Dear Parents/Guardians:
Head lice are a common problem and can happen at home, play, or school. Anyone can get head lice fairly easily. Head lice are mainly spread through direct head to head contact, but also from sharing hats, brushes, headphones, helmets, combs, hair accessories and other personal items. Research shows that mass screening for head lice is not effective for managing head lice. Eastern Health’s HI Website (hi.easternhealth.ca) contains helpful information on head lice (pediculosis).
Parents and guardians have the responsibility to take an active role in the prevention of head lice outbreaks by:
- checking your child’s head weekly for lice or nits
- talking to your child about not sharing hats, brushes, headphones, helmets, combs, hair accessories or other personal items
- tying back long hair
When head lice are found, parents and guardians have the responsibility to take an active role in the management of head lice by:
- treating head lice
- informing your child’s school
- Children sometimes get lice because they play closely together. Parents or guardians may feel frustrated or embarrassed; however, the problem has nothing to do with standards of cleanliness.
If you have any questions, please refer to Eastern Health’s HI Website for information or contact the school Public Health Nurse for advice on what to look for and information on effective treatment for your family.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Ms. Christina Pike
School Principal
Trina M. Walsh, BN RN
Public Health Nurse
Tel: (709) 752-4234
Macdonald Drive Junior High 