Bed Bug Factsheet Now Available

Bed Bug Information for Schools and Childcares

Bed bugs do not like living in a school or childcare, mostly because we do not live in these places.  They prefer to live in our homes, where we spend hours sleeping with little or no movement.  The main concern for schools and childcares is the potential for transfering bed bugs:  from child to child, child to furniture, furniture to staff, etc.  Bed bugs are notorious stowaways and may hitch a ride in or on bags, clothing, books, and other items; so they are easily brought to and from infested homes.  Bed Bugs in Schools and Childcares provides some basic steps you can take to help control the spread of bed bugs in your facility.

Updated Law Signed By The Governor

Less Toxic Lawn Care Law for Schools and Childcares

Success!  SPCP is proud to announce our success in getting current law amended to better protect children from toxic lawn care chemicals. Governor Quinn signed the amendments into law on August 13, 2009.

IPM LAWS = HEALTHIER SCHOOLS

2007 Amendment to 1999 Schools IPM Law

Due largely to the efforts of Safer Pest Control Project, Illinois passed two laws in 1999 that require public schools to adopt safer methods of pest control inside school buildings. Now, in 2007, SPCP was instrumental in passage of an amendment to strengthen those laws.

As of August 2007, districts are required to adopt AND implement an IPM program when economically feasible. If filing an exemption for economic reasons, at least one staff member must be trained on Integrated Pest Management practices within one year of filing. Exemptions must be renewed every year. Districts must also notify parents and school staff of broadcast pesticide application both inside and outside school buildings.

Nationwide, schools and parents are increasingly concerned about the dangers of pesticide use in schools and have supported similar legislation in states across the country.

Parents and community members can help school districts improve their pest control practices by contacting the district and encouraging them to implement an Integrated Pest Management program, and to notify parents and employees before using pesticides. School administrators will be more conscious of their pest control policy if they know parents are concerned about the issue.

Working together, we can protect children from pesticides.

Click here to get your copy of the Illinois Structural Pest Control Act .

New Schools and Childcare IPM Program Binder Available

Download your copy today!

Illinois law requires schools and childcares to have an IPM program in place if economically feasible.  This document helps jump start the process.

Download your copy of the 2009 IPM School/Childcare Binder here.

Contained in this document are all the materials your school needs to put an IPM program in place including sample policies, forms and protocol. All forms and other documents are formatted as Adobe PDF fillable files so you can make them facility specific.

The document is designed to provide a school or childcare facility with a format for keeping records as well as providing guidance for program development.  It's devided into eight sections.  The first two sections are designed to give background information for program development and the evaluation of your current pest control program.  Subsequent sections prompt and guide you through proper protocol and recordkeeping requirements.  The last section lists important resources.

SPCP recommends creating a tabbed binder and insert one section per tab for easy reference.

Be state-of-the-art! Be proactive! Be green!  Get your IPM program up and running for a safer, healthier learning environment.

Chicago Public Schools DIY: Train Your Staff on IPM*

NEW - PowerPoint slides and a script to help you train your staff.

You've attended IPM training and now you'd like to clue the rest of the school staff in on how they can help make IPM a success at your school. SPCP has developed this easy to use PowerPoint presentation and script to help you do just that.

Use the entire presentation or just a portion to suit your needs. There are also links to factsheets that you can print and copy to hand out.

The script includes basic instructions on how to use this tool and how to receive incentives for completing a staff training.


Download CPS Staff IPM Presentation Script

Download CPS Staff IPM PowerPoint Presentation

Download Factsheet CPS IPM for Teachers

*Other districts can contact SPCP for a "generic" version of the script and presentation.

PESTICIDES IN SCHOOLS

Schools have a responsibility to provide safe and healthy learning environments. Does your child’s school use dangerous pesticides? Consider this:

 Children are especially vulnerable and disproportionately exposed to pesticides.

 Pesticides have been linked to cancer, reproductive, neurological, behavioral and immunological disorders, as well as asthma.

 Alternative methods of pest control, such as Integrated Pest Management, are often more effective and, over time, less expensive than chemical pesticides.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is common-sense pest control that combines preventive techniques, non-chemical pest control, and the appropriate use of pesticides with preferences for products that are the least harmful to human health and the environment.

Parents Right-to-Know of Outdoor Use of Pesticides

Public Act 91-0099

This law requires Illinois Public Schools to notify parents and staff at least two days prior to application of pesticides on school grounds, athletic fields and lawns. No schools are exempt from notifying parents and staff prior to outdoor pesticide use.

view law

Effective date: July 9, 1999

IPM in Schools

Public Act 91-0525

This law requires Illinois public schools to adopt an integrated pest management program to control indoor pests at the facility. Districts must also notify parents and staff at least two days before indoor application of pesticides. Districts can be granted an exemption from using IPM if they can prove it is too costly. No schools are exempt from notifying parents and staff prior to indoor pesticide use.

view law

Effective date: August 1, 2000