Health services in Conroe ISD schools continue to offer a variety of benefits to students while maintaining protocols in line with the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Barbara Robertson, CISD coordinator of health services, said while CISD has not changed its protocol for communicable, or contagious, diseases and bacterial meningitis, the district changed its stance on head lice in 2015 to reflect state and national evidence-based practices.

Robertson said students with active head lice are sent home from school if it causes disruptions to the classroom.

“Students found to have active head lice during the school day may be excluded from school if it is determined to be disruptive to the educational setting,” Robertson said. “Parents are contacted by the school nurse and given information related to detection and elimination of lice.”

Michelle Sunshine, owner of Lice Clinics in America in Austin and Houston, said head lice is especially common in schools.

“The CDC classifies lice as more of a nuisance and not a disease, so students can either stay at school or be picked up,” Sunshine said.

Although CISD protocol for head lice may allow a student to stay in the classroom, other health issues require a student be sent home.

“Conroe ISD follows the guidelines set by the Texas Department of State Health Services in excluding children with suspected or confirmed communicable diseases,” Robertson said. “Children exhibiting a fever of 100 [degrees] or above, diarrhea, vomiting, rash of unknown origin or feeling too ill to participate in the classroom are sent home by the school nurse. Children with fever or diarrhea can return to school after 24 hours symptom-free without the use of medications.”