Dear Franklin families,
Did you know there are just three weeks left in Quarter 1? The first quarter always flies by. We did our first official classroom walk-through last week and overall, students were engaged, on task, and working hard. Our school work plan this year is focused on academics and helping students make the connection between our Habits of Scholarship and how these habits connect to their learning and to their future plans. As parents and guardians, you play an important role in your student’s academic success. Today’s “Take Action” shares instructions on how to check grades through Infinite Campus.
In Crew, students participate in a weekly “Academic Day”, where they set goals, look at their own grades, and reflect on how they are showing up as students. As part of this Academic Day they should also be sending you their current grades and reflections. This process of regularly setting and reflecting on goals is a big part of our EL Education model and we hope students and families find it valuable. It’s really helpful to keep a growth mindset when talking about grades -use language that supports the idea that our actions have a direct impact on how much we learn. If your child’s grades are below your expectations, use language like “I notice that your ELA grade is lower than others. What is making this class hard? What are some things you can do to improve? Is there anything I can do to help?
Here are a few other questions to help you talk about grades with your child:
- What are your academic goals this year?
- Which of your grades shows your hardest work so far?
- What is one thing you are proud of right now? What’s one thing you are working to improve?
I also love the question “How many futures can you imagine?” Many middle and high school students don’t know yet exactly what they want to do after high school or college. Questions about how they want to live and what they hope to accomplish can help them prepare for multiple future choices.
Take Action! Setting a Strong Foundation for Academic Success
Taking time today to look at grades and have open and positive conversations with your child can help set a strong foundation for success this year. The “in-progress” grades are not final and will probably change before the end of the quarter. Here’s how you can look at their in-progress grades in Infinite Campus:
- Log into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal, either through the app or the link https://11d.ncsis.gov/parent
- Click Documents from the lefthand menu, which will bring up your child's Q1 In-progress grades.
You can check grades at any time, update contact information, or submit absence requests through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal as well:
- Grades: Click Grades in the left menu for overall progress, or Grade Book Updates for specific assignments and test scores.
- Contact Info: Update phone numbers, emails, or address under More > Family Information or Address Information.
- Absences: Submit absence requests under More > Absence Requests > New, or email [email protected].
Thank you for choosing FSI and taking action to help our students thrive and succeed. When we work together, we can help our students create the futures they imagine!
Upcoming Events
Mon, Sept 28
- 4:15 pm: MS Flag Football vs Rainbow Community @ FSI
- 4:30 pm: MS Volleyball vs Emmanuel Lutheran @ FSI
- 5:00 pm: HS Soccer & HS Volleyball at Mt Pisgah
Tues, Sept 29
- 4:15 pm: MS Flag Football vs Evergreen @ FSI
- 5:00 pm: MS Volleyball at Haywood Christian
- 6:00 pm: HS Volleyball at Haywood Christian
Wed, Sept 30: Wednesday Release (12:45 and 1:00)
- 12:45 - 1:45 pm: MS Student Council Meeting - open to all MS students. Students must be picked up promptly at 1:45 or go to Beyond the Bell
Thurs, Oct 1
- 5:00 pm: HS Soccer vs Franklin Christian @ FSI
- 5:00 pm: MS Volleyball at Reynolds Mountain
- 6:00 pm: HS Volleyball at Reynolds Mountain
Bolts Athletics
Highlights from the week:
HS Cross Country competed at AC Reynolds and all runners achieved a PR! Some by minutes! HS Volleyball defeated Bethel Christian in a conference match 3-1 on Senior Night! We honored 4 seniors that have contributed tremendously to the volleyball program:
Sadie Hudgins, Violet Malyk, Gabby Newman and Addisyn Trull.
The Bolts move to 5-5 on the season and are currently in 4th place in the BRAC.
MS Volleyball, MS Flag Football and HS Soccer all have home games this week and HS Soccer will celebrate Senior Night on Thursday at 5:00pm.
HS Soccer is hosting the BRAC Conference Tournament on Oct. 5, 6 & 8. All games will be at 4:30pm. We are looking for volunteers to help with admissions and concessions. Please reach out to Coach Burke ([email protected]) if you are interested in helping.
The Bolts Athletics team store is now open.
Click on the link to see what is new and available for purchase.
These items ship directly to you.
https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/euJxhnyCfE
Parent Crew
Parent Crew is your organization! It’s similar to a PTO or PTA, and it’s a great way to get involved, be engaged, and meet other FSI families.
Upcoming meetings:
- October 8, 8:30 AM at the school
- November 12, 6:30 PM online only
The High School Student Government is seeking assistance with items and volunteers for the upcoming High School Homecoming Dance.
The students selected Haunted Homecoming as the theme. They are looking for volunteers and donations. Please send all items by Friday, 10/09, labeled for Sonya Laws. You can drop items off at the front desk or directly to her. For anything that the Student Government is borrowing, please label it with your name, student name, and grade to make sure it gets back to you! Sign up below and review more details:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090848A5AA22ABFF2-66029194-fsihomecoming
Thank you for all your help in making this a fun event. I know the High Schoolers really enjoy it!
We are looking for a few items, some helpful hands, and a LOT of apples so that FSI staff can enjoy an "apple nacho bar" on Wednesday, 10/21! Please deliver your items to the front desk by the morning of Tuesday, 10/20 labeled for Micah Usher/Parent Crew. You are welcome to deliver them to the school anytime before 10/20 as well! Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C044FA9AC2BA5F94-65781357-apple?useFullSite=false
FSI Takes Home Gold and Silver!
We are proud to announce that The Franklin School of Innovation was awarded Gold for Best High School and Silver for Best Charter School in the 2026 Best of Asheville Awards. This year's contest drew 255,868 votes across 1,834 nominated businesses, with only 394 winners recognized. For a school our size to earn two medals in such a competitive field says a lot about the culture and programs we create at our school and our community that forms us!
Thank you to everyone who voted, our students, families, staff, and neighbors. This recognition belongs to all of you.
Online listing: Best Education in Best of Asheville 2026 | Local Award Winners (bottom right of page, listed alphabetically)
Online Magazine: https://issuu.com/eliteinsights/docs/bestofasheville_v1/37
School Picture Make Up Days
Please mark your calendars for our upcoming picture make-up days:
- Seniors: Thursday, October 15th
- Grades 5–8: Thursday, October 29th
Beyond the Bell Tutoring Club
We’re pleased to offer tutoring every Tuesday as part of our Beyond the Bell program. Mr. Readman is providing this weekly tutoring opportunity. Mr. Readman is the Math II teacher in high school and has a background in history and Social Studies as well. Tutoring is offered from 4 - 5 pm every Tuesday.
Please use this form to sign up: Tutoring Club Sign-up. Students need to be registered and checked in with Beyond the Bell before the tutoring session.
Spirit Week and Haunted Homecoming
Get ready for Spirit Week and our Haunted Homecoming celebration! Spirit Week will be celebrated in both Middle and High School. The Homecoming Dance is a high school event only
- Monday, October 5: Anything but a Backpack Day for High School, Anything but a Water Bottle for Middle School
- Tuesday, October 6: Teacher Tuesday
- Wednesday, October 7: Onesie Wednesday
- Thursday, October 8:Meme Thursday
- Friday, October 9: Dolly Parton Day
- Saturday, October 10: Homecoming Dance (High School only)
Yearbooks Are On Sale — Don't Wait, Prices Go Up!
Order your 2026-2027 yearbook today and lock in the best price before it increases. Prices go up on the following dates, so the earlier you order, the more you save:
- $45 — now through Sept. 11th
- $50 — Sept. 12th to Oct. 16th
- $55 — Oct. 17th to Nov. 20th
- $60 — Nov. 21st through May 1st (lMay 1st is the last day to guarantee a copy!)
Order your yearbook: jostensyearbooks.com
Want to purchase a yearbook ad or shoutout for your 8th grade or 12th grade student? Order here
Yearbooks are printed in limited quantities based on early orders — after 6/1, we can't guarantee a copy will be available, so don't wait!
Reminders
Fees for Early Morning Drop Off
Our early morning drop off program (7:30 - 7:45 am) has been free these first weeks while we evaluated how many families need this service and developed a plan for staffing and cost. Fees will begin on Monday, Sept 14. To simplify the payment process, this will work like a membership. The fee is $20/month, whether you use it every day or just some days. The fee will offset but does not fully cover our costs for staffing this program. We are doing our best to provide affordable coverage for working families while also balancing our budget.
- Register in advance: Complete this form to register for early morning drop off: Early Morning Drop Off Registration
- Cost: $20 per month, paid in advance.
- How to pay: You will receive an invoice and can pay through MySchoolBucks
- Invoices will be sent after you register
- Fees begin Monday, Sept 14
A Few Spots for 5th Grade!
We have a few spots open for 5th, 11th and 12th grades. We would love to serve as many students as we can! Full enrollment helps us as we work hard to provide an excellent educational experience for students despite North Carolina’s lack of funding for public schools. If your student loves FSI - help us spread the word!
College Corner
Your student may already be admitted to college!
Through NC College Connect, current North Carolina public high school seniors on track to graduate are directly admitted to participating institutions across North Carolina. It’s that easy! All you need to do is log into the NC College Connect portal, review the options, and submit a short form to accept admission - no essays, test scores, or recommendation letters required. For more information visit NC College Connect. You can also email Gretchen Kehrberg with any questions, [email protected].
Free Books - Community Event
Sunday, Sept 27, noon - 4 pm, Reading Opens the World is hosting a free book fair. Students may choose up to 10 free books; educators may choose up to 50 free books. Lego Brick Blocks are also available. The book fair is at Nesbitt, 175 Bingham Road, Asheville. For more information, email Jennifer Mangrum, [email protected].
Clubs Update
It’s mid-September which means after school clubs are getting started! Please remember that high school students have designated club time during the school day. These school-based student led clubs are not part of Beyond the Bell and run independently from our afterschool programming. There is a fee for clubs that run through Beyond the Bell. This helps cover the cost of supplies and stipends for our club leaders.
The club listing can be found on our website under Beyond the Bell. Here are the BtB clubs that are getting started right now:
- Outdoor club - both middle and high school, Mondays
- D&D club - starts Monday, Sept 14
- MS Football Fundamentals - starts Friday, Sept 18
- Academic Tutoring/Homework Help - starts Tuesday, Sept 21
Free Family Weekend Nov 6 - 8
Victory Junction is offering all families who live in a county impacted by Hurricane Helene a FREE Family Weekend, Nov. 6–8, 2026, where they can reconnect, recharge and continue staying strong together. All families living in a county impacted by the storm are welcome. Unlike Victory Junction’s traditional programs, children do not need to have a qualifying medical condition or physical need to participate.
Visit victoryjunction.org/helene to learn more and apply. This program is made possible through Hurricane Helene relief funds in the state budget.
NC Governor’s School Opportunity
The Governor’s School of North Carolina is a four-week summer residential program for gifted and talented 10th and 11th grade students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses. Students explore, ask questions, and discover new possibilities that complement their high school instruction. Learning does not involve credit, tests, or grades. Students interested in attending must first go through a school nomination process, with selected nominees then considered at the state level.
Contact Gretchen Kehrberg ([email protected]) for the 2027 student application. Applications need to be submitted by Monday, October 26, 2026. Please note that while the application process goes through the school, parents are responsible for the cost of this program. Governor’s School has a scholarship program outside of FSI.
Student Eligibility and Nomination Areas
Governor's School Family Overview
Governor’s School Family Overview Spanish
Substitute Teachers & Bus Drivers
We are also looking for substitute teachers and for bus drivers. Our bus driver positions pay better than the County - we will pay for driver education - and our bus routes are easier to drive. Serving as a substitute allows our teachers to take time off without worrying about what happens in their classrooms. If you are or you know someone interested in working as a substitute or a driver, please have them email us at [email protected].
New Website and App!
We are excited to reveal our new website and app. You received an invitation and a password reset request from Edlio, our website host. It might look a little suspect because you haven't activated your account yet - but it's fine to click through and create your account. The email you provided us (or for students, your school email) is the email that will be connected with our app! If you don't see the email in your inbox, check your spam folder. This new app will make it easier to keep up with events and find the resources you need. There are features specific for parents, students and our staff - so you may see different functions available. We are in the process of implementing some of the features, so some of them may not be fully functional quite yet - but just hang tight, there is a lot more coming to this!
To download the app, go to your app store, search for Edlio and download the app - you will see an option for The Franklin School of Innovation - click that and the app will relaunch as FSI's and log in!
Who Do I Go To When….
Whether you are new to FSI or returning, we know you have questions and want to help you find the best answers! This handy guide can help you connect. We do our best to respond to questions within 24 hours. We do not expect school staff to respond outside of school hours. It may take longer right now or when the email load is especially heavy. Click here to access the guide: Who do I go to when…