Creative Minds International Public Charter School is an elementary school located on North Capitol Street in Petworth. Officials say the school is experiencing an outbreak of lice at the school. There have been at least four students in pre-kindergarten with lice, officials say.

Nate Ruby, the principal at the school, said once a student is confirmed to have lice, it is noted by
all teachers to make sure they stay away from other students. Photo by Element5Digital/Unsplash

Sonya Williams, a Pre-K teacher, spotted the lice in a student’s hair when playing in her hair at recess. “I saw her itching, but I didn’t think anything of it, I happened to play in her hair, and once I parted it, I saw eyes looking back at me.”

According to Headlice.org, school districts allow the students to continue coming to school although they have lice. It is a bug that lies in hair and causes itching. It is possible for someone to contract lice by contact with someone who has lice.

Brianna Little, a student organizer, instructed all teachers to put their hair up during school hours and be aware of who has lice. Lice aren't easy to remove and clings to clean hair. The shampoo that is commonly used to rid lice is called Rid. One must go through strand by strand and pick out every single one they see.

Nate Ruby, the principal at the school, said once a student is confirmed to have lice, it is noted by all teachers to make sure they stay away from other students.

Lakisha Owens, the health educator at Howard University, said “lice live in your hair and will make your head itch. It is not easily removed and can be contracted by sharing hats or anything for your head. It is most commonly found in Caucasian women hair.”

After revisiting the school and checking on the status of the students, it was confirmed by Little that the lice issue appeared to be resolved.