Starting in January 2023, Bardstown City Schools students will have an opportunity to develop and be recognized for their work ethic. The district is implementing a new Work Ethic Certification program for the 2022-23 school year to further prepare students for successful transitions to work and education beyond their BCS experience.
Our Work Ethic Certification is awarded to fifth, eighth, and twelfth graders who complete a series of accomplishments that includes activities, courses and experiences to foster career readiness and portrays The Bardstown Graduation. Fifth and eighth grade students who complete the voluntary criteria each year will be recognized. Graduating seniors will earn special seals on their diplomas.
Work ethic education is now required in all Kentucky public schools, and districts may determine most of their own criteria. The BCS program criteria are as follows:
- Academic: A minimum of 2.5 GPA (or equivalent) in core content and/or Career and Technical Education courses, no failures
- Attendance – Minimum of 95 percent attendance rate. Excused absences, unexcused absences, tardies, and suspended days are included in the attendance calculation.
- Behavior – No severe discipline events and no more than two minor discipline events during their 5th grade school year.
- Community Service – A minimum of 4 hours of community service throughout elementary years. This community service log must be completed and signed by parent/guardian and representative of the community organization for service hours to be counted.
- Extracurricular – Must be involved in at least one school or community sport or extracurricular/co-curricular activity, such as a club, student career and tech organization, academic team, etc.
- Communication – Present an independent project, either orally or written, displaying proficiency in work ethics, and core content (reading, writing, math, science, social studies). Project must emphasize the importance of work ethics and how the academic concept(s) can be applied to be successful in the workforce. Professional attire required at presentation. Student must provide evidence of presentation (video, photos, slide deck, writing sample, etc.)
- Academic: A minimum of 2.5 GPA (or equivalent) in core content and/or Career and Technical Education courses, no failures
- Attendance – Minimum of 95 percent attendance rate. Excused absences, unexcused absences, tardies, and suspended days are included in the attendance calculation.
- Behavior – No severe discipline events and no more than two minor discipline events during their 8th grade school year.
- Community Service – A minimum of 8 hours of community service throughout 6-8 grade school years. This community service log must be completed and signed by parent/guardian and representative of the community organization for service hours to be counted.
- Extracurricular – Must be involved in at least one school or community sport or extracurricular/co-curricular activity, such as a club, student career and tech organization, academic team, etc.
- Communication – Present an independent project, either orally or written, displaying proficiency in work ethics, and core content (reading, writing, math, science, social studies). Project must emphasize the importance of work ethics and how the academic concept(s) can be applied to be successful in the workforce.8th Grade Application Process:Please click HERE to complete the application process.
- Academic: A minimum of 2.5 GPA (or equivalent) in core content and/or Career and Technical Education courses, no failures
- Attendance – Minimum of 95 percent attendance rate. Excused absences, unexcused absences, tardies, and suspended days are included in the attendance calculation.
- Behavior – No severe discipline events and no more than two minor discipline events during their 12th grade school year.
- Community Service – A minimum of 16 hours of community service throughout 9-12 grade school years. This community service log must be completed and signed by parent/guardian and representative of the community organization for service hours to be counted.
- Communication – Present an independent project, either orally or written, displaying proficiency in work ethics, and core content (reading, writing, math, science, social studies). Project must emphasize the importance of work ethics and how the academic concept(s) can be applied to be successful in the workforce. Professional attire required at presentation. Students must provide evidence of presentation (video, photos, slide deck, writing sample, etc.)
- Transition Readiness – Seniors must meet the Postsecondary Readiness Requirements as outlined by the Kentucky Department of Education in order to receive the work ethic certificate. Eligible students will receive a special cord to wear at the graduation ceremony.
Work Ethics Seminars – 12th Grade Only – Attend all 4 Work Ethics Seminars. - 9th Grade Year – Character and Professional Ethics
- 10th Grade Year – Professional Networking and Communication in the Workplace
- 11th Grade Year – Interviewing 101
- 12th Grade Year – Ambition, Initiative, and Effort in Life
*If students miss the in-person work ethics seminar, they will have the option to watch the recorded seminar and complete a post-quiz to satisfy this requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, due to the Work Ethics Program being launch in the second semester of the 2022-23 school year the criteria to earn the certificate will be prorated. All requirements for behavior, attendance, and GPA will be for the spring semester only. Additionally, community service hours are cut in half. For example: 5th graders will only to earn a minimum of 2 community service hours.
The Work Ethic Certification is a signal to employers that a student is prepared to engage in the workforce. The certification validates that the individual has acquired habits, knowledge and skills foundational to entering the workforce. Students receiving this recognition should have an advantage when seeking employment as it easily identifies them as potential career ready employees.
Students should use this Community Service Form to keep track of their service hours. When the student has reached the required number of service hours the student will turn the completed form into their school representative.
- Fifth grade students should turn it into their classroom teacher.
- Eighth grade and twelfth grade students should turn the completed form into their BHS Best or BEST Time teacher.
Each student's school-related extracurricular activities are logged in Infinite Campus. Parents can check to see if their child's activities are correctly logged by logging into their Parent Portal account and checking their student's schedule. Activities will appear at the bottom of your child's schedule. See an example here.
Contacts
Director of Special Programs
Lance Blanford
502-331-8889