Information about Lice

Don’t panic! Head lice are not considered a health hazard as they do not spread disease and or illness. Head lice among school children are a common frustration; however, the spread of head lice can be controlled and prevented with your help.

Having head lice does not mean you are unclean or that you are a bad parent - head lice affects everyone!

Head lice multiply quickly. Lice do not spread as easily as once believed: you actually have to touch heads, share clothing, or touch your head to a surface where an infested person touched his/her head, or share a comb/brush/grooming item. Children can pass lice more easily because they move a lot and they sleep almost everywhere in the house and car. Typical lice transmission happens at home or at sleepovers when children share clothing or combs or lie down to watch TV or sleep close to one another.

Lice transmission at school is rare because we do not plan activities where children touch their heads together and we make efforts to keep children’s personal items separated. Your child does not have to stay home from school because: a) school is important; b) lice do not pose any health risks; and c) lice are more likely to be transmitted in homes than at school.

When we learn of a lice outbreak, we begin vacuuming the classroom and removing the vacuum dirt and vacuum bags every day. During a lice outbreak you can help by checking your child’s head daily and treating any infestations as soon as possible.