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Forums > Imhoff Waldorf Forums > Main Discussion area
Subject: Lice and attendance
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Author Messages
GlennA
Posts:6
02/20/2007 10:25 PM  

This is a copy of a letter I have submitted to the Teachers College. Please respond.


Dear Teachers College and Parents Representatives,


The issue of head lice has reared its head again and I am concerned that there is a lack of clarity on policy on how to deal with this issue that needless to say effects all classes, from kindergarten to class 7.


It was my understanding last year that if children were infested with lice that they could not attend school until they were found to be clear. It now appears that this is no longer the case and I believe that children who are known to be infested are attending classes.


I deem this to be most unfair. As you all know ridding a child, especially a girl with exceptionally fine hair, is an onerous and arduous task, especially for those whose eyesight is not as good as it should be! It is not right that children are put at risk of infestation by others who are known to be infested.


At all other schools that i know of it is policy that children who are infested are not allowed to attend until they can be proven to be clear. I suggest that it would be useful to take such a strong line in the case of Imhoff Waldorf – which i was led to believe was already the case – as to do otherwise is not fair and places an onerous burden on those who are not infested. It also creates a risk of mass infestation that would be most unpleasant.


I ask to you please consider this matter most carefully and to take a decision which is in the interests of all.


All the best,




Glenn Ashton.

AndrewKing
Posts:16
07/21/2008 1:53 PM  
Glenn

Here is the official school lice policy that I have finally received.

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Imhoff Waldorf School lice policy

1: If a child has lice/nits that child's parents will be informed. All the other parents of that class will also be informed and must then check their own child's hair.
2: If the lice/nits are discovered at home the parents must phone the teacher immediately (even if it is on the weekend or during the school holidays).
3: If any child is discovered at school with lice/nits parents will be called immediately to collect their child to avoid any further infestation.
4: When lice/nits are discovered at school, all children in the class will have to be checked immediately and the above procedure followed for any other children discovered with lice/nits.
5: Each teacher will check the child on their return to school with one of their parents present.
6: A child with lice/nits MUST be treated and cleared before they return to school!
7: Please note that even if your child only has dead nits visible they must still be treated. Often live ones are still present but not easily spotted.
Facts of lice
1: Lice are ectoparasitic, blood–sucking parasites. They live on the human head and neck. About the size of a sesame seed (or smaller), they range in colour from light brown to dark grey or black. Six legs, all ending with claws, wingless, they burrow their mouthparts into the scalp.
2: They spread by direct contact with infested humans and by contact with personal belongings of infested humans. Anyone can can get lice. It is not a sign of poor hygiene or dirty hair.
3: The life cycle consists of three stages – eggs (nits), nymphs (immature adults) and adults (female can now lay eggs).
4: An adult louse has a lifespan of about one month. Newly–laid eggs are brown in colour. When they hatch the egg becomes yellowish white. It takes about 8 days for an egg to hatch and another 8 – 10 days for a louse to be able to lay its own eggs. During this maturation process, the young nymphs moult 3 times, each time growing larger. They are hard to see as they are nearly transparent and very small.
5: Adult lice move very quickly on the hair shaft and are hard to see as they avoid light. They lay about 6 eggs per day.
6: Lice cannot jump, hop or fly but can crawl very quickly. They cannot be spread by dogs or cats.
7: You are rid of the lice infestation if your child is nit-free for 2 weeks straight.

Treatment
Parents are responsible for checking and eradicating all lice/nits. You should not expect the teachers to have to do this.
There are many products on the market so we suggest that you visit your local pharmacy or health shop for further advice.
Tea tree oil and Rosemary oil are good repellants but cannot be used to treat lice/nits.
Please remember – if your child has lice/nits all clothing, bedding, hats, car seat covers etc. should be washed straight away to prevent further infestation. Hot wash at 55degrees for 20 minutes or tumble-drying kills lice and nits on fabrics. Items that cannot be washed eg. fluffy toys, should be dry cleaned or sealed in plastic bags for 2 weeks. Hair brushes must also be washed.

Please help us in keeping our school lice-free!
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