District of the Year:
For a school district that hosted an outstanding celebration
Broward Reads – Children’s Services Council of Broward County/Broward County Public Schools: Florida
In celebration of its 10th year participating in Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, the Broward Reads Coalition achieved remarkable milestones through innovative collaborations and inclusive outreach. A record-breaking 1,428 volunteers brought the joy of reading to over 40,000 young readers across Broward County, each receiving their own copy of Piper Chen Sings. The initiative extended beyond classrooms, reaching young patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, where leaders such as Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, School Board Chair Debra Hixon, Children’s Services Council CEO Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital CEO Caitlin Beck Stella joined patients, their families, and parents from the NICU in experiencing the inspiring story of Piper Chen Sings. The event was broadcast live throughout the hospital, with books hand-delivered to children’s rooms, ensuring that all children were included in the celebration.
Partnering with local parks, the coalition hosted outdoor reading events in butterfly gardens, deepening children’s connection to the story. Libraries offered enhanced experiences with arts and crafts, while the Exceptional Student Education Department ensured accessibility by providing Braille and ASL resources, sensory tools, and interactive materials for children with disabilities. This year’s initiative exemplified the power of community collaboration in fostering a love for reading and creating lasting connections that will inspire literacy and inclusion for years to come. Learn more from the South Florida Hospital News or watch highlights on YouTube.
|
