A Waco ISD school welcomed students with an extra surprise.
Every single restroom had been hand-painted with inspiring messages and the students said, it's working. Word spread quickly at Lake Air Montessori Magnet School on Tuesday.
"I think it's awesome," Student Claire Williams said.
"It feels good to have someone else caring for me," Student Luis Enriquez said.
Positive messages were painted not only in the student's restrooms but the faculty facilities too.
"(The messages) Just bring joy and encouragement to each person's life on campus," Principal Stephanie Tankersley said.
Principal Tankersley said school counselors came up with the idea during the summer and spent several days making it happen.
"My favorite one was the one that said ‘you don't have to be perfect to be amazing,'" Student Lottie Beaudin said.
Beaudin had a tough day last year when her best friend moved away.
"I felt really bad about it and I missed him, so I went to the restroom and tried to calm down," Beaudin said.
Students said the words are comforting.
"It made me feel really good. Just looking at all the things people have said that can affect you now," Williams said.
School counselors said painting messages on the restrooms was something they hoped would help bring students joy.
"Sometimes you go to the bathroom to reset and we wanted something there that would be uplifting and treat kids the way they want to be treated or encourage kids when they need it," Counselor Amy Cooper said.
"From the teamwork, just coming together for these kids. Just knowing that kids have somewhere they can feel inspired beside the classroom is important," Counselor Amanda Wilson said.
Lake Air Montessori met state standards again this year and continues to excel because they take a student first approach.
"We're doing it for our kids. Our students are first in every decision we make, every effort, so it feels wonderful," Principal Tankersley said.
"We are successful as a campus because our kids know we care and we have those relationships with them," Cooper said.
Lake Air Montessori counselors said other Waco ISD schools have contacted them because they're also planning on painting positive messages on their campuses.
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