Lice Outbreak Hits Schools, Angers Parents

A lice infestation at several Central Florida elementary schools has angered parents because they didn't hear it first from school officials, according to Local 6 News. The lice outbreak affects students at beachside schools in Brevard County, including Gemini Elementary, Local 6 News reported. School district administrators are downplaying the reported outbreak, saying lice problems happen every year at almost every school, according to the report. "Did you know that it's probably at every one of our schools?" School District Spokesperson Sara Stern asked in a Local 6 News partner Florida Today report. "Every school every year does some kind of education about controlling head lice -- the idea is prevention." Administrators in the area said they decided several years ago to stop notifying parents if a student in their child's class had head lice. The action is based in part on recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Parents said they are still frustrated at the lack of information coming from the school. The principal of Gemini Elementary has sent home a note informing parents of the outbreak and asking them to check their child's head nightly.

(Local 6 article here)