Lice in elementary school

[Anonymous]

I understand that MCPS is now following the policy of the American Academy of Pediatrics to allow children with nits to school.

We are currently having a lice outbreak at our children's school. It seems like it's worse than in the past.

I hope parents will consider keeping their children home from school until all nits have been removed, even if MCPS does not require it.

[Anonymous]

I really don't think it's necessary to stay home.

[Anonymous]

Lice are a nuisance, but are not harmful.

And not a reason to miss school, in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

This is not OP, but I understand where the OP is coming from. I understand that lice are a nuisance and not harmful, but it also seems like under the current MCPS policy, the kids will just keep giving lice back and forth to each other. Also, I know there is a pretty bad outbreak in my DD's classroom. I reported it and I know that other parents have too, and yet no school or classroom wide announcement to all parents has gone out. I don't get it.

[Anonymous]

The nuts may not be harmful but the treatment is. So the fewer kids to get them the better. It is so irresponsible not to report and stay home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The nuts may not be harmful but the treatment is. So the fewer kids to get them the better. It is so irresponsible not to report and stay home.

what is the policy tofig? no letters any more ?

[Anonymous]

You know that most kids have lice for approx. 2 weeks before they are evident or itchy enough to be noticed...unless you do a very thorough combine regularly (not just a quick check). So this is really not much of a change.. I have to admit my daughter had it for about 6 weeks. Took her to the ped and dermatologist for a rash on the back of her neck. Both thought it was an allergic reaction. No one else in the family got it nor family members we stayed with over the holidays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The nuts may not be harmful but the treatment is. So the fewer kids to get them the better. It is so irresponsible not to report and stay home.

The treatment is not harmful. The chemical/pesticide shampoos don't work - don't use them. Thorough combing with a very good metal lice comb is the only thing that works.

[Anonymous]

If you have a girl with longish hair you can keep her hair in a ponytail and braided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not OP, but I understand where the OP is coming from. I understand that lice are a nuisance and not harmful, but it also seems like under the current MCPS policy, the kids will just keep giving lice back and forth to each other. Also, I know there is a pretty bad outbreak in my DD's classroom. I reported it and I know that other parents have too, and yet no school or classroom wide announcement to all parents has gone out. I don't get it.

Announcements aren't really needed either. Just keep an eye on your kid's hair if you are concerned.

It's like colds when they're little. All the snot and the hacking and wheezing is gross, and it comes up multiple times a year but it's not worth missing school.

[Anonymous]

I wish they would at least let parents know that some kid in the class has lice and to look out for it. We know a kid in our class has had it, and no notice of anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lice are a nuisance, but are not harmful.

And not a reason to miss school, in my opinion.

+1

[Anonymous]

I don't understand the logic of letting kids with crawling bugs OR nits in class. The nits hatch into bugs. So a child with nits one minute becomes a child with a crawling bug the next minute.

It feels like all of the burden falls on the responsible parents in the class who check, comb, check, comb for weeks after their kids have had lice. Parents who just use the drugstore shampoo and send their kids back to school might as well not do anything at all. When our kids had lice last year, the Rid killed nothing. There is nothing more aggravating than ridding your family of lice and then having your child come home with 2 bugs crawling in his hair after school (because I was OCD checking every dang day for months). There were no nits, just bugs, so it seemed they crawled on at school.

And we reported lice in to the school health hotline and no notice ever went out to the class to check your kids for lice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish they would at least let parents know that some kid in the class has lice and to look out for it. We know a kid in our class has had it, and no notice of anything.

I don't get this either. Why not just send an email to a class where a kid has had lice so everyone can check their kids carefully? Otherwise it will just go around and around. Its like the schools have completely washed their hands of any responsibility or effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish they would at least let parents know that some kid in the class has lice and to look out for it. We know a kid in our class has had it, and no notice of anything.

I don't get this either. Why not just send an email to a class where a kid has had lice so everyone can check their kids carefully? Otherwise it will just go around and around. Its like the schools have completely washed their hands of any responsibility or effort.

i don't understand why you can't just check your own kid regularly? I can't be the only mom who checks backs of ears and necks for cleanliness, can't be the only one cuddling on the couch or giving kisses, hugs...don't you look at your kids?