support for such requests, as well as requests to correct other reported problems (such
as inadequate sanitation or improper management practices), IPM programs will be
restricted in their effectiveness.Teachers and StudentsIn addition to food handling areas, classrooms and lockers are key sites for pest
problems in school buildings. The most important responsibility of the students and
faculty is sanitation: cleaning up leftover food, proper storage of pet food and snacks,
and maintaining uncluttered and clean classrooms and locker areas. Also, teachers
and students who can identify pests can be helpful to the IPM program. The more
participants, the greater the potential for success. Without the cooperation of teachers
and students in the IPM program by reporting pests immediately and by keeping
their classrooms clean, it is probably unreasonable to expect a totally pest-free envi-
ronment or to control pests without any use of pesticides.Parents and CommunityParents want their children to experience a pleasant learning environment without
any undue risks from pesticides. For this reason, parents are usually among the first
to express their concerns about perceived unsafe conditions in a school. Unsafe condi-
tions can occur when pest problems are improperly managed, or when pesticides are
overused or used improperly. Parents should be made aware of the current pest man-
agement practices in their children’s schools. Visible interest and concern on the
parents’ part can stimulate the school to do its best to provide effective and safe pest
control in school facilities. Parents and other community members can and should
express their views to the IPM coordinator, school superintendent, school board,
campus-based improvement committees, and parent-teacher associations and organi-
zations. Parents can serve on IPM advisory committees with the schools.
Community involvement is crucial in the development and success of school pesti-
cide-reduction programs. Nearly all of the schools that have reduced or eliminated
the use of pesticides on school grounds have done so because of parent and commu-
nity pressure. Parents, teachers, students, and community members have advocated
for healthy classrooms and playgrounds. These local groups have worked with
grounds and maintenance crews, built public support, obtained coverage in newspa-
pers and on television, and effectively lobbied school board members.^37The Role of the School NurseThe school nurse is the health expert in the school building. Training and experi-
ence in physiology, chemistry, biology, and health care can position the school nurse
to be actively involved in addressing issues of toxin exposure. Nurses are important to
environmental health because they can play key roles in protecting the health of all132 | Pesticides