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Know About Lice In Schools

What you need to know about Lice In Schools

IMPORTANT:  School nurses are no longer responsible in the sate of Rhode Island and many of the surrounding states to check for lice on our children, you MUST be doing these at home regularly.

As your children progress through grades and schools there are things parents should be looking for to assist in the prevention and spreading of lice:

  1. Make sure your child has their own space in which to put their belongings; a cubby, a locker, etc. Hooks that allow belongings to mingle are not ideal and should be discussed with the teacher.
  2. Rugs for children to sit on during “reading circle”. Parents should ask if the carpet is vacuumed everyday.  The more parents that ask, he more likely it is to get done.
  3. Your children should never use classroom provided dress up clothes. Instead ask the teacher to host dress-up days where the children can wear their own costumes from home.
  4. Your children should have their own headphones for use at school.
  5. Be sure to braid or bun any child’s hair that is long enough, this includes boys!
  6. Remind your children to put their belongings in their own space when outdoors during before-school time, recess, lunch or Physical Education class; at least a few inches away form the next child’s
  7. Urge PE teachers/schools to replace pinnies with belt flags.
  8. Perform lice checks on your children regularly and especially after school breaks or vacations that included planes, trains, rental cars, amusement parks etc.
  9. Parents, you are your child’s best advocate at school and daycare. Let your child’s school know that bins for coats and backpacks are not acceptable.  Sharing of cubbies is not acceptable.  And when children play outside, especially in early Fall and Spring, coats, hats and scarves should not be strewn in piles.  These practices are potentially facilitating the sharing of lice.

Remind your teens and college students they are NOT immune to lice.  Sharing of clothing and selfies contribute significantly to the spread of lice in these age groups.