In general, schools and child-care centers experience cases of lice due to the number of children in close proximity; however, anyone can come in contact with a louse (bug), anywhere, at any time if there is direct head-to-head or head-to-object contact with an infected person.  Typically, the incidence of lice cases increase in the fall and winter months due to the children wearing hats and sharing items that come in contact with their heads as well as after long breaks from school. 

Jackson Local Schools has a "NO LIVE BUG" policy.  If a student is found to have live lice, they are sent home for a treatment.  Once a treatment has been completed, he or she may return to school.  The school nurse or a designee will inspect for live lice once the student returns.  At that time, the student will be permitted to return to class. 

Becoming infested with head lice is NOT a sign of poor hygiene.  All socioeconomic groups are affected at the same rate.  Head lice can be found on all types of hair.  Head lice are NOT considered to be a health hazard because they do not spread disease.  An infestation is considered to be a NUISANCE only.  For this reason parental notification letters are NOT distributed as standard practice since this is a nuisance condition not a communicable disease. Often, school personnel are unaware that a child has lice unless the parent discloses that information to the school staff or if a child is suspected of having lice.

Tips and Facts for Detecting and Treating Head Lice:

• Scratching is the most common sign that lice are present, especially if the child is scratching behind the ears and at the nape of the neck. 

• Head lice are human parasites; therefore you cannot pass or receive lice from your pets. They are species specific.  

• Lice do not fly, hop, or jump from person to person. The only way lice are spread is through direct head-to-head contact or by directly touching or sharing of articles that are placed on the head. 

• When found most cases of head lice are already more than a month old. 

• An adult louse (bug) can lay up to 10 eggs (nits) per day. The eggs look like tiny grains of rice but are grayish in color.  They look similar to dandruff but nits will not brush off.  The nits are attached to strands of hair with a “glue-like” substance that requires manual removal and treatment with a recognized pediculocide.  

• Because of the use and overuse of head lice shampoos, head lice have become resistant to the products that once killed them. No head lice product is 100% effective, therefore manual removal of all visible eggs (nits) is required for effective treatment.  NEVER treat or retreat “JUST IN CASE” without seeing a live bug or nits.  

• If a bug or egg is found, apply lice product according to directions. Vacuum all rugs and furniture, including car interiors.  Wash all bed linens and clothing in hot, soapy water and bag up any items that cannot be laundered for up to 10 days.  Items may also be placed in the dryer on high heat for 15 to 20 minutes.  Items that can not withstand high heat may be put in a zippered baggie and placed in the freezer for 2 to 3 days. 

Our recommended school procedure is for parents to notify school staff immediately if a case of head lice is present or suspected. The child will be excluded from school until application of an effective pediculocide (treatment) and manual removal of nits have been preformed.  The school nurse will discretely re-check the child for live lice prior to readmission to school.  Checks will continue for 2 to 3 additional weeks until lice are completely gone. Classroom checks will be performed as needed.  

Please help reduce the number of head lice cases by contacting the school nurses of suspected or active cases of head lice.  We are always willing to check your child if you suspect that he or she may have lice.

updated 2/23/23