Award Communication Package

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School Integrated Pest Management Awards

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The EPA is now recognizing schools and school districts that have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving children’s health by promoting smart, sensible, and sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices!

School Integrated Pest Management Awards

• IPM education coordinator

• Complete self-assessment using checklist

• Certified applicator

• Must meet all applicable state or tribal laws

• IPM Coordinator identified

• Written IPM policy

Tier 1: Great Start

Tier 3: Excellence

Tier 2: Leadership

• Pesticide use and monitoring records

• Warning signs/notification and correct storage

• Trash areas well maintained and dumpster distance

• Door sweeps

• Visibility between landscaping and facility

• Must meet all applicable state or tribal laws

• Environmental health/IPM committee

• Written IPM plan

• IPM education for custodial, maintenance, groundskeeper, kitchen, and nurse staff

• Monthly inspections of pest vulnerable areas

Connector

• Provide documentation of program results in terms of pest reduction, health improvements, and financial benefits

• Demonstrate how it has been communicating about its IPM program, both to its internal community (students, parents, employees) and to the external community

• Describe how they communicated with school districts to facilitate their IPM efforts

• Demonstrate how the achievements made by their actions will be sustained in the future

• Have at least one endorsement from a relevant entity (school, school district, state board, etc.) in order to verify the significance of their contribution

• An award for individuals and organizations that have contributed to the adoption and use of IPM policies in school districts at the community, state, region, or national level

• Demonstrate actions and initiatives that support school IPM

• Provide a detailed account of their actions contributing to school IPM, including documentation of the results of their actions

• Demonstrate that it continues to meet all Level 3 criteria for at least two years after receiving Level 3 recognition

• Provide documentation of its strategy and efforts to make its IPM program sustainable

• Repeated recognition can be provided if district continues to meet all Level 3 criteria

Tier 4: Sustained Excellence

• Maintenance records, pest sighting/complaint records

• Follow guidelines for pesticide selection and application

• Appropriate food storage, kitchen sanitation, rooms free of clutter

• Structure free of gaps, holes, and entry points

• Must meet all applicable state or tribal laws

• Communication between IPM committee and school administration

• IPM plan updated annually

• IPM education for staff with certificates awarded

• Full inspection (annually)

• Exterior free of clutter and harborage

School IPM Recognition Program – Website Information

Purpose: To recognize schools and school districts that have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving children’s health by promoting smart, sensible, and sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.

There are five school IPM awards, starting with four tiers: Great Start, Leadership, Excellence, and Model of Sustained Excellence. The fifth award is the Connector Award.

Great Start Award

• U.S. school districts that are in the initial stages of implementing a comprehensive IPM program

• Must have any pesticide applications administered by a licensed applicator only, have selected an IPM coordinator for the district, and have created a written IPM policy

Leadership Award

• U.S. school districts showing significant progress in implementing an IPM program

• Be putting in place the framework for effective programs outlined in the Six Key Drivers: Organize, Assess, Plan, Act, Evaluate, and Communicate

• Secure senior-level commitment to establish and maintain a sustainable IPM program

• Although a prior Great Start Award is not required, schools must meet the minimum criteria for the Great Start Award

Excellence Award

• U.S. school districts with exemplary programs that have shown exceptional commitment to IPM

• Demonstrate how the school district has successfully implemented the elements associated with an effective, comprehensive IPM program, such as those outlined in all of the Six Key Drivers: Organize, Assess, Plan, Act, Evaluate, and Communicate

Model of Sustained Excellence Award

• Ongoing exceptional commitment and achievement while institutionalizing comprehensive school IPM practices

• Must have previously won the Excellence Award, which shows that they have already successfully implemented and are sustaining actions associated with effective IPM programs outlined in the Six Key Drivers

• Demonstrate that they have:

  • Sustained an effective IPM program

  • Established long-term IPM goals

  • Tracked the results of their program

  • Utilized district-wide communication and established IPM policies

Connector Award

• Recognize organizations and individuals whose efforts have led to the successful implementation of IPM programs in schools

• Must have demonstrated one or more of the following:

  • Developed an innovative approach, tool or resource that has made a significant contribution to improve school IPM programs

  • Demonstrated a significant dedication to student and staff health and wellness, and have taken steps to leave a positive, lasting impact on school buildings, staff and students

  • Mentored or assisted their own or other school districts with implementing effective and sustainable IPM management programs

Sample EPA Social Media Posts

Facebook	Twitter
Does your school already have an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan? If so, you can win an award! We have five different awards for all types of schools or individuals. Here's the link to learn more! http://go.usa.gov/3dEse	Does your school practice Integrated Pest Management? You can win an award! #PestSense #Healthyschools #IPM http://go.usa.gov/3dEse
In need of a new award for that dusty old book shelf? Check out the EPA's PestSense for Schools Awards! Your school can be recognized for managing pests. Learn more here http://go.usa.gov/3dEse	In need of a new award for that dusty book shelf? Check out #PestSense for Schools Awards, you won't regret it! #IPM http://go.usa.gov/3dEse
Does your school have PestSense? Learn how your school can win an award for using smart, sensible, and sustaibale pest management practices. Click here to apply! http://go.usa.gov/3dEse	Does your school have #PestSense? Learn more about #IPM and our new awards program by clicking the link http://go.usa.gov/3dEse
EPA's PestSense for Schools Awards can help your school be recognized! We have awards for schools, individuals, and organizations. All are encouraged to apply! Click the link to start! http://go.usa.gov/3dEse	EPA's #PestSense for #Schools Awards can help your school be recognized! All are encouraged to apply! #IPM http://go.usa.gov/3dEse
Looking for a way your school can be recognized? The EPA has a new awards program that will reward schools for using sustainable pest management practices. We call this IPM! Here is the link to learn more http://go.usa.gov/3dEse	Attention! EPA has new awards that will reward schools for using smart pest management practices. Click to learn more http://go.usa.gov/3dEse
Has your school applied for the PestSense for Schools Awards Program? The application is open to all schools using IPM practices! Learn more about IPM and our awards program here! http://go.usa.gov/3dEse	Your school can apply for an EPA Award! The application is open to all schools using #IPM practices! #award #health http://go.usa.gov/3dEse
Your school can be recognized! Our Office of Pesticide Prgrams has just release five different awards dedicated towards recognizing Integrated Pest Management in schools. We want your school to apply! Click on the link for requirements and applications http://go.usa.gov/3dEse	Your school can be recognized! There are 5 awards deisgned to recognized #IPM in schools. We want you to apply! http://go.usa.gov/3dEse
We want to reward you for keeping your school healthy and clean! The PestSense for Schools Awards Program has five national awards for schools and individuals. Learn more and apply! http://go.usa.gov/3dEse	Interested in winning an EPA recognized award? If you support healthy, clean schools you can apply! #IPM #pestcontrol http://go.usa.gov/3dEse
Calling all school business officials! We want your school to be recognized. You have the chance to win an award for supporting clean and healthy schools. Learn more here http://go.usa.gov/3dEse	Calling all school business officials! We want your school to be recognized! Apply for our PestSense for Schools Awards program http://go.usa.gov/3dEse
We want to recognize safe and healthy schools. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a sustainable method of pest control. If your school uses IPM we have an award for you! Learn more on how to apply: http://go.usa.gov/3dEse	If your school uses #IPM we have an award for you! All you have to do is click and apply #healthyschools #pestcontrol http://go.usa.gov/3dEse

Great Start Award

Presented to

ABCD Public Schools

For Their Commitment to Implementing a Smart, Sensible and Sustainable

Integrated Pest Management Program

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Date