Update: Same 3 children in Nathan's class returned to school today with nits (lice eggs) in their hair. Parents of the children claimed to have done a treatment on their hair.
Now The Details: So now, hours away from mid-week, Nathan will be spending another day home with me to avoid an obvious health concern going on in the classroom. Because I do care about Nathan being in school and keeping up his skills, I went to great lengths today to get in touch with anyone within LAUSD who would give a darn that this "policy" that is in effect freaking sucks and is irresponsible on their part.
I left about 5-6 messages, all for different people. Of those 5-6 messages, when asked by the LAUSD employee what the message was in regards to, I took the pleasure in giving a detailed, graphic message of how gross lice and nits are and how allowing nits on a child in the classroom is disregarding public health and safety and that they're only protecting the children who DO have the nits and NOT protecting the children who DO NOT have the problem. About half of those employees didn't even know what District policy I was referring to, because they were still aware of the OLD District policy of a child being sent home. When I told the District's employees their own District's policy they were shocked and completely agreed with me. Not a surprise at all, Dr. John Deasy's assistant supports the District's policy and gave me a very hard time for keeping Nathan out of school. I told her that health and safety always comes first...even before education. Then I asked her if she would hang out with a friend who she knew had the flu and would be sneezing and coughing all over her while they were hanging out. Of course she wouldn't! Assistant got super snotty and said I could be fined for not sending Nathan to school so I moved on to my next call.
Head Nurse of LAUSD called me back this evening. She agrees with me 100% and was extremely friendly throughout the conversation. We discussed and agreed on what needs to happen in Nathan's classroom (since the policy can't and won't be changing over night). We first went over how the school nurse needs to get an updated course on how to get rid of nits and stop misguiding the parents. I told the Head Nurse that Nathan isn't returning to school until his classmates are 100% free and clear of anything. She was shocked!!! She said everything that everyone else has said about education this, and education that. I asked the same "flu question" to her. She was grossed out and understood my point. I told her that I care VERY much about my children's education, but bottom line is that I am a responsible parent and I could not knowingly put any of my kids in a situation where their health or safety is being compromised. Head Nurse was GREAT and said, I know you care about your child's education, otherwise you wouldn't be working this hard to try and get him back into the classroom under your standards. What a wonderful lady who actually was able to see and understand my perspective on this topic. God bless her (seriously)!
Then...I hear from Nathan's Principal at school (I had left 2 messages for her over the last 2 days). We had a nice conversation. This poor woman already knows I'm a pit-bull when I have a passion or focus regarding what's best for my kiddos! She too was very understanding of my perspective and was also grossed out when I was turning the tables on the situation when giving other examples of what it would be like sending my children to school knowing there is nits or lice there. From previous battles, she knows how important the kids' education is to me so she said she will work with the nurse and the teacher about the nits and about getting Nathan all his school work so we can be working from home until I am comfortable with having him back in the classroom. I really appreciated her support.
Nathan's Thoughts On The Situation: How is Nathan feeling being away from school and his friends? So glad you asked! lol This kid is LOVING it!
Nathan: Mommy, will I ever go back to school???
Me: Eventually, but everyone's hair has to be healthy before it's OK to go back. Do you miss your school and your friends?
Nathan: Nope! I want to stay home and do work here. I want to do homeschool.
Me: How do you know? What if you don't like it?
Nathan: Oh, I will! I've never done it before but I want to try. Jackson did it and he said it's great!
Jackson (all the way from the kitchen): I didn't like homeschool!!! Noooo way!!!
Me: Great, thanks Jackson! hahahaha....
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