Logo designed by Nancy Perry

1. Logo designed by Nancy Perry

2. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • What is it? • Reasoning • Goal • Complement to Hands Alive – gives students another opportunity to see their D/HH friends from other schools • Why a Spelling Bee? • Academically challenging • We use same grade level words taken from national spelling bee lists (Scripps, etc.) • Encourages mastery of English and vocabulary • Encourages practicing towards a goal, confidence in one’s self, presenting in front of others • Encourages team spirit and good sportsmanship

3. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • How did it originate? • In the beginning… • Who started it all? • Who benefits from the Spelling Bee? • Deaf and hard of hearing students • Teachers • Deaf and hard of hearing adults • Parents • Student teachers and interpreters in training • Community members

4. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee What other professionals have said: • "This Bee is not just a competition.  It is an avenue for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students to develop positive study habits, learn sportsmanship, increase their self esteem, and be on an even playing field with their peers.  These students mature as a result of the weeks of preparation leading up to the Bee and from the competitive nature of the event.  A different child emerges by the end of the Bee.  It is a wonderful thing to watch!“ – Heidi Givens, Teacher for D/HH, Daviess Co. Schools • “I’ve really enjoyed serving as a judge and watching the kids grow as they transition to upper grades. You can also see how much they’ve matured in their mannerisms/ interpersonal relations with staff & other students, in their responses to incorrect answers during the bee and celebrating their spelling victories. The spelling bee also gives them an opportunity to meet other deaf and hard of hearing peers throughout the area plus get a glimpse of our local or state-wide adult deaf volunteers & professionals who may serve as role models .” – Sherry West, Counselor for the Deaf, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

5. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • What does the day look like? • Registration/Introductions • Spelling Bee Competition, Divide into separate rooms for different age groups to compete. Goal: all students compete in one group and watch at least one other group compete. • Social lunchtime • Awards Ceremony & Closing

6. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • How can you start a D/HH Spelling Bee in your area? “It Takes a Village” • First meeting: • Organize a team of teachers/professionals • Designate a “facilitator” • Determine date, time, location, tentative schedule of activities. • Make a checklist of categories and responsibilities • Designate one person to be responsible for each category • Consider deadlines needed for planning • Schedule future meetings and set goals/expectations to follow up at each meeting.

7. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • What does the person responsible for each category need to do? • Determine materials needed (including tables & chairs) • Determine amount of money needed and communicate to facilitator • Follow appropriate procedure to purchase materials • Organize materials and prepare them for the day of event • Determine number of volunteers needed • On day of event, instruct volunteers on what to do

8. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • Categories to plan: • Set up/Check-in (Chairs/materials on stage, judges’ table, audience chairs, moderator’s podium; registration table set up with name tags, schools and volunteer check-in) • Personnel: Moderator and Judges for each room • Person to organize Rules/Procedures, Word Lists/Videos: Standardized Lists In Process!! • Awards: Certificate & Medal for every participant, Trophies for first/second place winners in each category • Interpreter Coordinator: Need team of two interpreters for each time slot • Clean Up (Volunteers needed; where to return materials)

9. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • Planning continued: • Venue: Reserve location for event (registration area; room(s) for competition and awards with stage, lighting, sound system; eating area, etc.) • Advertising: Design & distribute flyers, announcements, program, schedule, maps, etc. • Registration: Gather school and student names and ages; provide numbers for lunch and certificates/awards; organize groups for competition; make arrangements for check-in; • Volunteer organization: find volunteers, schedule and assign tasks • Transportation: Make map & directions to location; arrange bus & car parking

10. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • Planning continued: • PR – media: Contact community media and school district publicity personnel; designate spokesperson for media on day of event • Lunch: Determine type and amount of food & drinks needed ; obtain paper products; order food on day of event; pick up/arrange delivery; organize volunteers to set up, pass out food, and clean up. • Thank You Cards for judges and volunteers • Name Tags for all students, adults, volunteers • Acquire Materials: Dry erase boards, markers, erasers/cloths

11. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • Covering costs: • Determine estimated expenses and set up goals for fundraising • Discuss ways to pay for each category: • What can individual schools pay for, donate, or loan? (dry erase boards, markers, erasers) • What can be covered by registration fees? (food, medals/trophies) • What can be donated by businesses or sold at discounted rate? (paper products, certificates, food, trophies/medals) • Find sponsors – Donation Letter

12. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • Obtaining sponsors: • Acknowledge and advertise companies/agencies on day of event • Set up levels of sponsors: Titanium - $500.00 Platinum - $200.00 Gold - $150.00 Silver - $100.00 Bronze - $50.00 • Send ‘thank you’ letters and certificates after the event • Possible sponsors: • Agencies that work with D/HH individuals (Sorenson, Hamilton Relay, Local/ Regional Deaf Organizations, Audiologist Offices, etc.) • Local businesses with whom you have connections • Local businesses that often give donations: newspaper, hospitals, local electric/utilities companies, doctors’ and lawyers’ offices • Local school funds

13. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • Remember to be flexible! • Adapt & Change these plans to fit your school system and the needs of your students. • Make it Positive! • Be creative! • Have fun!

14. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • What we have learned: • Difficult to put time frame on groups. Estimate time based on number in group. • Have 2 rooms with groups competing simultaneously. • Have schools make & bring posters to cheer on students. • Give “Good Sportsmanship” pep talk during introduction • Have “runners” to check on judges, moderators during and between groups for needs. • Have activities prepared just in case one group finishes before the other. • Interpreters: need team of 2 for each time slot, let an interpreter plan schedule • Facilitator needs to be free to float between rooms and be time manager • In process of making Manual for planning

15. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • We Want To See the D/HH Spelling Bee GROW • YOU can help make our vision become a reality!! • Our vision is for several Regional Bees to be held across the state in Nov-Dec • Regional winners then come together to compete in a state-wide Bee at KSD in Jan-Feb, with state-wide champions in each age category • WORDS FROM WILTON MCMILLAN

16. Regional D/HH Spelling Bee • If you would like to talk to us further regarding the Regional D/HH Spelling Bee, our contact information: • Miranda Stewart Miranda.stewart@warren.kyschools.us 270-842-1364 (Natcher Elementary) • Laurie VanConia Laurie.vanconia@ksd.kyschools.us 270-852-7250 (Country Heights Elementary 270-293-8193 (Cell)