Lice (All Grade Levels

• Meningococcal • Hepatitis A The school nurse can provide information on immunization requirements. Proof of immunization may be established by personal records from a licensed physician or public health clinic with a signature or rubber-stamp validation. If a student should not be immunized for medical reasons, the student or parent must present a certificate signed by a U.S. registered and licensed physician stating that, in the doctor’s opinion, the immunization required is medically contraindicated or poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the student or a member of the student’s family or household. This certificate must be renewed yearly unless the physician specifies a lifelong condition. As noted at Bacterial Meningitis, entering college students must also, with limited exception, furnish evidence of having received a bacterial meningitis vaccination within the five years prior to enrolling in and attending classes at an institution of higher education. A student wanting to enroll in a dual credit course taken off campus may be subject to this or other vaccination requirements. [See the DSHS website: Texas School & Child Care Facility Immunization Requirements and policy FFAB(LEGAL) for more information.]

Lice (All Grade Levels)

Head lice is very common among children. Although not an illness or a disease, it spreads easily through head-to-head contact during play, sports, nap time, and when children share things like brushes, combs, hats, and headphones. The district does not require or recommend that students be removed from school because of lice or nits.

If careful observation indicates that a student has head lice, the school nurse will contact the student’s parent If careful observation indicates that a student has head lice, the school nurse will contact the student’s parent to inform them of the student’s need for appropriate treatment. The parent will be provided with information regarding head lice, including treatment options recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and recommended actions to take in the home to prevent reinfestation. After the student has undergone treatment, the parent should check in with the school nurse to discuss the treatment used and any additional treatments or recommendations needed to effectively address the situation. The district will provide notice to parents of elementary school students in an affected classroom without identifying the student with lice. Prevention and early detection are critical and here are some simple tips to follow: • Inspect your child’s hair and scalp frequently. You can use a metal lice comb to help screen for lice once a week. Because head lice multiply quickly, the sooner nits and head lice are detected, the easier it will be to treat and eliminate them.

• Teach your child never to share hairbrushes, combs, hats, helmets, coats or other personal items. At home and at school, avoid piling children’s coats and hats on top of each other.

• Have your child take his/her own pillow to a sleepover party, and wash the pillowcase afterward.