Health Update from our School Nurse
Parent/Guardians,
There have been recent cases of pediculosis/head lice in the Redmond School District. Lice are mainly spread through head-to-head contact and most easily passed amongst siblings and in close friend groups, keeping long hair pulled back is a great preventative measure. It is also a good idea to talk to your child about not sharing hats, coats, sweatshirts, brushes, combs, etc.
The signs and symptoms of head lice include persistent itching of the head and back of the neck, infected scratches or a rash on the scalp, and most importantly nits- tiny tear-drop shaped whitish eggs which are firmly attached to an individual hair shaft.
Please check your child’s head regularly during the school year as a case of head lice caught early is much easier to treat! If you discover lice, notify the school office right away and let your student know to keep their coats, hats, hair ties, combs / brushes, etc. to themselves.
The RSD nurses in each building pay attention to individual lice cases to watch for outbreak situations. We work with families to educate and offer financial assistance as needed through FAN (Family Access Network). There have been a few cases where students have had lice and been treated at home without informing the school. If we are not aware of the cases we are unable to address the schoolwide impact.
If your student presents with signs of lice while at school a confidential screening by designated trained staff will be performed. Children with live lice or nits do not need to leave school early, but should be treated before returning to school. The parent/guardian will be informed by the school nurse or the school office. Before your student returns to school please use a lice treatment product and clean the home or homes. Once your child is treated and all live lice have been removed, you are asked to bring your child to the office on the day they return to the school building to be screened by a designated trained staff member before returning to the classroom.
Redmond School District follows the suggested school measures for head lice provided in Communicable Disease Guidance for Schools issued by the Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Health Authority.
The following information will be helpful regarding lice facts, care and treatment.
Contact your School Nurse with any questions or concerns.