Southeast Students Pledge Not to Use the "R" Word

At Southeast Middle School, students have pledged not to use the “r” word.

Although most students are respectful of students with special needs, said Robin Douglas, the EC (Exceptional Children) case manager at Southeast, some people sometimes use the word “retard.”

“It’s more of a community problem,” Douglas said.

On Wednesday, students pledged not only to not use it themselves but also to discourage others from using it as part of the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign.

Thanks to a teacher grant from the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce, Douglas was able to buy posters promoting the campaign and, at the end of the year, she will hold a celebration for the 15 Southeast students who participate in the Special Olympics.

To read more about the campaign to end the r-word, go to http://www.r-word.org/