Managing Head Lice in the School Setting
Notifying Parents of a Head Lice Outbreak
Parents' Responsibilities
Mass screening of all students in a classroom and/or school does not control the spread of head lice. Rather, the spread of head lice can be minimized with routine inspection for live head lice and nits by all parents and full treatment of those students with live head lice.
Parents and guardians are responsible for:
- Knowing head lice signs and symptoms.
- Routinely checking their child’s head for head lice once a week.
- Telling their child’s school or daycare, close friends, etc., that their child has head lice.
- Ensuring that full, proper treatment has been completed before the student returns to school.
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Ways to Inform Parents
Notification lettersAsk parents and guardians to screen for head lice
Use the “Inspection Recommended" parent notification letter (PDF #37KB) to:
- Tell parents that a case of head lice has been identified in their child’s classroom.
- Request that parents check their child’s head for lice every 2 days over the next 10 days.
Use the "Head Lice Suspected" parent notification letter (PDF #32KB) to inform parents that their child is showing signs of a head lice infestation.
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Detection and treatment guidelinesFor children with a suspected case of head lice or for children who may have been in contact with a confirmed/suspected case of head lice, send an “Effective Treatment of Head Lice/Head Lice Detection Map” (PDF #119 KB) form home.
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Translated head lice fact sheet (PDF, 2 pages):
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Sample school newsletter enclosuresOne of the most effective ways of preventing and treating head lice is to provide information and educate all members of the school community.
Regular reminders to families and school staff through the school newsletter are key to preventing and controlling head lice in schools.
Consider including these sample banners and letters messages in your school newsletters. Include them during the first month of school, before and after scheduled holidays for schools, and at the end of the school year.
School newsletter banners
Use these banners to promote the importance of checking for head lice and tell parents where they can go for more information.
- Anyone Can Get Head Lice (PDF 348KB)
- Do You Know What to Do If Someone Has Head Lice? (PDF 218KB)
- Family Responsibility of Finding and Treating Head Lice (PDF 262KB)
- Head Lice Can Be Beat (PDF 298KB)
- Head Lice Love Clean Hair Too (PDF 449 KB)
- How to Find Head Lice (PDF 223KB)
- What Head Lice Looks Like (PDF 246KB)
School newsletter ads
Use these ads to give parents quick tips on preventing, identifying and treating head lice.
School newsletter letters
- Anyone Can Get Head Lice (PDF 500KB)
- Do You Know What to Do If Someone Has Head Lice? (PDF 475KB)
- Family Responsibility of Finding and Treating Head Lice (PDF 478KB)
- Head Lice Can Be Beat (PDF 530KB)
- Head Lice Love Clean Hair Too (PDF 471KB)
- How to Find Head Lice (PDF 461KB)
- What Head Lice Looks Like (PDF 466KB)
