ALBANY, N.Y. — The Cyr Foundation for Excellence in School Transportation has launched a new educational program aimed at providing useful information and training for school bus drivers in New York state.

The Cyr Foundation is offering the program in cooperation with the New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) and its members.

"This program is designed to provide a training newsletter each month during the school year and a 15-minute training video six times during the school year on topics of interest and importance to the vital work of school bus drivers," said Cyr Foundation President Karin Skarka, a principal in the Shenendehowa Central School District. "The Foundation believes that there is always a need for more information and training opportunities for school bus drivers. We are pleased to offer this initiative to help meet that need."

The first issue of "In the Drivers' Seat" was released Sept. 19 to school bus drivers in nearly 60 school districts across the state. The first issue deals with the realities of the first few weeks of school and with the critical importance of the pre-trip school bus inspection. The newsletter and videos will be produced under an agreement with Syracuse-based Pupil Transportation Safety Institute.

"NYAPT is impressed with this new program initiative from our partners at the Cyr Foundation and we hope that an increasing number of school districts and operators will sign on for the newsletters and videos," NYAPT President David Christopher said.

"The newsletter will not supplant the rigorous training provided to school bus drivers under state regulations through the Department of Education," added Cyr Foundation Executive Director Peter Mannella. "It is designed to provide perspectives on the day-to-day operations of the school bus and the kinds of current issues and needs that bus drivers face in the performance of their duties."

Future issues will deal with student behavior and bullying on school buses as well as the idling of school buses and the dangers associated with motorists illegally passing school buses.

School districts and school bus operators can still subscribe to the program and receive the newsletter and videos for the balance of the 2011-12 school year.

For more information, go here.