When do schools check for lice? - briefly
Schools typically perform lice inspections at the beginning of the school year and following long breaks such as winter or spring holidays; many districts also schedule additional screenings each semester. Some states mandate annual checks, while others leave the frequency to individual school policies.
When do schools check for lice? - in detail
Schools conduct head‑lice inspections according to a combination of statutory mandates, district policies, and incident‑driven protocols.
Routine examinations typically occur at the beginning of each academic term, after extended breaks (winter, spring, summer), and annually in late autumn. Districts often schedule a brief visual check for all students during these periods, using a handheld comb or flashlight.
When a student is diagnosed with an infestation, the school initiates an immediate follow‑up. The health office notifies the affected student’s parents, isolates the case, and arranges a targeted screening of classmates in the same classroom, grade level, or activity group. If additional cases emerge, the school expands the sweep to adjacent classes or the entire wing.
State health departments may require documented screening frequencies, reporting thresholds, and notification procedures. Private institutions can adopt stricter timelines, such as monthly checks or weekly visual audits in high‑risk areas like gyms and day‑care centers.
Parents should report suspected lice promptly, provide treatment verification, and cooperate with school‑run re‑checks. Staff members receive annual training on identification techniques, record‑keeping, and communication protocols to ensure consistent implementation.