The Foundation for Belmont Education (FBE) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to making a difference in the Belmont Public Schools. While the Foundation cannot substitute for public support of education through tax dollars, the funds it raises from events such as the Spelling Bee, the FBE Apple Run, and the Spring Fundraiser play a pivotal role in fostering the creativity of our teachers, engaging the interest of our students, and sustaining the tradition of excellence that has characterized the Belmont Public Schools for so many years.

The FBE Spelling Bee is a team event. While we do not want to turn anyone away, it is not the role of the the Beekeeper to form teams. Spellers have the most fun when they participate with people they know. Please find classmates, teammates or friends, and make a team to enter. (Please see How do I form a team, above.)

Most spellers start by asking classmates to form a team; but please remember, teams do not have to come from the same class, the same grade, or even the same school. Friends from sports teams or afterschool activities are also potential teammates. Your classroom teacher may know of other students who are interested in participating and be able to help you connect with teammates as well.

You may not register a participant without entering a team name. Please encourage children to select a team name before individuals register.

Each team of spellers will be assigned to a specific swarm. Your swarm assignment and swarm Line Up Time will be posted on the FBE website a few days prior to the Bee, so that you can find your child’s team and plan accordingly. The Line Up Time is 15 minutes before your child will actually be on the Chenery Middle School auditorium stage to spell.

We have found that three to four members is the ideal size for teams. It allows the spellers to gather around the table and whiteboard and work together most effectively. We will, however, allow teams of five in the non-competitive K-4 division. If you have a team of five, you may want to consider finding another speller and creating two teams of three. Please note, we cannot allow teams larger than four in the competitive Grade 5 & 6 swarms.

Yes, your team can have members from different grades. However, your team must study the word list for the speller(s) in the highest grade on your team. For example, if you have a 2nd and 3rd grader on the same team, the team will spell in a Grade 3 & 4 swarm using the Grade 3 & 4 word list. For the Competitive Swarms, all team members must be in either Grade 5 or 6.

The Spelling Bee is intended to be a fun and inclusive event for all spellers, their families, and friends. In the spirit of the event, team names may not evoke violence, make others feel uncomfortable, or be in any way offensive. The Spelling Bee Chairs reserve the right to request that a team change its name.

Word lists and FBE Spelling Bee rules will be available online at our website. The Grade K-4 swarms are non-competitive, and word lists are age-appropriate. Many teams choose to split up the list so each child is an ’expert’ on one sub-set of words. We also encourage teams to dress alike, dress in costume or wear team-designed shirts, so have fun and Bee creative! You are also welcome to re-utilize your child’s Halloween costume in team spirit or dress!

Please park in the Chenery Middle School parking lot or neighborhood streets and enter the building through the cafeteria doors facing the parking lot. Spellers can be dropped off in the swarm line-up area hallway and adults can then proceed to the auditorium to watch the Bee. Each K-4 swarm will be escorted onto the stage by an FBE volunteer, spell for approximately 15 minutes, and then be led off the stage as one group. Grade 5-6 swarms are competitive so the amount of time they are on stage will vary. Volunteers will be stationed throughout the building to point spellers and Spelling Bee observers to the right place. Please stop at the FBE Welcome Table should you have any questions or need assistance.

There will be tables to do word puzzles and color. Also, the FBE Spelling Bee mascot will return again this year! We encourage you to bring your camera and take your child’s photo with The Bee! Please follow the signs to the photo-op area in the hallway. It is also fun to watch other swarms, friends, neighbors, and classmates, spell on stage while you wait for your child’s swarm time.

If you have questions about your registration, please contact Alina Lisanke & Wendy Etkind at beekeeper@fbe-belmont.org.

Due to the growing popularity of the Spelling Bee, and the size limitations of the venue, we anticipate that this event will sell out. Registration may sell out before the official closing date. If regular registration is sold out, we will have limited tickets available for new spellers to join existing teams. Once the event is sold out we will not be able to add your speller even if his/her teammates have already registered, so please register early and remind your teammates to sign up as well. We will do our best to accommodate all spellers who wish to participate!