IPM Notice

Somerdale School District

Annual Integrated Pest Management Notice

For the School Year 2023-2024

Dear Parent, Guardian, or Staff Member:

This notice is being distributed to comply with the New Jersey School Integrated Pest Management Act. Somerdale Park School has adopted an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Policy and has implemented an IPM Plan to comply with this law. IPM is a holistic, preventive approach to managing pests that is explained further in the school's IPM Policy included with this notice.

All schools in New Jersey are required to have an Integrated Pest Management Coordinator (IPM Coordinator) to oversee all activities related to IPM and pesticide use at the school.

The Coordinator for Somerdale Park School is: Mr. Mark Tuzi

Business Phone number: 856-783-6261

Business Address: 301 Grace St. Somerdale, NJ 08083

The IPM Coordinator maintains the pesticide product label, and the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) (when one is available), of each pesticide product that may be used on school property.

The label and the MSDS are available for review by a parent, guardian, staff member, or student attending the school. Also, the IPM Coordinator is available to parents, guardians, and staff members for information and to discuss comments about IPM activities and pesticide use at the school.

As part of a school pest management plan Somerdale Park School may use pesticides to control pests. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) register pesticides to determine that the use of a pesticide in accordance with instructions printed on the label does not pose an unreasonable risk to human health and the environment. Nevertheless, the EPA and the DEP cannot guarantee that registered pesticides do not pose any risk to human health, thus unnecessary exposure to pesticides should be avoided. The EPA has issued the statement that where possible, persons who are potentially sensitive, such as pregnant women, infants and children, should avoid unnecessary pesticide exposure.

The following items must be included with this annual notice:

A copy of the school or school district's IPM policy.

The date, time and place of any meeting if one is to be held for the purpose of adopting or modifying the school integrated pest management policy of plan.

A list of pesticides that are in use or that have been used in the past 12 months on school property.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

Policy 7422

The New Jersey School Integrated Pest Management Act of 2002 requires schools to implement a school integrated pest management policy.

The law requires the superintendent of the school district, for each school in the district, to implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) procedures to control pests and minimize exposure of children, faculty, and staff to pesticides. The superintendent shall therefore develop and maintain an IPM plan as part of the school's IPM policy.

Integrated pest management procedures in schools

Implementation of IPM procedures will determine when to control pests and whether to use mechanical, physical, cultural, biological or chemical methods. Applying IPM principles prevents unacceptable levels of pest damage by the most economical means and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

Each school shall consider the full range of management options, including no action at all. Non-pesticide pest management methods are to be used whenever possible. The choice of using a pesticide shall be based on a review of all other available options and a determination that these options are not effective or not reasonable. When it is determined that a pesticide must be used, low impact pesticides and methods are preferred and shall be considered for use first.

Development of IPM plans

The school IPM plan is a blueprint of how Somerdale Park School will manage pests through IPM methods. The schools IPM plan states the school's goals regarding the management of pests and the use of pesticides. It reflects the school's site-specific needs. The IPM plan shall provide a description of how each component of the school IPM policy will be implemented at the school. The superintendent, in collaboration with the school building administrator (principal), shall be responsible for the development of the IPM plan for this school.

IPM Coordinator

The Educational Facilities Manager shall be designated as the integrated pest management coordinator, who is responsible for the implementation of the integrated pest management policy.

Education /Training

The school community will be educated about potential pest problems and IPM methods used to achieve the pest management objectives. The IPM Coordinator, other school staff and pesticide applicators involved with implementation of the school IPM policy will be trained in appropriate components of IPM as it pertains to the school environment.

Students, parents/guardians will be provided information on this policy and instructed on how they can contribute to the success of the IPM program.

Record keeping

The IPM Coordinator shall maintain records on site to meet the requirements of the state regulatory agency and the school board. Records shall also include, but are not limited to, pest surveillance data sheets and other non-pesticide pest management methods and practices utilized.

Notification/Posting

The IPM Coordinator is responsible for timely notification to students' parents or guardians and the school staff of pesticide treatments pursuant to the School IPM Act.

Re-Entry

Re-entry to a pesticide treated area shall conform to the requirements of the School IPM Act.

Pesticide applicators

The IPM coordinator shall ensure that applicators follow state regulations, including licensing requirements and label precautions, and must comply with all components of the School IPM Policy.

Evaluation

Annually, the IPM Coordinator will report to the school board on the effectiveness of the IPM plan and make recommendation for improvement as needed. The school board directs the Superintendent to develop regulations/procedures for the implementation of this policy.

Authorizing Regulatory references

The School Integrated Pest Management Act of 2002

N.J.A.C. Title 7 Chapter 30 Subchapters 1-12 Pesticide Control Act of 1971

ADOPTED: MARCH 27, 2006

IPM Annual Notification of Pesticides

None at this time.