As a concerned parent, every day is a battle. Each afternoon, my child comes home, her scalp once again host to lice. Regardless of my efforts, the lice treatment for my daughter and our household seems an unending journey. We had a brief respite during a holiday week, with no indications of these pests. Alas, upon resuming school, the problem regrettably returned. The repetition of this scenario uncannily suggests that there are deficiencies in the school's current procedures.

Head lice affects 6 to 12 million children between the ages of 3 to 11 each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ignoring this issue may not only be physically uncomfortable for the child but can also lead to social stigma, distraction from learning, and even absence from school. It is irritating for parents, too, who must constantly treat the recurring condition.

The school policies about head lice need significant reform. We ask for mandatory regular checking of all students for head lice and nits, appropriate notification to parents, and stricter guidelines for treatment before a child is allowed back into school. It’s not just about my daughter’s comfort and health, but for the wellbeing of all children at the school.

Buffer the spread of lice; sign this petition to aid in the alteration of the school's current lice policy.