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

Consider Revising Your Pre-Trip Checklist

To say there are differences in technology within a school bus from 1977 compared to a school bus from this year is an understatement. While the exteriors among modern school buses are similar to the causal observer, under-the-hood, powertrain, and fuel source can be very different. It is entirely possible that within your current fleet, you may have gas, diesel, propane, compressed natural gas, or electric powered vehicles.

When was the last time you revised your Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist?

We’ve put together a free resource that incorporates additional checklist items that have developed as technology has improved.

Download Checklist

Online Training

STS Highlights: August 2023

This is going to sound really familiar but, as I write this, it’s STILL dangerously hot outside in a vast majority of the country. For that reason, I am keeping the information about heat-related illnesses in the August Newsletter.

We are quickly approaching the end of Summer Break and the beginning of the new school year. While children may not be outside playing during the day, they are still catching school buses in the morning and walking home in the afternoons. Remember to be aware of your surroundings while driving and safely share the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, school buses, and other automobiles. Enjoy and use this month’s resources.

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

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)

This annual observance highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. Talk to your healthcare provider to ensure you and your family are protected against serious diseases by getting caught up on routine vaccinations.

Learn More

Recognize Signs of Heat-Related Illness

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Heat-related illnesses are preventable. Learn the symptoms and what to do if there are signs.

Heat-Related Illness

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

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

Just for Fun: 25 Best Places to Visit in August

August is one of the best times of the year to go on a fun vacation. It’s still summer, so many businesses are open and tons of attractions are waiting for visitors.

Read Blog

Online Professional Development Options

Smart Horizons is focused on helping employers and employees across the U.S. access necessary training. We offer a full and ready catalog of relevant online courses.

Learn More

NAPT Certification

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

NAPT Certification

Security Officer Training

The role of a security force may be expanding in your organization. We offer an online course designed to be the first training initiative for professional security officers.

Security Officer Training

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

STS Highlights: July 2023

It’s summer and it’s sweltering. Heat and humidity can wreak havoc on our bodies so stay hydrated and know the signs of heat related illness. It’s also the time of year that most children are NOT IN SCHOOL.

Remember to be aware of your surroundings while driving and safely share the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, school buses, and other automobiles. Enjoy and use this month’s resources. Make the best of your Summer!

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

Recognize Signs of Heat-Related Illness

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Heat-related illnesses are preventable. Learn the symptoms and what to do if there are signs.

Heat-Related Illness

Create a Career Ladder for Employees

Online courses provide a trackable, reportable curriculum that enhances skills. Once a curriculum is completed, an employee is eligible for a pay raise. It’s that simple.

Get Started

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

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

Just for Fun: Father & Son 3D Print Lamborghini

Summer is usually a time for projects. This father and son took their project to the next level by 3D printing a Lamborghini. Technology has come a long way.

Read Article

NAPT Certification

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

NAPT Certification

Assessing Emergency Preparedness

School bus drivers can never have enough preparation because the more training, practice, knowledge, and insight, the better. Preparedness is a journey, not a destination.

Read Article

Employee Readiness Training

Our employee readiness training includes topics that assist employees in gaining and maintaining general skills, knowledge, and attributes regardless of job or position.

See Options

10 Things You’ve Forgotten Since Driver’s Education Class

Some rules of the road are easy to follow AND some are easy to forget! View our driving infographic for a quick driver’s education refresher.

View Infographic

STS Highlights: June 2023

Schools are released for the summer in my area, and I suspect that you are hitting that same part of the school year. This is always a relief and a welcome break for educators and school bus drivers. It’s also a prime time of year for school bus conferences. Our friends and partners in OK, FL, WY, SESPTC, WV, & IA all have upcoming summer conferences. Each of these conferences are packed with training sessions, hands-on demonstrations, networking opportunities, and an abundant amount of FUN!

Remember to take time for yourself and enjoy the summer!

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.

All the best,
Patrick

Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)

A commercial driver’s license is required in the United States to operate large and heavy vehicles, including trucks, buses, and trailers. ELDT is a federal requirement.

Contact Us

Earn a High School Diploma ONLINE

We believe that everyone is capable of achieving a high school education when they have a program designed to fit their needs. Consider our online option.

Earn a Diploma

Emergency Procedures Best Practices

Recent events may have prompted a reevaluation of Emergency Procedures. Please feel free to utilize this Best Practices Flyer.

Download Resource

Assessing Emergency Preparedness

School bus drivers can never have enough preparation because the more training, practice, knowledge, and insight, the better. Preparedness is a journey, not a destination.

Read Article

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

NAPT Certification

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

NAPT Certification

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

Just for Fun: The Atlas Obscura

Atlas Obscura looks for and publishes the most unusual, extraordinary, strange, secret, surprising, or otherwise amazing places on the planet. It’s a searchable database!

Explore!