The Toronto District School Board has published a bed bug procedure as a standard for all schools, outdoor education, child care and administrative facilities.
The policy provides for mandatory notification of “signs of bed bugs in any teaching area or work site” to the principal or site manager, whereupon:
(b) If signs of bed bugs are confirmed, the principal or site manager shall promptly notify:
(i) Head caretaker/family team leader
(ii) Manager, Occupational Health and Safety
(iii) Superintendent of education
(iv) Toronto Public Health
(v) Organizations leasing space in the school
Source: Toronto District School Board Operational Procedure PR599 (PDF)
Treatment would then trigger additional notifications to parents, staff and organizations that lease space on the site.
Additional documents:
Form 599A: Signs of Bed Bugs Reported (Notification Letter)
Form 599B: Students Sent Home from Outdoor Education Site (Notification Letter)
Form 599C: Signs of Bed Bugs; Continued/Resumed Use of Facility (Notification Letter)
Toronto Public Health Bed Bug Fact Sheet
The New York City schools bed bug kit (PDF) for comparison.
Thinking through procedures and notification policies as bed bugs prove themselves to be extremely challenging in schools is absolutely necessary. Schools are in a very difficult position because the root of the problem is elsewhere, in the homes of children and staff who are affected. However, schools are also uniquely positioned to disseminate good bed bug information and, well beyond that, to actually educate their communities, especially those who do not have access to professional pest control services, about mitigation strategies.
I wonder for how long actual eradication will continue to be beyond our reach.
These pages may be of related interest:
