March 2026 Parent Newsletter

Falcon Ridge Families,

At our school, we are constantly striving to ensure our students have the very best tools to become confident, lifelong readers. Today, I am thrilled to share some exciting news regarding our literacy instruction.

Beginning this April, our teachers and students will begin the implementation of a new foundational skills program: Functional Phonics and Morphology. This rollout is the first step in a larger district initiative to bring the "Science of Reading" into every classroom. We have been working hard behind the scenes to select resources that are not only proven to work but are also engaging for our students.

What is Functional Phonics and Morphology?

Based on recent updates from the Minnesota Read Act, our district has selected two powerhouse programs to support our students. Here is a summary of what you can expect:

• Functional Phonics (Grades K-3): This program focuses on the "mechanics" of reading. Students will practice hearing sounds in words and matching them to letters to become expert spellers and fluent readers.
• Functional Morphology (Grades 3-5): For our older elementary students, the focus shifts to the "meaningful parts" of words. They will dive into prefixes, suffixes, and Greek and Latin roots to unlock the meaning of complex vocabulary.
• Looking Ahead to Fall 2026: While we are starting the Phonics and Morphology work now, next school year we will also introduce Arts and Letters from Great Minds. This program builds deep knowledge in history, science, and the arts, ensuring our students are understanding the world through the books they read.

Why the Change?

These programs were chosen after a rigorous pilot process by 18 of our own K-5 teachers across our district. Our staff found that these resources provide a clear, step-by-step path to reading success. 

What Happens Next?

Our teachers have begun training and will start incorporating Functional Phonics and Morphology into their daily routines this April. This head start allows our staff and students to get comfortable with the new routines before we fully launch the entire literacy suite in the fall of 2026.

We are so excited to see our students grow as readers and writers through these new tools. Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education!