Framingham Spelling It Out for Education Nov. 15

FRAMINGHAM, MA --How do you spell T-E-A-M-W-O-R-K-? For the competitors assembled for the Framingham Education Foundation’s annual townwide adult Spelling Bee, teamwork is indeed the most important word—and the one that comes most naturally.

On Wednesday, November 15, they’ll be conferring with fellow team members throughout the evening as they battle in this friendly War of Words.

But teamwork goes beyond spelling: the entire evening is collaboration between public schools, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and generous individuals, all teaming up to raise funds to support innovative projects in the Framingham Public School District.

For the second consecutive year, the Framingham Education Foundation (FEF) received a generous grant from Genzyme Corporation to support its Spelling Bee.

Starting at 7pm in Cameron Middle School’s auditorium, the spirited Bee includes 25 teams, each sponsored through a donation of $350 by a local business and supported by an enthusiastic audience comprised of educators, families, students, and business owners.

As Master of Ceremonies, radio personality David O’Leary will keep the tempo quick and the humor light. He’ll read a confounding word to each team seated on the stage of Cameron’s auditorium. Team members will spend one minute conferring before offering their spelling. Participants are provided with word-study books in advance of the event.

This year’s teams hail from Genzyme Corporation, Coldwell Banker, ERA Key Realty, and Framingham State College, as well as from individual public schools. Along with such sponsors as Middlesex Savings Bank, Bose Corporation, Metrowest Daily News, and Framingham Cooperative Bank, they’ll raise almost $10,000 to support FEF’s mini-grant programs for educators in the Framingham Public School District.

In addition to offering the usual intellectual prowess, wacky costumes, and lively audience, this year’s Bee will also include a tribute to the long-time sponsors from the business community who have insured the Bee’s financial success for so many years.

The public is encouraged to attend the Bee free of charge, and to cheer for their favorite school or team.

To enter a team in the Bee, or to sponsor a team for $350, please call Jane Eyler at the Framingham Education Foundation, 508-424-3423.