Evansville mayor Lloyd Winnecke paid a visit to his alma mater, Thompkins Middle School, Tuesday morning. He helped the school district unveil a new certificate program for eighth graders.
It’s called the Mayor’s Work Ethic Certificate, and it’s meant to prepare students for future jobs by building skills like responsibility and initiative.
An eighth grader who earns the certificate will receive a summer pool pass.
Students must demonstrate six different character traits to receive the award. They also need at least a 98 percent attendance rate, earn no more than one F, perform four hours of community service, and avoid suspension.
A half dozen Evansville middle schools have signed up for the program, including the mayor’s own Thompkins.
“This is where, as a seventh and eighth grader, I think I really developed the qualities that helped me succeed in life, in every job I’ve had, every relationship.”
The mayor’s certificate is part of the school district’s OptIn program, designed to help students enter the workforce.
A similar certificate already exists for Indiana high schoolers, called the Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate.