S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G, B-E-E… Spelling Bee.

The Newton County School System will host its 2014 System Spelling Bee next week, and spelling bee champions in the county will soon compete, spelling words in front of an audience.

The competition will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at Newton High School, 1 Ram Way.

Each of the system’s elementary and middle schools will send its school spelling bee champion to participate in the county competition. In addition, each school will send its runner-up as an alternate, if the school champion is unable to participate, a news release from the school system said.

Students in grades 4-8 were eligible to participate in the school competitions.

Lee Peck, NCSS director of elementary schools, said spelling is one of the lifelong skills that children begin to learn early in school and continue throughout their lifetimes.

"Written communication is an essential component of everyday life. In order to be an effective and efficient communicator, one must have adequate spelling knowledge," Peck said.

"The Spelling Bee is a fun activity in which children can participate to demonstrate the spelling skills and knowledge they have learned."

The judges and the Newton County Spelling Bee Committee are in complete control of the Bee at all times, and judges’ decision will be final in all matters, school system officials noted.

Parents and family members are invited to attend the Bee; however, the school system asks that parents refrain from bringing infants and small children, who may distract contestants. In addition, flash photography should only be used after the competition.

The winner of the NCSS Spelling Bee will represent the county at the Regional Spelling Bee at 10 a.m. Saturday, March, 1 at Putnam County Middle School in Eatonton.