Students with communicable diseases or with human host parasites that are transmittable in a school environment shall demonstrate respect for other students by not attending school while they are capable of transmitting their condition to others. Students whom the school nurse determines are unwell or unfit for school attendance or who are believed to have a communicable disease or condition will be required to be picked up by their parent or guardian. Specific examples include, but are not limited to: Varicella (chicken pox), measles, scabies, conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), impetigo/MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), streptococcal and staphylococcal infections, ringworm, mononucleosis, Hepatitis A, B, or C, mumps, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever (100.4 F when taken orally). A student who has been sent home by the school nurse will be subsequently readmitted, at the discretion of the school nurse, when the student is no longer a transmission risk. In some instances, a letter from a health care provider may be required prior to the student being readmitted to the school.

To help control the possible spread of communicable diseases, school personnel shall follow the District's exposure control plan when dealing with any blood borne, foodborne, and airborne pathogens exposures. Standard precautions shall be followed relating to the handling, disposal, and cleanup of blood and other potentially infectious materials such as all body fluids, secretions and excretions (except sweat).

In accordance with 4.57—IMMUNIZATIONS, the District shall maintain a copy of each student's immunization record and a list of individuals with exemptions from immunization which shall be education records as defined in policy 4.13. That policy provides that an education record may be disclosed to appropriate parties in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

A student enrolled in the District who has an immunization exemption may be removed from school at the discretion of the Arkansas Department of Health during an outbreak of the disease for which the student is not vaccinated. The student may not return to the school until the outbreak has been resolved and the student's return to school is approved by the Arkansas Department of Health.

The parents or legal guardians of students found to have live human host parasites that are transmittable in a school environment will be asked to pick their child up at the end of the school day. The parents or legal guardians will be given information concerning the eradication and control of human host parasites. A student may be readmitted after the school nurse or designee has determined the student no longer has live human host parasites that are transmittable in a school environment. Each school may conduct screenings of students for human host parasites that are transmittable in a school environment as needed. The screenings shall be conducted in a manner that respects the privacy and confidentiality of each student.

Procedures for Head Lice Management

Standard Procedure

1. Suspected cases of head lice will be referred to trained school staff. All school employees involved will protect the confidentiality of students and their families.
2. If students are identified with live lice by either the presence of lice or nits, trained school staff should complete the following by the end of the school day:
3. Notify the teacher and notify parents/guardian.
4. If applicable, screen siblings or close contacts for lice, or notify their school.
5. Student may remain in class until the end of the school day but must be picked up by the parent/guardian by the end of the school day.
6. The informational pamphlet “Lice Aren’t Nice” will be sent home with the parent/guardian when they pick up their child.
7. After treatment at home, the affected student must be brought to school by the parent/guardian and re-checked for live lice by trained school staff. Students are expected back in school within one to two days of the parent notification of the lice concern Student may return to class if treatment has been verified by the parent and the student is free of live lice. The student may still have nits.
8. The classroom teacher will be notified that the student has been rechecked and can return to class.
9. The school nurse may re-check the student at her/his next scheduled work day at the school site.
10. In the case of an “outbreak”, which is defined as three (3) or more cases within a consecutive two-week period in the same classroom, the school nurse will create an informational letter and provide it to the teacher so that it will be sent home to families notifying them of head lice in the classroom. A letter may go home in the case of one or two cases if determined necessary by the school principal or school nurse.

Education and Responsibilities

1. At the beginning of each school year, educational information about head lice shall be provided to parents/guardians and posted on the district’s website.
2. At the beginning of each school year, school nurses will train office staff and teachers on lice detection, protocol upon confirmation of a student having lice, and on the general procedures stated in this policy.
3. Parents/guardians should check their student before school starts in the fall and before returning from school breaks. If you know or suspect that your student has lice, please contact the school as well as inform family and friends that your student has recently been in contact with so they can check their children.
4. The school nurses will help ensure that parents understand lice treatment and protocol and will assist families in accessing supplies to treat lice upon request.