Concerns of Public Education: L = Lice

by Lyn Newton | More from this Blogger

Today's concern of public education is also a health and living condition concern. Today's letter l is the concern of lice.

Each year most public schools have a bout of lice outbreak. For us it usually begins in the fall close to the time of the arrival of the county fair. It then continues through the beginning of winter. These times are more prominent for lice because of the massive amount of children together at the fair and the cold weather causing coats, hats, and scarves to be hung together in the room.

Lice bugs are much more commonly found among students in lower grade classrooms. The children usually have more physical contact with one another. Smaller children tend to be more likely to hug and lounge on one another. However, if not treated properly, lice will spread to the entire family, including older siblings.

It is a misconception among many parents that only 'dirty' or 'under cared for' children can get lice. Some parents are embarrassed and mortified when they receive a notification that their child has lice. Any child can get lice. The difference is how you treat the lice once you discover your child has it. Everything in your house must be treated to rid your home of the bug.

In some cases, children repeatedly get lice. If the lice infestation becomes too much of an issue and the child is missing a lot of school due to lice, the schools notify human services to check the child's home living situation.

We have had some cases so bad that families try transferring their children from school to school instead of treating and dealing with the lice. It is our school system's policy that parents must send a label from the treatment bottle to school before the child returns. Sometimes children are sent back to school on the school bus daily without treatment. We then have to try to notify the caregivers to come and pick up the child.

Lice would not be as great of a concern to schools if all parents would do their part in taking care of their children. Any child can get lice. Because a child has lice it does not mean that the child is dirty or not cared for. When the problem is not treated is when we become concerned.

More Articles The Dreaded Dilemma of Head Lice

More Perks of Public Education

More Concerns of Public Education

Learn more about Lyn Newton

Lyn is a kindergarten teacher and mommy to a girl and a boy. In her spare time, she enjoys informative and creative writing.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger