Parents Disagree on Lice Policy

Some parents in the La Mesa Spring Valley School District are dismayed to find out there's been a change in policy regarding nits, commonly known as lice.

Traditionally, there's been a no nit policy -- that is, if students have head lice, they were sent home, and could not return to school until no nits were found in the hair.

But on the recommendation of health organizations, including the Center for Disease Control, the district changed its policy. Now students are sent home to get treatment and can come back as soon as the next day.

Some parents and teachers tell us they feel the change in policy has made the lice situation worse.

“They’d be infecting everybody it would spread like wildfires,” said parent Serrana Brown.

One parent said they think they should wait a week before letting children back in the classroom, and others agreed. A few parents at Rancho Elementary School said they think that's a good way to go -- keep students with lice home until there are no signs left.

“I understand it, but I think it should take longer than a day because if it's not curable then it spreads to children after one day,” said parents Rafael Espinoza.

According to the CDC, lice are cemented to hair shafts and rarely transfer and most are more than a quarter inch away from the scalp, and die anyway. The organization also state misdiagnosis of lice is very common during checks done by non-medical personnel.

“As long as they check their heads before they send them back to class i don't see a problem, you'd rather have them in school yes,” said parent Mariebel Paz.

But others disagree and want students to stay home.

“I say stick to the old policy it works, give them their homework packet they are good to go,” said Brown.

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