Prevention and management of head lice infestation among students

New Canaan Public Schools relies on current standards of public health, scientific research and evidenced-based best practices to guide its practices related to communicable health. Current public health standards and recommendations indicate that effective control of head lice requires routine screening and management at home as key factors.

Head lice do not cause disease and when first identified on a head, have usually been a resident there for a few weeks. They are very annoying, an inconvenience and can sometimes be difficult to get rid of, but they are not dangerous. Head lice are usually well-controlled when managed through mechanical or chemical means, or a combination of both, and appropriate house-keeping techniques to eliminate re-infestation. (see websites below) Please contact your child's healthcare provider for his/her recommendations.

In keeping with current standards and research, mass screenings for head lice are no longer conducted in our schools. Rather, our emphasis is on prevention through parental education and home/school communication and collaboration. Not only are mass screenings ineffective, but they cause students to lose significant instructional time and often result in misdiagnosed cases and lead to considerable stigma for children who are sent home in the middle of the school day.

Please remember that rapid communication with the school nurse is the most critical element to prevent the spread of head lice at school, at sleepovers and at other community events. Therefore, should your child be found to have head lice, please inform your school nurse immediately. Periodically parents will receive reminders to increase vigilance and screening procedures. The information you provide is confidential and names of affected students are never shared with other families.

If all families communicate with their school nurse, parents/guardians increase their vigilance at the nurse's alert, we can prevent the unnecessary spread of this inconvenient nuisance.

If you have any questions, please call the school nurse in your child's school or the Nursing Supervisor at 203-594-4643.

Resources on Common Health Topics

Understanding Common Health Topics

Topic 1: Staying Home From School

Topic 2: Concussions

Topic 3: Food Allergies

Topic 4: Epi-Pen Usage and Administration

Topic 4: Head Lice

Topic 5: Infectious Mononucleosis

Topic 6: P.O.T.S.

Topic 7: Vaping

Topic 8: COVID-19