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STS Highlights: November 2025

November

STS Highlights: November 2025

Gratitude, Growth, and Safer Roads Ahead

As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re feeling especially grateful for all the transportation professionals who keep their communities safe and moving every day. In this issue, we’re talking about giving thanks with intention, finding the right training plan for your goals, and keeping your NAPT Conference momentum going. You’ll also find flexible options for Passenger Endorsement ELDT training, important safety topics like active shooter response training and emergency procedures, and a few tips to help you plan and save for retirement. And don’t forget to save the date for OKAPT ACTS 2026!

With gratitude,

    Patrick


Bountiful Thanksgiving Table

This Thanksgiving, Give Thanks with Intention

This Thanksgiving season, we invite you to take a moment to slow down, reconnect, and give back in meaningful ways. Here are a few small but powerful ways to make the most of the holiday:

  • Practice Mindful Gratitude: Take a quiet moment to reflect on what went right this year and who helped make it happen.
  • Unplug to Reconnect: Step away from screens and share a meal, a story, or even a walk with the people who matter most.
  • Give Sustainably: Reduce waste by planning portions wisely or donating excess food to a local shelter.

Happy bus driver

Flexible Online Theory Training to Meet Your P Endorsement Requirements

We’re here to help you meet ELDT theory requirements with flexible, online Passenger Endorsement training that fits your schedule and gets you road-ready. With our course, you’ll:

  • Fulfill FMCSA ELDT Passenger Endorsement THEORY requirements
  • Learn essential safety protocols for transporting passengers
  • Complete the required theory curriculum at your own pace

As an approved Training Provider, Smart Horizons offers ELDT courses that align with federal standards, ensuring compliance and seamless reporting to the Training Provider Registry (TPR).

ELDT Compliant Passenger (P) Endorsement Theory Training


Retirement plan

Planning and Savings Make a Big Difference in Retirement

Preparing for retirement, and after, involves two main categories: financial planning and estate planning. A solid plan ensures your long-term financial security and provides clear instructions to your loved ones for a smoother transition after the inevitable. This resource helps start the financial planning process.

The Top Ten Ways to START Planning


Online Education and Training

Keep Your NAPT Momentum Going

The NAPT Conference may have wrapped up for the year, but many participants are continuing their journey toward certification and ongoing professional growth. If you’d like to keep building your skills, earning certification credits, or expanding your knowledge base, explore NAPT’s Online Professional Development Series (PDS).

Take a Look at the Online Courses

Enroll Now


Active shooter training

Active Shooter Response Training

We recognize that this is a difficult but necessary topic. To help schools and staff prepare, we offer Active Shooter Response Training designed to promote awareness, prevention, and readiness. The course includes two independent lessons (2 Hours / .02 CEUs) and is available for immediate enrollment.

This theory training is built to provide staff with clear, practical guidance for protecting themselves and others should the unthinkable occur.

Enroll in Training


OKAPT ACTS

Save the Date: OKAPT ACTS 2026!

Get ready for a milestone year! The OKAPT 50th Annual Conference & Trade Show is coming June 7–11, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma.

Join transportation professionals from across the state for five days of inspiration, hands-on learning, and industry innovation while celebrating the organization’s golden anniversary!

More Details to Follow


Success!

One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Customize Your Training Plan

We offer a custom option that allows districts to choose the exact lessons your team needs. Whether you’re focusing on in-service, professional development, or building career ladders, you can tailor a training plan that aligns with your goals.

Peruse Our Course Catalog

Create a Training Plan


Emergency Procedures Flyer

Emergency Procedures: Best Practices for Safety

Recent events may have prompted you, your department, or your organization to revisit emergency procedures. This Best Practices flyer is available as a quick reference to support planning, training, and response.

Flyer Download Options


Posted in Blog on November 18th, 2025. No Comments.



NAPT: After Conference

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Online Training

NAPT ACTS 25 May Be Over. Your Professional Growth Doesn’t Have to Be!

The NAPT Conference may have wrapped up for the year, but many participants are continuing their journey toward certification and ongoing professional growth.

If you’d like to keep building your skills, earning certification credits, or expanding your knowledge base, explore NAPT’s Online Professional Development Series (PDS).

Each course is self-paced and available 24/7, allowing you to learn anytime and anywhere. Online courses count toward certification, recertification, and general in-service training, helping you stay on track and ahead in your professional journey.

Online Course Options Enroll Now

Keep up the momentum,

Patrick Willi
School Training Solutions
pwilli@schooltrainingsolutions.com
1-800-261-6248  Customer Support

Posted in Blog on November 11th, 2025. No Comments.



What are YOUR Training Needs?


Wants and Needs
What Do You Need?
STS Catalog

From time to time we like to check in to see what type of training topics you really need or absolutely want. The information helps us design training that is a necessity instead of throwing darts at the wall and seeing what sticks.

In the meantime, we have a comprehensive course catalog for which we are proud. In it we focus on training topics required by a wide range of school employees like:

  • Professional Development
  • Security
  • Food Service
  • School Transportation

Additionally, we have access to common soft skills training and extremely specific commercial driving theory curriculum. We are also willing and able to combine lessons into custom training plans that align to your specific needs whether at the state, district, or department level.

If you have a moment, please reach out with your wants and needs or peruse our supplemental materials!

Course Catalog* Soft Skills Contact Us

*Download time may vary based on internet speed.

A flexible training partner,

Patrick Willi
School Training Solutions
pwilli@schooltrainingsolutions.com
1-800-261-6248 Customer Support

Posted in Blog on November 4th, 2025. No Comments.



Demystifying ELDT: What Every CDL Applicant Needs to Know

Semi trucks on the highway
Demystifying ELDT Regulations

Some say obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) has become more complicated because of the new Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements.

We disagree!

License/Endorsement ELDT Verification Occurs Before: Is Theory Training Required? Is Behind-the-Wheel Training Required?
Class A CDL (new or upgrade) CDL skills test Yes Yes – Range and Public Road
Class B CDL CDL skills test Yes Yes – Range and Public Road
Passenger (P) endorsement P skills test Yes Yes – Range or Public Road
School bus (S) endorsement S skills test Yes Yes – Range or Public Road
Hazardous materials (H) endorsement H knowledge test Yes No

FSCMA Training Provider Registry Frequently Asked Questions

All CDL applicants are also subject to an age requirement, a DOT physical, fingerprinting, and a background check to confirm identity, driving history, and training.

Smart Horizons provides online theory training that can be completed on your schedule.

Questions? We’re here to help!

Forward this email to anyone who could benefit from this training.

Smart Horizons is serving Utah via Contract #MA4886 to provide Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) theory. Details are available from the Utah Division of Purchasing and General Services.

ELDT Theory Training Contact Us

Here to support your journey,

Patrick Willi
850-475-4024 Office
800-261-6248 Customer Support
pdwilli@smarthorizons.org

Posted in Blog on October 30th, 2025. No Comments.



Strengthen Your Emergency Preparedness


OAPT Conference
Emergency Procedures: Best Practices

Recent events may have prompted you, your department, or your organization to reevaluate Emergency Procedures. Our friends at School Training Solutions are proud to provide these FREE Emergency Procedures: Best Practices.

Download Infographic Contact

*Download time may vary based on internet speed.

OKAPT continues to be a driving force for pupil transportation safety. We are known for quality conferences, innovative training, and influencing legislative initiatives for transportation safety. As always, if we can assist your transportation department in any way, please reach out.

We’re driving the force forward,
 
OKAPT Training
P.O. Box 1626
Guthrie, OK 73044
405-514-4606

 

Posted in Blog on October 21st, 2025. No Comments.



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