PTA in the Music Biz with Release of Inspirational Song for Students, Teachers

Singer CeCe Peniston and the National PTA released a new song today that pays tribute to children and the parents and teachers who nurture them.

"Above Horizons" is available for download, and Peniston was scheduled to perform the song live today at Chicago Public School's O A Thorp Scholastic Academy. It is the first official song PTA has released on it's own label National PTA Recordings.

“I’m definitely happy to be part of an organization that helps children reach their dreams. When I was younger, my parents always dared me to dream and I haven’t stopped. So this is my tribute to the families, teachers and communities who help children reach their dreams through PTA,” said Peniston.

The song is available in three different mixes at a cost of $1 each; all three can be purchased for $2.25. PTA said 50 percent of the proceeds go to schools, churches and other charitable organizations through an affiliation with DownloadFundraiser.com.

New Vehicle Manufacturers Coming to Market?

By Ryan Gray

Despite the ailing economy, there’s chatter around the industry that new school bus manufacturers could be eyeing entry into the market, especially after GM filed for Chapter 11 on Monday.

The industry has already seen the Type A market grow this year, but on the large school bus side, there’s been chatter of late that a market that has shrunk in recent years to three major manufacturers could have a couple of more players.

Sources indicate that there’s something to rumors about at least one new large bus line if not two. There’s been talk about design sketches circulating, albeit it discreetly. Well not too discreetly if we know about it. Of course it’s all “unconfirmed.” But I can tell you that the interested parties have global reach, which these days really doesn’t tell you much. But they remain intriguing “rumors” with the potential to change the face of school transportation, if only by proving there is additional outside interest in investing in an industry hit hard by shrinking state and local budgets.

Competition is a good thing, as a new manufacturer or two could further drive innovation (more alt fuels, anyone?) while lowering purchase prices in a time when commodity prices ride the yo-yo and fuel is quickly approaching $3 per gallon (again). Then, there is the fact that Ford has announced it is foregoing diesel for gasoline, while GM is remaining entrenched with diesel. And the business of Monday with GM's bankruptcy.

Stay tuned as it could prove to be an interesting summer.

Why Transportation Must be Wary of Virtual Schooling for K-12

By Ryan Gray

For several decades now, online courses have been a resource for adult continuing education. But virtual schools are also gaining steam in public childhood education, and student transporters best become familiar with how such services can affect their operations.

I first grew interested in this trend a couple years ago as virtual field trip providers entered the education scene as an alternative to expensive, traditional student visits to museums and the such. My initial reaction was how sad it was that some students now were being deprived of my favorite part of school growing up. But the ramifications go far beyond escaping the classroom for several hours and the hands-on learning that can result. In speaking with one transportation software provider, I asked if these virtual field trip companies are in fact becoming a new competitor?

While you won't hear many industry vendors officially say so, the general feeling is that the growth of virtual school programs ... and now classes ... is something the industry must closely monitor, especially in light of a growing movement aimed at protecting school transportation as we know it. Then, just last week, the University of Florida released a study that said virtual schools can increase student learning while also driving down skyrocketing school costs, such as transportation. Look for more on this topic in our July magazine issue.

Surprisingly, many school transporters we talked to for our editorial coverage said they don't see a correlation between transportation and online learning. That disconnect could spell very big problems for an industry that's fighting for its life amid the current economy and state budget crises nationwide.

Could Maryland School Busing be that Good?

The Washington Post ran an article today, picked up by MSNBC.com, that tells of an 18-year old high school senior who has never missed a day of school. Stefanie Zaner is known as the Iron Kid of Darnestown, a suburb of Baltimore where Cal Ripken Jr. set the Major League Baseball record for consecutive games played at 2,632.

Zaner, the article says, is approaching the likewise amazing milestone of 2,340 straight days of public school. She attends Northwest High School in Montgomery County. There must be something in the Maryland water. In addition to Ripken Jr.'s and Zaner's feats, the Post conducted an informal survey of 20 local school systems that turned up another graduating senior with perfect attendance since kindergarten (officially, 180 days a year, for 13 years, although the exact annual total hinges on snow days): Kristen Waddle, 18, of Brentsville District High School in Prince William County. Austin White of Mountain View High School in Stafford County hasn't missed a day since first grade.

It was not immediately known if the students had ever utilized school busing, but it appeared likely at some point they may have utilized the transportation service. The most recent data obtained from the Maryland Department of Education that 73 percent of the state's nearly 850,000 public school students take the yellow bus.

Emergency Preparedness Takes Center Stage

President Obama proclaimed May 24-May 30 as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. He called upon government agencies, private organizations, media, community groups, schools, and residents of hurricane-prone areas to share information about hurricane preparedness and response to help protect communities and save lives. Hurricane Katrina taught lessons to all of these entities on the importance of disaster plans and collaboration and communication.

“Awareness and preparation are critical to surviving and recovering from hurricanes. During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, I call on all Americans -- including private citizens and those working in government, business, and the nonprofit sector -- to plan ahead and help secure the safety and property of those who face advancing storms,” said President Obama in a written proclamation.

Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré (Ret.) is scheduled to address STN EXPO attendees on this very topic during a keynote speech on July 27 during a breakfast sponsored by Blue Bird Corporation and Allison Transmission. Read our May 2009 article on him, his experiences with Hurricane Katrina and his keynote speech this summer.

Moving Towards an Electirc Bus at Thomas?

Daimler AG, a parent company of Thomas Built Buses, has purchased a 10 percent stake in electric vehicle company Tesla Motors, according to a press release. The companies said they will cooperate on battery drive systems, electric drive systems and vehicle projects. Could this put Thomas closer to an all-electric school bus? The company is already working on a hybrid Saf-T-Liner C2. According to the release, Daimler and Tesla were already working together to integrate Tesla's lithium-ion battery packs and chargers into Daimler's electric smart car. The release goes on to note that Daimler just founded the Deutsche Accumotive GmbH, a joint venture with Evonik Industries AG, which makes the company "the first vehicle manufacturer worldwide that develops, produces and markets batteries for automotive applications."

They'll Remember You. Will You Remember Them?

Four in ten adults remember their school bus driver's name, according to a survey from First Student cited in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The survey continued:

When asked to share their most memorable experiences on a school bus, most survey respondents recalled having fun and riding the bus with friends. Many surveyed still remember riding the bus on their first day of school. Other fond memories included singing favorite songs, a bumpy ride in the back of the bus, budding romances, field trips and receiving special holiday and end-of-year treats from bus drivers.

The journalist remembers her own driver and the not-so-kind nickname she had for her. ("How could we be so cruel?" she now wonders). At this writing, 23 had left memories of their drivers on the newspaper's comment section. Most of them are incredibly kind.

How well do you remember your bus driver? How do you want your riders to remember you? We only hope it's not as "Cakeface."