October 17, 2017
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Five cases of Pediculosis (head lice) have been reported to the nurse at the high school. Head lice is a very common problem among school aged children and their household members. It is important to remember, while head lice is a nuisance it does not carry disease. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice.
The head louse is a small, multi-legged organism that feeds on human blood. The color may be gray or brown. The female louse lay eggs, also known as nits, which are attached to the hair shaft with a cementing material near the root. The nits appear to be pearly in color and teardrop in shape. The nits cling to the hair shaft and must be brushed or scraped off. Head lice do not jump or fly and generally cannot survive longer than 24 hours off the host.
Head Lice is most commonly contacted by direct head-to-head contact with a person who already has an infestation. Less commonly, it can also be transmitted by sharing personal items such as; combs, brushes, towels, bedding, hats, hair ties, scarves and coats. Please educate children about importance of not sharing any personal items.
If you suspect your child has head lice, please contact the school nurse immediately. The nurse will inspect the student and the results will remain confidential. Treatment should ONLY be performed if active head lice are found in your child's scalp and treatment should not be applied as a preventative method. If head lice is suspected or found, your child's healthcare provider is the best option for you to contact to determine the most appropriate treatment for your child.
Please read the "Head Lice Information Sheet" that accompanies this letter. You can also reference the CDC (www.cdc.gov) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org) websites for additional information.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Karen Corcoran at the high school.
Sincerely,
NicholaS J. Capuano Principal