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Home / Resources / Lice Letter Templates
For school nurses, teachers and childcare directors

Head lice letter templates for schools and daycares

Three short, calm letters you can copy and edit: one for the family of a child found with lice, one for a classroom when several cases turn up, and one for a daycare or camp. Each follows current guidance: keep the child in class, protect their privacy, and tell parents what actually works. Free to use; no credit needed.

Before you send anything
Four things current guidance agrees on.
  • Keep the child in class. The American Academy of Pediatrics says a healthy child shouldn't miss school because of head lice. Most Oregon and Washington districts let students stay until the end of the day.
  • No “no-nit” rules. The AAP calls on schools to drop policies that keep children out until every nit is gone.
  • Protect the child's privacy. Never name the child or describe them in a group letter.
  • Save group letters for clusters. Many districts, including Lake Washington and Northshore, notify a classroom only when three or more students in it have lice. One case is a private conversation with one family.
Letter 1
To the family of a child found with lice

Send home privately in a sealed envelope, or by email, the same day.

Dear [Parent/Guardian], During a check today, [we found live head lice / we found what appear to be lice eggs (nits)] on [child's first name]'s head. This is common and nothing to be embarrassed about. Head lice don't spread disease and aren't a sign of poor hygiene; they pass from head to head through close contact. [Child] stayed in class today. Please do three things before [he/she/they] return[s] tomorrow: 1. Check everyone in your household, adults too. Use conditioner and a fine metal lice comb on wet hair; it is far more accurate than looking at dry hair. 2. Treat only the people who have live lice or nits. Follow the product directions exactly, and plan to comb out nits and recheck daily for at least two weeks. Some lice no longer respond to common over-the-counter products, so if you still see live lice after treatment, talk to your doctor or a professional lice service. 3. Wash pillowcases, sheets and anything worn on the head in the last two days in hot water, or put them in a hot dryer for 20 minutes. You don't need to spray, fumigate or throw anything away. [Child] can come back to school once treatment has started. [Optional: Please stop by the health room with [child] when you arrive so we can check in.] Please call me with any questions. [Name], [School nurse / Health room] [Phone] · [Email]
Letter 2
To a classroom, when there are several cases

For a cluster, such as three or more students in one class within a few weeks. Never identify the students.

Dear [Room/Grade] Families, We've had several cases of head lice in [room/grade] recently. Please check your child's head at home this week, and again next week. Head lice are common in children this age and spread through head-to-head contact: hugs, selfies, sleepovers, sharing a pillow. They don't spread disease, and having lice has nothing to do with cleanliness. How to check: wet the hair, add conditioner, and comb from scalp to ends with a fine metal lice comb, wiping the comb on a white paper towel after each stroke. Look for live lice (sesame-seed size, tan or gray) and for nits (tiny ovals glued to the hair close to the scalp). Pay extra attention behind the ears and at the back of the neck. If you find lice, please let me know so we can support your child, and treat only the family members who have them. Students may come to school once treatment has started. Thank you for helping us keep this small. [Name], [School nurse / Teacher] [Phone] · [Email]
Letter 3
For a daycare, preschool or camp

Childcare licensing rules differ from school rules. Check your state's requirements and your own policy before you send it.

Dear Families, A child in our [program/group/cabin] has head lice. Young children play close together, so lice can pass between them easily. It isn't a sign of anything wrong at home or here. Please check your child tonight and again in about a week, since lice eggs take about a week to hatch. Use conditioner and a fine metal lice comb on wet hair, behind the ears and at the back of the neck especially. Here, we are [washing nap-time bedding on hot / keeping nap mats and pillows apart / storing each child's hats and jackets separately]. Health agencies don't recommend pesticide sprays, so we won't be using any. If you find lice, please let us know. [Our policy: children may return once treatment has started.] [Name], [Director] [Phone] · [Email]
When families need more help
Recurring cases and families who are stuck.

When the same child keeps coming back with lice, it's usually because over-the-counter products no longer kill many lice, or because nobody else in the house was checked. Our clinics in SE Portland and Beaverton, and our in-home technicians across the Portland metro and Vancouver, treat a child in one visit with heated air and combing, with no pesticides. Every treatment carries a 60-day guarantee. Families can call 971-771-3200, 7am–8pm, 7 days a week.

These templates are general information, not medical or legal advice. Follow your district, county health department and licensing rules where they differ.