March 5 is Spread the Word to End the Word Day, an national campaign by the Special Olympics to encourage people to stop using the word retard.

South Lakes Best Buddies Chapter encourages people to stop using the “r-word” as they believe the everyday use of the word retard(ed) is an insult to those who have cognitive disabilities and other developmental disabilities and their families.

Best Buddies will have a series of initiatives throughout the school day to encourage students to stop using the “r-word.”

During all lunches, members of the SLHS Best Buddies Chapter will hand out stickers to all students encouraging them to stop using the “r-word.” Students can also sign pledges, which will be hung up in the cafeteria, to stop using the “r-word.”

“Most of the time people don’t realize what they are saying and don’t mean to be disrespectful,” senior vice president of the SLHS Best Buddies Chapter Sophie Barrowman. “Spread the Word to End the Word day is about teaching people why it’s offensive and giving students courage to stand up to those who use the ‘r-word.”