Our Facilities

In accordance with the EPA’s Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1987 (40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E of the Code of Federal Regulations), School Districts are required to give annual notification stating that the Asbestos Management Plan for each Building is available for public review. This rule requires local education agencies (LEAs) to identify friable and non-friable asbestos-containing material (ACM) in public and private elementary and secondary schools by visually inspecting school buildings for such materials, sampling such materials if they are not assumed to be ACM, and having samples analyzed by appropriate techniques referred to in this rule. In keeping with this legislation, the School District was inspected by EPA accredited inspectors and a comprehensive management plan was developed for handling asbestos containing building material in a safe and responsible manner. Six-month periodic asbestos surveillances as well as 3 Year Re-Inspections are performed in accordance with AHERA. A copy of the asbestos management plan is currently kept in the Facilities/Operations and Maintenance Department. These records are available for review during the normal school business hours. (June 2021)

Drinking water outlets in the Great Valley School District were tested for Lead in Drinking Water on June 9, 2021. “First Draw” samples were collected from various outlets in accordance with EPA protocol listed in the 3T’s for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools, revised October 2018. Analysis was performed by EMSL, an EPA accredited laboratory. Results are based on PDE and EPA recommended action level which is 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead in schools based on a 250 ml sample. All results are Non-Detect which is under the PA Act 39, PDE and EPA action limit of 15 ppb.

The Great Valley School District uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for managing insects, rodents, and weeds. Our goal is to protect every student from pesticide exposure by using an IPM approach to pest management. Our IPM approach focuses on making the school buildings and grounds an unfavorable habitat for these pests by removing food and water sources and eliminating their hiding and breeding places. We accomplish this through routine clearing and maintenance. We routinely monitor the school buildings and grounds to detect any pests that are present. The pest monitoring team consists of our building maintenance, office, and teaching staff and includes our students. Pest sightings are reported to our IPM coordinator who evaluates the “pest problem” and determines the appropriate pest management techniques to address the problem. The techniques can include increased sanitation, modifying storage practices, sealing entry points, physically moving the pests, etc. From time to time, it may be necessary to use chemicals to manage a pest problem. Chemicals will only be used when necessary, and will not be routinely applied. When chemicals are used, the school will try to use the least toxic products when possible. Applications will be made only when unauthorized persons do not have access to the area(s) being treated. Notices will be posted in these areas 72 hours prior to application and for two days following. Parents or guardians of hypersensitive students enrolled in the school and GVSD staff members may request prior personal notification of specific pesticide applications made at the school. To receive notification, you must be placed on the school’s notification registry. If you would like to be placed on this registry, please notify the district in writing. Please include the student’s/staff member’s name and phone number, or email address if you would like to be notified electronically. Each year the district will prepare a new notification registry. If a chemical application must be made to control an emergency pest problem, notice will be provided by telephone to any parent or guardian who has requested such notification in writing. Exemptions to this notification include disinfectants and antimicrobial products; self-containerized baits placed in areas not accessible to students, and gel type baits placed in cracks, crevices, or voids.