Courtesy of Renton School District.

As end-of-year tests began at Lakeridge Elementary School, cook Amy Meneses wanted to offer students some support in a creative way. Meneses created “encouraging bananas” with messages like, “dream big,” “you are enough,” “be kind” and “your future is bright.”

The students took turns reading the messages to each other at lunchtime last week. According to the Renton School District newsletter, the smiles were contagious.