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YOU'VE GOT THIS! York Co. elementary students write inspiring words on bathroom walls

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — As students return to school on Monday, inspiring words are splattered inside bathrooms in a local elementary school.

Messages, including “Be kind or be quiet" and "You've got this," were written by students at Orchard Park Elementary School in York County.

The York County school district is one of several districts across the area that start class Monday.

Students, teachers and staff are starting off on a positive note with those inspiring words and phrases.

Organizer Shannon Evans, who has a child at the school, said the bathrooms were chosen because they can be a safe place for children going through tough times.

“So, if they do escape to that area or have a bad day, they can look up and see a message of encouragement that goes a long way,” Evans said.

Principal Matthew Johnson said the messages fit with the school’s theme this year.

“Creating a place where they feel comfortable safe and appreciated,” Johnson said. “(The) theme this  year is, ‘All kids are our kids.”

The children are already picking up the positive messages and pondering how they would talk to a friend who was having a bad day.

“I would encourage them to get out and go talk to someone to make them feel better,” a student said.

When the students storm the halls and the bathrooms, they will see some new decorations with an uplifting message.

“Often, we need to keep their inner and outer monologue positive, train themselves to say nice things,” Evans said.

The school decided to allow families to sponsor positive affirmation signs that will hang above all the mirrors in the bathrooms.