Apply for the 2025-26 School Year! APPLY NOW

Another busy & exciting week ahead! Continuing our conversations on race & equity, celebrating the arts, and cheering on the Bolts!

by

Good morning Franklin community,

Last week was a busy week for our school. We kicked off the week with our annual enrollment lottery and ended with Prom last night, and the busy schedule continues this week. 

As our school continues to grow we are adjusting to increased demand for enrollment, with waitlists at most grade levels. We know many of our new families join us because they hear about our school from you – thank you for spreading the word!  We have a few spots open for incoming 5th grade students and families. With our new classrooms we are able to add a 4th class at this grade level. If you know rising 5th graders who are looking for something different, help us continue to spread the word! If you have friends who are on the waitlist for other grades, know that we will keep them informed about the status of their application. 

We kicked off our spring series on racism and equity with a great opening conversation Wednesday evening. The question that stays with me from our session on Wednesday is “what does liberation look like?” What changes do we need to make as a community to truly become a place where everyone can thrive? We continue our conversations this Wednesday with Building Bridges “Talk Back” session. We will meet in our new building (Big Ben) from 6 – 9 pm to watch a movie together and then engage in conversation after. The event is free and open to the public. We will sell concessions to raise funds for our BIPOC Student Union. 

Move from learning and conversation into ACTION by signing up to help with this year’s GrindFest! This local community event celebrates the success of Black entrepreneurs & business owners in Asheville with a weekend full of music, games, live performances, food, local vendors, and more! Volunteers are needed to make this event a success. Sign up today: https://grindfestavl.com/be-a-volunteer. Don’t miss the link to headliners Big Boi, Waka Flocka Flame & Talib Kweli – see more below the calendar.

The arts are on display this week! Tomorrow evening (April 17), the FSI music department is hosting an Open Mic at Doc Brown’s BBQ, 6 – 8 pm. This event is open to anyone, not just music students. So get your act together and join us! As well as hosting us at the restaurant for this event, Doc Brown’s is generously donating 10% of the restaurant’s profits earned during those hours to the music department. This event is outdoors and the weather currently looks promising.If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Wilson at swilson@thefsi.us We hope to see you there!

On Thursday evening we celebrate the arts with our Spring Arts Showcase, featuring visual and performing arts at FSI. Visual art is on display from Tuesday, April 18 – April 21. The Showcase will be held Thursday, April 20, 5 – 7 pm in the Community Room and will include:

  • Artist Reception
  • Modern Orchestra & Choir Performances
  • Theatre Improv Performances
  • Student led Artmaking Activities.

Spring athletics are also busy this week with soccer and Ultimate Frisbee events. Come on out and cheer for the Bolts! 

Please note that we have delayed the Filthy Franklin Mud Run till September 24.This will give us the opportunity to stage the run around our new building without the challenges of the construction site.  Thank you to everyone who registered! There will be mud….

This Week’s Reasons for Optimism

The FSI BIPOC Student Union has been busy! Students meet twice weekly with our faculty mentors Keith Knox and James Love, and with community mentor Bruce Waller. The meetings give students a safe space to talk about their experiences as Black and Brown students in our school and in the broader community and to organize and advocate for change. They have been working hard on a Mission Statement and logo and what they have created is powerful. 

Mission: Our mission is to confront racism through education, celebration, and messaging to foster inclusive environments that allow all BIPOC students to participate. We charge all FSI community to become advocates of systemic change by promoting dialogue in word or deed, in and out of classrooms with their non-bipoc peers. We celebrate BIPOC culture while challenging systematic oppression. We are committed to accountability and creating a future where all individuals are valued and respected.

They’ve designed these t-shirts with the mission statement and logo. 

Our mission as a school isn’t really about creating test-takers and rule followers. It’s about creating change makers. It’s harder and messier work but it is so much more exciting and fulfilling. Thank you to everyone who supports this work and especially to the students who are leading the change. 

Upcoming Events

Mon, April 17

  • 1:30 – 2:30 pm: AB Tech Rep on campus for dual enrollment info
  • 4:00 pm: HS Ultimate @ Odyssey School (90 Zillicoa St)
  • 6 – 8 pm: Open Mic Night @ Doc Brown’s BBQ (1320 Smokey Park Highway). Open to everyone! 

Tues, April 18

  • 4:00 pm: FSI Tour for Prospective Families
  • 4:15 pm: MS Soccer vs Francine Delaney @ Buncombe County Sports Park
  • 4:30 pm: HS Girls Soccer @ Asheville School (360 Asheville School Road)

Wed, April 19

  • 4:30 pm: HS Ultimate Vs. North Buncombe High
  • 6:00 – 9:00 pm: Building Bridges “Talk Back” movie & discussion @ FSI

Thurs, April 20

  • 5:00 – 7:00 pm: Spring Art Showcase in the Community Room @ FSI
  • 5:00 pm: MS Soccer vs Trailblazers @ Biltmore Church (35 Clayton Road)
  • 6:00 pm: HS Girls Soccer vs Trailblazers @ Biltmore Church (35 Clayton Road)

Fri, April 21, 3:00 pm: First Parent Crew meeting @ FSI

Plan ahead: April 26 

8th and 10th grade passages will be held on April 26. This will be a Virtual Learning Day for all other grades! Students in 8th and 10th grade will attend during their presentation slot. 

Keep up with all our events on our Community Calendar! 

Need to see the 2022-2023 School Calendar in one place? It’s on our website – click here

NEW! Approved 2023-2024 School Calendar

Volunteer Opportunity! 

Calling any parent volunteers to help us finish replacing our last five carts of older Chrome devices with newer, bigger and better ones. Our Tech Director has his hands full helping get our new classrooms ready for connectivity while keeping us all humming along this year and hasn’t been able to find the time to get these last few done. He will lead you every step of the way. The workspace is climate-controlled and quiet. Reach out to him at mmikulski@thefsi.us with any upcoming date and time, steal away for an hour, two or three during the school day and… be put to tremendously good use =)

Parent Crew – Sign up to join!

What is Parent Crew? As our school grows and recovers from the pandemic disruptions, we want to make it easier and more rewarding for parents and guardians to get involved. Parent Crew is our answer to a PTO or PTA. We are looking for volunteers to help create the Parent Crew mission statement, decide on an organizing structure, and help us bring our parent and family engagement to the next level! Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGVERGcJws1xYjrmCIyeTv2Kzqnxsc7NeuWfzd-rPBsKFD2A/viewform?usp=share_link. Contact Micah Usher (musher@thefsi.us) for more information! 

FSI Racism & Equity Spring 2023 Workshop Series

April 19, 6 – 9 pm: Building Bridges Talk Back Workshop @ FSI

Building Bridges will facilitate this in-person workshop. We will watch a film together and then engage in a dialogue about racism. Building Bridges is a local organization that works to dismantle and disrupt racism, one conversation at a time. We are excited to bring them to FSI! 

April 25, 6 – 9 pm: Building Bridges Talk Back Workshop @ Evergreen Community School

We are partnering with Evergreen to provide two opportunities for our communities. If you are unable to attend the Building Bridges workshop at FSI, you are invited to attend the workshop at Evergreen Community Charter School.

Mon, May 1, 6:30 pm: We Need to Talk! Community Listening Session on Racism & Inequity

Danae Aicher will join us in person to facilitate a Listening Session on racism and inequality within our community. The Listening Session will be held at FSI in our new building;specific room to be determined.

Special Incentive to Attend!

We are offering a fun incentive to encourage participation in our Racism & Inequality workshops. Students will earn one point for each family member who attends each workshop. If you have more than one student at FSI, we will count points for each student – no need to choose which student gets the point!  The middle and high school Crew with the most points will be treated to a party with fun local food treats, including chef-selected cucumber canapes by Chef Rakim Gaines (of Capella 9) and Buggy Pops ice pops by Neomi Negron. Thank you to our parent/business partners for these great donations!  

Celebrating the local BIPOC community is another great step in your personal anti-racist journey! Grindfest is a free, 3-day event (May 26 – 28)  that celebrates the success of Black entrepreneurs + business owners in Asheville.  A block-party-style event will take place at 8 Rivers Arts Place! This includes a weekend full of music, games, live performance, food, local vendors + learning, employment, and partnership opportunities. The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community. A long weekend of fun and excitement. 

FREE STEM Summer Camp Opportunities! Apply Today!

This is too good to miss! Western North Carolina middle and high school students are now eligible for a free week of STEM summer camp provided by the N.C. School of Science and Math in Morganton. Sponsored by Dogwood Health Trust, the NCSSM Summer Accelerator course will be open to rising sixth through 12th graders.

NCSSM Summer Accelerator is a one-week residential program held July 23-28 on the NCSSM-Morganton campus. Middle School students will choose between two options, “Design, Build, Code” and “Forensics.” High school students can choose between “Acquiring Data with the Raspberry Pi” and “Pump it Up! An Exploration of Body Systems and the Role of Exercise.”

To fill out an online application, visit https://tinyurl.com/24sbar47. Space is limited and the application process will be competitive. For more information, contact Gina Barrier at gina.barrier@ncssm.edu or 828-347-9132.

Passage Presentations, April 26 & April 27

On April 26, students in grades 8 and 10 will present their Passage Portfolios. Passages are an important part of our EL Education school model. These formal presentations are an opportunity and an expectation for students to reflect and demonstrate their readiness to move on to the next level of their education. Passages are so important that we disrupt our normal school schedule to make them possible. Students in all other grades will have a remote learning day on April 26 to allow the space and time for Passages to take place. 

We are looking for volunteers to serve as Passage panelists! Each student presents their portfolio to an audience that includes their Crew leader, a school representative, and a community panelist. Panelists will provide feedback to students. As a panelist, you will have a rubric to guide you and you will be working collaboratively with other members of the panel. It’s an amazing birds-eye view into the achievements and growth of our students. We need many volunteers to support this undertaking! Please sign up here if you are interested and able to help: April 26 Passage Panelist Volunteer Sign Up

FSI School Store is Open! 

Get your FSI & Bolts gear and represent your school in style! 

Tees, hoodies, scarves and more – check it out! FSI School Apparel Store

FSI Food Pantry 

The FSI food pantry will provide supplemental nutrition to families experiencing short or long term financial difficulty and food insecurity. Food bags containing non-perishable items will be distributed Friday afternoons. To request supplemental food assistance, please contact your child’s school counselor. Want to help out? Bring donations of food items to the main office – there’s a bin in the entryway! 

High school: Mary Kinsey Hyche at mkhyche@thefsi.us

Middle school: Jennifer Negron at jnegron@thefsi.us

You can also complete this google form: Food Pantry Form

Responses to the form are sent to the counselors and all information will be kept confidential. 

If you would like to contribute to the food pantry, please contact Matt Speed, Nutrition Coordinator at mspeed@thefsi.us. 

COVID & Flu Updates

PCR testing is available free of charge weekly on Mondays. Testing for high school students is available from 11:30 – 1 pm in the collaboration space on the first floor of Big Ben. High school students can come on their own during lunch. Testing will then be available in Einstein, Parks, and Johnson for students in grades 5 – 8; nurses will let students know when they are available in each building. If you want your student to participate in testing – please remind them! 

If you are new to Franklin or have not yet provided consent for testing, it’s not too late: 

Middle School News Videos 

7th Grade Theatre students are writing, filming, producing, and directing the news Monday and Friday each week. Click on the folder below to see the news each week! 

Morning News Videos- 2022-2023–

Athletic News

The HS Girls soccer team battled Mount Pisgah to a 2-2 tie. After being down 2-0 at halftime, the Bolts made a comeback with two free kick goals by Emily Cruz- Macey. The team returns to action this week with games at Asheville School and the Trailblazers. 

Games this week are posted on the calendar…MS soccer, HS soccer and HS Ultimate are all playing this week. Come on out and cheer for the Bolts! 

Club News

Habitat for Humanity Student Group

The Habitat for Humanity Student meets on Tuesdays during lunch in room #226.

Middle School Creative Writing

The club meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month from 3:30 – 4:30 pm, and 2nd and 4th Fridays each month from 3:30 – 4:30 in Ms. O’Dell’s room.  Contact Ms. O’Dell for more information (aodell@thefsi.us) 

Math Club

Math club is open for all our students – ALL GRADES – and it is a great opportunity for students to explore the beauty and application of Math outside their classrooms. Math is a subject full of creativity and opportunity that many students enjoy. Besides the academic benefits, math club is also a great way to meet new people and develop teamwork skills. Math club meets on Tuesdays right after school from 3:30-5:00 PM in the New Building room #224. . 

Middle School Drama Club

What a fantastic show! Bravo to the cast and crew of Honk Jr! MS Drama Club Newsletter –Click Here!  Check out the latest events in our weekly newsletter. 

High School Drama Club

Congratulations on a fantastic production! 

Use this QR code to stay clued in on FSI HS Theatre news with our monthly

FSI High School Theatre Newsletter! 

Chess: Do you like to play Chess or do you want to learn?! Join FSI’s Chess Club and learn from our expert instructor, Mr. Bruce Roth. Chess Club meets every Tuesday from 4-5 p.m. The winter semester will begin January 10, 2023, and end April 25, 2023. Students will meet in the Community Room with Beyond the Bell from dismissal until the class begins! All grades and levels are welcome!! The fee is $50/per semester or $100/per year. All checks must be payable to Bruce Roth. For more information, contact Bruce Roth at 828 230 5139 or by email at brucerothchess@gmail.com

BIPOC Student Union (BSU):The BSU offers a safe space for students to share their experiences and to identify ways our school can address specific and systemic racism. Community mentor Bruce Waller is returning to support our BSUs, joining faculty sponsor Keith Knox. BSU is open to all students who identify as People of Color. HS BSU meets Tuesdays and Fridays from noon – 1 pm. 

Film Club! This club is returning from last year and meets alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 – 4:45.  Email Michaela Mamone-Peeples for more information. 

Girls who Code will meet every other Monday after school from 3:15 – 4:30 in Edison 19. Email bdavenport@thefsi.us with any questions. 

MS GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance)

MS GSA (gender and sexuality alliance): Middle School GSA meets every Friday 3:15-4:30pm. We welcome everyone and work to empower LGBTQ+ lives. Contact afortune@thefsi.us to join.

HS GSA

HS GSA  – contact MK Hyche, mkhyche@thefsi.us, or Justina Powell, jpowell@thefsi.us 

High School Studio Art Club

Mondays, Starting September 19, 2022

3:45 – 5:00, Big Ben, first floor Art Room #133

Hosted by Ms. Jen jlipsey-edwards@thefsi.us

HS Studio Art Club is a place to gather with other creative teens who have a genuine interest in the visual arts. Folks will have a place to chill, work on art, listen to music, have tea, and to inspire and be inspired. The Studio is where friendship, collaboration, feedback, sharing, and support come together to make magic! You do not need to commit to showing up every week. However, advance registration is required to attend as you’re able to. Register here: https://forms.gle/czLbV186Ep7K31gb9

Science Olympiad Club

Do you geek out on all things science?  Are you a competitive person who needs a medal hanging around your neck to prove your science prowess? This is a science competition against other schools in our area with a potential to move on to state and national levels.  Science Olympiad will meet in Room 141 from 3:30-4:15 every Friday.  Open to MS and HS students! Contact jbragdon@thefsi.us if you have any questions.

Middle School Robotics

Middle School Robotics team meets Thursdays,  3:15pm to 4:00 pm in the Middle School Tech room (Edison 19). 

Who do I go to when….

Whether you are new or returning to Franklin, we know you will have questions, and we want to help you find the best person to answer them, quickly and efficiently. We hope this little guide will help you navigate! 

I have a question about my child’s grade, an assignment, or something specific to one class: Start with your child – what do they kow? Then, the classroom teacher 

I’m worried about my child’s overall progress, or progress in multiple classes: Your child’s Crew advisor can help coordinate a team response or meeting

My child seems anxious, sad, or unhappy: Jennifer Negron  is our middle school counselor, and Mary Kinsey Hyche is our high school counselor

I think my child is being bullied, or other behavior/discipline concerns: Tony Freeman, Middle School Principal or Peter Tromba  High School Principal

My child will miss school: For short-term absences (illness, doctor’s appointments, etc), send an email to attendance@thefsi.us, or bring a written note to the front office. Notes must be received within 48 hours of student’s return to school. Longer-term or frequent absences (5 days/quarter) require documentation from a medical care provider. 

I’ve contacted a teacher, but the problem isn’t resolved: Your child’s Principal

I think my child may need special education services or accommodations: Paula Dowd, Director of Exceptional Services

My child requires medication during the school day, has a special health need, or has tested positive for COVID: Contact our school nurse, Jessica Perraud

I think we need some support for my child’s challenging behaviors: Jessica Potter-Bowers (JP) or Kara Lacey, Behavior Specialists

I have a question about enrollment, student records or I need a copy of my student’s report card or transcript:  Erinn Otten, Director of Student Services

My student needs a chromebook, hotspot, or help with technology: Matt Mikulski, Technology Director

My child has an IEP, and I have questions about the services provided: Your child’s Exceptional Children teacher is your first contact: 

I have questions about sports: Kim Burke, Athletic Director

I want to know more about after or before-school services:  Martha Rutherford, Beyond the Bell Coordinator

I want to know more about your music program: Sandi Wilson, Director of Instrumental and Vocal Ensembles

I am interested in your theatre programs! Chris Martin, MS Theatre teacher/director and Julia Wharton, HS Theatre teacher/director

I have questions about your school bus or student parking: Deeana Bennett, Director of Operations

I am interested in carpooling/ride-sharing: Check out our carpool facebook group (you need to request to join):  

I want to know more about college planning, including advanced courses like AP and Dual Enrollment, financial aid, or the college application process: JaneAnne Tager, College & Career Counselor

I have high level concerns or questions about the school, such as a problem that hasn’t been resolved through my principal, an immediate school safety concern, or more general questions about the school’s philosophy, approach, or plans for the future: Michelle Vruwink, Executive Director

Our Teaching Teams for 2022-2023! 

 

Teaching Teams

5th Grade

Brandie Dallara, ELA & Social Studies: bdallara@thefsi.us

Jennifer Ryan, Science  & Social Studies: jryan@thefsi.us

Chris Pauley, Math & Social Studies:  cpauley@thefsi.us

6th Grade

Ashley O’Dell, ELA: aodell@thefsi.us

Charlie Keller, Math:  ckeller@thefsi.us

Samuel “Latt” Berry Foster:, Science: sfoster@thefsi.us

Evan Baptista, Social Studies: ebaptista@thefsi.us

 7th Grade

Jared Gallow, ELA:  jgallow@thefsi.us

Zoe Wallce, Math: zwallace@thefsi.us

Nick Liu, Science: nliu@thefsi.us

Grace Nyanga, Social Studies: gnyanga@thefsi.us

8th Grade

Kyle Wilson, ELA: kwilson@thefsi.us

AJ Jones, Math lead: ajones@thefsi.us

Rhneea Riddle, Math Specialist: rriddle@thefsi.us

Keith Knox, Social Studies: kknox@thefsi.us

Makesha Gordon, Science: mgordon@thefsi.us
9th Grade

Lora Hawkins, English I: lhawkins@thefsi.us

Jerry Lubos, World History: jlubos@thefsi.us

Liz Baron: Math 1 & 2: lbaron@thefsi.us

Jessica Bragdon, Earth Science/ AP Earth: jbragdon@thefsi.us

10th Grade

Matt Reynolds, Civics:  mreynolds@thefsi.us

Justina Powell, English 2: jpowell@thefsi.us

Marcel Duhaime, Math 2: mduhaime@thefsi.us

Julia Adams, Biology: jadams@thefsi.us

11th Grade

Bryan Head, English III/AP Lang: bhead@thefsi.us

Tess Barnes Dunn, American History, AP Research: tbarnesdunn@thefsi.us

Teshale Byan, Math 3 & AP Calculus: tbyan@thefsi.us

Mary Smith, Chemistry, Forensics: msmith@thefsi.us

 12th Grade

Alex Humphrey, English IV & AP Lit:: ahumphreyr@thefsi.us

Lexi Johnson, World History: ljohnson@thefsi.us

Teshale Byan, AP Calculus: tbyan@thefsi.us

Elizabeth Joslin, NC Wildlife (Science) & EcoWarriors: ejoslin@thefsi.us

Jessica Fine: Pre Calc, Math 4:  jfine@thefsi.us

 Elective Teachers:

MS  PE: Anne Gillis: agillis@thefsi.us

HS PE & Athletic Director:  Kimberly Burke, kburke@thefsi.us

MS Art: Jennifer Lipsey Edwards: jlipsey-edwards@thefsi.us

HS Art:  Kati Robbins, krobbins@thefsi.us

MS Tech & Computer Science: Adrienne Fortune, afortune@thefsi.us

MS Counselor:  Jennifer-Raé Negron, jnegron@thefsi.us

HS Theatre, Art of Argument: Julia Wharton, jwharton@thefsi.us

MS Theatre: Chris Martin, cmartin@thefsi.us

MS/HS Music and Orchestra: Sandi Wilson, swilson@thefsi.us, 

French 1: Mackenzie Arnold: marnold@thefsi.us

French2 & 3 and HS, PE: Chad Gerber, cgerber@thefsi.us

HS Spanish: Hanna Walden, hwalden@thefsi.us

MS & HS Spanish: Heather Kabat, hkabat@thefsi.us

Adventure Ed: Jessica Potter-Bowers, jpotter-bowers@thefsi.us

 

Franklin School of Innovation
61 Innovation Drive
Asheville, NC 28806

(828) 318-8140
(828) 318-8125

Support FSI

Donate

Apply for the 2025-26 School Year

Apply Now!

 

Privacy Policy

The Franklin School of Innovation has created this privacy statement in order to demonstrate our firm commitment to privacy. If at any time you find this privacy policy unacceptable, you must immediately leave this website.

Read Our Privacy Policy

Join Our Mailing List

Sign up to receive periodic updates about our growing school.

Translate »