Dear Franklin families,
Greetings from beautiful San Francisco! I will be away from school this week along with a team of FSI educators, attending the EL Education National Conference and celebrating our school’s full EL credentialling. This is my 13th year in the role of school director and the first time I will be away from school for a full week while it is in session. A huge thank you to our amazing faculty and staff who will keep everything running smoothly this week! I am excited to learn alongside excellent school leaders and educators from across the US, all brought together by our belief that the EL Education model empowers students and teachers to achieve more than they think they can.
On Friday, our 11th grade students will host a Halloween Carnival for middle school students. The Carnival is from 3:15 - 5:00 pm and is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity Student Build, put on by 11th Grade Crews along with the Habitat Leadership club. There will be lots of fun, student designed activities, candy, and concessions! Snacks and drinks will be sold for 1 ticket each and each carnival game will cost 3 tickets on average. Tickets will be sold at the event for $1 per ticket or $10 for 12 tickets. All middle school students are invited to attend.
Keeping with the Halloween theme, our prom committee is selling BooGrams! Support the committee and spread some ghoulish spirit to students, teachers, and staff. For $2 you can send a tootsie pop boogram to the student or staff member of your choice! For $5 you can send a customizable pumpkin, and for $7 you can send both! A pumpkin and/or ghostly tootsie pop will be delivered to your person on Friday October 30 during Crew & 5th period. Purchases can be made during MS and HS lunch, October 21-28 or online using this form. Thanks for supporting FSI Prom and making memorable moments for students! If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Walden ([email protected]).
- Online sales link
- In person sales through Oct 28 during middle & high school lunches
Finally, students are welcome to wear costumes on Friday. If your student chooses to join in the Halloween fun, please keep these common sense costume expectations in mind:
- Respectful: Costumes must not mock, appropriate, or stereotype any race, culture, religion, gender, or individual. If you have any doubt if your costume will offend someone - choose a different costume.
- No full face masks or face covering: Students may bring a mask and wear it briefly for a photograph or to show friends, but must then remove it so that faces are visible during instructional time and lunch/recess. Face paint is permitted as long as the student can still be recognized.
- No weapons.
- Gore: Keep the costumes school-appropriate. No extreme gore or blood.
- Costumes must meet our school dress code.
- Students need to be able to participate in typical school activities, including PE if that is part of their schedule.
Quick reminder - next Tuesday, Nov 3, is a teacher work day. We will use this day to begin planning grade-level Learning Expeditions.
Special thank you to Parent Crew and everyone who helped with the Apple Nacho Bar. Such a fun way to brighten the day for our faculty and staff!
Take Action
Early voting is underway and election day is coming up soon. As you vote, please keep funding for public education in mind! Find out candidate views on public education funding and the impact of Opportunity Scholarships (vouchers) on public school funding. Bonus points for researching the impact of the state election amendments on long-term public education funding stability (hint - the amendments are a significant threat to school funding). North Carolina is last (50th) in school funding and nearly last in teacher pay. Our children are paying the price.
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, Oct 26
- 4:00 - 6:00 pm: HS Basketball Tryouts (in gym)
Tues, Oct 27
- 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: HS Basketball Tryouts
Wed, Oct 28
- Middle School Theatre Information Meeting in Ms. Lexa’s room during lunch! Auditions will be Nov 5.
Thurs, Oct 29
- School Picture Re-Takes/Make Up Day (grades 5 - 11)
- 4:15 pm: MS Flag Football All Star Game @ FSI
Fri, Oct 30
- 3:15 - 5:00 pm: MS Halloween Carnival
Coming up: Tuesday, Nov 3 - Teacher Work Day
Bolts Athletics
MS Flag Football went 1-0-1 on the week with a tie vs IC Imagine and a win versus The Learning Community. Probably the two best games of the season with a big time comeback to secure the victory vs TLC!
MS and HS Cross Country competed in the BRAC Conference Championship at the Smoky Mountain Events Center. Shout to HS runner T. Harding for his 2nd place finish! Highest finish ever for a FSI student-athlete in a conference meet!
HS Volleyball wrapped up their season with a victory vs Bethel Christian Academy 3-0 in the first round of the CAASC State Tournament and then fell to IC Imagine in the quarterfinals. Successful season for the volleyball team with conference and state tournament victories.
HS soccer advanced to the semi finals of the CAASC State Tournament with victories vs Quality Education Academy and Pine Springs Prep. The season ended at Combine Academy in a tough game vs the eventual state championships. The soccer team has been impressive in their first two seasons in a conference and state association: conference champs and runner-up and quarterfinal and semi final appearances in the state tournament!
Special thanks to all of our fall coaches for their dedication and commitment to our student-athletes. We appreciate you!
Basketball Try-Out Information
High School-
Monday, October 26 and Tuesday, October 27 4:00-6:00pm
*must attend both days
Middle School
Grades 7&8
Monday, November 2
5:45-7:00pm
Grades 5&6
Wednesday, November 4
3:15-4:45pm
All required paperwork must be submitted prior to try-outs. No exceptions.
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:
- November 12, 6:30 PM online only
Mark your calendars! Mod Pizza on Merrimon will donate 205 of their sales to the FSI Parent Crew on Sunday, 11/15, if you mention the code MODGIVES20. All funds raised will go towards Staff Appreciation and student activities! Meet up with other FSI families and help us raise money!
Bolts Theater, Middle School Drama Club Meeting
An informational meeting about the middle school drama club will be held Wednesday October 28th in Ms. Lexa’s room, 178. Students should come during their lunch period to pick up information about auditions and tech opportunities. All middle school students are welcomed to attend. Auditions for the play, Sherlock Holmes and the 1st Baker Street Irregular will be held on Thursday November 5 from 3:30-4:30.
Student Survey Opportunity
Researchers across 3 U.S. Children's Hospitals are conducting a study to develop a new measure of organization, time management, and planning skills in middle and high school students, for schools to use. They are looking for students in grades 6-12 who are interested in completing a brief (10-15 minute) questionnaire about their organization, time management, and planning skills as a part of research. One caregiver and one teacher of the student will also be asked to fill out the questionnaire on the student. Each individual (student, teacher, and caregiver) who completes the questionnaire will receive $35 as compensation for the time spent completing study activities.
For more information about the SPOTS study and for caregivers to express interest, they can complete the inquiry form here: https://redcap.seattlechildrens.org/surveys/?s=X3TACWDAA897JJ3R&link=10"
PreAct for 10th Grade - Mon, Nov 9 (11th grade remote day)
All 10th grade students will take the PreAct on Monday, Nov 9. Testing will begin promptly at 8:30. Students who arrive after testing begins will not be able to test that day.
To accommodate testing requirements, 11th grade will have a remote learning day on November 9.
Chess Club Interest Survey
We're gauging interest in an afterschool Chess Club for all ages and skill levels!
Are you interested to learn from the top-rated chess player in Asheville? Learn gameplay, strategy, and improve your skills! The Club would be held 3:45 -4:45pm on Tuesday's. Each session would be $25, which includes the BTB fee. We need at least 8 regular participants to make this club work. If your student is interested, please fill out this interest form!
Add your business to our community business directory!
We are building an FSI family business directory! If you have a family-owned business small or large and would like your business included in a community business directory for FSI, please fill out this form! Adding your business helps the community support each other. FSI Community Business Directory Information
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:
- $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
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.
Clubs Update
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 - Mondays
- MS Football Fundamentals - Fridays
- Academic Tutoring/Homework Help - Tuesdays
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. 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
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.
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…