Noah's Ark Nursery School
Indoor Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan
147 School St., POBox 195
Carlisle, MA 01741-0195

IPM Coordinator
Ginny Robinson

Primary Contact
Diane Melanson, 978-371-0037, NoahsArkTwo@aol.com

By signing the end of this indoor IPM plan, the IPM coordinator, Ginny Robinson, of this School and the Pest Management Professionals described above acknowledge, and agree to the terms of this INDOOR integrated pest management plan.


A .INTRODUCTION

    In compliance with the Act Protecting Children and Families from Harmful Pesticides, Noah's Ark Nursery School on 3/19/2008 10:46:00 AM has prepared the following indoor IPM plan. By centralizing all of the information about this facility’s pest management practices the plan serves as a guide to direct this facility’s IPM coordinator,  Ginny Robinson , about pest control and pesticide use.

    This plan describes the pest management practices for indoor areas of the Noah's Ark Nursery School and clearly states it’s pesticide use policies.

    A copy of the plan has been filed with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and at least one printed copy must be kept on site and made available to the public upon request.

    Objectives
    The objectives of the integrated pest management program conducted at the Noah's Ark Nursery School are listed below.

  •  
    		• Reduce children’s exposure to pesticides and pesticide residues whenever possible.
  •  
    		• Manage pests that may occur on facilities to prevent interference with the learning environment of the students.
  •  
    		• Provide the safest playing or athletic surfaces possible.

    In light of these objectives, the Noah's Ark Nursery School has selected the following as it’s IPM policy statement:


B.POLICY STATEMENT

    Our policy is to manage, control and eliminate pests with the least amount of impact on humans and the environment, using mechanical, physical and chemical means. Chemical means are only used when mechanical and physical means ( traps, sealing cracks, etc.) are ineffective or not feasible. Chemicals are applied only by licenced/certified Pesticide Applicators.


C.IPM COMMITTEE

    The tasks set before an IPM committee are to:

  •  
    		• Develop an IPM plan. The IPM plan is in essence, a document that describes the organization and implementation of IPM on school grounds.
  •  
    		• Evaluate progress of the IPM program.
  •  
    		• Communicate about IPM - Facilitate communication within the school about IPM practices.
  •  
    		• Assist in development of contract specifications.
  •  
    		• Provide notification to parents about pesticide use.

    The INDOOR committee members selected for the Noah's Ark Nursery School are listed below:
    1) Ginny Robinson (Indoor IPM Coordinator)
    2) Ginny Robinson
    3) Diane Melanson
    4) Deb Pichulo


D. COMMUNICATING IPM WITHIN THE FACILITY

    The Pest Management Professional communicates with the Building Use Coordinator (employed by the church from whom we rent school space.)who in turn communicates with the School Director or IPM Coordinator.

    The areas used by children are monitored for safety and cleanliness by all school staff members. Areas that show evidence of pests are reported to the school Director and/or IPM coordinator, and noted in the IPM log. The school Director then relays the information to the Building Use Coordinator (employed by the church from whom we rent school space), who arranges corrective action as necessary with a licenced/certified pest contol company.


E. EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF FACILITY OCCUPANTS & STAFF

  • All school staff.
  • Staff members become familiar with the IPM Plan and are instructed to report any suspected evidence of pests to the School Director and/or the School IPM Coordinator.
  • Reminders at monthly staff meetings.
  • The School Director or IPM Coordinator will provide access to IPM information (i.e. brochures, etc.)as available from state agencies.
  • Students eat snacks and lunches in designated areas. Snacks are kept in air-tight containers. Juices are kept in the refrigerator after opening.


F. INDOOR MONITORING

    The IPM committee will evaluate the plan annually. When pests are present, Noah's Ark Nursery School has chosen an INDOOR monitoring schedule that consists of daily inspections. When pests are absent the INDOOR monitoring schedule will consist of semimonthly inspections.

    The following technique will be used to monitor for pests:  The facility’s contracted Pest Management Professional would conduct regular pest inspections and would then instruct the IPM coordinator as to the proper course of action.


G. COURSE OF ACTION TAKEN FOR INDOOR PESTS

    The following pests have historically and/or currently been a problem at Noah's Ark Nursery School:
    • Rats & Mice
    • Wood Damaging Pests

    The School's IPM approach to managing the indoor pests includes the following actions:

    SCHOOL PEST DESCRIPTION
    Past evidence of termites and mice were found in areas of the building not used by the children.

    SCHOOL PEST LOCATION DETAILS
    In 2004, Church Sunday School rooms and upstairs front entry treated for termites, and Sunday School room and storage area drop ceilings treated for mice. These were not areas used by Noah's Ark Nursery School.

    SCHOOL PEST ACTIVITY
    Any evidence of pests prompts a discussion with the Church Building Use Coordinator.

    MONITORING/INSPECTION
    In addition to the school staff continual monitoring of school spaces, the church custodian watches for evidence of pests whenever cleaning or maintaning the building.

    ELIMINATING ACCESS
    Foundation cracks have been sealed, weatherstripping applied where missing, door sweeps installed.

    ELIMINATING SOURCES OF FOOD AND WATER
    Snacks are stored in airtight containers in a metal cabinet. Juices are stored in the refigerator after they have been opened.

    ELIMINATION OF SHELTER AND HARBORAGE
    Cracks sealed and gaps filled and blocked.

    NON-CHEMICAL CONTROLS
    Traps were used in areas inaccessible to children.

    CHEMICAL CONTROLS
    PESTICIDE USE ATTESTATION:
    Pesticides are only applied by a certified and/or licensed applicator.
    Pesticides are used only when monitoring has shown that pests are present and when the use of the pesticide is justified or in the case of an emergency situation.
    Only pesticides allowed under the Children's and Families' Protection Act are used indoors.


H. RECORD KEEPING

    In the case of Noah's Ark Nursery School, INDOOOR monitoring records will be maintained through the following technique:  The use of forms which will be filled out by the person monitoring the facility


I. EVALUATING THE PROGRAM

    The IPM committee will evaluate the plan annually .


J. IN THE EVENT OF A HEALTH EMERGENCY

    During the creation of this IPM plan, Diane Melanson has assigned committee member Ginny Robinson with the responsibility of applying for an emergency waiver.


K. LIST OF PESTICIDES TO BE USED INSIDE THE FACILITY

    The following list includes all the pesticides that will be used inside the Noah's Ark Nursery School. This list includes all herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides that will be used in the event that chemical is required.

    Pesticide
    Name    		Active
    Ingredient    		EPA
    Registration #    		Target
    Pest    		Rationale
    for use



    I attest, to the best of my knowledge, that the above information is complete, accurate and true

                                             _____                                                  __/______/___       
    IPM Coordinator Signature                                                         Date

                                                                                                          / _       /               
    Administrator, Director, or Principal                                            Date

    Indoor IPM Plan originally submitted on: 3/19/2008 10:46:00 AM
    Plan updated by Ginny Robinson on: 3/19/2008 10:46:00 AM