New Playground

Black Butte School was thrilled to have the new playground completed just in time for the 2023/24 school year. The project intially began in Winter 2019. Because the school playground lies partly on United States Forest Service land, the District was required to go through a lengthy permitting process to ensure no damage was done to archaeological resources.

The Parent Teacher Organization has been fundraising for the playground also since 2019 and secured over $40,000 from donors both large and small! The Ford Family Foundation awarded the school an additional $25,000 grant. The remaining funds needed for the project came from the Black Butte School District General Fund.

The fundraising campaign included the option for donors to receive engraved pavers with donations over $1000. While the playground is complete, engraved pavers may still be purchased and installed on the playground walkway. Funds generated from this campaign will go toward the next PTO goals, which include a Washington D.C. trip for upper grade students in 2025. See the link below for more info.

Integrated Pest Management Plan

As of July 2012, all schools in the state were mandated to have an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan. The IPM plan focuses on prevention and monitoring, with alternative eradication methods. The use of pesticides is the last choice and those pesticides allowed in schools are highly regulated. Part of the plan requires annual notification to parents and students as to pest emergency procedures, notification of posting procedures, and a list of potential pesticides to be used.

Notification and Posting:

When prevention or management of pests through other measures proves to be ineffective, the use of a low risk pesticide is permissible. Non-emergency pesticide applications may occur in or around the school at any time; however, preference shall be given to times when students are not in the building. If the labeling of the pesticide product specifies a reentry time, a pesticide may not be applied to an area of school where students will be expected before the expiration of that reentry time. If no reentry time is on product labeling, reentry will be based on the training and judgment of the IPM plan coordinator.

Written notice, via email, of a proposed pesticide application will be given at least 24 hours before application occurs. This notice will contain the name of the pesticide product, the EPA registration number, the expected area of application, the expected date of application and the reason for application.

Warning signs will also be placed around the pesticide application area no later than 24 hours prior to pesticide application and remain in place at least 72 hours after pesticide application. Pesticide product labeling may indicate a longer reentry time. The warning sign shall read, “Warning: Pesticide Treated Area.” The warning sign shall also give the date and time of application, expected reentry time, and provide a telephone number for the IPM plan coordinator.

Pest Emergency Procedures:

The declaration of the existence of a pest emergency is the only time a non low-impact pesticide may be applied. Evacuation and cordoning off the area are the first steps in a pest emergency. Notification is still required. If the pest emergency makes it impractical to give a pesticide application notice no later than 24 hours before the application occurs, the IPM plan coordinator shall send notice no later than 24 hours after that application occurs.

Warning signs shall be placed around the application site as early as possible, but no later than at the time the application occurs.

Notes:

a) All pesticides used will be used in strict accordance with label instructions.

b) All pesticide application shall be administered by a state certified Public Pesticide Applicator.

c) No pesticide product, or active ingredient, shall have the signal words “warning” or “danger” on the label.

d) No pesticide used shall be classified as a human carcinogen or probably human carcinogen under the United States Environmental Protection Agency 1986 Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment.

e) No pesticide used shall be classified as carcinogenic to humans or likely to be carcinogenic to humans under the United States Environmental Protection Agency 2003 Draft Final Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment.

List of Low Impact Pesticides:

Product Name: EPA Registration Number: Type:

Crossbow 62719-260-5905 Herbicide

Raid Wasp/Hornet Spray 4822-553 Insecticide

Terro Liquid Ant Baits 149-8 Insecticide

Other:

The Black Butte School District historically has had few pest problems. Ants, yellow jackets, and mice are the main areas of concern; fortunately, pesticides rarely are needed to effectively control these species. The use of pesticides and herbicides also has been historically low in the district.