Vestavia Hills City Schools

The school nurse will manage head lice infestations in a way that minimizes educational disruption and supports student well-being. At the start of each school year, and as needed, the nurse will provide training to teachers and relevant staff on prevention and control strategies. 

A student confirmed to have live head lice must undergo treatment with an evidence-based pediculicide or seek assistance from a professional lice service before returning to school. Once treatment begins, the student may return as early as the next school day, provided the school nurse conducts a visual inspection and confirms that no live lice are present. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to follow this procedure and return their child to school promptly. The school nurse is available to assist parents as needed with effective head lice management strategies. 

The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) both emphasize that managing head lice should not interfere with the educational process. Therefore, routine classroom-wide screenings, mandatory absences, and broad school notifications are discouraged. When a live lice infestation is confirmed, the school nurse will notify the parents/guardians of all students in the affected classroom through ParentSquare while taking reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of the student involved.