Old Dude or other Tx nurses...is it true?

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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

I saw an article that a new law went into effect September 1st that you are now required to notify parents of classmates when a student is found to have lice.

Really?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, school nursing.

Yep, in grades K-6 in my district. You have to notify the homeroom class, and also notify the parent of the offending student in writing within 48 hours. Surely our legislators had something better to spend their time discussing!

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

It's true, It's true...new state law...finally something to permanently eliminate head lice from schools. Praise the Lord!! But alas, as iggywrench said, it only applies to elementary schools, so JH and HS will have to continue to deal with total infestation. Yuch.

For those who don't know me, this is total sarcasm.

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I don't see how they can do this on a Jr. High or HS level as kids are going in and out of different classes all day...but I don't see why they wouldn't send a letter home on an elementary level.

-Not a Texas RN.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

This is one of the DUMBEST things I have ever heard of! WOW, way to call out offending child in front of others, as if they probably already don't feel bad enough. ANY WHY?? Most places are getting away from sending out notices to the entire class about lice.

What a waste of time!!

**I'm not in Texas!

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

For years I've sent out an introduction letter in the first day packets saying head lice is common in school, parents need to monitor their children, how to treat, how to prevent, lice facts, etc. I've sent out reminders twice during the school year in newsletters. But this! What a stroke of genius!

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Texas: We Care About Our Cooties

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Specializes in Med-surg, school nursing..

Oy, with the poodles already...

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We have always sent out a letter to the entire grade when a student has been found with lice. We don't name the student but parents are made aware.

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I live in Washington state and while I don't believe it is/was state law, it was a fairly normal thing to be sent home with a premade "Dear Parent/Guardian, It has come to our attention that another student in your child's class was found to have head lice on [insert date]. No other students in your child's class were found to have lice. However, [block of information about lice]. For any further questions please contact [phone number of principal] or [number for the district nurse]. Signed [name of teacher]" flier. Gave parents a heads up to remind us not to share hats and didn't out the kid in question. (Though the kids always knew anyways).

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Our director told us the bill didn't pass by itself (because all the school nurses rallied against it) but somebody snuck it on to a different bill. Sneaky sneaky. I have sent the letter home to 3 different classes but surprisingly, nobody's called me panicking!

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