STS Highlights: December 2023

Can you believe we’re weeks away from Christmas?! We’re into cold weather and seeing increases in Flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). I also mentioned last month that the holiday season and associated stress can contribute to mental and physical fatigue. The decreased amount of daylight on any given winter day can add to the discomfort some people experience with seasonal affective depression (SAD). There is a lot to consider, healthwise, this time of year. Lessons from the pandemic are still relevant meaning simple precautions like handwashing, social distancing, and masks when appropriate can help most people stay healthy.

Be safe during the upcoming heavy travel season. The winter holiday season can be very busy and exciting, but PLEASE remember to be aware of your surroundings while driving and safely share the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, school buses, and other automobiles.

The goal with these monthly resources is always to convey a few public service announcements (PSAs) and to help elevate your career, department, or organization. As always, we take pride in helping you meet your training requirements and goals.

Have a Happy Holiday Season & New Year’s Celebration!

Patrick

COVID-19 At-Home Tests

Beginning November 20, every U.S. household can place another order to receive 4 free rapid tests delivered directly to their home.

Learn More

Online Option for Annual School Bus Driver In-Service

School Training Solutions is proud to offer an affordable and effective online option for annual school bus driver in-service training.

Immediate Enrollment

Flu Season = Flu Shot

The exact timing and duration of flu season varies, but flu activity often begins to increase in October and peaks between December and February. Get vaccinated!

23-24 Flu Season

Prevent Seasonal Flu

Disinfect During Flu Season

Like it or not, it is Flu Season. Periodically disinfecting a school bus can help stop the spread of ANY contagion. This infographic details best practices.

Download Best Practices

Focus on Mental Health during the Holidays

It is important to check-in with your own emotional health during the holidays. Research shows that learning new skills can improve your mental health and wellbeing.

Our Online Course Library

Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) – Theory Curriculum

Smart Horizons offers an online ELDT curriculum that aligns with federal requirements, is reported to the National Registry, and is available for enrollment!

See ELDT Theory Options

Just for Fun: 10 Mysterious Incidents at the Bermuda Triangle

Most shipwrecks can usually be blamed on weather, currents, or mechanical failures. For others, the Bermuda Triangle could be the culprit.

Read Article

Training to Fight Human Trafficking from Busing on the Lookout (BOTL)

As you travel during the holiday, remember to watch for and report signs of human trafficking. This FREE training and certification should be completed by everyone.

Fight Against Human Trafficking

IF Being Pulled Over…

If you are stopped by a law enforcement officer, there are specific best practices that keep the interaction relatively quick and help everyone involved stay safe.

Read Tips

NAPT Certification

Become certified and proudly use your designation to advance your career AND show your commitment to the pupil transportation profession.

NAPT Certification

STS Highlights: November 2023

The Thanksgiving holiday marks the beginning of a season for family gatherings and celebrations. It’s also Flu season and research suggests seasonal spikes for COVID as well. While the holidays generally bring joy and celebration, many people experience increased illness, stress, anxiety, isolation, or depression. It is important to consistently check-in with your own physical and emotional health.

Health and safety PSA aside, I’ve included resources aimed at keeping yourself, your family, and your community safe and healthy. I’ve also incorporated resources useful in your bus garage during these colder months.

The goal with these monthly resources is always to help elevate your career, department, or organization. As always, we take pride in helping you meet your training requirements and goals.

Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving,
Patrick

Flu Season = Flu Shot

Take measures to stay cool and stay hydrated, especially during a heat wave. Getting too hot can make you sick. You can become ill if your body doesn’t cool off.

23-24 Flu Season

Prevent Seasonal Flu

Disinfect During Flu Season

Like it or not, it is Flu Season. Periodically disinfecting a school bus can help stop the spread of ANY contagion. This infographic details best practices.

Download Best Practices

NAPT Certification

Become certified and proudly use your designation to show your commitment to your career and the pupil transportation profession.

NAPT Certification

COVID-19 At-Home Tests

Beginning September 25, every U.S. household can place another order to receive 4 free rapid tests delivered directly to their home.

Learn More

Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) – Theory Curriculum

Smart Horizons offers an online ELDT curriculum that aligns with federal requirements, is reported to the National Registry, and is available for enrollment!

See ELDT Theory Options

Focus on Mental Health during the Holidays

It is important to check-in with your own emotional health during the holidays. Research shows that learning new skills can improve your mental health and wellbeing.

Our Online Course Library

Just for Fun: The Best, Worst, and Wildest Pumpkin Spice Products

Starbucks’ legendary pumpkin spice latte started it all, and now it is normal to see “the spice” everywhere. This list presents the best, worst, and wildest products.

Read Article

Online Option for Annual School Bus Driver In-Service

School Training Solutions is proud to offer an affordable and effective online option for annual school bus driver in-service training.

Immediate Enrollment

STS Highlights: October 2023

My local heat wave is finished, and I sincerely hope your weather is cooling as well. It was a brutal summer. As we transition into the Autumn season, a lot of focus can change which is why I’ve selected resources that should align with this time of year. Look for information about National Bullying Prevention Month, ELDT theory training, flu season, the upcoming NAPT Conference & Trade Show, Halloween, and a few other tid-bits.

I’m also personally excited to attend and to see everyone at this year’s NAPT Conference!

The goal with these monthly resources is always to help elevate your career, department, or organization. As always, we take pride in helping you meet your training requirements and goals.

Enjoy,
Patrick

Flu Season = Flu Shot

Take measures to stay cool and stay hydrated, especially during a heat wave. Getting too hot can make you sick. You can become ill if your body doesn’t cool off.

23-24 Flu Season

Prevent Seasonal Flu

NAPT Conference & Trade Show

The conference offers Professional Development Series (PDS) opportunities, dynamic and interactive sessions, fun evening events, and the unequaled Trade Show.

Register

October is Bullying Prevention Month

When adults respond quickly and consistently to bullying behavior, they send the message that it is not acceptable. This intervention can stop bullying behavior over time.

Prevent Bullying Today

Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) – Theory Curriculum

Smart Horizons offers an online ELDT curriculum that aligns with federal requirements, is reported to the National Registry, and is available for enrollment!

See ELDT Theory Options

A Lighted LEFT Arrow

Lighted left arrows are advanced traffic signals that are being integrated in place of older solid traffic lights to improve traffic flow and clarify turn options.

Learn More

Necessary Halloween Safety

Halloween is a dangerous day for children and families. To help ensure a safe holiday, the American Academy of Pediatrics has compiled a list of safety tips.

See Safety Tips

Just for Fun: An Ode to the World’s Most Average Dinosaurs

They lacked the gargantuan size and spikes of the species museums often celebrate, but these species are how paleontologists learn about the Mesozoic.

Read Article

Disinfect During Flu Season

Like it or not, it is Flu Season. Periodically disinfecting a school bus can help stop the spread of ANY contagion. This infographic details best practices.

Download Best Practices

NAPT Certification

Become certified and proudly use your designation to show your commitment to your career and the pupil transportation profession.

NAPT Certification

COVID-19 At-Home Tests

Beginning September 25, every U.S. household can place another order to receive 4 free rapid tests delivered directly to their home.

Learn More

Online ELDT Theory Training Available for Immediate Enrollment

As you know, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required in the United States to operate large and heavy vehicles, including trucks, buses, and trailers. Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required for drivers seeking a CDL or additional endorsements. Federal regulations set the minimum requirements for training before driver’s are permitted to take certain CDL skills or knowledge tests.

Smart Horizons, an approved Training Provider for THEORY curriculum, offers online ELDT curriculum tracks that align with federal requirements. Course completions are reported to the Training Provider Registry and the training is available for immediate enrollment!

Enrollment Options

STS Highlights: September 2023

Repeated Warning: If you are outside in hot and/or humid weather, stay hydrated, take breaks, and allow yourself time and opportunity to cool off. Heat related illnesses are very dangerous. Warning aside, I truly hope you are getting some sort of break from the recent, lasting hot weather. September is typically our marker for autumn and cooler weather, and cooler temperatures cannot get here soon enough.

Schools are back in session. A lot of our customers are training new employees and finishing up annual training requirements for their returning workers. I’ve included a rich variety of resources this month, including information about Bullying Prevention, Pre-Trip Inspections, Cleaning and Disinfecting, and more.

I’m also personally excited to attend and to see everyone at this year’s NAPT Conference!

The goal with these monthly resources is always to help elevate your career, department, or organization. As always, we take pride in helping you meet your training requirements and goals.

Thank you for your time,
Patrick

Tips to Stay Cool in Hot Weather

Take measures to stay cool and stay hydrated, especially during a heat wave. Getting too hot can make you sick. You can become ill if your body doesn’t cool off.

CDC’s Tips

Benefits of Disinfecting a School Bus

A few good things came out of the pandemic like disinfecting a school bus to help stop the spread of ANY contagion. This infographic details best practices.

Download Best Practices

NAPT Conference & Trade Show

The conference offers Professional Development Series (PDS) opportunities, dynamic and interactive sessions, fun evening events, and the unequaled Trade Show.

Register

Support for a Telecommuting Workforce

Companies are embracing the remote, telecommuting, and hybrid employment models in 2023. Support your workforce with online training!

View Online Options

A Revised Look at the Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist

Your current fleet may have gas, diesel, propane, CNG, or electric powered vehicles. When was the last time you revised your Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist?

See the Checklist

NAPT Certification

Become certified and proudly use your designation to show your commitment to your career and the pupil transportation profession.

NAPT Certification

October is Bullying Prevention Month, BUT why wait?

When adults respond quickly and consistently to bullying behavior, they send the message that it is not acceptable. This intervention can stop bullying behavior over time.

Prevent Bullying Today

Just for Fun: Marine Scientists Discover a Terrifying New Sea Creature

Research published in the journal Invertebrate Systematics confirms the species’ discovery. It looks terrifyingly like a face hugger from the movie: Alien.

Read Article

Annual In-Service for School Bus Drivers

In most cases, school bus drivers are required to complete training each year to maintain their license. Online training is an affordable option to maintain compliance.

Enroll Drivers

Child Care Provider Certifications

We provide training for a variety of industries. Child Care Providers can become certified and are required to renew that certification every 3 years. We can help!

Learn More