TISD Allowing Kids with Lice to Attend Class

TYLER — The Centers for Disease Control and other health organizations said students who have head lice do not need to be sent home early from school and can attend class as usual. Tyler Independent School District met and decided to implement this new code. It’s been cleared with a couple organizations, if your kid or your kid’s classmate has lice at any TISD school, they are allowed to stay in class. This policy was implemented right away and will appear in their handbook next school year. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, lice is not infectious or dangerous and kids should be able to stay in class.

The Texas Department of State Health Services as well as the National Association of School Nurses all support keeping the kids in school. They’re encouraging teachers and parents to tell their kids, who have lice, to keep their things to themselves, so it doesn’t spread. TISD district coordinator for Health Services Cindy Fancher said lice is as common as the cold and kids shouldn’t have to miss class because of it. Fancher said lice is more of an inconvenience and nuisance and it’s more of a social issue and embarrassment for the kids.