Dear Franklin families,

Trust. This little word has never been more important and central to the partnership between schools, parents, students, and staff. As we look forward to the return of students on campus next week, trust is the foundation for our success.

As a school, we have an obligation to earn your trust by providing a safe space for your children to learn and thrive. As parents, you share an obligation to keep this space safe by supporting school norms and expectations. We can bring students back to school safely if we all work together and do our parts!

We are committed to implementing the measures set out in the State’s Strong Schools Toolkit. The most visible and perhaps important of these measures includes daily health screenings – with the expectation that anyone who has COVID-like symptoms or has been in contact with someone with COVID remains home. Masks, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing or hand sanitizer are our next layer of safety. Improving air flow in classrooms by upgrading our filters and by opening windows adds an additional layer of safety.

If you weren’t able to join us for the Parent Q&As Tuesday evening, you can learn more about Plan B, safety protocols, and what your student’s day will look like by viewing the presentation or watching the recording:

Plan B Parent Q&A Slides
Plan B Middle School Recording: passcode ?tKCGj40
Plan B High School Recording: passcode x.TfH9%7

If your student is returning to school for in-person learning, you should have received an email from their principal. If you did not receive an email with the days your student will be attending – please reach out!

Middle School Principal – Tony Freeman: tfreeman@thefsi.us
High School Principal – Sarah Jean Smith: sjsmith@thefsi.us
Finally, if your student is returning, we ask that you take time before March 8 to complete this FSI Family COVID Safety Pledge. Spend time with your family reviewing the steps you will take to keep our staff and students safe as we return to school together.

Calendar Changes

Remember – we have moved the teacher work days/remote instruction days up by one week. This week – regular classes on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday is a teacher work day. Thursday and Friday are teacher work days/remote instruction days. There are NO online classes. Grade levels will send information on what students need to complete on Thursday/Friday – generally we expect that students will have time to make up late assignments or complete short reflections. Teachers will use these days to prepare for our transition to Plan B.

We Need a Chromebook! Or – Can We Bring Our Own Device?

If your student does not yet have a school-issued Chromebook – now is the time to get one! Students are required to bring their school Chromebook or their own device – fully charged- when they attend school in person. Please submit a help ticket to Mr. Mikulski: Tech Help Ticket

Carpooling Questions

Many of our students drive together. Here are a few key points!

• Pick up in the line designated for the youngest student in your carpool. So – if you carpool with a 5th or 6th grade student – you’ll pick up all students near the entrance to our main building.
• Send an email to your principal if your student will be riding home with a sibling who drives. Students will be dismissed from classrooms and can walk over to meet their sibling.
• Looking for carpooling options? We recommend masks and open windows in a mixed-family carpool. We have a private Facebook group to help. Find your ride share here: Franklin School of Innovation Car Pooling Group

Employment Opportunities

We have opportunities for temporary positions to help us make this transition! Positions do not require a teaching certificate or degree; they do require a love of children and a commitment to maintaining a safe environment! Please send a resume and/or cover letter to Jobs@thefsi.us if you are interested in the following:
Classroom facilitators:  Facilitators will provide an in-person classroom presence for teachers who are unable to return to the classroom, or who are temporarily working remotely. Facilitators will help guide students through transitions, record attendance, and monitor and enforce safety protocols. Facilitators will not be expected to design or deliver lessons. Must be available from 7:45 am – 12:30 pm; ideal candidates will be able to commit to short-term consistent assignment (daily except Wednesdays for period of one – two weeks or more).
Community Room Monitors:  Monitors will provide in-person supervision for our Extended Day option. Monitors will maintain a calm and safe environment, record attendance, monitor and enforce safety protocols, and help establish trust and rapport with students. Must be available noon – 4 pm, Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri.

Re-Enrollment for Next Year

We’re excited to see so many of you returning next year! If you have not yet completed re-enrollment, or you have questions, reach out to our Director of Student Services, Erinn Otten (eotten@thefsi.us).

We know this can be confusing, so here’s a quick reminder:

Current FSI Students: Complete the re-enrollment forms. Watch for an email from Erinn Otten this week.

Siblings of current FSI Students: Complete a NEW enrollment application, and check the box to let us know it is a sibling application. Siblings get priority enrollment.

Friends of FSI Students: Share the word and encourage them to apply! We can’t give them preference for enrollment, but we know that half of our new applicants learn about us from FSI parents. You are the best!

Be well,
Michelle Vruwink
Executive Director