Virtual spelling bees create buzz for Canadian student spellers from coast to coast
Spelling Bee Regional and Championship Events pivot to live stream competitions
TORONTO, ON (October 22, 2020)—The pandemic has created an opportunity for Spelling Bee of Canada (SBOC) to launch their first virtual Spelling Bee competitions. Twenty-four regional SBOC Chapters will hold local spelling bees on the Zoom platform from Saturday, October 24, 2020, through Sunday, November 8, 2020.
From coast to coast, Canadian students will spell their assigned words before SBOCs officials during the virtual competitions. Breakout rooms will be used to guide participants through the rounds of the competition.
“We’ve held annual spelling bees for the past 32 years, and the pandemic challenged us to introduce a new way for us to deliver our program. Our team stepped up to lead the way, developing and launching our new virtual platform,” says SBOC Founder and Chair, Julie Spence. “Pivoting our in-person events to live streaming virtual events creates a new channel for our community to continue to support student literacy.”
Twenty-four SBOC Chapters will hold local Regional Spelling Bees from Saturday, October 24, 2020, through Sunday, November 8, 2020. 1st place winners for each Chapter and age category will advance to compete in the final Championship Spelling Bee, which will be hosted virtually and live-streamed on Sunday, November 29, 2020. SBOC Chapters are located across Canada in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.
“With a talented new cohort of participants for 2020, we are reminded about the importance of spelling bee experiences for kids and youth in our communities,” says Dr. Nagina Parmar, SBOC President. “We provide a national platform for young people to expand their vocabulary, communication skills, and self-confidence by providing a foundation for future scholastic achievements.”
Over the course of its 33-year history, SBOC has welcomed over 50,000 children as spelling bee participants.
Competition Dates
Saturday, October 24, 2020
Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, & Whitby
As-Sadiq Islamic Family of Schools
Brampton
British Columbia 1 & 2
Sunday, October 25, 2020
Burlington Milton & Hamilton
Central North York, Danforth Beaches, ER, & LN18
East York & Toronto East
Etobicoke & North York West
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Edmonton & Morden Winnipeg
Mississauga & Family of Churches
Markham/Unionville
Niagara Falls Area
Sunday, November 1, 2020
Kingston
Kitchener/Waterloo
Windsor & London
Maple Woodbridge & Richmond Hill
Saturday, November 7, 2020
Scarborough North
Scarborough South
North York East
Oakville
Sunday, November 8, 2020
Ottawa/Carleton
Sudbury
Wood Buffalo Area
Nova Scotia
Sunday, November 29, 2020
CHAMPIONSHIP
About Spelling Bee of Canada
The Spelling Bee of Canada (SBOC) is a grassroots organization, promoting youth literacy since 1987. Their goal, with the support of parents, chapter presidents and volunteers, is to encourage young people to expand their vocabulary, communication skills and self-confidence, by providing a foundation for future scholastic achievements through their theme of
Education + Perseverance = Success.
Social Media
Website: www.spellingbeeofcanada.ca
Facebook & Instagram: @spellingbeeofcanada
Twitter: @SpellingBeeofCa
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