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Industry News
7/11/2024 Luis Lopez, Bakersfield City School District takes 2 nd Place in Transit Category at the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition in Austin, Texas
Drivers from 26 states competed at the 50 th Edition of the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition in Austin, Texas this past weekend and California’s very own, Luis Lopez from Bakersfield City School District won 2 nd Place. Luis was crowned the CASTO California State Roadeo Champion on Memorial Day Weekend and with that win qualified to compete against the countries best school bus drivers. “Wow, this year has been an absolute dream, competing for the State of California and representing my school district, Bakersfield City!” said Luis. “This experience has been incredible. So many great drivers from all over the country and even the best from Canada. We gave it our best and it was not easy, but California took 2nd place this year. But (we) will work twice as hard next year to make sure we bring home the 1st place title in 2025.” “I would also like to encourage all of our California drivers to compete and keep growing our CASTO Family so we can put our best drivers against everyone else in the Nation. Lastly, I would like to thank Doug Smith and Antonio Perez and all the CASTO staff and all the volunteer judges, nothing would be possible without any of them. California rocks!” Luis would also like to thank his Bakersfield City family and everyone in Chapter 12 for supporting him. On behalf of CASTO, Congratulations Luis on a job well done! We are all proud of you. 06/10/2024
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Team More photos can be found on the Roadeo page 
Local Chapter EventsAre you in need of in-service training? Looking for more information regarding local School Bus training events? Head over to our Chapter Events Page to see what's going on in your area. | Presidents Message
Presidents Message: Fall 2024
Dear Members, As summer fades and the excitement of a new school year takes center stage, I want to warmly welcome you back and wish you a successful fall 2024. The start of a new academic year is a time of renewed energy and enthusiasm, and your crucial role in ensuring safe and timely transportation for our students is the foundation of their educational journey. This year, as always, our commitment to safety remains our top priority. Whether you are driving the buses, maintaining the fleet, coordinating routes, or managing operations, your dedication and vigilance ensure that our students are transported safely every day. Let’s continue to uphold the highest standards of safety and professionalism, working together to overcome challenges and deliver the best possible service to our communities. I am also excited to remind you about several key events and opportunities this fall:
As we move forward into the new school year, let’s keep safety at the forefront of everything we do and take advantage of these exciting opportunities to grow, learn, and lead. Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work—together, we will make fall 2024 a successful and safe season for school transportation across California. Best wishes for a productive and fulfilling school year! Mike Sawyer | President
Chapter HighlightsCASTO Chapter 1 “Where it All Began” 2024 Report On January 27th, Chapter 1 successfully marked its transition from Zoom to an in-person Driver Safety Workshop since Covid. This significant shift was met with enthusiasm, as evidenced by the impressive turnout of 160 attendees. We streamlined our workshop schedule to 4 presenters, a change that was well-received by all, including the presenters. The day was about learning, fun, and camaraderie, with everyone participating in the Chapter 1 hosted giveaways that included a 55” TV, vendor-donated items, and gift cards. Our next event was the Roadeo workshop, which was held on February 17th at the Redlands USD Transportation Center and presented by Doug Smith and Antonio Perez. The topic’s presented were, Preparing for a Roadeo, Off Set Alley, Student Loading with an escort and Parallel Parking. A pizza lunch was provided, along with several giveaway prizes. The 40 drivers in attendance gained a lot of Roadeo information along with several pointers to help them navigate the events. Several of the workshop attendees participated in the local Roadeo’s and at the Southern Sectional and are already planning for next year. The last event of the year was the annual Roadeo on March 23RD at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Rodeo grounds at the Glen Helen Regional Park in Devore. We had a good turnout of about 40 drivers and plenty of event judges. This year’s Roadeo had an additional challenge added shortly after the first bus went on the course; a light, steady rain helped keep the temperature down but did not dampen the enthusiasm of the drivers or the judges. Bus West provided a taco lunch, and the “Burrito Lady” was there in the morning, serving hot coffee and burritos. The in-chapter winners were Leslie Baker, 1st place & Jessica Cole, 3rd place, from Lake Elsinore USD; Sergio Duenas, 2nd place & Jose Reyes, 4th place, from First Student in San Bernardino. The out-of-chapter winners were Rosa Rosas, 1st place; Kim Dailey, 2nd place; and Tim Tran, 3rd place, all from Garden Grove USD. Chapter 1 Upcoming events for 2025: Driver Safety Workshop January 25th, 2025 Roadeo March 29th, 2025
Why Should You Be a CASTO Member?This document will aid you with answering the question..."Why should I be a CASTO Member?" Looking for a career change? Check out our Job Announcements page CASTO's Official AddressCASTO PO Box 348120 Sacramento, CA 95834 Chapter Assignments
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Congratulations to the 2024 State Championship Roadeo Winners!
