Howard County Library System (HCLS) invites public and private schools, as well as home school associations, to participate in the HCLS Spelling Bee, a countywide bee for students in grades four through eight.
2020 HCLS Spelling Bee | Saturday, March 21 at 2 pm (NEW TIME)
Oakland Mills High School
The deadline for submitting an INTENT TO PARTICIPATE form is September 30, 2019.
The HCLS Spelling Bee is organized under the rules of the Scripps National Spelling Bee and registered with Scripps as an official regional bee.
Purpose and Benefits
Spelling bees improve students’ spelling, increase their vocabularies, and develop correct English usage.
- Students read and write more effectively and score higher on standardized tests and college prep tests and beyond. The impact lasts a lifetime.
- Students learn word etymology and country of origin, the meanings of prefixes and suffixes, and spelling rules.
- By studying words grouped in thematic categories, spellers not only acquire knowledge but also develop cognitive skills and increased understanding of ideas and values.
- Students of all ages and background participate on an equal, competitive basis.
- Spelling bees improve spelling and spark interest among the students.
- Spelling bees create friendly, sportsmanlike rivalry among the schools.
Important Dates
- September 30, 2019: Deadline for schools to complete Intent to Participate form
- October 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020: Classroom and/or school spelling bees held
- October 24, 2019: Information session at HCLS Miller Branch at 7 pm
- February 7, 2020: Deadline for schools to submit winner forms
- March 21, 2020, 2pm: HCLS Spelling Bee at Oakland Mills High School *please note this is a Saturday*
(March 22, 2020, 2pm: Snow date for HCLS Spelling Bee at Oakland Mills High School) - May 25 – 28, 2020: HCLS Spelling Bee champion competes in Scripps National Spelling Bee
Prizes
Prizes for classroom and school bees are determined and awarded by the schools. Prizes for the HCLS Spelling Bee are awarded by HCLS the evening of the competition:
- All contestants and alternates receive certificates of participation.
- The first place winner receives a trophy (as does his/her school), a $1,000 college scholarship, and the opportunity to represent Howard County in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, all expenses paid.
- The second place winner receives a trophy (as does his/her school), a $750 college scholarship, and the opportunity to represent Howard County in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, all expenses paid, should the winner be unable to compete.
School/Association Participation
Interested schools and home school associations should fill out the INTENT TO PARTICIPATE by September 30, 2019.
The SCHOOL/ASSOCIATION WINNERS REGISTRATION FORM should be filled out and submitted by January 31, 2020.
Information for school/association spelling bee coordinators is available in the Coordinator Handbook (PDF).
Sponsors
- BB&T
- Friends and Foundation of Howard County Library System
- Howard County Public School System
- Josephine B. Scheffenacker Education Trust
See the 2019 competition
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact Christie Lassen
