Innovative initiative provided support for over 300 students
Fairfield, CA (July 30, 2025) - More than 300 incoming first-grade students across Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) participated in the 2024ā25 Rising Readers summer program, an initiative focused on targeted literacy and math instruction, with a goal to build critical academic skills and reduce summer learning loss for students in need of extra support.
The Rising Readers program was developed by district leaders and literacy specialists as a focused summer program for students entering first grade in the fall. It was designed to target the specific needs of FSUSD students, and teachers were specially trained to deliver the program. Students were selected based on assessments completed during the 2024-2025 school year.
āOur Rising Readers program helps ensure that every child has a strong foundation to begin first grade with confidence,ā said Superintendent Jennifer Sachs. āIt reflects our districtās commitment to equity and early intervention as well as our teachersā dedication to serving students, and weāre proud of the growth and excitement we saw from our students this summer.ā
The program was offered to incoming first grade students from all 19 elementary schools across the district, and included a few rising second graders as well. Sullivan Language Immersion Academy also offered a Spanish-language version of the program, supporting bilingual learners and their families.
Students received a comprehensive, research-based curriculum designed to support a variety of learning styles:
Foundational literacy skills: Through explicit phonics sequence, students learn to systematically decode words, recognize spelling patterns, and build the essential reading and writing abilities needed for fluent, confident literacy development.
Small group instruction: Teachers worked closely with students in small groups to reinforce their reading fluency skills.
Interactive learning centers: Fun and engaging activities ā such as magnetic letter games ā provided students with developmentally appropriate and meaningful practice opportunities.
Handwriting and spelling: Targeted instruction helped students practice and develop accuracy in letter formation and spelling patterns.
Math support: Students practiced solving story problems using hands-on interactive tools and whiteboards.
At the end of the program, each student received a set of decodable books to take home. Decodable books are specially written texts that align with the phonics patterns students are currently learning. These books are designed to help early readers practice specific letter-sound relationships and decoding (sounding out words) skills in a structured, confidence-building way ā fostering continued literacy practice and a love of reading well beyond the classroom.
The Rising Readers program demonstrates FSUSDās ongoing dedication to early academic intervention and student success, ensuring that young learners are supported, confident, and ready for a successful school year.