In general, Franklin has had numerous cases of head lice throughout the district in the past few years. Davis Thayer is no exception to this. The Franklin School nurses are doing everything in our power to see that head lice outbreaks are kept to minimum.

We need your help! Please review the following information.

-Lice are a sign of unclean homes or people. (Actually, people with clean, well-groomed hair are more likely to be infested).

-Lice fly or jump.

-Anyone can get lice by direct contact or by sharing personal items.

-Lice crawl directly from person to person or onto shared personal items such as combs, hats, bedding, etc.

-Head lice live only on people’s scalp or hair. They hatch from small eggs (nits) that are firmly attached to strands of hair (about ¼ inch from the scalp).

-Unlike dandruff, nits cannot be easily moved up or down the hair. Nits usually hatch within 7-10 days.

-Check your child’s hair for eggs (nits) weekly.

-If you suspect lice, ask your health care provider to recommend appropriate treatment.

-Inform the school nurse if your child has been diagnosed with head lice.

-Your child complains of intense itching of the head or scalp or if you notice that your child is scratching his/her head frequently.

-A rash around the back of the neck or behind the ears from scratching.

-Sleeplessness or waking up frequently during the night itching.

-Use a treatment recommended by your health care provider. Follow directions very carefully, there are differences in products. Some products will require a follow up treatment.

-Remove all nits. No product removes all nits. Nits must be mechanically removed, metal combs work best.

-Machine wash all washable bedding/clothing in hot water.

-Dry in hot dryer (for at least 20 minutes).

-Put non-washable items (pillows, furry toys, etc.) in hot dryer for 20 minutes.

-Seal items that cannot be washed or dried in a plastic bag for at least 2 weeks.

-Check for nits daily for at least 14 days.

-If one family member has head lice it is important that you inspect all family members for at least 2 weeks. This will help reduce the spread to other family members.

-He/she has been treated.

-All the nits have been removed. Franklin Public Schools has a “no nit policy”- a child must be free from nits before he/she can return to school.

-The school nurse checks the child’s hair. Upon return to school, your child needs to be brought to the nurse’s office to be checked prior to going to the classroom.