STS Highlights: April 2025
Spring is in full swing! While this season usually means cleaning and allergy meds for me, I’m taking a different approach—focusing on growth, safety, and professional development.
This edition covers key topics like school bus security inspections, the demand for skilled truck drivers, and school bus safety laws. Plus, we honor the unsung heroes of public safety during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW).
Whether you’re expanding your expertise with the NAPT Professional Development Series or exploring new career opportunities, there’s always something to learn. As always, we’re here to support your growth—let’s dive in!
Stay informed,
Patrick
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Advance Your Career with Resources from NAPT
The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Professional Development Series empowers transportation professionals to sharpen their skills, explore new career opportunities, and deepen their expertise in the pupil transportation industry.
Explore Certification
NAPT Career Center
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Enhance Inspections with a Security Focus
Daily school bus safety inspections are an industry standard. Drivers are familiar with inspections commonly focused on mechanical components that help maintain safe vehicle operation. For a more robust daily inspection, consider adding items with a security focus.
Download Our FREE Supplemental Checklist
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Drive a Larger Truck!
Trucks transport nearly 70% of all freight in the U.S., fueling a growing demand for skilled, professional drivers. With abundant career opportunities on the rise, comprehensive training is more critical than ever. Our Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) theory curriculum is available and ready—get started today!
B to A Upgrade Training
ELDT Theory Training Options
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It’s National Telecommunicator Week
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) is a time to honor and express our heartfelt gratitude to the 911 dispatchers and emergency communicators who work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring help arrives when it’s needed most. Let’s take a moment to celebrate these unsung heroes and thank them for their unwavering dedication and service!
Our Telecommunicator Training
Our Emergency Dispatch Software
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Can I Pass a Stopped School Bus?
Every year, the number of motorists illegally passing school buses increases, indicating that many drivers are either unaware of or choosing to ignore school bus laws. To help inform, we’ve created a free resource that compiles school bus stopping laws from every state.
See School Bus Passing Laws
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Slow the Spread of Illness
“Respiratory Virus Season” typically runs from October to May, with respiratory viruses causing millions of illnesses and leading to thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year in the United States. Continue to:
- Wash Your Hands Often
- Avoid Close Contact
- Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes
- Wear a Mask in Crowded Places
- Clean and Disinfect Surfaces
- Stay Home if You’re Sick
- Get Vaccinated
Preventing Respiratory Viruses
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OAPT Conference – Meet the Keynote
Debreon Davis is a dedicated educator, leader, and mentor, recognized nationally with the Milken Educator Award in 2017 for inspiring high school students to reach their potential. In 2019, she also received Oklahoma’s President’s Award for her continued impact on education.
Explore the OAPT Conference
One Simple Trick for Making Hard Decisions
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Just for Fun: Spring Clean like a Pro
Clutter has a sneaky way of piling up. One moment, your coat closet is just right, and the next, it’s overflowing with sports gear, pet supplies, broken appliances, and way too many jackets. Take the time to clear out what’s crowding your space—and your mind.
Read the Article via Real Simple
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Posted in
Blog on March 27th, 2025.
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Approved Provider with Completions Reported to TPR
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations streamline the requirements necessary to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and common endorsements. Any driver currently holding a valid CDL can obtain a School Bus (S) endorsement upon successful completion of THEORY training, behind-the-wheel training, and a S (endorsement) skills test. This Smart Horizons curriculum track satisfies the THEORY training requirement.
This endorsement also requires a driver to be at least 21 years of age, pass a medical exam, be fingerprinted, and pass a TSA background check for any prior criminal convictions.
Smart Horizons is an approved Training Provider for THEORY curriculum. The various Smart Horizons ELDT curriculum tracks align with federal requirements, and course completions are reported to the Training Provider Registry.
If you would like more information or if we can help in any way, please reach out.
Online curriculum tracks and individual lessons are also available without TPR reporting.
School Bus Theory Training
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Other ELDT Training
Posted in
Blog on September 19th, 2024.
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Approved Provider with Completions Reported to TPR
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations streamline the requirements necessary to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and common endorsements Any driver currently holding a valid CDL can obtain a Passenger (P) endorsement upon successful completion of THEORY training, behind-the-wheel training, and a P (endorsement) skills test. This Smart Horizons curriculum track satisfies the THEORY training requirement.
This endorsement also requires a driver to be at least 21 years of age, pass a medical exam, be fingerprinted, and pass a TSA background check for any prior criminal convictions.
Smart Horizons is an approved Training Provider for THEORY curriculum. The various Smart Horizons ELDT curriculum tracks align with federal requirements and course completions are reported to the Training Provider Registry.
If you would like more information or if we can help in any way, please reach out.
Passenger Theory Training
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Other ELDT Training
Posted in
Blog on August 29th, 2024.
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NAPT Benefits of Membership
If you are involved in the pupil transportation industry, you should be a member of NAPT. The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) is the world’s top organization for public and private student transportation service providers, companies that provide valuable products and services to support safe school transportation, and the front-line school transportation departments that work so hard to safely transport children.
The association offers various membership types including individual, group, business partner, and state affiliate. As a member, you are lending your voice to NAPT’s public message. NAPT continues forging strong relationships with Federal governing bodies, policy makers, and partners in the education community. You are also fueling the association’s work to educate parents, school officials, and lawmakers about the essential role the yellow school bus plays in the safety, health, security, and readiness of America’s schoolchildren.
NAPT empowers and supports the pupil transportation profession by providing communication, leadership, education, advocacy, and resources. Consider joining NAPT, strengthening your career and the industry, and helping create a world where every student has access to safe and efficient transportation.
Stay safe
Patrick
Danger Zones
Training Catalog
Resources
Posted in
Blog on August 20th, 2024.
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Heed the School Bus Danger Zones
In addition to the online training we offer, School Training Solutions maintains a library of free resources. Our hope is that our customers, partners, and friends use these items in their facilities as safety reminders or training aids.
This featured flyer about the common danger zones surrounding a school bus is ALWAYS a necessity. School Training Solutions (STS) is proud to be a resource for school transportation departments and school bus drivers across the country.
Stay safe
Patrick
Danger Zones
Training Catalog
Resources
Posted in
Blog on August 1st, 2024.
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Approved Provider with Completions Reported to TPR
Our HAZMAT curriculum is our most popular ELDT training package. Any driver currently holding a valid CDL can obtain a Hazardous Materials (H) endorsement upon successful completion of THEORY training and an H (endorsement) knowledge test. This Smart Horizons curriculum track satisfies the THEORY training requirement.
This endorsement requires a driver to be at least 21 years of age, pass a medical background test, pass a TSA background test, and be fingerprinted for any prior criminal conviction.
Smart Horizons is an approved Training Provider for THEORY curriculum. The various Smart Horizons ELDT curriculum tracks align with federal requirements and course completions are reported to the Training Provider Registry.
If you would like more information or if we can help in any way, please reach out.
Hazmat Theory Training
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Other ELDT Training
Posted in
Blog on July 30th, 2024.
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