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Head Lice

5511.1 POLICY – HEAD LICE

The Board of Education recognizes the importance of controlling the spread of communicable diseases within the school and local community. Pediculosis (“head-lice”) is categorized under New Jersey State law as a communicable disease (N.J.A.C. 10:122-7.1). In order to prevent the spread of head-lice any student(s) identified as having this communicable disease shall be excluded from school until the student exhibits no evidence of live lice or eggs (nits). (N.J.S.A. 18A:40-8).

Head Check Procedure

1.  Head checks will be performed in response to school nurse or other staff member suspicion.

2.  When a case of head lice has been identified, the entire class shall be checked.

3.  Parents will be notified if there is a case identified in the school by sending home a head lice alert notice and the approved packet of information including the district policy.

4.  Any student identified as having head lice shall be immediately sent home from school.

Readmission Procedure

A student who has been excluded from school for head-lice shall only be readmitted upon inspection and approval of the school nurse in accordance with the following procedure:

1.  student must be accompanied by an adult upon return; and

2.  have his or her scalp checked by the school nurse; and

3.  Exhibit no evidence of live lice or eggs (nits).

If there is evidence of live lice or eggs, the student will not be readmitted until the student is free of both live lice and eggs.

Adopted:  23 April 2015

Addendum to School Policy on Head Lice (Pediculosis Capitis)
Day Care Program Modification

Purpose
This addendum establishes a modified approach to the management of head lice within the Day Care program, recognizing the unique developmental and behavioral needs of younger children, including frequent close contact, shared materials, and limited ability to consistently follow personal space and hygiene guidelines.

Policy Modification for Day Care Setting
While the school maintains a general “no exclusion” policy. In the primary Head Lice Policy, the Day Care program is granted discretion to implement more immediate precautionary measures due to the higher risk of transmission in this environment.

Procedures

  1. Identification
    • If live lice are observed on a child in the Day Care setting, staff will promptly notify the program director or designated health personnel.
  2. Parent/Guardian Notification
    • The child’s parent or guardian will be contacted immediately and informed of the finding.
  3. Temporary Exclusion
    • The Day Care program may require that the child be picked up and sent home the same day if live lice are detected.
    • This measure is intended to reduce rapid transmission due to close-contact play, shared rest areas, and communal materials.
  4. Return to Day Care
    • The child may return after appropriate treatment has been initiated.
    • Upon return, a visual screening may be conducted by staff to ensure no active infestation is present.
  5. Classroom Mitigation Measures
    • Increased cleaning of shared items (e.g., soft toys, dress-up clothes, bedding).
    • Temporary limitation of shared personal items.
    • Encourage practices that minimize head-to-head contact where developmentally appropriate.
  6. Communication to Families
    • Families of children in the same group may be notified of a potential exposure while maintaining confidentiality.
    • Educational materials on prevention and treatment may be distributed.

Rationale
Due to the nature of Day Care environments—where children engage in frequent physical interaction, rest in close proximity, and share objects—stricter, immediate response measures are necessary to effectively manage and limit outbreaks.

Compliance
The Day Care program will implement this addendum in alignment with applicable state health guidelines while maintaining consistency with the broader goals of the school’s health policies.