News Detail
A Message from Health Services
Dear Lower School Parents,
There have been questions regarding how the Health Center manages lice in the Lower School. I am writing today to clarify our policy. It is important to note that although head lice is a nuisance, it is not a serious disease or a sign of poor hygiene. Lice is very common in children and schools. Read more
Hockaday’s lice policy reflects standard practice as recommended by our school physician, Dr. Karen Halsell, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Association of School Nurses.
Procedure if lice is suspected by a parent, teacher or other staff member:
- The nurse will screen student at school. If nits or live lice are found, the student may remain in the classroom until the end of the day or leave early if the parent wishes to pick up their daughter to initiate treatment.
- No child needs to miss school due to lice. By the time a child with active head lice is identified, he or she may have had it for several weeks.
- If the student stays at school, the teacher will be informed and the child will not use any shared items (headphones, helmets).
- The school nurse will provide information to the parent about appropriate treatment and encourage the parent to check other members of the family.
- The student can return to school as soon as she has been treated.
- If live lice are found, a letter will be sent home to the class reporting that a case of lice has been identified. This letter does not identify the student’s name.
Procedure if live lice are found by the parent at home:
- If you find your daughter has live lice she should be treated as soon as possible. If it is found in the evening there is no need to keep her home from school. You can treat her the next day but please notify the Health Center so we can inform her teacher.
- No child needs to miss school due to lice. By the time a child with active head lice is identified, he or she may have had it for several weeks.
- Please contact the Health Center.
- A letter will be sent home to the class reporting that a case of lice has been identified. This letter does not identify the student’s name.
I encourage parents to be pro-active and check your daughter’s head for lice regularly and if you notice her scalp is itching. On an individual basis the nurses can help with identification of lice or nits if you need assistance. Please feel free to contact the Health Center with any questions.
Thank you,
Erika Herridge, RN BSN | Director of Health Services
214.360.6566
The Hockaday School
Within the private school community, The Hockaday School is an independent college-preparatory day school for girls from grades PK–12 located in Dallas, Texas. Students realize their limitless potential through challenging academic curricula, arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs so that they are inspired to lead lives of purpose and impact.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.