Dear Monte Gardens Families,

This is a friendly reminder that our schoolwide spelling bee for 1st–5th graders is coming up this Thursday, January 29th, from 5:30-7:00 PM in the Multi-Use Room. We’re looking forward to celebrating students’ learning, growth, and love of words together as we reintroduce this event at our school.

Classrooms have been engaging in spelling and vocabulary activities in ways that best support their students, and each 1st-5th grade class is nominating representatives to participate in the schoolwide bee. Our focus is on creating a positive, inclusive, and encouraging experience - participation is about effort and confidence, not perfection. More details will be shared with participants’ families shortly. All Monte Gardens families are welcome to attend and cheer on our students!

To support your child at home, we’re sharing a few optional resources:

• Word Club app (Google Play or App Store): Word Club is the Scripps National Spelling Bee's FREE study app. It includes the 450 words on the School Spelling Bee Study List, which are divided into three levels of difficulty: One Bee (1st-3rd grade), Two Bee (4th-6th grade), and Three Bee (7th-8th grade). Students who wish to prepare for the schoolwide spelling bee should study all 450 words on the School Spelling Bee Study List. The Word Club app also includes all 4,000 words in Words of the Champions, which is the recommended study list for School Spelling Bee Champions. Your child can choose from five spelling game modes and three vocabulary game modes. Visit https://spellingbee.com/word-club for more information about the Word Club app.

• Hillcrest 4th & 5th Grade Spelling Bee 2023 (YouTube video): This video offers a real-world example of what a schoolwide spelling bee looks like. The participants are 4th and 5th grade students from an elementary school in Pennsylvania.

• Akeelah and the Bee (2006 film): This family-friendly movie introduces the idea of a spelling bee while highlighting perseverance, confidence, and a love of words. Viewing the movie can be a fun way to help students understand what a spelling bee looks like and feel excited about participating. Akeelah and the Bee is available online for free (with ads) at Sling TV or for purchase or rent online.

If you have questions, please reach out to spelling bee coordinator Laila Winter (Konstella), your child’s teacher, or Principal Bennett.

Thank you for partnering with us as we restart this special school tradition - we hope to see you Thursday!