Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/109814
Thousands pledge to stop using the ���R��� word In addition to raising awareness about the R-word, schools are using the concept to address other common issues such as bullying, intolerance and exclusion. Last spring, Bush Early Education Center used the campaign as a springboard to teach respect for all people by asking families to make the pledge and get others to do so by filling out a cutout heart with the words ���I pledge R-espect to everyone.��� More than 500 of the light blue hearts adorned the hallways. ���The school embraced the campaign because we want all of our students, of every ability, to grow up hearing only one R-word: respect,��� shares Lauren Fleck, an autism support teacher at Bush. ���The heart project was a beautiful display of unity, community outreach, family-school partnership, and most importantly, respect." A.I. duPont students Abigail VanderLek (left) and Alexus Moore participate in the banner-signing. Cool Schools, warm hearts spread the word to make a difference - by Jon Buzby Hundreds of students take the ���Polar Bear Plunge��� to make a difference in lives of 3,500 Special Olympics Delaware athletes t was a sprint into the ocean. And an even faster sprint out. And then for the majority of the thousands of participants in the annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Delaware, it was just a matter of drying off and warming up, satisfied they made a difference in the lives of 3,500 Special Olympics Delaware athletes. But for the hundreds of students who took the plunge, the minute I they reached their towels, the chance to make an even greater impact in their schools was just beginning. More than 40 Delaware schools ���plunge��� The students signed a banner on the boardwalk pledging not to use the word ���retard,��� and then encouraged the more than 20,000 spectators and participants to do the same. The banner signing was just a warm-up for when schools participate in the national Spread the Word to End the ���R��� Word (STWTETW) campaign on or around March 6. 16 February 2013 DSEA ACTION! From left, Addie Stang, Bridget Hartigan, Courtney Powell, Avery Chandler, and Billy Zwicharowski sign the pledge banner at Polytech High School. The Special Olympics team at Springer Middle School spearheaded last year���s STWTETW campaign with a school-wide assembly and banner-signing. Students purchased T-shirts supporting the initiative. ���My athletes loved seeing nearly the entire school in the Spread the Word shirts,��� says Martin Amis, special education teacher at Springer. ���There were a lot of comments like, ���Look, we match,��� and ���Yeah, cool! We���re wearing the same shirts.������ Martin adds that the students especially enjoyed sitting at the table and saying hello to all their peers that came over and signed the banner. Students at Polytech and Middletown High Schools not only plunge each year, but also volunteer at Special Olympics events. Being part of the STWTETW campaign becomes even more meaning- Spread the Word to End the Word is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics and Best Buddies to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word ���retard(ed) by encouraging people to pledge to stop using the R-word. ful after a practical experience. ���Our students have an appreciation for the true strengths of people with disabilities through their work with Charlton School and Special Olympics,��� explains Amy Blansfield, an instructor, athletic trainer and Project Unify advisor at Polytech. ���Our students have come to see the reality of the challenges that people with disabilities face and have educated others on how to see the strength it takes to overcome these challenges. The STWTETW campaign has made Polytech a better, more inclusive and accepting place.��� ���The campaign allows all students to gather together to discuss the importance of tolerance, especially those with disabilities,��� say Erin Trzcinski, special education teacher at Middletown. ���During the assembly my students come to the stage and are greeted with a standing ovation. They feel empowered, important, popular and ���normal,��� just like everyone should feel every day of their life.��� A similar sentiment is felt at A.I. du Pont, whose Project Unify club is in its third year. ���Our students empower themselves to make a difference in the lives of others, their school and community, and in their own lives,��� club advisor Tami Soltow shares. For more information about how to get your school involved in Project Unify, as a ���Cool School��� at the Polar Bear Plunge, or to start a Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, email info@sode.org. - Jon Buzby is the director of media relations for Special Olympics Delaware. www.dsea.org