Head lice at school
Many people
mistakenly associate
head lice with lack of cleanliness, poverty and/or poor
parenting.
Impact at School
Many people mistakenly associate head lice with lack of cleanliness, poverty and/or poor parenting. Children may miss weeks of school to treat head lice, especially if the school has a "no-nit" policy prohibiting children from returning until they are nit-free. As a result, children with head lice and their families may experience stress.
If you are facing head lice it is important to talk to a healthcare provider, like your pediatrician or the school nurse. Once your child has been diagnosed, there are many options to treat head lice with varying application times and efficacy.
Your child's school nurse can be a great resource for information about school policies, and may also provide confidential support if you have questions about when your child can return to school and make-up work policies.
Darline P.
Robles, PhD
Dr. Robles is a Professor of Clinical Education at the University of Southern California (USC), mother to one son and grandmother to a granddaughter. She is also a member of the board of the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and former superintendent of Los Angeles County Office of Education, as well as a principal and teacher.
