Lice Check

Anyone can get head lice or pediculosis. They are a nuisance, but do not cause illness or carry disease. Kids can be pretty sensitive once they find out they have lice. Here are some important facts about head lice that you can share with them:

· Head lice show no preference for any particular group of people. 

· Head lice prefer clean hair to dirty so they do not mean that you are non-hygienic

· They spread when there is close contact, or by sharing hats, combs or brushes.

· Head lice cannot survive for more than 24-48 hours if they have fallen off a human head. 

· Head lice are crawling insects and they cannot hop, jump or fly. 

· Head lice do not thrive on pets.

We ask that you check your child(ren)'s hair regularly for lice. This will help prevent the spread of pediculosis. You should examine your child's head thoroughly, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck for nits and lice if your child exhibits symptoms (primarily itching) of a head lice infestation. If nits or lice are found, all household members should be examined for nits and lice every 2-3 days for approximately three weeks.

If head lice are found, do not return your children to school until treated and keep your child home for 24 hours following the detection of lice.  This will give you an opportunity to perform a treatment and a thorough comb through on your child’s hair.  Children are only allowed to re-enter the class once all the nits (eggs) are removed from the hair which should be confirmed by trained office staff upon return. 

Our school and parents need to work together to support one another and to help fight infestations of lice. If you have any questions, or need more information about lice contact the York Region Public Health Department at 1-800-361-5653 or check online on website such as www.headlice.org.

Our School Council supports our community by sponsoring a health nurse to come to our school and check our children for lice about twice a year so that this unwanted nuisance does not spread and become a concern for our students and families. A lice check visit is scheduled at our school for next week. 

Thank you for your support.