Talking to Students
When head lice occupy the school, educators are the information gatekeepers for students and their families. Here are the ABCs of speaking to students about this pesky problem:
Anyone can get head lice. Head lice are a common problem many kids will face as they go through school. Lice don't discriminate based on social status, or hair type, and an infestation definitely does not mean that a child is dirty or neglected.
Back to school is the goal, however, depending on the local school board policy, children may have to remain outside of school until no nits are detected.
Confidentiality is key. The Toronto Catholic School Board, for example, notifies only the parent of an identified infestation and empowers parents to manage all aspects of communication and treatment with the child. Child health experts highlight the need for an appropriate information exchange at times like these, especially considering the high anxiety that the discovery of head lice can cause in the community.