Here, we share shots taken during the California Association of School Transportation Officials' (CASTO) annual conference in San Diego, as well as shots from around the host hotel. Photos by SBF Managing Editor Kelly Roher.
2013 CASTO Conference
Donna Anderson, an instructor and field coordinator with the California Department of Education, spoke to attendees about training specific to making left-hand turns correctly and safely in school buses, particularly under challenging driving conditions.
Some of CASTO's chapter presidents gathered for a group photo prior to a general session. Front row, center, in the gray sweater, is outgoing CASTO President Janet Hutchison. At the session, Nikki Hughes (not pictured) was installed as the association's 2013-14 president.
The resort grounds also feature vintage "decor," like this popcorn/roasted peanuts cart.
The 2013 CASTO Conference was held at the Town and Country Resort and Conference Center in San Diego from March 23-25. Statues like this one are situated throughout the grounds.
In a general session on distracted driving, Matthew Pitt and Shirley Francis, executive director of the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation, spoke about a fatal school bus accident involving Pitt's son, Hunter, in which distraction played a role. Hunter's family also shared the tragedy during last fall's National Association for Pupil Transportation Summit.
There were more than 30 suppliers exhibiting at CASTO's vendor show. Officials said about 300 people attended this year's conference and vendor show.
Attendees had an opportunity to board the buses on the show floor.
The Town and Country Resort also features numerous fountains and a lot of greenery.
Another general session included a panel discussion on lessons learned from fatal situations involving school buses. The panelists were, from left, Dave Randall, retired from Montebello (Calif.) Unified School District, Mike Patton, director of transportation services at Capistrano (Calif.) Unified School District, Shirley Francis, executive director of the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation, and Clarence Hutchison, retired from Los Angeles Unified School District.
The winning entry in the 2013 CASTO poster contest was submitted by eighth-grader Marissa Alger of Guerneville, Calif. Alger's poster will also be submitted for this year's National School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest, which has the same theme: "At My Stop — You Stop."
Syd Muzzy, a traffic safety education consultant and driver behavior specialist, headed several presentations during the conference. Here, he speaks to attendees about effective teaching strategies.