FAIRFIELD, Ohio – Two inches by two inches with words of encouragement or pictures guaranteed to brighten someone’s day.
The "Take What You Need" Wall at Fairfield High School invites everyone to grab a Post-It Note and share it with a student, teacher or staff member.
Each note bears a hand-written message or picture.
"I see a lot of students coming in doing it," said school counselor Amanda Schur, who came up with the idea.
She read one:
"We believe in you. That you can do anything you put your mind to."
“At this age, the kids don't always have a lot of positive things happening in their lives, or they get a lot of negative influences from social media,” Schur said.
The wall invites everyone. That goes for students, teachers and staff.
“Take what you need,” it says. And post them anywhere.
"Somebody's desk. Locker. Hand it to them,” Schur said. “I did it to a yesterday to a couple of coworkers who were having rough days. I took it and put it on the computer to say, ‘Hey, we notice you. Let's celebrate an accomplishment.’"
And it works.
“I saw one on my locker before and it made my day,” said Alexandria Webb, a junior. "It's amazing seeing someone you don't know, or someone you've never met before, actually still cares."
The Post-It wall started just five days ago and it's already taken off.
“We filled the wall up and we had to refill it today because most were gone. So that's cool.” said Lydia Reece, a senior.
"I think at this age, it's reinforcing those positive quotes and positive praises that are good for high school students," Schur said.
At this rate, the school might have to make more room for a bigger Post-It Note budget.
"We might,” Schur said. “I'll have to talk to the boss, my secretary."
