I am asking for your signature in support of changing the head lice (Pediculosis) policy in the Anchorage School District. The policy on head lice, which can be found at (http://www.asdk12.org/media/anchorage/globalmedia/documents/health/Head_Lice_Procedures.pdf) states the following; 1. Schools will not do scheduled school wide head checks during the school year. If a teacher or staff member detects head lice infestation of a student, he/she will be confidentially referred to the office to be checked by the nurse or trained personnel. 2. Upon reasonable confirmation of live lice, the student’s parent and/or guardian shall be notified by either phone, email or by note sent home. The student shall not be isolated. The student will not be sent home, they are allowed to remain until the end of the school day. 3. Bus privileges will not be denied. The child will not be isolated or singled out on the bus.
I am proposing a change in the Head Lice policy in the following ways- That school wide head checks be allowed WHEN a case of live lice have been confirmed in the school. ALSO that parents be notified by phone when there is an outbreak of live lice in the school- meaning more than one student has been confirmed with it. If a student has a confirmed case of lice that they be sent home immediately with supplies for the first treatment if their parent/guardian cannot afford it at the current time. I do NOT want to embarrass a child or call them out when this happens and I am a firm believer in children’s education, BUT head lice has currently been a problem in the Anchorage School District. Allowing children to attend classes as normal while infected with contagious head lice is practically saying it’s alright to infect other children, teachers, and families.
It can also cause un-necessary emotional stress to those of us parents that do everything correctly when it comes to treating it. Us parents who do not send our children to school when they have it are outraged when children are allowed back in school with live lice to reinfect other children. It costs time off from work and more treatments to treat every time this happens. I am petitioning that children should NOT be allowed back into school until the head lice AND nits are gone and cleared by a school nurse or another school official. I also ask that parents/guardians be let aware when it is a problem at the school so all precautions and/or treatments can be taken to stop the spread of it.
