As the school year comes to a close for many students, the onset of summer means opportunities to stay cool and have fun with friends.

Indy Parks and city officials celebrated youth employment opportunities Monday morning as part of a Hire Indy Youth Campaign.

Indy Parks is offering a $200 "Early Bird" sign-on bonus to new and returning seasonal employees after 100 hours are worked. It will also offer a $200 bonus to part-time seasonal and part-time year-round staffers who refer a new hire.

Nonprofit TeenWorks is accepting applications for underrepresented and underserved local high students in both Marion and Delaware counties through Feb. 28.

Beginning July 1, the state will require employers hiring five or more teens to register themselves on a public database.

As the school year ends and summer begins, its traditionally a time when teenagers get summer jobs. But there may be fewer Hoosier teens employed this summer due to the global pandemic.

Mayor Joe Hogsett visited one group near Tarkington Park, to hand out the checks.

The mayor announced partnerships with businesses in the hospitality, restaurant and food service industries to help hire 2,000 young people this summer.