Fred Fifer Middle school seventh-grader Nina Dula signs a banner during the Spread The Word event on Wednesday. (Delaware State News | Marc Clery)

Yesterday, more than 170 Delaware schools held events such as pledge banner signings to recognize Spread the Word, an 11-years-and-counting campaign supported by Special Olympics and Best Buddies. Spread the Word started as a way to discourage the use of the R-word (retarded), but more recently, the focus has shifted to include broader issues of respect and inclusion.