Starting and running a schools-based
head lice management program
Effective management of head lice must include schools. Without a broad community-based approach, all individual efforts to manage head lice are severely challenged due to the risk of re-infection from other pupils at the school.
Awareness of the head lice issue is important. Prior to running any checking program, it is worthwhile introducing the subject of head lice to parents by way of school newsletters.
We have prepared some Sample Letters to use to seek parental permission (.doc) for their child to be checked and a letter template (.doc) advising parents of the outcome of the head lice check. These letters look like this:
Educating families by educating the children is a well-known method for bringing about new attitudes and awareness. When running a head lice information session for parents, you may find our colour wall posters useful.
SAMPLE CONSENT FORM
The following two sample letters/forms are the ones we used at our school. You may want to use them as a "rough-guide" template and modify them for your specific school program. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact NITPICKERS.
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SAMPLE: CONSENT FORM A group of parents at XXX State
School has initiated a parent-managed head lice education and prevention program. This program is fully supported by the principal, teaching staff and the P&C. It is a legal requirement that a state school to have written parental consent before any volunteers have contact with the children's hair for screening or treatment. It is as regarded imperative to have consent for 100% of the school to participate in the program because any child not screened and treated could potentially be a source of reinfection for the others. Currently the screening and the treatment are the same process, using only hair conditioner and a NITPICKERS comb. At other times children are just "dry" checked without conditioner. There are no toxic shampoos being used. Regular "Nitpickers Updates" are in the weekly school newsletter concerning program information. We welcome and encourage parental participation for screening sessions. There is a full report about the program available at the office for perusal. Please feel free to contact us if there are any questions. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ____I give permission for my child/ren to participate in the NAME OF
SCHOOL Head Lice Program. Signed:____________________________ Date: ___________ .......................................Name of
child ...............................Grade Download MS Word version (right mouse click on link -
save target as) |
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| SAMPLE:
SCHOOL LETTER TO PARENTS |
| SCHOOL LOGO (OPTIONAL) NAME OF SCHOOL ADDRESS & CONTACT DETAILS DATE: __/___/___ Child's Name:_____________________ Dear Parent, On behalf of the Head Lice Team we would like to thank you for allowing your child to participate in the head lice program. Today the team checked your child's hair. _____They did not find head lice. _____They found eggs (nits). _____They found live lice. If you choose to treat an active case of head lice with a chemical/herbal treatment, follow directions carefully and repeat in 7 days to kill newly hatched lice. If you choose to use conditioner and combing as a treatment, do this every other day until clear. If your child is clear, remember that regular screening with conditioner and the NITPICKERS comb is imperative for early detection and prevention. For this program to remain a success, there are some simple things that you as a parent can do to keep head lice at bay. Please read our Nitpickers brochure which is 'hot off the press" which will hopefully answer all questions. Please contact us with any concerns. Download MS Word version (right mouse click on link - save target as) |