June 17, 2010

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As the School Year Wraps Up
'R' Word Pledge, Author Visits
Carriage Crest Events Engage Students

While textbooks are returned, desks are being scrubbed and kids are anticipating sunshine-filled days (is that one elusive?!), teachers, students and parents can also reflect on good things that have happened this past school year. Following are two events that staff, kids and volunteers helped to make the year a memorable one.

End the Word Campaign
Across the United States and around the globe, young people on college campuses, in high school cafeterias and workaday offices have joined a movement of mutual respect and human dignity called "Spread the Word to End the Word." Carriage Crest students and teachers joined the effort. 

The goal: get people to stop and think about their hurtful and disparaging use of the word “retard” and pledge to stop using it.

What Is Spread the Word to End the Word?
Spread the Word to End the Word is a campaign created by youth, in an ongoing effort with Special Olympics and Best Buddies International, to engage schools, organizations and communities by raising the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encouraging everyone to stop using the R-word.
March 3, 2010, marked the second annual day of awareness to Spread the Word to End the Word.

The day was devoted to educating and raising awareness of the positive impact individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have in our communities and why the use of the R-word is hurtful, even in casual conversation.

How It Started
Spread the Word to End the Word was created by youth with and without intellectual disabilities who participated in the Special Olympics Global Youth Activation Summit at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.  The motivation for the campaign was driven by a united passion to promote the positive contributions people with intellectual disabilities make to communities around the world combined with a simple call to action – a pledge to stop using a word – that also symbolizes positive attitude change and a commitment to make the world a more accepting place for all people.

Motivated by their commitment to action, actor John C. McGinley was inspired to join these youth and their dedication to stop the casual use of the R-Word.

“Most people don’t think of this word as the language of hate, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends,” said McGinley. “I choose to believe that most of us are fundamentally good and that we’re just not aware that the word is offensive and that it hurts.” 

"Spread the Word to End the Word" is one element of Special Olympics’ vision of a world where everyone matters, where everyone is accepted and, most importantly, where everyone is respected and valued.

 

Author Eric Ode Visits Carriage Crest
Carriage Crest Coyotes honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. participating in an integrated music and poetry assembly with author, Eric Ode. 

Students took part in interactive assemblies (K-2) and (Gr. 3-6) with Eric Ode providing songs, poems, and audio clips of Dr. King’s speeches as impetus for lyrics about peace, justice, dreams, freedom, and ways to make our corner of the world a better place.

Mr. Ode, on a whirlwind tour of the school, visited each classroom, where students and teachers had prepared questions about writing that aligned with our state writing GLE’s and KSD-adopted writing curriculum, Units of Study and Write Source. 

Inquiries included such topics as generating ideas, stretching words and ideas, motivation and inspiration for becoming a poet and musician, and the elements of the writing process. 

Some classrooms used their SMART Boards to share Ode’s interactive website and to pose their questions. Ode shared his writing journals, published work, and personal anecdotes that all play a role in what he brings to his audience.

"Students and teachers engaged in reflective conversations after each classroom visit, feeling fortunate to have had a real author as a mentor in their midst" said Carriage Crest's Susan Fish.