Less Restictive Head Lice Policy Leaves Parents Scratching Their Heads

WASHINGTON (AP) — Some parents are scratching their heads over less restrictive head lice policies that allow children with live bugs in their hair to return to the classroom.

Some school nurses are no longer sending home "lice notes" to parents of other children in the classroom. The policy shift is designed to help keep children from missing class, shield children with lice from embarrassment and protect their privacy.

Deborah Pontius, the school nurse for the Pershing County School District in Lovelock, Nev., says lice are not dangerous or infectious, and they're easy to treat.

She says that by the time a child is sent to the nurse, classmates already would have been exposed and there's little additional risk. Once home, the parent would treat the child.

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