Blessed Sacrament students undertake 40 days of reading

Friday, Aug. 29, 2025

Daria Carr

This past Lent, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School embarked on a powerful and unifying journey – our first-ever 40 Days of Reading challenge. Inspired by the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, this initiative served not only as a reminder of the length and spiritual depth of Lent but also as an invitation for students to build new habits of prayer, reflection and learning through daily reading.

Each school day during Lent, students took home a “Reading Ticket” to log the number of minutes or books they read at home. Parents signed the tickets to verify participation, becoming active partners in the process. Each morning, the tickets were collected and counted, with Principal Bryan Penn announcing daily reading updates to the entire school during morning announcements. This daily rhythm helped everyone feel connected to the effort and gave students motivation to stay on track.

The excitement extended beyond the students. Teachers encouraged reading throughout the day and incorporated book conversations and quiet reading time into their classes. Many parents commented on how much they enjoyed the structure and purpose the challenge gave their children’s reading routine – and some shared plans to continue using the Reading Tickets over the summer.

One of the most memorable aspects of the program was how it brought together the school community – from pre-kindergarten through middle school – and culminated in a creative and meaningful celebration. As the challenge neared its end, top readers from each class were recognized during the final school Mass of Lent with special medals and certificates.

The medals were designed and 3D printed by our middle-school students as part of our WOZ ED STEM program. The students worked collaboratively, brainstorming various design options and using a process of elimination to select the final medal concept. Nina, one of the student designers, explained how they worked through multiple drafts and redesigns to make sure the medals would print correctly and look great. Once the final design was chosen and the medals printed, the students tied ribbons on each medal themselves – keeping the entire project a secret until the big reveal.

The result was a celebration that truly reflected the spirit of Lent, literacy and leadership. Students felt proud of their efforts, whether they won a medal or not, and middle-schoolers gained hands-on experience in design thinking, teamwork and giving back to their school community in a meaningful way.

In every way, 40 Days of Reading was a success: strengthening the bonds between students, teachers and families, while reinforcing the school’s commitment to nurturing both hearts and minds. We look forward to making this a Lenten tradition for years to come.