A new campaign created by Thomas Jefferson’s Special Education Department and TJ’s Unified Sports class is being spread all over campus to put an end to the word “retard” and use the word “respect” instead.
Photos by Ed Gloor
“Spread The Word To End The Word” is the new slogan that can be seen around Thomas Jefferson, in an effort to retire the hurtful word “retard” because its use has become very common and the small word packs quite a punch. “The ‘R’ word hurts kids’ feelings. The students in the special education department are just like everyone else but they have something that makes them just a little different from others. We want to make it so they aren’t considered the ‘special kids’, they are just students,” says Special Education Department Chair, Mollie Pitrone.
The Special Education Department saw the need to make a change and came together with the Unified Sports crew, which is a class offered at TJ that gives mainstream students the chance to work with the students in Special Education. The pairs come together everyday and play some kind of sport or game for a class period, such as basketball, volleyball, tag, or dodge ball. This class benefits both groups of students because it is a chance for them to exercise, but it also gives them an opportunity to socialize with others.
Students and educators involved believe that working with the kids for that period of time creates strong friendships and bonds between the students. “I absolutely love being in this class. I was nervous at first because I didn’t know what to expect, but after the first day I loved it. All of the kids have their own personalities and you really get to know their habits and what they like,” said Senior Jessica Craft.
With the new campaign in mind, Pitrone made it part of her lesson plan for the Unified class. For block days, the class meets in room 12 instead of the gym, where the group makes posters with the new slogan, and they also work on bracelets. To raise awareness, hand made bracelets will be sold every Thursday at lunch. During the block period, the partners work together to make them. “It is a fun activity to do with our partners on the block day because it gives us all something to do. Some of us write the saying on the bracelets and some of us cut them,” said Senior Emily Michel.
During lunch on Thursdays, the bracelets are sold for only one dollar outside of the office. So far, the bracelets have been a hit with the TJ community. “We sold thirty five bracelets so far and we have only been selling them for two weeks. I think it is an awesome cause and everyone should buy them,” said Harrison Ory.
Along with the bracelets, raffle tickets are going to be up for sale also. Just like the bracelets, the tickets will be sold for one dollar, which will buy a spot in the running for a 25-dollar gift card to Crown Burgers. The raffle began during the TCAP Carnival on March 9, 2012.
The bracelets and raffle tickets are all going to benefit a great cause, to end the use of a hurtful word. Buying a bracelet and wearing it will be a constant reminder to eliminate the word “retard.” All the money made will be going to the Special Education Department, so the SPED Department asks that everyone Spartan Up and help promote a cause that makes everyone feel respected and equal, because in the end, the Unified students and educators all believe that we are all the same!
