11-13-13 looser lice policies

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) — Schools throughout Sheboygan County are loosening their lice policies, allowing students with the scalp-infesting insects to remain in the classroom rather than miss school time.

A Sheboygan Press Media report says the Sheboygan Area School District used to send kids home if they had lice. The district changed its policies to prevent kids from missing time in class.  The idea behind sending kids home was to prevent a spread of the contagious insects. But district nurse supervisor Sharon Daun says there are always lice around, and the problem is one that doesn't go away.  She says in one case a student missed about six months of school because of lice.  Other area districts are following similar policies, as are schools in at least six other states.