District Head Lice Policy
Launch the media gallery 1 playerThe USD 286 Board of Education passed the following policy at their November 2015 board meeting:
Head lice infestation is a difficult and time-consuming problem. USD 286 will now require all students to
be lice and nit free to attend school. It is acknowledged that head lice infestation can create serious family
issues. However, all action needed to deal with the situation and to prevent re-infestation simply must be
done. Absences due to head lice will be considered excused only on the day the student is sent home and
the following day. Further absences are considered to be unexcused. A parent must accompany the child
back to school with a release form from Chautauqua County Health Department stating that the child is
lice and nit free before the student can re-enter school.
You can call the Chautauqua County Health Department to set up an appointment to have your child
checked. The health department phone number is 620-725-5850 and office hours are from 8am - 4pm,
Monday - Friday. There will be a $3 .00 charge for this service.
The health department recommends using Ski ice shampoo for head lice. You must obtain a prescription
from your doctor for Sklice since it is a prescription grade shampoo. If unable to obtain Ski ice shampoo
please call the health department for guidance of other options. The health department also recommends
you to pull the nits (eggs) from the hair shaft with fingers. This has better results than using the lice comb.
This process may take hours to remove the nits but is most effective. Other steps in helping to remove
lice is to vacuum floors/furniture, wash bedding, put stuff animals in dryer for 15-20 minutes or in a
sealed plastic bag for 3 days, and clean hair brushes/combs with hot soapy water.
Thank you,
Nathan Hinrichs
Superintendent of Schools
Chautauqua Co, USD 286