Dat Nguyen, a senior at SJA, received his First Holy Communion on May 23 after a personal journey marked by a deep desire to grow closer to Christ. What began as a simple conversation last year became months of preparation, sacrifice, and quiet perseverance as Dat committed himself to receiving the sacraments. The journey was not an easy one. As an international student from Vietnam without a local parish community, Dat faced additional obstacles throughout the process. Yet when he was asked whether he wanted to prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, his answer was immediate: yes. That “yes” was met by many others within the SJA community. Frater Dominic spent the year teaching and guiding Dat through sacramental preparation. Theology teacher Chris O’Donnell carefully researched and compiled an appropriate list of catechetical texts, while Barbara de La Torre approved and purchased the materials needed for instruction. Fr. George prepared Dat for his first confession, and second-grade teacher, Zarina Berens, coordinated the logistics necessary to include him fully in the sacramental process.

Dear Parents, As summer is about to begin, let's be intentional about prioritizing reading with our children. A recent New York Times article highlights a generation-long decline in U.S. test scores, noting that a decline in reading is especially concerning because it directly impacts performance across all subjects. Strong reading skills support success in history, science, math, and beyond by building vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking. Without regular practice, many students experience the “summer slide,” losing one to two months of academic progress, particularly in reading. Fortunately, consistent summer reading helps children maintain their hard-earned skills, sparks imagination, and develops a lifelong love of learning. Quick Tips for Summer Reading: Give children some agency: They are much more likely to read books they pick themselves Aim for 20–30 minutes daily: Consistency matters more than marathon sessions Create a routine: Consider a "books-before-screens" rule to build a healthy daily habit Recommended Reading Lists To help you get started, here are several excellent curated lists of engaging, age-appropriate books: Dr. Senior’s Booklist Great Hearts Reading Lists The Heights Booklist Even a modest reading habit this summer will make a massive difference when we welcome students back in the fall. Wishing you a relaxing and enriching summer filled with great books and happy reading!