Student Health Concerns

Understanding Head Lice

Head lice are a common concern in school communities and are spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact during routine student interactions and activities. While they can cause discomfort and frustration for students and families, head lice do not spread disease and are not considered a medical danger.

Because head lice can spread easily in close-contact environments such as schools, they often result in questions about exclusion, treatment, and when students can safely remain in school. This guidance is intended to clearly outline both public health recommendations and Fairbanks North Star Borough School District protocols to ensure consistency across schools while supporting student health, dignity, and instructional time.

Public Health Guidance vs. District Protocol

National public health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), provide guidance that helps inform best practices in school settings.

To clarify how this guidance compares with district practice, the information below outlines both perspectives.

District Protocol

Live Lice: Stay Home. Nits Only: Stay in School.

• Students with live head lice will be excluded from school and may return after treatment is completed and no live lice are present.
• Students with nits only may remain in school.
• Families are encouraged to complete full treatment and nit removal to reduce reinfestation.
• Health Services staff may recheck students upon return as needed.

School Screening Practices

Routine classroom-wide or school-wide head lice screenings are not conducted by the District.

According to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mass screening programs for head lice are not recommended because they are not effective in reducing transmission and may result in unnecessary missed instructional time. 

The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) also supports limiting exclusion to active infestations and discourages routine mass screening practices. 

In addition, large-scale screenings can have unintended emotional and social impacts on students, including embarrassment, anxiety, stigma, or being singled out in front of peers. The District is committed to protecting student dignity and maintaining a respectful, supportive school environment.

Health Services staff may assess individual students when concerns or symptoms are identified, or when there is a known exposure or concern.

This approach supports a trauma-informed, student-centered practice that prioritizes both student health and emotional well-being while maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.

What Families Can Do

Families can help prevent the spread of head lice by:

• Checking their child's hair and scalp regularly
• Avoiding head-to-head contact during play and activities
• Not sharing hats, helmets, hair accessories, combs, brushes, or other personal items
• Promptly treating any active infestation and following treatment instructions carefully
• Completing recommended follow-up steps to prevent reinfestation

Additional Resources

• FNSBSD  Head Lice Management PDF
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/index.html
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/skin/Pages/Head-Lice.aspx
• National Association of School Nurses (NASN): https://www.nasn.org/nasn-resources/professional-practice-documents/position-statements/ps-pediculosis
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If you have questions regarding head lice identification, treatment, or return-to-school requirements, please contact your school's Health Office.

Understanding Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood, most often at night. While their bites can cause itching or skin irritation, bed bugs are not known to spread disease.

Bed bugs are not a sign of poor hygiene and can be found in any home or community setting. They are hitchhiking pests and are typically introduced into schools through personal belongings such as backpacks, clothing, coats, or bedding items.

Unlike head lice, bed bugs do not live on the human body or in hair. They do not spread from person to person through casual contact.

Public Health Guidance vs. District Protocol

National public health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Alaska public health guidance recognize bed bugs as a pest concern rather than a public health threat. Management focuses on identification, containment, and environmental control rather than exclusion from school.

To clarify how this guidance compares with district practice, the information below outlines both perspectives.

District Protocol

• Students will not be excluded from school due to bed bugs or suspected exposure.
• When bed bugs are suspected or identified, Health Services staff will complete an individual assessment in a calm and discreet manner.
• Large-scale screening or classroom-wide disruption is not conducted in alignment with NASN and CDC recommendations.
• When concerns are identified, staff may complete a discreet assessment of personal belongings when appropriate, using minimal handling and prioritizing student privacy.
• Families may be contacted to support home-based evaluation and treatment when needed.
• When environmental follow-up is necessary, custodial services or district maintenance staff may be engaged.
• All responses prioritize student dignity, confidentiality, and continuity of learning.

School Response Practices

Bed bug concerns are managed in a calm, discreet, and supportive manner to avoid unnecessary disruption or stigma.

When concerns arise, Health Services staff will complete an individual assessment and determine appropriate next steps in collaboration with school administration as needed.

If bed bugs are suspected in personal belongings, the response will focus on discreet review and supportive guidance, with minimal handling and maximum respect for student privacy. Families may be contacted to assist with home-based evaluation and treatment when appropriate.

When environmental follow-up is needed, custodial services or district maintenance staff may be engaged to assess and address concerns.

All responses prioritize student dignity, confidentiality, and minimizing unnecessary concern while maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.

What Families Can Do

Families can help prevent and manage bed bug concerns by:

• Inspecting clothing, backpacks, and personal items regularly
• Avoiding bringing bedding or soft furniture items to school
• Washing and drying clothing on high heat when exposure is suspected
• Communicating promptly with the school if bed bugs are identified at home
• Following guidance from pest management professionals when applicable

Additional Resources

• FNSBSD Bed Bug Management PDF
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/bedbugs/index.html
• Alaska Department of Health: https://health.alaska.gov/en/education/bed-bugs
• Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC): https://dec.alaska.gov/eh/pest/bedbugs/

If you have questions regarding bed bugs, exposure concerns, or school procedures, please contact your school's Health Office.