A few weeks after the STN EXPO this summer, the 3rd Safe Routes to School National Conference will be held in Minneapolis, and the organizers are seeking workshop proposals.
The call for presentations asks the following questions: “What lessons have you learned?” and “How can your experiences enlighten others and advance the work of this important cause?” This industry could also ask the question, “How can Safe Routes to School and transportation become better partners?” That’s apropos as the conference is titled “Building Connections: Schools + Streets + Communities.”
The folks at SRTS say it doesn’t matter if a program is well established or just getting started, whether you are a youth or an adult. It’s all about having something valuable to share. And I think it’s fair to say the pupil transportation community has plenty to share as child safety advocates, especially when there has been a effort started by NASDPTS two years ago to make student walks to and from bus stops eligible for 10 percent of the infrastructure funds available to the federal SRTS program.
The STN EXPO held in Reno, Nev., July 23 through 27, hopes to answer similar questions, especially on recommendations and best practices when collaborating with SRTS representatives in the superintendent’s office, the transportation department or in public safety.
The SRTS conference is scheduled for Aug. 16 through 18 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Wouldn’t it be great for pupil transporters to have a voice at event?
