By signing the end of this outdoor IPM plan, the IPM coordinator, Robert Rouleau, of this School and the Pest Management Professionals described above acknowledge, and agree to the terms of this OUTDOOR integrated pest management plan.

A. INTRODUCTION

In compliance with the Act Protecting Children and Families from Harmful Pesticides the Athol High School on 5/1/2017 6:10:00 AM has prepared the following outdoor IPM plan about pest control and pesticide use.

This plan describes the pest management practices for outdoor areas of Athol High School and clearly states it’s pesticide use policies.

A copy of the plan has been filed with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and at least one printed copy must be kept on site and made available to the public upon request.

By centralizing all of the information about this facility’s pest management practices the plan serves as a guide to direct this facility’s IPM coordinator, Robert Rouleau

Objectives
The objectives of the integrated pest management program conducted at the Athol High School are listed below.

	Reduce children’s exposure to pesticides and pesticide residues whenever possible.
	Manage pests that may occur on facilities to prevent interference with the learning environment of the students.
	Provide the safest playing or athletic surfaces possible.

In light of these objectives, the Athol High School has selected the following as it’s IPM policy statement.

B.POLICY STATEMENT

The Athol High School desires to prevent unnecessary exposure to children, employees, and the public to chemical pesticides and the need to rely on chemical pesticides when managing pests. It is the policy of the school to only use chemical pesticides when pests have been identified and their presence verified. whenever practical, the Athol High School will use non chemical means to control pests. Any deficiencies in sanitary or housekeeping will be noted and reported. It will be the policy of this school to keep and maintain records of all pesticide use. A copy of the IPM plan will be maintained in the head custodians office and available upon request.

C. IPM COMMITTEE

The tasks set before an IPM committee are to:

	Develop an IPM plan. The IPM plan is in essence, a document that describes the organization and implementation of IPM on school grounds.
	Evaluate progress of the IPM program.
	Communicate about IPM - Facilitate communication within the school about IPM practices.
	Assist in development of contract specifications.
	Provide notification to parents about pesticide use.

The OUTDOOR committee members selected for the Athol High School are listed below:
1) Robert Rouleau (Outdoor IPM Coordinator)
2) Mitchell Ahao
3) Joe Needle, Head custodian
4) David King (athletic director)

D. COMMUNICATING IPM WITHIN THE FACILITY

Pest Management Personnel to Building Staff:


The Pest Management Professional communicates with the IPM coordinator of the facility. The IPM coordinator then posts this information in a common viewing area dedicated to the subject of integrated pest management. In addition, the IPM coordinator also communicates information to the staff supervisors who then distribute the information to all the staff and occupants concerned.

Staff/Students communicate with their supervisors who then pass information onto the IPM coordinator.

E. EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF FACILITY OCCUPANTS & STAFF

The instruction would include how to log pest complaints and a brief overview on outside pest identification. This information would focus on ways of eliminating standing water and other housekeeping measures that attract pests.

F. OUTDOOR MONITORING

The IPM plan will follow a Annually evaluation schedule. When pests are present, Athol High School has chosen an OUTDOOR monitoring schedule that consists of Weekly inspections. When pests are absent the OUTDOOR monitoring schedule will consist of Quarterly inspections.

The following technique will be used to monitor for pests: Any reports of insects or pests would first be directed to Mr.Needle or Mr. Ahao and then directed to the IPM coordinator

G. COURSE OF ACTION TAKEN FOR OUTDOOR PESTS

Outdoor property includes the turf, landscaping, and the outdoor grounds such as building exterior, playground equipment, etc..  Athol High School has prepared maps of the outdoor facility and identified the following priority areas for maintenance:

Turf
The athletic fields. Football, baseball, and softball field areas.



The following pests have historically and/or currently been a problem at Athol High School:



TURF PESTS		LANDSCAPING AND PLANT PESTS		OUTDOOR GROUNDS PESTS
Insects/pests under the soil or root zone     Grubs (Japanese Beetles, European Chafer, Asiatic Garden Beetles, Oriental Beetles, and other) Surface and/or thatch pests     Chinch Bug Weeds     Crabgrass     Dandelions, plaintains, ground ivy, cinquefoil Other     We have the broad leaf issue on the football field under control... and will monitor it's growth




TURF MANAGEMENT PLAN

The following areas are priority areas for maintenance: The athletic fields. Football, baseball, and softball field areas.

Cultural Practices

Mowing:
Mowing is done as needed. The height is 2 1/2" - 3" Blade Maintenance is outsourced to a vendor to sharpen blades and sets are sharpened appx. every 50 hours. Clippings are only removed if grass is long and in the spring and fall.

Aeration:
Spring time on the athletic fields. This year the plan is to also do some aerating in the fall.

Water Management:
Watering is only done in dry weather conditions and preformed in the early morning hours. Timer is set during dry conditions for the irrigation system appx. 4 hours at a time. The field is planted in drought tolerant species of grass and the soil has been recovered on areas of the football field and seeded to encourage growth of these species.

Fertilization:
Fertilizer is only applied based on the results of soil testing. The rate and calibration of the application is determined by consultants from Prescription Turf, the licensed contractor company for the district..

Equipment Maintenance:
Equipment is washed, greased, and maintained by the maintenance dept. at the High School.



Turfgrass diseases


Describe the monitoring technique you used for the pests above.


Provide information on how you diagnosed the pests above.


Provide details on the non-chemical control measures have you taken to manage the pests above.


Describe any alternative management or biological strategies being used or planned to be used, if any.


If you use fungicides, describe your rationale for using them for the pests above.


Insects/pests under the soil or root zone
Grubs (Japanese Beetles, European Chafer, Asiatic Garden Beetles, Oriental Beetles, and other)


Surface and/or thatch pests
Chinch Bug


Describe the monitoring technique you used for the pests above.
Prescription Turf is contracted to monitor the fields for these types of pests.

Provide information on how you identified the species of pests above.
This task is performed by Prescription Turf.

Provide details on the non-chemical control measures have you taken to manage the pests above.
Eliminate by manually pulling the weeds that infect the fields from the surrounding areas.

Describe any alternative management or biological strategies being used or planned to be used, if any.
The only other management strategies being used is control of the offending pests around the field area.

If you use insecticides, describe your rationale for using them for the pests above.
Without the use of the insecticides, Common crows and skunks frequent the area to forage on the grubs.

Pesticide Product Name	Active Ingredient	EPA Registration Number	Target Pest	Rationale for use
Fertilizer plus 0.2 merit	imidacloprid	432-1349-82757	grub management	maintain field
Merit 2F	imidacloprid	432-1312	white grub management	maintain field




• Insecticides are only applied by a certified and/or licensed applicator. 
• Insecticides are used only when monitoring has shown that insects are present. 
• Insecticides that are applied preventatively are used only in areas where insects occurred and were documented the previous year and can be expected to occur in current season. 
• Insecticide Use is documented in the STANDARD WRITTEN NOTIFICATION FORM. 

  Weeds
  Crabgrass
  Dandelions, plaintains, ground ivy, cinquefoil
  

  Describe the monitoring technique you used for the pests above.
  Prescription Turf is contracted to monitor these pests.

  Provide information on how you identified the species of pests above.
  They are identified by the contractor.

  Provide details on the non-chemical control measures have you taken to manage the pests above.
  by Managing the surrounding areas.

  Describe any alternative management or biological strategies being used or planned to be used, if any.
  none at this time.

  If you use herbicides, describe your rationale for using them for the pests above.
  To keep the athletic fields weed free and the playing surface properly groomed.

  Pesticide Product Name	Active Ingredient	EPA Registration Number	Target Pest	Rationale for use
  Trupower 3	2,4-D,mecaprop,Dicamba	228-551	Brodleaf weeds	maintain fields
  Quincept	Quinclorac,2,4-D, Dicamba	228-531	Crabgrass/ brodleaf	Maintain Fields
  Razor Pro	glyphosate	228-366	crabgrass, weeds	maintain playing surface

  
  

• Herbicides are only applied by a certified and/or licensed applicator. 
• Herbicides are applied as a spot treatment when appropriate. 
• Herbicides that are applied preventatively are used only in areas where weeds occurred and were documented the previous year and can be expected to occur in current season. 
• Herbicide Use is documented in the STANDARD WRITTEN NOTIFICATION FORM. 

H. RECORD KEEPING

In the case of Athol High School, OUTDOOR monitoring records will be maintained through: The use of forms which will be filled out by the person monitoring the facility

I. EVALUATING THE PROGRAM

The IPM plan will be evaluated on a Annually basis.

J. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS & EXEMPTIONS

During the creation of this IPM plan, Mitchell Ahao has assigned committee memberRobert Rouleau with the responsibility of assembling and issuing all the documents that accompany the standard written notification whenever pesticides are applied outdoors.

K. IN THE EVENT OF A HEALTH EMERGENCY

During the creation of this IPM plan, Mitchell Ahao has assigned committee memberRobert Rouleau with the responsibility of applying for an emergency waiver.

L. LIST OF PESTICIDES TO BE USED OUTSIDE THE FACILITY

The following list includes all the pesticides that will be used outside Athol High School. This list includes all herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides that will be used in the event that chemical is required.



Pesticide Product Name	Active Ingredient	EPA Registration Number	Target Pest	Rationale for use
Merit 2F	imidacloprid	432-1312	white grub management	maintain field
Fertilizer plus 0.2 merit	imidacloprid	432-1349-82757	grub management	maintain field
Trupower 3	2,4-D,mecaprop,Dicamba	228-551	Brodleaf weeds	maintain fields
Quincept	Quinclorac,2,4-D, Dicamba	228-531	Crabgrass/ brodleaf	Maintain Fields
Razor Pro	glyphosate	228-366	crabgrass, weeds	maintain playing surface

M. WELL WATER SYSTEM

The school does not have its own on site well water system.

I attest, to the best of my knowledge, that the above information is complete, accurate and true

________________________________________________	__/______/___
IPM Coordinator Signature	Date
________________________________________________	__/______/___
Administrator, Director, or Principal	Date

Outdoor IPM Plan originally submitted on: 1/28/2005 3:26:00 PM
Plan updated by Robert Rouleau on: 5/1/2017 6:10:00 AM