Head Lice

Waxahachie ISD adheres to guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Association of School Nurses, and the Texas Department of State Health Services to manage head lice in schools.

Head lice are a frequent issue among school-aged children and their families. These infestations affect individuals regardless of hygiene habits or socio-economic background—lice do not discriminate. They spread primarily through prolonged, direct head-to-head contact and, in rare cases, through contact with surfaces where live lice are present. Lice cannot jump, hop, or fly due to their anatomy. While head lice do not transmit diseases and are not classified as a medical condition, the most common symptom—itching—may take 4 to 6 weeks to appear after infestation.

The most effective strategy to address head lice is regular head checks to identify lice or their eggs (nits) early, before they multiply. Parents can access valuable resources about head lice prevention and management on the Healthy Children website, provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Students showing symptoms of lice infestation will be evaluated by school nurses or clinic staff. For students with live lice:

• The student will be excluded from school at the end of the day. They must be free of live lice before returning.
• Upon their return, the school nurse or clinic staff will check to ensure that effective treatment has been administered.
• Treatment instructions are available from the school nurse, who can also provide additional resources to support parents and guardians in managing head lice.