WILMINGTON, N.C. – Students along the North Carolina coast returned to classes Monday.

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• At Murrayville Elementary School, teachers and staff had a block party and invited parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters to come 
• The staff at the school planned the surprise to show their students some encouragement, support and love
• School staff got the idea to recreate a Walmart commercial and make it their own

In New Hanover County, 45 schools opened to about 26,000 students.

At Murrayville Elementary School, teachers and staff had a block party and invited parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters to come out and give their little ones a proper send-off.

The staff at the school planned the surprise to show their students some encouragement, support and love as they started off the new school year.

"We just wanted to make them feel special today and let them know we are so happy to have them back and its going to be an awesome school year," said Principal Tim Dominowski.

School staff got the idea to recreate a Walmart commercial and make it their own.