Lewis Cass Intermediate School District is sponsoring the 28th annual Cass County Spelling Spelling Bee for Cassopolis, Dowagiac, Edwardsburg and Marcellus students in grades 4-8.
The traditional event will b conducted on Feb. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In the event of “snow day,” the Bee will take place on March 11.
The format consists of both team and individual spelling competitions.
In the morning, all 120 students compete on five-person, grade-level teams against the sam grade levels from the other school districts.
A point system is in place for team spelling so that misspelled words do not eliminate students from the activity.
First through fourth place ribbons are awarded to all teams after 10 rounds of spelling.
In the afternoon, students who spelled perfectly or only missed one word in the morning competition, advance to the individual spelling contest.
If students misspell a word during the individual contest, the are eliminated from the Bee.
The top three spellers who remain at the end of the competition all receive prizes for their success.
The top two spellers will receive $50 savings bonds.
The top speller, the Cass County Spelling Bee Champion, will also receive a special trophy.The two top fourth grade individual winners will receive word games.
Against this year, an OVerall District Trophy will be awarded to the district showing the greatest overall spelling prowess.
The Cass County Historical Commission donates the prizes and monetary awards for this event.
Brian Wood, director of instructional services for Lewis Cass ISD, is serving as coordinator for this year’s event.
The Teachers Steering Committee includes: Karen Holbury (Cassopolis), Heather Nash (Dowagiac), Kim Stevenson (Edwardsburg), Halee Surach, parent rep (Marcellus) and Sue Stoddard, retired Marcellus teacher.
The 2011 pronouncers are Dan Smith, retired Dowagiac principal; Rachele Ward, Cassopolis Teacher; and Lin Mallory, retired Dowagiac principal
The scorekeepers and judges are Bob Colby, LCISD superintendent; Linda Lorenz, former Dowagiac school board member; Christine Locke, Cassopolis school board president; Sue Hague, Cassopolis curriculum director; Johanna Timpson, Marcellus; and Heather Merrill, Great Start coordinator for Lewis Cass ISD.
The public is invited to attend the competition at Southwestern Michigan College.
This year’s event will take place in the Lyons Building and Mathews Conference Center.
In other upcoming academic events, the 23rd annual Math-A-Rama coordinated by LCISD, will take place on March 10.
This annual mathematics activities day is designed for third, fourth and fifth grade students from Cassopolis, Dowagiac and Edwardsburg school districts who have strong interest and ability in mathematics.
Each district may bring 60 students to the program.
Focus of the 2011 program will again be mathematics exploration, experience and fund.
Events emphasize teamwork and challenge thinking skills.
Awards and recognition will be given to all students.
Math-A-Rama will feature five activities involving problem solving, patterns, mathematical products and estimations. The fifth event will be a noontime mathematics scavenger hunt.
Approximately 200 young scientists will take part in the LCISD elementary Science Olympiad Day on Tuesday, March. 8.