September 2019

As the summer ends and we begin the challenges of the new academic year, I wish to take this opportunity to welcome you back to the 2019/2020 school year. The start of the year is always a special time to renew, retrain, and reinforce the outstanding knowledge and skill our school Transportation Officials, Dispatchers, Schedulers, Mechanics, Bus Attendants, and Management display daily to ensure all students receive safe and efficient transportation services. We are fortunate to welcome our State Board of Directors to this new school year, whose diverse areas of expertise will build upon the remarkable dedication to excellence in leading the California Association of School Transportation Officials to a future of endless possibilities.

As your association leadership, we continue to be dedicated to making investments that strengthen our association, create an environment and culture of safety for every student transported, and ensure every student receives the opportunity to pursue their passion, dreams, and develop to their full potential. We are committed to position our association’s members toward a future of success.

Over the summer months, we were able to regroup our focus in bringing back our association’s newsletter “CASTOways” with a team of editors that are full of passion and innovative ideas providing a platform to highlight what CASTO is all about! A fellowship of professionals that embody the unparalleled safe transportation services given to the most valuable cargo the state of California, our children! This publication will feature current transportation events, new bus technologies, professional development opportunities, highlight our heroes, and so many more subjects that will keep you connected to all that CASTO is and does for our membership and community. I am proud to introduce to you our new CASTOways Editor team, Kristy Fletcher and Ted Saltzstein. As our Inaugural issue, our editors would like to introduce themselves, so let us give them a warm welcome and send them an email thanking them for their service to our membership. If you have a story or maybe a lead or two on some great things happening in your area, they would love to hear from you.

Lastly, the driver and bus aides have a direct link to the student’s safe ride to school and home.

Remember to:

• Check the bus thoroughly to ensure it is properly equipped and safe to drive “Proper Pre-Trip Inspection."

  
  

• Check you Brake System Thoroughly.

  
  

• Ensure the students know the rules, so they know the expectations to ensure their safety.

  
  

• Use the Five Count Mirror Check to ensure it’s safe to move the vehicle from a stopped position, or prior to making a turning movement.

  
  

• Maintain the Proper Following Distance.

  
  

• Maintain the Proper Space Cushion.

  
  

• Check intersections prior to entering to ensure safe crossing.

  
  

• Follow the proper procedure to traverse a railroad grade crossing in compliance with state law and regulation.

  
  

• When loading and unloading students, ensure every student is protected by the flashing red signal system and stop signal arm, at all times when stopped for the purpose of loading and unloading pupils at or below the 12 grade level. Exceptions apply, so make sure you know them all, and if you don’t... Ask the Bus Lady!

These are just a few things to remember, and they are not all inclusive of the numerous procedures that you follow to ensure our students receive safe and efficient transportation. Always consult your training staff when in question of a technique, skill or information need to ensure a successful trip each day. Thank you for all you do to make our pupil transportation system, the safest ride in the world! Welcome Back Transportation Professionals, we missed you!

Sincerely,

Tony Peregrina

CASTO State President

CASTOways Editors Bio 2019.pdf

This document will aid you with answering the question..."Why should I be a CASTO Member?"

Why CASTO.pdf