CANCELED: BumbleBee Celebration

April 24 update – We received official notice that Scripps has canceled the National Spelling Bee for 2020. The HCLS Spelling Bee is now canceled as well. These actions are due to the ongoing concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus and uncertainty around when public gatherings will be possible or advisable.  

This decision follows the announcement on March 20 that Scripps was suspending the national finals with hopes of rescheduling. Scripps has determined there is no clear path to safely set a new date this year.   

While plans for a 2020 championship have ended, Scripps National Spelling Bee is engaging with students and parents by offering educational resources and social media-based learning opportunities. 

A note from Scripps’ executive director, Paige Kimble:   

Our thoughts immediately go to our spellers and their families. The students have dedicated time and effort to their passion for learning. They should be proud of all they have accomplished by winning spelling bees at the classroom, school and regional level. Nevertheless, our first priority has to be the health and well-being of our spellers and their families and the hundreds of staff and spectators that come together for Bee Week. 
   
Our hearts go out to the spellers who won’t get their final shot at winning because of the pandemic and the difficult decisions it is prompting us to make. They are now part of a widely expanding group of children and adults who are missing out on opportunities due to the coronavirus.  

This was a very difficult decision and we share in the disappointment of our students, teachers and parents. Our main priority remains the health and safety of our staff and community. 

March 20 update – Please note Scripps has suspended the National Bee. In the short term, the HCLS Spelling Bee, which had been rescheduled for May 2, is postponed until further notice.

Scripps is exploring potential solutions, including perhaps an online or virtual solution, to help local sponsors like HCLS hold a local bee. We are in conversation with Scripps and expect to receive further guidance in the next couple of weeks.

As noted by Scripps: If possible, the Bee will work with local sponsors, spellers, convention partners, and ESPN to reschedule the 93rd Scripps National Spelling Bee for later this year.

2020 Bumblebee Coordinator’s Handbook

Interested schools and home school associations should complete and submit the BumbleBee INTENT TO PARTICIPATE form by October 31, 2018.

A companion initiative to the HCLS Spelling Bee for students in grades one through three, the BumbleBee motivates students to improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, and develop the self-confidence needed to speak effectively in front of an audience. The BumbleBee also prepares students for the HCLS Spelling Bee. Grade level winners from all schools attend the BumbleBee Celebration.

Each school sends one winner per grade level (e.g., one BumbleBee winner from first grade, one for second grade, and one for third grade).

Important Dates

• October 24, 2019: Information session at HCLS Miller Branch at 7 pm
• October 31, 2019: Deadline for schools and home school association to complete the BumbleBee INTENT TO PARTICIPATE form
• November 4, 2019 – January 31, 2020: School bees held
• February 7, 2020: Deadline for schools to submit winner forms
• Canceled: BumbleBee Celebration held at beginning of HCLS Spelling Bee at Oakland Mills High School *please note this is a Saturday*

At the HCLS Spelling Bee:

• BumbleBee winners recognized as a group on stage before the Howard County Library System Spelling Bee (grades 4-8) begins.
• BumbleBees arrive by 1;30 pm at the BumbleBee sign-in table.
• Event staff escort BumbleBees to the BumbleBee waiting room where they wait to go on stage.
• After all the BumbleBee winners have been acknowledged, they are escorted by event staff to the cafeteria.

Sponsor

The BumbleBee is sponsored by Friends & Foundation of Howard County Library System.