Fairfield, CA – A group of Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District students are about to embark on a new literacy adventure. First-grade students at Sheldon Academy and Tolenas Elementary, and third- through fifth-grade students at Anna Kyle Elementary, are receiving personalized packets of books tailored to their reading needs. The giveaway is part of a pilot program aimed at strengthening early literacy through engaging and accessible decodable texts.
Students participating in the Just Right Reader pilot program will each receive a personalized selection of 30 books to keep. The books are chosen to encourage students to build their home libraries and are selected based on each student’s assessment data. Teachers at the participating schools will receive coaching and support on integrating the books into classroom activities.
In January, the participating schools will host celebratory events where students will unwrap their customized book sets, marking the start of this exciting program. These gatherings will highlight the importance of literacy while bringing together families, educators, and staff to share in the joy of reading.
“We are so excited to be selected by Just Right Reader to bring this opportunity to our students,” said Lori Taylor, FSUSD Literacy Coordinator. “Decodable readers provide targeted practice of phonics skills. These books will help our students build confidence and become fluent readers.”
Decoding refers to the process by which students look at letters, connect those letters to sounds, and combine the sounds to form a word. According to Just Right Reader, it’s important for students to have decodable books that align to their knowledge and skills as they are gaining reading fluency.
“Students have many opportunities to practice their decoding skills in engaging, connected text, which allows them to become strong readers,” according to the Just Right Reader website.
The program also emphasizes the critical role of family engagement in student success. Each book includes a QR code that unlocks resources such as read-along audio, comprehension tips, and fun activities to reinforce learning at home. This feature bridges the home-school connection, empowering families to actively support their child’s reading journey.
“This program invites families to be true partners in their child’s education,” added Holly Collins, FSUSD Coordinator of Parent & Family Engagement. “When schools and families partner to support learning, it creates a strong foundation for student success.”
The Just Right Reader program prioritizes equity and accessibility. By providing each student with a personalized library of books they can take home, the program aims to address the critical need to close literacy gaps and ensure students have the opportunity to succeed.
“The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District is proud to be part of this innovative effort and looks forward to the positive impact this pilot program will have on young readers,” the district said in a media release.