New School IPM Online Learning Modules: Education Teachers about School IPM in TX!

eXtension Online Campus

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in partnership with eXtension have two new school IPM online learning modules to help you, the IPM Coordinator educate your teachers about school IPM in TX.  

The first lesson is on what is School IPM, why should your staff be concerned, chain of command and a few other necessary components for Texans.  

The second module is designed for teachers who have gardens,  ag science classes or others who have work outdoors and with volunteers.  This module will discuss some of the info the teacher will need to know for their program and students, plus what they need to consider with the IPM Coordinator and TX School IPM rules. 

And it's all FREE! - but you do have to register.  Please go check these out and use them for your IPM program!  http://campus.extension.org/

June School IPM 2015 eNewsletter

The June School IPM 2015 eNewsletter features the following articles: School District Survey Reveals Successes and Opportunities, Keller Independent School District Does IPM Right, and Mosquito Management Takes a Community.

http://www.ipminstitute.org/school_ipm_2015/June13_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:

o   Fall – stinging insects

o   Spring – ants

o   New pests – bed bugs

·         Improve your ability to educate and gain cooperation from key staff  including maintenance, custodial and food service.

Signing up is easy.  Email your name and contact information to: newsletter@schoolipm2015.com

Improving Kids' Environment Registration Open!

Improving Kids' Environment

Ruth Ann Norton Executive Director Green & Healthy Homes Initiative REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! IKE is excited to announce that registration for the 2013 Improving Kids' Environment Midwest Conference is now open! This year's tracks include Healthy Homes, Healthy School, Healthy Communities and Healthy Childcare and has been expanded to include the Midwest. Three of our Keynote Speakers have been announced and are pictured to the right. Some of the breakout session topics include: Healthy Homes Programs New HUD Guidelines and the RRP Rule The Effects of Hoarding Dr. Jalonne White-Newsome  Federal Policy Analysis  WE ACT for Environmental Justice  Integrated Pest Management Green Cleaning in Schools Asthma and Indoor Air Quality Impact of Not Immunizing  Lead-Safe Gardening Community Organization Recycling in Your Childcare Green Washing in Childcare What to Know About BPA, Phthalates and Fire Retardants    Make sure to register now in order to take advantage of our Early Bird Pricing. Also, you will want to check our conference page often as we will update it as more information becomes available. Dr. Paul D. Winchester Professor of Clinical Pediatrics St. Francis Hospital Beech Grove, IN  We look forward to seeing you this October!    REGISTER NOW

Old School, New School, This Place, That Place: An Introduction to Utilizing the EPA School Siting Guidelines

Train the Trainer Announcement

Are you familiar with EPA’s School Siting Guidelines?  Do you want to know how to train decision-makers on how to use the School Siting Guidelines?  Join us on June 14, 2013 from 10:00 am-2:30 pm Eastern, via videoconference, for a special train the trainer workshop on how to effectively deliver the training program, “Old School, New School, This Place, That Place—An Introduction to Utilizing the EPA School Siting Guidelines.”

Old School, New School, This Place, That Place:  An Introduction to Utilizing the EPA School Siting Guidelines uses a presentation, case studies, and exercises to encourage dialog and discussion about the complex issues surrounding school siting decisions.  The program can be used by any state or locality—certain portions of the program can be edited to reflect a community’s requirements and regulations.

Background: After EPA released the Guidelines in 2011, three Georgia non-profit organizations –The Georgia Conservancy, U.S. Green Building Council, Georgia Chapter, and Mothers & Others for Clean Air – received pollution prevention funding from EPA Regions 1, 4, and 7 to turn the guidelines into a training resource as school siting decision-makers needed a hands-on approach to applying the principles of the guidelines to real-world situations.  In 2012, the team developed a training program based on the School Siting Guidelines called, “Old School, New School, This Place, That Place” to guide school board members, administrators and personnel, planners, and other decision-makers through the children’s health and environmental impacts that should be considered when making difficult decisions regarding school siting, school closure, or school renovations.

To learn more visit:  http://www.georgiaconservancy.org/schoolsiting.html

 

Agenda:

• What: EPA “Old School, New School, This Place, That Place: An Introduction to Utilizing the EPA School Siting Guidelines” Train the Trainer Videoconference and New England Clean, Green and Healthy Schools Meet & Greet
• When: Friday, 6/14/13, 9:00 am-4:00 pm ET
• Where: 5 Post Office Square, Boston, MA – Memorial Hall (1st Floor Large Conference Center) Public transportation is highly recommended. Our EPA Boston office is about a ten-minute walk from South Station in Boston, MA. Please anticipate waiting in line at security and arrive early.

• 9:00 am-10:00 am ET: Meet and greet (Please plan on bringing your own coffee and bag lunch for the day!)
• 10:00 am-2:30 pm ET: EPA “Train the Trainer” videoconference
• 10:00-10:15     Welcome by EPA Region 4
• 10:15-10:30     Trends & School Siting Principles
• 10:30-10:40     Meaningful Public Involvement
• 10:40-11:10     Exercise #1, Edgewood Elementary + follow-up
• 11:10-11:20     Before the Siting Process Begins
• 11:20-11: 35    Build New or Renovate + Green Schools
• 11: 35-12:15    Lunch Break
• 12:15-12:30     Environmental Siting Criteria Considerations
• 12:30-12:45     Children’s Health
• 12:45-1: 30      Environmental Review Process
• 1:30-1:45         Exercise #2 
• 1:45-2:30         Q&A
• (1:30 pm-03:00 pm ET concurrent U.S. Department of Education-led “ED-GRS Lessons Learned State Call” for Green Ribbon Schools state leads only - Room: 0101, Mount Katahdin (1st Floor))
• 3:00 pm-4:00 pm ET Reconvene, discuss next steps for best ways to share updates, resources, other info among K-12 schools partners