How Parents Brought Joy and Kindness to School Bathroom Doors

This year, the students of Mary Moore Elementary School in Arlington, Texas, chose happiness as this year’s campus theme. To surprise and show support for their kids, the parents worked for 37 hours to paint messages of unity, kindness, and hope across the fifth grader’s bathroom stalls and water fountains.

Principal Tyson Jones told CNN that the parents wanted to add to their “theme of joy,” a goal they soon met. “It’s to remind them that they can do anything they want if they try hard enough,” he added.

The new school theme, which is based “The Happiness Advantage” by Dr. Shawn Achor, may also extend to the cafeteria and the rest of the school bathrooms and common areas, so that everyone can take in the encouraging words. After the parents completed the project, the school shared the photos on a Facebook post where it received more than 100,000 shares.

The response to the initiative has inspired parents and teachers from all over the country, and many schools have even contacted Mary Moore Elementary for advice on how to follow suit.

Goodnet was initiated by Shari Arison and is operated by The Ted Arison Family Foundation. Shari Arison is also the initiator of Good Deeds Day.