Winter Road Trips: Keep the Kids Busy and Your Eyes on the Road

Posted by Patricia M on Dec 20, 2017 10:17:00 AM

When school is out for the winter holidays, it’s time to bundle up and hit the road — and stay safe along the way. When the weather is unpredictable and kids get rowdy, it’s important to plan ahead to make sure they stay happy and occupied while you stay focused. Since safety is our No. 1 priority (and we know it’s yours, too), we thought a few tips would help beyond the obvious “check your windshield wipers and tire pressure” line already on your to-do list.

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Topics: Weather, parents, distracted driving, Child Safety

Don’t Get Stranded in the Cold: How SafeStop helped a Colorado school district navigate winter weather

Posted by Patricia M on Nov 22, 2017 10:03:00 AM

When the weather shifts to colder temperatures this time of year, school administrators and transportation directors must keep an eye on inclement weather and road conditions to keep students safe. Tracking dozens of school buses and thousands of students is difficult on an average day, and bad weather can make it even tougher. When School District 49 in Colorado needed a way to securely track students, keep parents informed and give school officials control, SafeStop had the solution.

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Topics: Bus Tracking App, Colorado, Weather, parents, reporting, school bus tracking, student tracking, phone calls

Getting There and Back: Maximizing Bus Route Efficiency and Safety

Posted by Lloyd Forbes on Feb 23, 2017 12:38:29 PM
Whether you’re a school administrator or transportation director, you should be concerned about your school’s bus routing system. While choosing the right bus route can save your students time and ensure safe transportation, failure to consider better transportation routes can cause delays and may even be dangerous. 
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Topics: School Buses, Safety, Student Transportation, Weather

Want to Save Money and Keep Kids Safe? Put a GPS Tracking Device on Every School Bus

Posted by Lloyd Forbes on Feb 9, 2017 9:47:22 AM

Throughout the United States, school districts are onboarding a GPS tracking device on every school bus in an effort to keep students safe and save money.

These days, a global positioning system (GPS) is seamlessly integrated into smartphones. While paper maps are nice, it is easier to check your phone for directions, estimated time of arrival, and traffic slowdowns along the way. School districts are beginning to take advantage of this technology for similar reasons.

At the start of this school year, Rutherford County schools in Tennessee equipped all 250 of their school buses with a GPS tracking device. The growing school district buses over 25,000 students each day, and that number is rapidly increasing.

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Topics: Bus Safety, School Buses, Safety, Bus Tracking App, Schools, GPS, Weather

Maintaining Your School Bus Shocks

Posted by Lloyd Forbes on Jan 17, 2017 11:36:19 AM

Preparing your school bus fleet for the winter months can save you time by preventing malfunctions and money in potential repairs. One key area of focus that is sometimes overlooked is maintaining and replacing shock absorbers. Failure to inspect and repair damaged or malfunctioning shocks can lead to more than just an uncomfortable ride — it can cause unsafe driving conditions.

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Topics: Bus Safety, School Buses, Safety, Student Transportation, Weather

Winter is Here… Is Your Bus Fleet Ready?

Posted by Lloyd Forbes on Jan 10, 2017 12:17:31 PM

For kids, winter time means hot chocolate, snowmen and, of course, magical snow days. However, for school administrators, frigid days and inclement weather pose many problems. Whether you are a superintendent, school administrator or transportation director, you need to be prepared for hail and snow. This means making sure parking lots, bus lanes, and walkways are clear and salted.

It also means you need to make sure your bus fleet is ready to handle the next few months of slush and black ice. While school buses are statistically safer than other vehicles on the road, they must be kept in proper working condition and able to overcome anything Mother Nature throws their way.

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Topics: Bus Safety, School Buses, Safety, Weather

School’s Cancelled! Four Fun Things to Keep Kids Busy on Snow Days

Posted by Patricia M on Nov 29, 2016 11:03:00 AM

School’s cancelled! Winter is the season for making the most of a school day even when school is not in session.

Each school district has its own inclement weather policies. You may receive your “school’s cancelled” alert from the school, television, or through an app like SafeStop. When you get the announcement, the best thing to do is relax. It’s time for the children to sleep in, and for you to plan your day.

Read more about planning ahead for school cancellations...

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Topics: Schools, Student Transportation, Weather

Planning Ahead for School Cancellations

Posted by Patricia M on Nov 10, 2016 1:44:00 PM


Let’s be honest, when you were a kid, was there really anything better than finding out school's cancelled? Be it rain, snow, or a water main break, the reason for a school cancellation mattered not — only that you got to stay home. Few things can compare to the bliss children feel when they know there’s no school tomorrow.

Yet as a parent, finding out that school has been canceled can really mess with your day. Suddenly, you have to find a babysitter for your son or daughter. And if you rely on your school’s hot lunch program, you need to make sure your child has a nutritious meal for the day.

While you can’t stop Mother Nature, you can have up-to-date information about school cancellations so you have time to plan ahead.

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Topics: Schools, Weather