I apologize again for posting about nothing that will inspire all of you 170 friends of mine. It's just that there's really only one thing on my mind right now. Fortunately it's not in my hair, but it's all over my thoughts. If you haven't read my last lice post, you really must. It's a one-of-a-kind. (Look here.) By the way, I so appreciate all of your thoughtful comments on that post. You've all been very sweet to me.
So we took Tuesday off. I appreciated the effort to put a stop to our wee little problem, but 24 hours is not much time. Here's what happened in those few hours...
* We made the news, even a state away.
* 14 adults have now been afflicted. (More have it than not.)
* 2 more little ones from my class have it. That makes 9 out of my 25.
* Only about half of the whole student population showed up for school today. Out of those, 20-something were sent home. About half of the 20 were newly liced. (I think I just made that word up.)
The good news is that we only have 1/2 a day on Thursday and no school on Friday or Monday. I believe our classrooms and several heads, mine included, desperately need that long break. In the meantime, I'll be back in the war zone tomorrow with my God, my hat, and my tea tree oil. I'll be singing this little song too...
"Jesus, be a fence all around me everyday."
I'm seriously hoping my next post will have nothing to do with things that crawl through hair! I imagine you do too.
Oh my gosh! This lice thing sounds crazy! Is it unusual that when kiddos get lice at my school, they aren't sent home? The nurse doesn't even bother checking for it anymore...YUCK!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Light A Fire in Third
Julie, I believe it depends on your district's lice policy. Our kids are supposed to be nit-free, but I just found out that there's such a thing as districts that don't turn away children because of lice. I'm not sure that sits too well with me, especially in the crisis we're in at the moment. You might want to check and see what your district says about it.
DeleteGood luck today!! We've had these 'friends' this year in my room too, but only with a couple of kids. I can't imagine it getting that bad!! Luckily, I've never been liced (I love that new word) but we had a student teacher who was recently.
ReplyDeleteI hope these critters are gone soon!! What a way to end the year! :(
Rachel
A-B-Seymour
Thank you Rachel. I hope you never get liced!
DeleteTammy--have you read the book Bugs In My Hair? It is a great book that talks about lice, and gives kids tips about not sharing hats, combs, and what to do if they get it. It is a compassionate book that tells about how anyone can get it and it removes the stigma. Our kids even did a little skit about it for awareness. Our school nurse loved it and used some of the tips to share with parents. We have a strict policy that kids are sent home right away and can not come back until nits gone.
ReplyDeleteJo, I've never heard of that book. It sounds like one we could use right now and probably in the future too. Thanks for the recommendation.
DeleteOh how I feel for you dear friend. As an ex hair stylist my advice to you is to keep your hair colored, and blow dried (they don't like the heat). Best of luck to you all!
ReplyDeleteTammy2
First Grade @ Klinger Cafe
dtklinger@gmail.com
Thanks Tammy for the tips! My hair isn't colored but I can certainly take the blow drier to it. No bugs for me!
DeleteUggg-my head is itching as I'm just reading about it! It's like a yawn, contagious, makes you itch just thinking about it! So not fun and such a pain. We get yellow "to-go-home" packets whenever a child in our class has lice and as soon as we see them in our mailbox, the domino effect of "Eewwwws" begins! We feel for you. Hang in there and keep your hair, I mean your chin, up!!!
ReplyDelete~Christy & Tammy
Christy and Tammy, my head itches all the time now. It's definitely contagious! We'll for sure keep our hair and chins up!
DeleteYour poor school, students and staff!! I am thankful for you all to have half a day today and a nice long weekend.
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, we're thankful for the break too. We're not sure what we'll come back to for four days, but a few days off is much needed.
DeleteEEK! One more thought: I have heard rumors that coloring your hair will kill them/keep them away. ?? However, they can hold their breath for an inordinate amount of time, which is why simply washing hair or swimming will not kill them.
ReplyDelete{{}} ReadWriteSing
Chrissy, they can hold their breath? They're just trouble! Thanks for the tip.
DeleteYuck!! I can't believe this fiasco! I am so sorry! To make the news a state away...wow!! Hang in there! Hopefully the long weekend will kill them off. Keep those kiddies at a distance. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
Lisa, thank you for your encouraging words. My personal bubble is rather big these days. It's kind of sad, but it's a must.
DeleteTammy I worked in a center years ago and we had a crazy Case of lice that I had and keep getting back for weeks. Treat you hair and your house like you have it. The piece that people mistake is that you have to do the shampoo AND vacuum car, rugs, and beds. Kids stuffed animals, pillows and clothes maybe infected need to be washed or put in trash bags. It is one of those things that does not go away!!! So you have to be a little crazy about it ! Coming from someone who had it for about a month with long hair!!!!!!!!Melissa
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I'm sorry to hear that you had it for a month. That must have been horrible. I'm definitely trying to live as though I have them. I'm getting checked twice a day too. I'm all for being a little crazy about this if it means I won't get them.
DeleteOh how I hate lice!!
ReplyDeleteI have worked at schools in England that don't send kids home that have lice! And they're really sensitive about how you mention it to the parents. Ugg!
Hope your summer gets started soon!
Kelli
Kelli, we have districts around us who don't send kids home with nits. They have to have live ones to go home. Live ones or not, I say stay home, get the problem fixed, and come back soon!
DeleteOh....you are making my head itch. Hopefully your room will be lice "free" from this long weekend!
ReplyDeleteRobynn
BusyBees
Robynn, I understand the itching head problem. Mine itches all day long. I'm sure hoping for a lice-free room and school on Tuesday. Thanks!
Delete