• Forestville Elementary Head Lice Guidelines

    (Updated Nov. 14, 2023)

    Head lice are a recurring infestation that requires a collaborative effort at home, school and community to keep it under control. If you suspect or know that your child has lice, please notify the school nurse so that others may be screened. When the school’s nurse confirms that a student has lice,a parent is contacted and provided with information on how to treat the child. Head lice are tiny insects about the size of a sesame seed. They can only move from one person to another by head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact. They cannot jump to another person’s head. Head lice lay eggs which hatch after 7-10 days. It takes about 10 days for a recently hatched louse to grow into an adult and start to lay eggs. Children who get head lice may feel embarrassed or ashamed, but they shouldn’t. Anyone can get head lice. It has nothing to do with being dirty or clean. Lice do not spread disease or illness.

    The following guidelines will be implemented at the Elementary School for students identified during school hours to have an active case of head lice (live lice or nits):

    • The parent will be notified and provided with written information about lice treatment and given the option to pick up their child to provide treatment. 

    • In the elementary school, when more than one child is identified to have an active case of lice, written notification will be sent home with all children in the classroom to alert parents/guardians to be vigilant in monitoring for lice in their own children. This communication will come from our school nurse. Please feel free to contact Mrs.Donovan our school nurse with any questions.