Broward County Public Schools joins forces with the Florida Panthers to launch the first ever Reading Challenge for students and families

Broward County, Florida – Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is partnering with the Florida Panthers to launch the inaugural Florida Panthers Reading Challenge, an initiative designed to encourage families to read together and promote strong literacy habits among students. The challenge officially began on September 15 and will run through October 10, bringing together students, parents, and teachers in a shared effort to make reading a daily habit.

This year’s challenge features four participating schools: Bennett Elementary School, Endeavour Primary Learning Center, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, and Oakridge Elementary School. Families are encouraged to read together for at least 15 minutes each day and record their reading progress in logs provided by the schools. These logs are then returned to teachers, who track participation and engagement throughout the challenge period.

Students and families who complete the challenge will receive certificates and bookmarks recognizing their efforts. In addition, participants have the chance to win exclusive Florida Panthers prizes. The school with the highest participation rate will also host a special Panthers school assembly in November, offering students a unique opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments alongside representatives from the team.

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“We’re thrilled to partner with the Florida Panthers to celebrate and strengthen the joy of reading,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn. “Reading together as a family not only builds literacy skills but also creates lasting memories.”

The Panthers organization sees the initiative as a way to extend its commitment to youth education beyond the ice. “We are proud to partner with Broward County Public Schools on another great initiative,” said John Colombo, Vice President of the Panthers Foundation & Community Relations. “Our organization is committed to supporting youth education, and the Reading Challenge is a powerful way to inspire lifelong readers.”

The challenge not only emphasizes literacy but also encourages family engagement, creating meaningful moments between parents and children while fostering a love of reading. Students are motivated to set personal reading goals, track their achievements, and celebrate milestones with their classmates, all while having the opportunity to be recognized for their dedication.

BCPS officials highlighted that initiatives like the Reading Challenge are part of a broader effort to promote educational enrichment and support student success both inside and outside the classroom. By combining structured reading goals with incentives and community involvement, the program aims to make reading a fun, interactive, and rewarding experience.

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Families, teachers, and students are already expressing excitement about participating, sharing that the challenge provides not only an opportunity to improve literacy skills but also a reason to spend more quality time together. The partnership with the Florida Panthers adds an element of excitement and community pride, motivating students to remain consistent and engaged throughout the challenge.

As the Florida Panthers Reading Challenge continues through October 10, schools and families are encouraged to maintain daily reading routines, submit completed logs, and celebrate the joy of literacy. The program promises to inspire students to become lifelong readers while strengthening the bond between school, home, and community.

This initiative marks the first collaboration of its kind between BCPS and the Florida Panthers, and both organizations hope it will become an annual tradition that encourages children to read, learn, and grow in a fun and interactive way.