return
it to the office before going to class. Thank you.
I (Parent/Guardian) confirm that a pediculosis treatment has been completed and a second
treatment will be done within 7 to 10 days after the first treatment.
Date
Signature of Parent/Guardian
Revised January 2012
PEDICULOSIS (HEAD LICE) TREATMENT CHECKLIST
Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
The discovery of head lice can be very upsetting and seem overwhelming to deal with. The following checklist is provided to help you
effectively treat head lice. You are encouraged to read the accompanying Fact Sheet for more details.
In order for your child to return to school, he/she must be free of live head lice.
It is important that each checklist item be completed as quickly as possible.
child when he/she is free of live head lice).
(The form must be signed and returned to the school with your

Consult your pharmacist to discuss an effective treatment method.

Determine what head lice treatment you will use - pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical.

Treat the affected person(s) according to product instructions.

Manually remove ALL live head lice from the hair strands.

Check the hair of all family members and treat only if necessary.

Clean all affected clothing (including hats), bedding and towels in hot water and dry using the hot cycle of dryer.
that are not washable in a plastic, airtight bag for at least 10 days, or have them dry cleaned.

Clean brushes, combs and hair ornaments.

Extra house cleaning is not necessary, but it is wise to vacuum surfaces where heads have rested (i.e. sofas, seats of cars and
helmets) as lice can live up to two days away from human contact.

Provide a second pharmaceutical/non-pharmaceutical treatment seven (7) to ten (10) days after the first.

Recheck affected person(s) hair and others regularly.

Caution your child not to share hats, coats and combs.
Place items
I confirm that I have completed each item listed above.
Signature of Parent/Guardian
Signature of Principal/Designate
Date
Date
Revised January 2012
Sample
School Letterhead
SECOND NOTICE
Name & Address
Re:
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
A re-check of your child=s hair today revealed live head lice still remaining.
It is important to treat and remove head lice to prevent them from spreading to others. Treatment products may kill the lice but not all the nits (eggs).
These may hatch and your child will be re-infested. Picking the nits from the hair as well as choosing a chemical or non-chemical treatment is essential.
Board Policy No. ES-1.2, Pediculosis in Schools, requires that ALL live head lice be removed from the hair before your child returns to class to ensure that
head lice do not have the opportunity to spread from one student to another.
in seven (7) to ten (10) days.
We require confirmation that a second head lice treatment has occurred
Please accompany your child to school, if possible, on re-entry following head lice treatment. If this is not convenient, please complete the attached
form and return with your child. Please advise your child to go to the office for a head check before re-admittance to class. Hair must be completely
free of lice if a child is to be re-admitted.
You will be contacted should head lice be detected when your child is rechecked.
your co-operation.
If you have any questions, please call the school.
Thank you for
Sincerely
Principal
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PEDICULOSIS READMITTANCE FORM
Please complete this form and have your child return it to the office before going to class.
Thank you.
I (Parent/Guardian) confirm that a second (within 7 to 10 days) pediculosis treatment has been completed.
Date
Signature of Parent/Guardian
Revised January 2012
Sample
School Letterhead
Date
Name & Address
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Today a case of pediculosis, also known as head lice, was discovered in your child=s class.
treated.
Head lice do not carry disease.
cleanliness.
They are a nuisance but not a health hazard.
This student is currently being
They do not result from a lack of
Anyone can get head lice regardless of their hair length.
Head lice are tiny, flat insects with no wings.
They are just 1-2mm long, greyish brown in colour and hard to see.
(eggs) are small white oval-shaped deposits that are stuck to the shaft of the hair.
The nits
These will likely hatch and your child will
be infested.
Please check your child=s head immediately for live lice or nits and then check at least once a week.
or nits, it is important to treat and remove head lice or nits to prevent spreading to others.
If you discover head lice
Treatment products will kill the
lice, but not all the nits (eggs).
The attached Fact Sheet contains information on treating and removing head lice.
your child has live head lice.
Please notify the school if you find that
Do not treat your child if head lice or nits are not found.
Thank you for your co-operation to ensure our students are free of head lice.
Sincerely
Principal
Revised January 2012
PEDICULOSIS (HEAD LICE)
FACT SHEET
Head lice are not a health hazard, but rather a social nuisance. Anyone, regardless of age,
gender, race or social class, can get head lice at any time. School age children are especially
vulnerable because they are often in head-to-head contact.
Information about head lice for parents/guardians and student to help with:
#
education
#
prevention
#
detection, and
#
treatment
What are Head Lice?
#
Head lice are tiny insects without wings. They cannot fly or jump. They live mostly on
the hair and head and are usually behind the ears or the back of the neck. They can also
live in eyebrows, eyelashes and beards.
#
Adult head lice are 1-2 mm long and greyish-brown in colour. They cling to the hair
with six hook-like claws and cannot be shaken off. They are very difficult to see.
#
Nits are the eggs, half the size of a pinhead and oval in shape. They may look like
dandruff, but are firmly glued to the hair and cannot be flicked off. New eggs, laid next
to the scalp, are off white to brown in colour and are difficult to see.
#
The first and most common sign of head lice is persistent itching and scratching. Other
suspicious signs include scratch marks or rash-like marks on
the neck and scalp. Other scalp conditions may cause itching
and the only sure way to detect lice is to take a thorough look.
Revised January 2012
Mature head louse grasping crossed hairs.
Page 2
Getting Rid of Head Lice
Treatments vary.
If you choose to use a head lice shampoo, consult your
pharmacist or doctor.
You do not need a prescription. (Families on social
assistance may, through a doctor=s prescription, have a shampoo covered.)
Head lice products do not prevent lice.
are present.
Use them only when nits or lice
Costs and risks associated with products vary, so discuss with
your pharmacist.
Also consult a pharmacist if:
#
treating children under 4;
#
treatment provider is pregnant or breastfeeding;
#
lice/nits are in eyelashes, eyebrows or beards;
#
scalp is broken or infected; and
#
the child has a ragweed allergy.
Follow product instructions carefully.
Many treatments recommend a second application again in 7 to 10 days.
After the second treatment, continue to check for nits daily for at least two
weeks.
Revised January 2012
Continue to remove nits by hand.
Do not treat children
who are not
infested.
How Else Can I Get Rid of Head Lice?
Non-Pharmaceutical Options
Some people are uncomfortable with the use of a chemical-based
treatment.
The most critical part of any treatment is the removal of all
lice and nits.
There are natural treatments available with varying results.
Consult your
local health food store or natural health practitioner for suggestions.
To Remove Nits
Head lice products used properly, can often be effective, but nits may still
be present.
Nits must be removed.
resulting in reinfestation.
#
If they are not, nits may hatch,
Nits must be removed by hand.
Bright, natural light is important to see nits.
Page 3
#
Comb the hair to remove tangles.
Take hold of a small shaft of hair.
Use your thumb nail against your forefinger and squeeze the nit
from the hair.
Start at the top of the shaft of hair, close to the
scalp, and run your thumb and finger to the bottom of the hair
strand.
#
Put the nits in a plastic bag.
Special nit combs are also available.
may not remove all the nits.
However, using only a nit comb
It is recommended that a nit comb be
used in combination with removing the nits by hand.
Place nits in a
bag, seal and put in the garbage.
Revised January 2012
#
Continue section by section until all the nits are removed.
Seal the
bag and put it in the garbage.
Some people find nits easier to remove if they put petroleum jelly on the
hair first or rinse the hair with a solution of one tablespoon of vinegar and
one cup of water.
Close Contacts
If head lice are detected on a member of your family, check the heads of
the entire family.
Notify others who may have been in contact, such as
grandparents, babysitters and friends.
Contact your child=s school, day care, sports groups or any other groups
he/she has had contact with if head lice or nits are detected.
Personal Items and Clothing
The focus of head lice treatment must be to remove lice and nits from the
hair and head.
However, lice can get into personal items, articles of
clothing and can live off the head for up to 48 hours.
# Wash all bedding, clothing and towels in very hot water and dry using
the hot cycle of the dryer.
The heat will destroy the lice and nits.
# Items (i.e. stuffed toys) that cannot be washed should be dry-cleaned or
sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks.
# Combs and brushes should be cleaned to remove hair and disinfected by
soaking in a head lice shampoo or disinfectant.
# Vacuum loose hairs from carpets and upholstery.
Discard the vacuum
bag in a sealed plastic bag.
Revised January 2012
Page 4
Points to Remember
1. Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring children are lice and nit free.
2. Examine your child=s head on a regular basis (i.e. weekly, after vacations). If you detect
head lice, notify the school or daycare. Take immediate action.
3. Lack of cleanliness does not cause head lice. Head lice prefer clean scalps.
4. Discourage children from sharing hats, combs, brushes and hair accessories.
5. Keeping hair short will not prevent head ice. Children with long hair should have their hair
tied back.
6. Head lice do not live on dogs, cats, or other animals, only on humans.
For More Information
National Pediculosis Association
www.headlice.org
1-781-449-NITS
Canadian Paediatric Society
www.caringforkids.cps.ca
Lice Advice Hotline
1-800-783-1919
(Paid for by a manufacturer of a nit removal product)
www.eoginesis.com
www.neonnits.com
Durham Region Health Department
1-800-841-2729 or 905-668-7711
www.durham.ca
Revised January 2012
The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board works in partnership
with parents/guardians to ensure that students attend school lice free in
accordance with Board Policy No. ES-1.2, Pediculosis in Schools.
Revised January 2012