Nobody likes to hear the "L" word, but if you do, please call me if you find it on your child during regular school hours or, if you find it outside of school hours, email me immediately! Chances are, I will see your email after hours, and I'm happy to call you and give you all the information and support you need to carry you through to the next school day. If you wait to call me when school reopens, you risk the chance of losing valuable time trying to rid your child's head, and your home, of lice sooner.
Below, please find the letter we send home once a case of lice presents itself in a classroom. It has good information to help you until you and I have a chance to talk by phone or in person. You are not alone in this. I am happy to help you as much as possible. No one better than I knows how miserable the experience can be: physically, emotionally, and monetarily. I've helped dozens of parents get through this ordeal, and I'll help you too.
Nit pickers are available for hire (check online for someone in your area), and they are a wealth of information; however, they are expensive. I've learned quite a bit from these individuals, and their expertise helped me in my time of need. I have learned that combing is the key to ridding your child's head of lice. One comb does work incredibly well: The Lice Meister Comb. This is by no means an endorsement, but a testimonial of what worked incredibly well for me. This comb is not sold in any local store EXCEPT for Dedham Pharmacy and Medical Supply; 596 Providence Highway, Dedham, MA. Call first to make sure they have the Lice Meister Comb in stock. Their number is 781-326-7007. The plastic combs that come in the lice kits that you buy are not sufficient enough to rid your child's head of lice! You will be wasting your time if you use them.
Here's the letter that gets sent home whenever a student presents with lice:
Any information you share with me is confidential. No one will know your child has lice unless you or your child shares that information with others. There's nothing to be ashamed of: lice does not discriminate. It is not a sign of someone being dirty. It actually likes clean hair!
Often times I have parents tell me that they know of "x" amount of cases of lice in their child's classroom, because the parents are their friends and shares that information with them. Many times when they've said this to me, I've either known of "no" cases or the number of cases that I've been made aware of is significantly less than what they're telling me! By not telling me, you risk the chance of not treating your child's lice problem appropriately, and if you don't take all of the necessary steps, IT WILL COME BACK!!! So please, contact me if and when your child ever gets lice.