Bay Area Schools 2012 Environmental Conference
Saturday, February 4, 2012 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Corinthian Center (at the San Jose Athletic Club)
196 North 3rd Street, San José, CA 95112
For:
• Teachers - Parents - Students
• School Faculty - Administrators – Policymakers
• Community Members - Nonprofits
Attend to:
• Discover a “Full House” of options to green your school and incorporate environmental education into classroom curriculum.
• Teachers that register will receive a free Solar Schoolhouse Teaching Solar Package (valued at $75) including a Teaching Solar book + dvd, Your Solar Home guidebook + dvd, & Solar Decathlon book + dvd.
• Bring your kids! Register your kids for the concurrent EcoKids Workshop available for children (7-14 years of age) of adult conference attendees.
Register online for $20 through January 27 (fee includes continental breakfast and lunch); $40 afterwards.
To register or for more information, visit www.sanjoseca.gov/esd/schools
For more information on the conference, visit: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/esd/schools/conference/2012_conference.asp
Thursday, January 26, 2012
NPMA's Pest Management Foundation Seeks Research Proposals
FYI- NPMA solicitation for grant proposals related to the management of structural pests and pests in urban and suburban environments for up to $35,000
Eligible entities include, but are not limited to institutions of higher learning, nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, and individuals.
Closing date: Friday Feb 17, 2012
More information:
http://www.npmapestworld.org/support/documents/2012PestManagementFoundationRFP.pdf
or contact Jim Fredericks or call (703) 352-6762.
Virtual School Walkthrough and Tribal Schools Webinar Series
· Participate in the Virtual School Walkthrough 2.0 Webinar. Listen to a sneak peek of what IAQ experts Richard Prill from Washington State University and David Blake from the Northwest Clean Air Agency will cover in this webinar regarding best practices and guidance on complaint response, diagnostic instrument use, and the pros and cons of air sampling. The webinar will be held Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at 1 p.m. EST. Register today!
· Participate in the Clean, Green and Healthy Tribal Schools Webinar Series. The goal of the webinar series is to provide information and tools for tribal school personnel to ensure that tribal schools are clean, green and healthy for staff, students and their communities. Webinars will be held every Wednesday for six weeks starting on Jan. 18, 2012. Learn more today!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Registration is now open for the 7th Intl IPM Symposium, March 27-29, Memphis
The 7th International IPM Symposium, "IPM on the World Stage-Solutions for Global Pest Challenges," will be held in Memphis, Tennessee USA on March 27-29, 2012 at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.
Symposium sessions will address Integrated Pest Management (IPM) across disciplines, internationally, in the market place, agricultural, structural community settings, horticultural, and natural environments.
Secure online registration is now available at: http://www.ipmcenters.org/ipmsymposium12/
Symposium plenary speakers include:
- Bobby Corrigan, Pest Management Professional, RMC Pest Management Consulting
- Timothy J. Dennehy, Manager, Global IRM-BioScience, Bayer CropScience LP
- Peter Ellsworth, IPM Specialist, University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center
- Larry Elworth, Agricultural Counselor to Lisa Jackson, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
- Carrie Koplinka-Loehr, Co-Director of the Northeastern Region Integrated Pest Management Center
- Chow-Yang Lee, Professor of Entomology, Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Susan Ratcliffe, Director, North Central Integrated Pest Management Center, University of Illinois
- David Rosenberger, Professor of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, New York
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Incorporate IAQ into Classroom Lesson Plans and Walkthroughs
With 2012 underway, encourage your students to be stewards of their school environment this year. Integrating IAQ topics into your curriculum can empower and educate your students, inform them of actions they can take to create a healthy indoor environment, and help build understanding and support for a school-wide IAQ management program.
Lesson Plans
School environmental issues, such as IAQ, can be incorporated into environmental science, chemistry, statistics, math, health and other classroom curricula. Teachers who have integrated IAQ information into their lesson plans have reported increased class participation, greater respect for the classroom environment and increased awareness of how personal actions affect the environment.
To get ideas on how to engage students at your school, download hands-on, interactive lesson plans from the National Education Association Health Information Network. These lesson plans are designed for grades K-12 and supplement the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit. All of the lesson plans are linked to standards and can be easily integrated with your school district’s curriculum.
Classroom Walkthroughs
To protect your students against poor IAQ and to spur action to ensure your classroom promotes and maintains a healthy, clean environment, use the Teacher’s Classroom Checklist from the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit. The Checklist and Backgrounder include tips on identifying potential IAQ problems and preventing them. Download the checklist as a PDF or MS Word format, which allows you to tailor the checklist to your schools’ specific classrooms.
| School District Spotlight Northshore School District, located in Bothell, Wash., developed an IAQ program that is truly a team effort, including students, teachers, staff, IAQ coordinators and administrators. The diverse participation in their IAQ management program has enabled Northshore to provide innovative, meaningful and effective solutions to IAQ issues. The district's IAQ initiatives range from a student-led emissions study to assess the impact of bus idling, to in-class training on IAQ risks and how to prevent them, to implementation of a comprehensive preventative maintenance program to support IAQ goals. Connect with this district to learn more about how they were able to involve students in their IAQ management program. |
Do you know a teacher or school administrator who would be interested in engaging students on IAQ management?
Share this email with a colleague.
Upcoming Webinar!
Thursday, January 26, 2012, 1 – 2:30 p.m. EST
The Virtual School Walkthrough 2.0: Responding to Common IAQ Issues and Concerns
Join IAQ experts Richard Prill from Washington State University and David Blake from the Northwest Clean Air Agency as they share their best practices and guidance on complaint response, diagnostic instrument use, and the pros and cons of air sampling. This webinar is a follow-on to the Virtual School Walkthrough 1.0 webinar, held in December 2011. This webinar will touch upon the information presented in December, but further delve into how you can effectively respond to IAQ issues and concerns and how to communicate your IAQ assessment findings to your school community. Register here.
January School IPM 2015 eNewsletter
The January School IPM 2015 eNewsletter features the following articles: Superior Pest Elimination Applying IPM in New York Schools, Gain Recognition for your School’s Asthma Management Program and Webinar Spreads the Word on Policies to Reduce School Pesticide Exposures.
http://www.ipminstitute.org/school_ipm_2015/Jan12_eNewsletter.htm
If you have not done so already, please consider signing up for the monthly School IPM 2015 newsletter mailing list to:
http://www.ipminstitute.org/school_ipm_2015/Jan12_eNewsletter.htm
If you have not done so already, please consider signing up for the monthly School IPM 2015 newsletter mailing list to:
- Learn how you can reduce pesticide use and pest complaints by more than 70%!
- Create a successful IPM program with no long-term increase in pest management costs.
- Learn strategies for managing pests all year:
- Fall – stinging insects
- Spring – ants
- New pests – bed bugs
- Improve your ability to educate and gain cooperation from key staff including maintenance, custodial and food service.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
NPMA's Pest Management Foundation Seeks Research Proposals
FAIRFAX, Va. — The National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) charitable organization, the Pest Management Foundation, issued a solicitation for grant proposals related to the management of structural pests and pests in urban and suburban environments.
Any submission deemed worthwhile by the Foundation will be eligible for a grant of up to $35,000.Eligible entities include, but are not limited to institutions of higher learning, non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, and individuals.
While the solicitation lists specific project ideas, the Foundation is interested in any proposal that pertains to the management of pests in structures and urban and suburban environments. The Foundation recently funded research published by Cornell University, University of Kentucky, and Spokane Falls Community College researchers on the effectiveness of yellowjacket trapping, the efficacy of residential mosquito control, and various methods of controlling the black widow and hobo spiders. The Foundation also supported the World Health Organization’s recently published research on the public health significance on public health pests, and is funding ongoing research on the efficacy of canines as bedbug detectors, the significance of an emerging invasive ant species in the Southeastern U.S., the odorous house ant, and cobweb management as a strategy to control urban spiders.
“Our main intent is to generate the submission of numerous different proposals,” said NPMA Technical Services Director Jim Fredericks. “We recognize that there are countless valuable research ideas and issuing anything too prescriptive could preclude many worthy proposals. We look forward to carefully reviewing any and all proposals.”
The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 17, 2012 and the target for identifying a worthwhile applicant is by the end of April. The solicitation is available at www.npmapestworld.org/support/foundation.cfm. Questions and proposals should be directed to Jim Fredericks at jfredericks@pestworld.org or (703) 352-6762.
Any submission deemed worthwhile by the Foundation will be eligible for a grant of up to $35,000.Eligible entities include, but are not limited to institutions of higher learning, non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, and individuals.
While the solicitation lists specific project ideas, the Foundation is interested in any proposal that pertains to the management of pests in structures and urban and suburban environments. The Foundation recently funded research published by Cornell University, University of Kentucky, and Spokane Falls Community College researchers on the effectiveness of yellowjacket trapping, the efficacy of residential mosquito control, and various methods of controlling the black widow and hobo spiders. The Foundation also supported the World Health Organization’s recently published research on the public health significance on public health pests, and is funding ongoing research on the efficacy of canines as bedbug detectors, the significance of an emerging invasive ant species in the Southeastern U.S., the odorous house ant, and cobweb management as a strategy to control urban spiders.
“Our main intent is to generate the submission of numerous different proposals,” said NPMA Technical Services Director Jim Fredericks. “We recognize that there are countless valuable research ideas and issuing anything too prescriptive could preclude many worthy proposals. We look forward to carefully reviewing any and all proposals.”
The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 17, 2012 and the target for identifying a worthwhile applicant is by the end of April. The solicitation is available at www.npmapestworld.org/support/foundation.cfm. Questions and proposals should be directed to Jim Fredericks at jfredericks@pestworld.org or (703) 352-6762.
Vermont Legislature Passes School Green Cleaning Bill - Safer Products to be Sold to Schools
On Thursday, the Senate gave final approval to S.92, a bill that requires manufacturers and distributors of cleaning products to only sell environmentally preferable cleaning products to schools. The bill will now make its way to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
“This legislation will create safer and healthier learning environments in our schools,” said Charity Carbine-March, environmental health advocate for Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). “Children in classrooms across Vermont will soon be breathing easier.”
Conventional cleaning supplies can contain toxic chemicals that have been linked to asthma, cancer, and other negative health effects. These chemicals can pollute indoor air and impact the health of students and staff. Advocates and other experts agree that environmentally preferable cleaning products are just as effective and affordable as conventional supplies. In fact, Vermont’s state buildings have already transitioned to “green” cleaning products as a result of the Clean State Program created by an executive order signed by Governor Douglas in 2004. In addition, many schools in Vermont have voluntarily made the switch to safer products.
“There are clear benefits to using green cleaning supplies,” said Carol Westinghouse, President of Informed Green Solutions, a non-profit organization that helps schools transition to safer cleaning products. “After making the switch, some schools in Vermont have reported fewer instances of asthma cases, nausea, and headaches, and others have even reported saving money on the cost of cleaning supplies.”
“This bill will protect generations of Vermont children from the effects of toxic chemicals. With asthma at epidemic proportions, any actions we can take to remove asthma triggers from our schools will make a difference,” said Cindy Murphy, a school nurse at Main Street Middle School in Montpelier. “It's a community's responsibility to provide optimal health and safety for school age children whose bodies are not fully developed and, therefore, are most effected by toxic chemicals. Green cleaning policies serve as a strong educational tool for staff and students.”
S.92 was brought to the brink of passage during last year’s legislative session. The bill began in the Senate and was passed on the floor by a vote of 29 to 0. The bill was then passed by the House (92 to 38) and was further amended by the Senate on the last day of session. The House took the bill up for immediate consideration upon the return of the legislature this year and gave their final nod of approval just last week.
“This legislation will create safer and healthier learning environments in our schools,” said Charity Carbine-March, environmental health advocate for Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). “Children in classrooms across Vermont will soon be breathing easier.”
Conventional cleaning supplies can contain toxic chemicals that have been linked to asthma, cancer, and other negative health effects. These chemicals can pollute indoor air and impact the health of students and staff. Advocates and other experts agree that environmentally preferable cleaning products are just as effective and affordable as conventional supplies. In fact, Vermont’s state buildings have already transitioned to “green” cleaning products as a result of the Clean State Program created by an executive order signed by Governor Douglas in 2004. In addition, many schools in Vermont have voluntarily made the switch to safer products.
“There are clear benefits to using green cleaning supplies,” said Carol Westinghouse, President of Informed Green Solutions, a non-profit organization that helps schools transition to safer cleaning products. “After making the switch, some schools in Vermont have reported fewer instances of asthma cases, nausea, and headaches, and others have even reported saving money on the cost of cleaning supplies.”
“This bill will protect generations of Vermont children from the effects of toxic chemicals. With asthma at epidemic proportions, any actions we can take to remove asthma triggers from our schools will make a difference,” said Cindy Murphy, a school nurse at Main Street Middle School in Montpelier. “It's a community's responsibility to provide optimal health and safety for school age children whose bodies are not fully developed and, therefore, are most effected by toxic chemicals. Green cleaning policies serve as a strong educational tool for staff and students.”
S.92 was brought to the brink of passage during last year’s legislative session. The bill began in the Senate and was passed on the floor by a vote of 29 to 0. The bill was then passed by the House (92 to 38) and was further amended by the Senate on the last day of session. The House took the bill up for immediate consideration upon the return of the legislature this year and gave their final nod of approval just last week.
EPA Public meeting on Bed Bug Pesticide Product Efficacy Testing Methods
A meeting will be held on March 6-7, 2012, of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel so that the Office of Pesticide Programs can receive the panel's expert opinions and recommendations on the design and scientific soundness of the draft EPA product performance testing guideline, OCSPP 810.3900 - "Methods for Efficacy Testing of Bed Bug Pesticide Products." This guideline describes approaches to efficacy testing procedures, test methods, data reporting and evaluation of testing results for Section 3 bed bug pesticide product registration.
The public is encouraged to participate in the meeting by either attending or submitting written comments to the docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-1017 by February 21, 2012.
For more information and further instructions on how to submit comments, view the Federal Register Notice.
The public is encouraged to participate in the meeting by either attending or submitting written comments to the docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-1017 by February 21, 2012.
For more information and further instructions on how to submit comments, view the Federal Register Notice.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
CNN Presents: January 14 Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN reports on the link between school air and health
Subject: CNN Presents: January 14 Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN reports on the link between school air and health http://tinyurl.com/IAQ-HealthCNN
Announcement from Connecticut Foundation for Environmentally Safe Schools (ConnFESS) http://pollutionfreeschools.org/
CNN Presents: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent reports on the link between school air and health.
Saturday, January 14, at 8p and 11p Eastern
Sunday, January 15, at 2a, 8p and 11p.
An estimated one-third of schools have poor air quality bad enough to cause respiratory health problems for children and their teachers. The threat to health may be increasing as tight budgets lead to schools
cutting back on ventilation, maintenance and upkeep.
The report includes the stories of Winsted, CT, parents who pulled their kids from school because mold was making their children sick; Former Fairfield, CT, teacher Joellen Lawson, who has permanent lung damage and other disabling health problems caused by contaminated air at her school, that was eventually torn down;Lily Eskelsen of the National Education Association; and Drue Miles, acting superintendent of Reading, PA, schools.
To provide feedback to CNN:
1. Twitter:, use @cnnpresents and/or @sanjayguptacnn.
2. CNN main switchboard is 404-827-1500.
3. Online, www.CNN.com/presents or beneath the story on
www.CNN.com after the segment has aired.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the National Education Association (www.nea.org): a sneak peak of the segment and behind the scenes video, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-J1NnwD2S0
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