The spelling bee, for kids who will be in grades three, four or five in September, will be held on Aug. 7 at 6 p.m.
CHICOPEE - Students entering grades three, four or five this September have a chance to test their spelling wits at the Chicopee Public Library's ninth annual spelling bee.
The spelling bee will be held Aug. 7 at 6 p.m.
Sponsored by Chicopee Savings Bank, there will be prizes awarded for each grade level, said Barbara Pronovost, of the children's division of the library.
"The winners from each grade level will receive a trophy and a $50 VISA gift card donated from Chicopee Savings Bank," she explained. "They have sponsored the spelling bee since its beginning nine years ago. We are so happy to have them on board each year. "
The contestants in the spelling bee will all receive a word list with which to prepare.
Barbara Pronovost "The children are given a word sheet that they can study from to prepare for the contest, Pronovost said. "The words in the study list will be used for the first two rounds. There will not be eliminations during the first round of the spelling bee in order to help the children relax. The second round will feature the study words, but there will be eliminations."
After the second round, the field will open up as words not on the study list, but within the child's grade level, are posed to the contestants.
"We can have up to 20 or 25 contestants per grade level," she explained. "The numbers are much less right now, but we are hoping to have more children participate."
The judges have yet to be determined, but Pronovost said they will likely be primarily from the library with a community volunteer.
Pronovost said she's been receiving positive feedback about the spelling bee from parents.
"A parent once told me that they were pleased to have a contest in which their child had the opportunity to win a trophy that was something other than an athletic contest," she said.
For more information or to register for the spelling bee, contact Pronovost at (413) 594-1800, ext. 107, or register at the library.