A sense of normalcy is returning, with COVID-19 vaccines being distributed, schools reopening and masks not required in some districts. Recent headlines at stnonline.com include the safety of pre-K students on the bus as well as school buses being repurposed in unique ways.

Mindfulness coach, author and speaker Holly Duckworth speaks on the importance of grounding yourself amid hectic everyday transportation duties and leads a short mindfulness session.

Over 50% of schools nationwide are open for in-person learning, and vaccine trials hold promise for adolescents. Yet the Biden administration's infrastructure and fleet electrification plans, which include school buses, face challenges in Congress.

Director of Transportation Kris Allen shares how Wasatch County School District near Salt Lake City is flexibly serving students during COVID-19 and recalls highlights of her 33-year career in student transportation ahead of her retirement next year.

Read more at stnonline.com/tag/back-to-school.

Hundreds of transportation directors gathered virtually to network with one another and meet with industry suppliers, in pursuit of crowdsourced solutions to their operational challenges.

Keynote speakers gave research-based tips on thriving in the midst of change, seeking new opportunities via federal stimulus funding, leading teams with trust, and staying mindful to combat stress.

Read more at stnonline.com/tag/management.

New developments spell hope for districts looking to get buses rolling back to in-person classes. School buses are mentioned in the nearly $122 billion COVID-19 federal relief package for school districts, and the CDC guidelines now recommend 3 feet of social distancing for kids.

Meridith Elliott Powell – business growth expert, author & speaker who will be presenting at the STN Transportation Director Summit – teases her talk on thriving in the midst of change brought on by COVID-19.

Read more at stnonline.com/coronavirus.

Kevin Mest, senior vice president and general manager of passenger services at Zonar, talks the future of bus technology and shares strategies for successful implementation in light of newly available COVID-19 stimulus funding.

Casey Foster, director of transportation for Birmingham City Schools in Alabama, discusses COVID-19's impact on his drivers and operations as well as new and innovative uses for technology during the pandemic.

Read more at stnonline.com/technology.

As some school districts are still eyeing a return to in-person classes, staff are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in many states. In others, mask mandates are being repealed but are still required at schools.

Charlie Hood, outgoing executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), recalls industry shifts and opportunities through his 40-year career in student transportation, such as electric buses – which are back in the news.

Read more at stnonline.com/news.

Some of the largest districts in the U.S. have started down the road of electric school buses, with bus manufacturers and suppliers providing support and technology advancements.

Aspen Public Schools in Colorado has noticed operational improvements related to COVID-19 procedures. Director of Transportation Reghan Mahaffey shares how ventilation and cleaning have affected student and staff health.

Read more at stnonline.com/green-bus and stnonline.com/tag/coronavirus.

While a polar vortex and rising gas prices complicate operations, the good news is that school buses are getting federal attention. Stimulus funding looks promising, and both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Education provided specific guidelines for school reopening.

Campbell County School District in Wyoming has unique struggles tied to the local coal industry but has adapted well to operations during COVID-19. Transportation Director Keith Chrans explains more.

Read more at stnonline.com/tag/back-to-school.

Tony & Ryan discuss the Biden administration's school reopening plans, masks and vaccines for students, and the latest federal stimulus funding bill being championed by school bus contractors.

Kelly Shahan, manager of transportation at Red Clay Consolidated Schools in Delaware, shares how technology and teamwork help with securing funding, addressing the driver shortage, and managing operations complicated by COVID-19.

Read more at stnonline.com/tag/coronavirus.

The school bus industry is discussing the Biden administration's mask requirement on school buses as well as its electrification plans, which prove more complicated than at first glance. Join the discussion at STN's Green Bus Summit in April (GreenBusSummit.com).

Director of Transportation Michelle Ramm shares how Mesquite ISD in Texas is handling staff vaccines, COVID-19's impact on operations and ridership, contact tracing, and retrofitting almost 200 buses with lap-shoulder belts. Read more about her district toy drive at stnonline.com/go/8a.