Got Lice? No Problem

Health Sherry Marbury Many schools are becoming less nit-picky about children who have head lice

by Associated Press

Published: Thu, February 19, 2009 - 11:07 am CST Last Updated: Thu, February 19, 2009 - 11:11 am CST

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - For generations, children with signs of
head lice were sent home by the school nurse. Now schools have
become less nitpicky.
With the backing of some major health organizations, a majority
of schools across the country are allowing youngsters to stay in
class if they have nits - that is, lice eggs - but no crawling lice
in their hair.
It's a change recommended in 2002 by the American Academy of
Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses, and it
has been welcomed by many educators and parents.
Its unclear whether there have been more infestations in recent
years as a result of the new, more relaxed policies.
For school officials, it's an issue they can't win.
Sherry Marbury, the state nurse supervisor for the Alabama
Department of Education, says she gets call about lice throughout
the school year and doesn't expect the debate to end anytime soon.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Bikermike Says:

Thu, Feb 19, 2009 at 8:30 pm

this is just plain wrong to adopt such a policy,thank god my kids are grown.it cost a lot of money as well as time and inconvenience to get rid of those nasty little bugs,parents are responsible for their kids hygiene when sending them into public and should be required to keep their children home when they are infected.

Shealeigh Says:

Thu, Feb 19, 2009 at 6:57 pm

This is truly horrible for the teachers too. I work at a school and have 3 boys. I don’t want to bring home any of this to my kids either. Upon taking a boy to the office a few days ago for lice they sent him back with me because it was just nits…yuck. I didn’t have anything to do with the kid after that even though it wasn’t his fault. If we get it it cost a good amount of money to get rid of it…and lots of time too.

Sony Says:

Thu, Feb 19, 2009 at 4:37 pm

Well,this disgusts me.I went through torture when I sent my lil girl to kindegarten several years ago and a lil boy in her class had head lice and his family would not get rid of it at home and kept sending the kid to school with it and he kept passing it to the kids in my childs class.We ended having to take our lil girl to the Dr to get rid of it and because the principle would not make sure he didn’t bring it back,I pulled my kids out and now teach them at home where we dont have to worry about that mess.The Dr told me if we put anything else on her hair it could cause seizures for the rest of her life.And then they suspend a child because of their color of clothes but yet let kids come to school with Lice and endanger other children.I just dont get it!!! Lice should never be allowed in schools.They should be sent home and not allowed to return til its gone for good no matter how long they have to stay out of school!!!

Hate-it Says:

Thu, Feb 19, 2009 at 12:59 pm

I am so over it, what next?

slvjcad Says:

Thu, Feb 19, 2009 at 12:36 pm

I don’t like the ideal that the school will let lice be in school. I don’t like the ideal of lice eggs, lice, or even both being over looked in schools. I was surprised when school stop using the sticks to check the hair in the schools. What has this world come to.