Registry Notification Template

Dear Parent, Guardian, or Staff Member,

I am writing about three subjects that can affect children's health in school: pests, pesticides and your right to know.

Pest Control

Because pesticides pose risks, the school uses an alternative approach to merely applying pesticides. Control of insects, rodents, and weeds at our school focuses on making the school buildings and grounds an unfavorable place for pests to live and breed. Through maintenance and cleaning, we will reduce or eliminate available food and water sources and hiding places for the pests. We will also routinely monitor the school area to detect pest problems and prevent the pests from becoming established. Some techniques we will use include pest monitoring, sanitation, pest exclusion, proper food storage, pest removal and--as a last resort--pesticides. This holistic approach is often called Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Pesticide Use

Sometimes pesticide use may be necessary to control a pest problem. When that happens, the school will use the lowest risk products available. If higher risk pesticides must be used, notices will be posted at application sites and parents, guardians and staff have a right to know.

Your Right to Know

Parents, legal guardians, and school staff will be notified of specific pesticide applications made at the school. To receive notification, you must be placed on the notification registry by sending in the attached ‘Request to be Notified of Planned Pesticide Applications'. Notification will be given at least five days before planned pesticide applications during the regular school year. In addition, for pesticides applied anytime during the year, notices will also be posted in the school and on school grounds two working days before until 48 hours after the application. Notification need not be given for pesticide applications recognized by law to pose little or no risk of exposure to children or staff.

The school also keeps records of prior pesticide applications and information about the pesticides used. You may review these records, a copy of the School's Integrated Pest Management Policy and the Pesticides in Schools regulation (CMR 01-026 Chapter 27) by contacting our IPM coordinator, ___________________, at __________________.

If you have any questions, please contact_____________________. For further information about pests, pesticides and your right to know, call the Board of Pesticides Control at 207-287-2731 or visit the Maine School IPM web site at www.thinkfirstspraylast.org/schoolipm .

Request to be Notified of Planned Pesticide Applications Done During the Regular School Year

____________________________ School

I am a parent, legal guardian or staff member of this school and I want to be notified before specific pesticide applications are made at the school or on the school grounds except the following: 1) pesticides injected into cracks, crevices or wall voids; 2) bait blocks, gels, pastes, granular and pelletized materials placed in areas inaccessible to students; 3) paints, stains and wood preservatives; 4) disinfectants used for routine cleaning; 5) non-powered applications of ready-to-use general use pesticides to control or repel stinging or biting insects where there is an urgent need to protect the health or safety of a student, staff member or other school occupant; 6) when applied during school vacation weeks or outside of the regular school year, 7) indoor applications of a pesticide with no re-entry interval specified on its label but entry to the treated area is restricted for at least 24 hours.

I would prefer to be contacted by (circle one): U.S. Mail E-mail Telephone

Name:____________________________________________________________________

Date:________________________________

Mailing Address:____________________________________________________________

Daytime Phone:_________________________ Evening Phone:__________________________

E-mail:________________________________________________________

Return this form to:

_______________________________________________________ (IPM Coordinator)

_______________________________________________________ (School Address)

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