The Special Olympics Club is promoting the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign this week.

Throughout the week during lunch periods students can pledge to stop using the word “retarded” by signing their name inside their handprint on posters that will be placed around the school.

Physical education teacher and Special Olympics Club co-sponsor Tim Laughlin said the event got off to a strong start on Monday.

“The first day was awesome. Hopefully more people get involved,” Laughlin said.

On Wednesday, students will be wearing shirts in honor of the campaign, in hopes of further increasing awareness.

Sophomore Jason Depretis, a club member, said the goal is to promote kindness and understanding.

“I think people should be respectful towards others,” Depretis

Laughlin, after years of sponsoring this campaign, said he continues to push the cause further to “advocate for the people without voices, so that we can make the world a better place.”