Dear Brent Kennedy Parents & Guardians,

With back to school routines established, it is that time of year when it is important to share and review information about head lice. The best prevention is knowledge and information, as head lice can affect anyone. What You Should Know (New Information or Perhaps a Reminder) Head lice are tiny insects that can live on human heads. They lay eggs (called nits) close to the scalp. Head lice do not spread disease, and they love washed or unwashed heads just the same! Head lice are very common among children aged 3-11. Scratching the head can be a sign of head lice, but children can also have them without any itching. While you cannot prevent getting lice, you can teach your child not to share personal items they use on their heads (like brushes, and hats). Also, teach your child to put their hats and scarves in their coat sleeves at school. Be sure to braid or tie long hair back, and develop a routine of checking your child’s head for lice at least once a week. Make sure to only treat for head lice if you find live, moving lice on the head. Lots of other things can be mistaken for nits (head lice eggs) like dandruff and lint.

How are They Spread?

• Harder to get than a cold, flu or pink eye!
• Spread through direct head-to-head contact.
• Small chance of spreading via combs, towels, clothes, hats, hair accessories and bedding.
• Transmitted most easily between family members, overnight guests and playmates that spend a lot of time together

Information

Please review our District Policy on Head Lice Management as well as the Interior Health website for more information about how to check and treat lice.

• https://www.sd8.bc.ca/sites/default/files/AP%20200.3%20Head%20Lice_0.pdf
• https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourHealth/SchoolHealth/HeadLice/Pages/default.aspx

If children are found to have head lice at school, we will respond in a sensitive and careful way, while also striving to ensure that we notify parents quickly to enable treatment at home and to prevent the potential for spreading to other children.

Please call with any further questions or concerns.

Kind regards,

Shellie Maloff, Principal
Brent Kennedy Elementary