Administrators

IPM Checklist for Administrators

For facilities mangement:

• appoint an IPM coordinator

• appoint & 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

For curriculum compliance:
understand the IPM academic standards within the Environment & Ecology standards
provide opportunities for faculty to get update training in this area
be familiar with textbooks and other resources available to support IPM education
make sure that students are prepared for PSSA exams

New state legislation requires schools to both teach Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the classroom and adopt IPM plans for school grounds. In Pennsylvania, IPM is part of the newly adopted Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology. The specific IPM standard is number 5 of nine different subject areas within the standards. At a school district's request, the PA IPM Program 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.

As of January 2003, the state requires all PA schools to:
1.) provide notification to parents, students and teachers in advance of pesticide applications (PA Act 36) and
2.) requires schools to 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. See our Frequently Asked Questions page for quick answers and clarification of this new PA legislation.

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.

The Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management Program 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

PSU 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