STS Highlights: October 2026
STS Highlights: October 2026
Cooler mornings, shorter days, Halloween around the corner, and somehow the end of the year is already coming into view. October is one of those months when familiar routines meet a season full of change. It’s a good time to stay focused on safety, look ahead to what’s next, and recognize the people whose work makes a difference every day.
In this month’s Highlights, we’re sharing a timely Halloween safety reminder, resources for keeping school bus drivers focused as the school year settles in, and ideas for strengthening your driver pipeline for 2027. We’re also taking a moment to recognize the people behind stronger communities.
When you’re ready for a break from work, this month’s interesting story introduces a tiny organism that can survive temperatures in excess of 158°F. Apparently, some things really can take the heat, while I’m absolutely ready for autumn.
For a safe and successful October,
Patrick
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Halloween Safety: Be Seen. Be Safe.Halloween means more children near roadways, often after dark. Drivers should slow down, eliminate distractions, and watch carefully for trick-or-treaters, especially around intersections and parked vehicles. Families can help by choosing visible costumes, using reflective materials or lights, and reminding children to use sidewalks and look both ways before crossing. School Training Solutions wishes everyone a safe and happy Halloween!
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Keeping Focus Strong on Every RouteBy October, familiar routes can feel routine, but changing daylight, weather, and student behavior can introduce new challenges. Smart Horizons offers 15.5 hours of online School Bus Driver In-Service Training across 11 essential topics, helping drivers reinforce safe driving, student management, route awareness, and other critical skills. |
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Join the Relaunched OKAPT CARE NetworkOKAPT is rebuilding the directory to ensure participant information is current and accurate. Participation is voluntary and helps build a stronger, better-connected transportation community across Oklahoma. Building on Oklahoma’s long tradition of transportation departments helping one another, the CARE Network provides a centralized directory of organizations willing to share assistance, resources, expertise, and support during unforeseen challenges. |
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Build a Stronger Driver Pipeline for 2027Planning for 2027? Make ELDT theory a clear next step in your driver onboarding process. As an FMCSA-approved Training Provider, Smart Horizons provides flexible online ELDT theory training, tracks completion, and reports completed training to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. |
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School Bus Safety: Help Stop Illegal PassingMotorists who illegally pass stopped school buses place students at serious risk while they are boarding or leaving the bus. As students return to school, increased traffic makes it especially important for drivers to remain alert and recognize school bus warning signals. Because stopping requirements vary by state and roadway, every motorist should understand the laws where they drive. Help raise awareness and protect students by sharing our free state-by-state guide to school bus stopping laws. |
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Interesting: Tenacious hot springs amoeba sets heat-tolerance recordIn a Lassen Volcanic National Park hot spring, scientists have discovered a microbe that can survive in extreme temperatures. The discovery identifies one of the toughest organisms found on Earth. |
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The People Behind Stronger CommunitiesEvery day, communities rely on early childhood educators, transportation professionals, and public safety personnel to help people learn, travel, and stay safe. Smart Horizons provides practical online training and professional development to support the people communities count on. |
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