IPM checklist for administrators.

Facilities Management

    • State legislation requires schools provide notification to parents, students and teachers in advance of pesticide applications (PA Act 36) and adopt an IPM plan for school buildings and grounds (PA Act 35).
    • The bill also places responsibilities on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to assist schools in the development, planning and preparation of the IPM plan. Specifically, the department will maintain a Hypersensitivity Registry to assist in the notification of students and employees who are especially sensitive to pesticides and designate an IPM coordinator within the department to assist schools in adopting and administering IPM plans. Administrators should:
      • Appoint an IPM coordinator.
      • Appoint and convene an IPM advisory committee consisting of IPM Coordinator and representatives of teachers, students, parents, school health staff, kitchen and maintenance personnel, and IPM contractor (if applicable).
      • Set up a proper record keeping system.
      • Comply with parental notification requirements.

Curriculum Compliance

      • Understand IPM within the Pennsylvania Academic Standards and provide opportunities for faculty to get update training in this area.
      • At a school district's request, PA IPM offers workshops for teachers on IPM and how to incorporate it into the classroom. More information is available on our School IPM for Educators page.

IPM for school grounds is a process for achieving long-term, environmentally-sound pest suppression through the use of a wide variety of technological and management practices. Control strategies in an IPM program include structural and procedural modifications that reduce the food, water, harborage, and access used by pests. The emphasis is on least toxic and least environmentally disruptive practices to solve pest problems. Conventional pesticides are used only when needed.

PA IPM aids in the coordination of IPM implementation and education throughout the state. School IPM-related activites of the PA IPM Program include:

      • being an information clearinghouse
      • creating the "IPM for PA Schools - A How-To Manual"
      • creating sample IPM plans
      • giving presentations on school IPM
      • educating teachers on how to incorporate
      • IPM into the curriculum
      • sponsoring IPM initiatives in schools

Penn State Entomology Science Education

      • Bug Camp for Kids
      • The Great Insect Fair
      • Advanced Bug Camp for Kids
      • Teaching with Insects

IPM in the Classroom Resources for Educators

    • Frost Entomological Museum
IPM for Pensylvania Schools and Childcares

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