I would like to inform you that there have been several recent cases of head lice at the Mary Finn School, not isolated to any specific classroom.
Head lice are a common occurrence among school-age children. Anyone can get head lice. Head lice move by crawling; They Cannot Hop or Fly. Head lice are spread by direct contact with the hair of an infested person. Anyone who comes in head-to-head contact with someone who already has head lice is at greatest risk. Spread by contact with clothing (such as hats, scarves, coats) or other personal items (such as combs, brushes, or towels) used by an infested person is uncommon. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice.
Over the next 2-3 weeks I am recommending that you periodically check your child’s hair for any signs of lice. It is best to do a head check in natural sunlight. Head lice are small, brown insects, no larger than the size of a sesame seed, that live and feed on the human scalp. Eggs and nits are tiny, whitish to brown ovals, about the size of this comma (,) that are firmly glued to the hair shaft usually close to the scalp. Often, they are located at the nape of the neck, behind the ears and at the crown of the head, but they can be found anywhere on the head.
If you suspect your child has head lice or have found nits or live lice, please notify me before your child comes to school. Students with lice are not excluded from school, but must be treated prior to returning (manual removal of lice, shampoo treatment, etc.. check with your pediatrician if you are unsure what is best for your student.)
Any child with head lice needs to be screened by the school nurse. By working together, we can prevent further spread! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Trish Frutman, BSN, RN, NCSN
Finn School Nurse