May eLetter

IPM System Protects Students

The goal of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is to protect every student from pesticide exposure by using an Integrated Pest Management System (IPM) approach for managing insects, rodents and weeds. Our IPM approach focuses on making the school buildings and grounds an unfavorable habitat for these pests by removing food as well as water sources and eliminating their hiding and breeding places. We accomplish this through routine cleaning and maintenance. We regularly monitor the school buildings and grounds to detect any pests that may be present. The pest monitoring team consists of our building maintenance, office, and teaching staff as well as including our students. Pest sightings are reported to our IPM coordinator who evaluates the “pest problem” and determines the appropriate pest management techniques to address the problem. The techniques can include increased sanitation, modifying storage practices, sealing entry points, physically removing the pest, etc.

From time to time, it may be necessary to use pesticides registered by the Environmental Protection Agency to manage a pest problem. A pesticide will only be used to when necessary, and will not be routinely applied. When a pesticide is necessary, the school will try to use the least toxic product that is effective. Applications will be made only when unauthorized persons do not have access to the area (s) being treated. We have scheduled Mondays and Fridays during the months of May through August as dates to perform any necessary applications. Notices will be posted in these areas 72 hours prior to application and for two days following the application. Emergency applications may be authorized without 72-hour advance notice only if pests pose an immediate threat to health and safety. An example of this would be a hornet’s nest near a playground.

Parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school district may request prior notification of specific pesticide application made at a school. To receive notification, you must be placed on the school’s notification registry. If you would like to be placed on the registry, please notify the Building and Grounds Supervisor, Rick Hostetler in writing at the District Office. Please be sure to include your name, address, telephone number, and school building where your child attends as well as specific products for which you would like to be notified. If you would like to be notified electronically, please include your email address as well.

If a pesticide application must be made to control an emergency pest problem, notice will be provided by telephone to any parent or guardian who has made a specific request for such notification in writing. Exemptions to this notification include disinfectants and antimicrobial products; self –containerized baits placed in cracks, crevices or voids.

A new registry is prepared each year. If you have any questions, please contact Rick Hostetler, Buildings and Grounds Supervisor at 610-347-0970.