FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- How can my school get involved?
- How do I order copies of Spellcheck?
- Does my school need to register each year?
- What division is my school in?
- Can we send a runner-up?
- What should my speller wear?
- What will happen if there is bad weather?
- I'm looking for information that isn't related to the Spelling Bee.
How can my school get involved?
If this is your first year participating in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee, please click here to download our handy Spelling Bee 101 guide.
Any school located within the following counties is eligible to participate:
- Illinois: Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, St. Clair
- Missouri: Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. Louis, St. Louis City, Warren
Step One: Register with the Scripps National Spelling Bee
In order to participate in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee, the school's Spelling Bee Coordinator or Principal must first register the school (and pay a fee) with Scripps National Spelling Bee by October 15, 2012. Visit www.spellingbee.com for more information.
Step Two: Register with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee
Teachers should receive a packet with registration information by early October. If you are a teacher and your school is located in one of the above counties and you have not received a packet by October 10, please contact nie@post-dispatch.com.
After the school bee, visit Online Registration Form to complete the online Registration and Winners Form by February 1, 2013.
Both steps 1 & 2 must occur in order for any student to compete in any level of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee.
How do I order copies of Spellcheck?
SpellCheck were printed in its entirety in limited editions of the Thursday, October 25, 2012, edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. At this time, we are now accepting orders for delivery on our re-delivery date of Wednesday, Nov. 14. Newspapers must be ordered in advance through the Newspapers In Education program and can only be placed by schools. To order copies for your students, please click here before noon, November 9, 2012. If you are a parent please contact your school's spelling bee coordinator for more information.
Does my school need to register each year?
Yes!Step One: Register with the Scripps National Spelling Bee
In order to participate in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee the school's Spelling Bee Coordinator or Principal must first register the school with Scripps National Spelling Bee by October 15, 2012. Visit www.spellingbee.com for more information.
Step Two: Register with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee
Teachers should receive a packet from the Post-Dispatch with registration information by early October. If you are a teacher and your school is located in one of the above counties and you have not received a packet by October 10, please contact nie@post-dispatch.com.
After your school bee, complete the Post-Dispatch online Registration and Winners Form by February 1, 2013.
Both steps, 1 & 2 above, must occur in order for any student to compete in any level of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee.
What is my school's division number?
School divisions are located inside the St. Louis Post-Dispatch teachers information folder mailed in September. Parents: Please contact your school spelling bee coordinator for more information.
Can we send a runner-up?
Teachers: If your school champion is unable to attend for any reason, you must contact the Post-Dispatch Bee Director at 314-340-8961 or cathysewell@post-dispatch.com by 9 a.m., March 1, 2013. If we do not have notification that the runner-up will be attending in place of the winner, they will not be able to participate. Please note that the runner-up replacement notification must come from the school/teacher and not the speller or his/her parent.
What should my speller wear?
All spellers should dress in comfortable clothing for the semi-final bee (jeans, tennis shoes, etc.).
But for those spellers that advance to the Oral Final Bee - please no sweats, shorts, distracting clothing or loud shoes. (Spellers will be walking across a wooden stage.) And remember that a press release is mailed to local media. Your speller could appear on TV or in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
What will happen if there is bad weather?
In case of postponement due to inclement weather or other circumstances please check back to the front page of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch bee site.
