Bilquist
Elementary
Head Lice Checklist and Guidelines
Head lice are common among school-aged children and can happen to anyone. Having head lice is not a sign of poor hygiene, an unclean home, or a family's socioeconomic status. Although they can be frustrating to treat, head lice do not spread disease and are not considered a communicable disease.
North Clackamas School District follows current recommendations from the Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Health Authority, American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Association of School Nurses to support student health while minimizing unnecessary absences from school.
Our District Approach
How North Clackamas Responds to Head Lice
The district operates on a no-exclusion, evidence-based policy. Our goal is to support student health while minimizing unnecessary time away from learning. The school nurse can be used as a resource to help identify the presence of lice or nits on an individual basis, as requested per teacher or that student’s parent/guardian.
If a student is suspected of having head lice:
- Student privacy and confidentiality will always be maintained.
- If live lice are identified, the parent or guardian will be notified privately.
- Students may remain at school for the rest of the school day.
- Students may return to school after treatment has begun.
- Families are encouraged to begin treatment as soon as possible in accordance with the treatment instructions or the guidance of their healthcare provider. Students do not need to be excluded from school while treatment is underway.
What Families Can Do
Families play the most important role in identifying and treating head lice. If your child has head lice:
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Begin treatment according to product directions or your healthcare provider's recommendations.
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Carefully remove lice and nits with a fine-toothed comb.
- Check all household members and treat only those with evidence of an active infestation.
- Continue checking hair for several days after treatment and repeat treatment if recommended by the product instructions.
- If you have questions about treatment, contact your healthcare provider or your child's school nurse.
By educating staff, students, and parents with information on lice prevention and management, we aim to:
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Sustain a collaborative attitude towards containment of pediculosis/nits.
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Discourage head to head contact between students.
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Discourage the sharing of personal items such as combs, brushes, and hats.
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Encourage regular head checks at home by parents as an effective way to detect and treat head lice.