‘It’s always special.’ Read for the Record initiative kicks off in Pembroke Pines
Nestled inside the media center at Pembroke Lakes Elementary School in Pembroke Pines, about 30 pre-K and kindergarten students sat cross-legged with their eyes fixed on the pages of a brightly illustrated book.
The children were part of Broward’s annual kickoff of Read for the Record, a countywide early literacy celebration held Thursday, Feb. 26, that unites thousands across the county to read the same book on the same day.
The program is led by the Children’s Services Council of Broward County, in partnership with Broward County Public Schools and the Early Learning Coalition of Broward.
The CSC of Broward County was established after a voter referendum passed in September 2000 with the mission to help children “grow into healthy and productive adults” by helping them succeed in school, President and CEO Cindy Arenberg Seltzer told the Pembroke Pines News.
Seltzer and BCPS Superintendent Howard Hepburn led the morning read-aloud with the support of other district staff members.
“It’s always special when you’re reading to a group of kindergarteners,” Hepburn told the Pembroke Pines News after the day’s first reading session. “They’re the most engaging, the most interested and they ask awesome questions. ... It was a special day today.”
“Read for the Record” comes from Jumpstart’s national campaign, now in its 20th year and considered the world’s largest shared reading experience.
Jumpstart is a national early education organization with the mission to ensure “every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed,” according to its website.
“A love for reading is so important for our kids and they learn it at such an early age,” Hepburn said.
This year, Jumpstart chose the book “See Marcus Grow” by Marcus Bridgewater, known to many as Garden Marcus.
“We have supported the district in a variety of ways over the years,” said Seltzer, who has been the organization’s only president and CEO to date. “One of the things we’ve been doing for the last 11 years is leading Broward Reads, the campaign for grade-level reading.”
She says the annual event allows students in the county to enjoy a reading from a volunteer and commemorate the day with a special token.
“They will also go home with a copy of the book to build their home library,” Seltzer said. “The CSC has funded the purchase of those books every year for the past 11 years and also funds HandsOn Broward in order to recruit those volunteers who fan out across the county.
Broward has been Jumpstart’s flagship location, Seltzer says, with two local members serving on the book selection committee.
“They choose books that are beautifully illustrated, generally award-winning, and have a lovely message,” Seltzer said. “This year, it’s both about family and communing with the Earth and how much you can learn from the way plants grow, because children grow with that same sort of nurturing.”
On the surface, “See Marcus Grow” is a simple story about gardening. Its message, though, goes beyond planting and tending to seeds, focusing on perseverance, growth and care.
Through the Broward Reads partnership, 40,000 copies of the chosen book will be distributed to pre-K and kindergarten students countywide.
Seltzer hopes the children leave with more than just a new addition to their home libraries.
“It’s multifaceted. I hope they see that other adults are invested in their success,” Seltzer said. “That the community cares about them. That’s why the volunteer component is so important. I hope they hear a book read in a way that excites them and delights them.”
