Good morning Franklin families,
It’s almost time for our Mud Run! This Sunday, September 23, join us and get muddy in our 7th Annual Filthy Franklin Mud Run. It’s a uniquely FSI tradition where we celebrate our humble beginnings on an empty muddy campus. We are looking for volunteers and donations to help with the run. Mud run signup genius for volunteers – FSI Athletics and Community Council: Filthy Franklin Mud Run 2023 (signupgenius.com). It’s not too late to register to run – Tickets can be purchased here.
I receive a lot of emails but this past week one really caught my attention. Talk it Out NC shared results of a statewide survey of middle and high school students and parents regarding attitudes and behaviors associated with alcohol. Almost all (93%) of students surveyed believe parents could help STOP underage drinking if they talked more to their children about alcohol. Have you ever tried to get teens to agree on one thing?That’s a whopping majority. More from this survey:
- 65% of students tried alcohol during their middle school years.
- Students who try alcohol typically do so by age 14, and over a third (35%) of students who admit to trying alcohol say they did so by age 12.
- 51% of parents say they would wait till their children are age 12 or older before talking with them about alcohol. Best practices tell us to start these conversations early.
When kids tell us what works, we should listen. Having conversations with our children about things like alcohol, drugs, vaping, and other risky behaviors is hard.I know I didn’t have all the conversations I could have. Talk it Out NC has tips and resources to start these conversations. Check out their website, learn the facts, find tips for talking about alcohol, and other resources to help. https://www.talkitoutnc.org/. We can help too. As part of our school mental health plan, all faculty receive training on teen substance use and abuse. We’ve selected evidence-based curriculum to address these topics in our health education (more info will be shared with families before we cover these topics at school). But the foundation for healthy living begins at home. Find a quiet time, take a deep breath, and start talking!
Wed, Sept 20 is Student Led Conference Day
Don’t forget! There are no regular classes on Wed, Sept 20. Students and parents/guardians will attend their Student Led Conference (SLC) at their scheduled time.Crew leaders schedule SLCs, so reach out to your student’s Crew leader if you have questions. This fall SLC is a listening conference – an important way for us to hear our students tell us how we can help them reach their goals. We appreciate your participation and support in fitting SLCs into your busy family schedules.
Looking for opportunities to get involved and meet other FSI parents? The Parent Crew, our version of a PTO/PTA, has two meetings this week. On Monday, the Gala Committee is meeting online. If you would like to learn more and help out with our Spring Gala, see the link below! On Tuesday, the full Parent Crew is hosting their 1st in person meeting of the year. The Parent Crew is brand new and is looking to grow. Come join them on Tuesday and learn how you can get involved.
Here’s to a great week!
Calendar Events
Mon, Sept 18, 6 pm: Parent Crew Gala Meeting – all are welcome! Meeting is online only: Meeting Link meet.google.com/hsb-jyjh-rsk
Tues, Sept 19: Go BOLTS!
- 4:15 pm: MS Flag Football vs FernLeaf @ Carrier Park
- 4:30 pm: HS Cross Country @ Running of the Titans, Marion NC
- 5:30 pm: HS Soccer @ Mt Pisgah Academy
- 5:30 pm: HS Volleyball vs Mt. Pisgah @ FSI (tickets $5 adults/$3 students)
- 6:00 pm: Parent Crew In Person Meeting in the Community Room
Wed, Sept 20 – all day: Student Led Conferences. SLCs are scheduled with students’ Crew leaders. There is no school other than SLCs – please plan ahead.
Thurs, Sept 21
- 4:00 pm: MS Cross Country @ Mountain Community, Jackson Park
- 4:30 pm: HS Volleyball vs. Shining Rock @ FSI (tickets $5 adults/$3 students)
Sunday, Sept. 24th 2-5pm – The 7th annual Filthy Franklin Mud Run is back! What better way to break in all of the new space than to make a new and improved super muddy obstacle course to crawl, run and jump through? Tickets can be purchased here, join the event on facebook here
Keep up with all our events!
FSI Yearlong Academic Calendar
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Get Involved: Parent Crew Updates
Gala Committee Meeting Monday, 6 pm
The FSI Parent Crew Gala committee planning meeting on 9/18 at 6pm. The meeting is online only. All are welcome! We’ll be discussing the latest news about the spring Gala event, about requesting donations for the auction and what support is needed there, and micro volunteer opportunities available. Join us!
Meeting link
Join by phone(US) +1 484-841-8336
PIN: 272422438
1st in person Parent Crew Meeting Tues, Sept 19th, at 6:00pm in the community room at FSI. We will be voting on our bylaws and discussing the plans for the year. This is our first year, so we are looking for all ideas and thoughts as to how we can best serve the FSI Community. Light refreshments will be served. We look forward to getting to know each other. Please reach out to us at parentcrew@thefsi.us if you have any questions. Come get involved!
Dine Out at Mod! October 26
The Franklin School of Innovation Parent Crew will receive 20% of
fundraiser sales if you eat at Mod on Merrimon Avenue on October 26, 2023. To participate, all you have to do is order online using the code MODGIVES20 or by visiting the Merrimon Avenue Mod Location and mention the Fundraiser at Checkout. Funds collected will be used towards Parent Crew events, staff appreciation and staff needs.
Calling All Student Musicians!!!
Are you interested in performing solo or with your band at our first ever FSI Innovation Fest?! All FSI students, even students not in music classes, are welcome to come audition for a spot to perform one or two pieces at our Innovation Fest Saturday, October 14th 12-4pm. Students will perform under the awning in the front area of campus on the day of the event. We will have food trucks and various activities so this area will bring the crowds. AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON FROM SEPT 7TH-SEPT 27TH. ALL ACTS WILL BE CHOSEN BY OCTOBER 2ND. NO LATE AUDITIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. If you’re interested in performing, email Mrs. Wilson swilson@thefsi.us for more information about the audition process and/or the event. Looking forward to rockin’ out with you!
Student Club Highlights
The current list of student clubs is included in the Club section below. Check it out and get involved! Here are a few highlights and clubs getting started this week:
Middle School Drama Club! If you are interested in becoming a member of the middle school drama club, please attend the first meeting this Tuesday September 19th from 3:30-4:30 in Ms. Lexa’s room.
High School GSA will have their first meeting on September 27th during “brunch” in Room 265 (note the date change). All are welcome! . Advisors are Bo Wyatt, Kelsey Reid, and MK Hyche. The first meeting will be an introduction to GSA and our plan/intentions for the school year.
Science Olympiad is looking for some more competitors! There is room for 15 people per team. We started with 4 in MS and 3 in HS. Next meeting is Friday, Sept 22nd. Contact Jessica Bragdon, jbragdon@thefsi.us, for more information!
Mobile Dental Clinic Oct 5
The dentist is coming on October 5th! Forms went out to students for dental cleanings on 9/8. The nurse has extra forms in her office! Reach out to Courtney with any questions at: ckozloski@thefsi.us
NC Digital Learning Survey
Please take a few minutes to complete this survey: Digital Learning Survey for North Carolina. All schools are required to complete this survey to help identify gaps in digital access in our state. If your student does not have access to a device or internet at home, please reach out to our Tech Director, Matt Mikulski, mmikulski@thefsi.us.
Fall School Picture Day
SMILE! – Underclassman and Senior Pictures will be on October 17th and Make-up pictures will be on November 13th.
Innovation Fest
We invite you to join us on Saturday, October 14, from noon to 4 pm for InnovationFest, a celebration and a call to action. Together, let’s celebrate, innovate, and weave a tapestry of inclusivity and excellence. Learn more and get your (free) tickets today!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovationfest-tickets-706175950277
Reminders from the School Nurse
Covid Reminders:
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Student Clubs – Get Involved!
Clubs open to all grades
Math Club – 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–not to mention, our snack pantries are always full. Students also get the opportunity to participate in local, regional, and national math competitions.
Faculty Advisor: Teshale Byan – tbyan@thefsi.us
Math Club meets: Tuesdays from 3:30 – 5:00 PM room #224. (Starts mid-October)
Outdoor Club – The outdoor club learns and practices outdoor skills for camping, hiking, fishing and exploring. We meet after school to plan trips and practice skills, and head out about one weekend a month for adventures.
Faculty Advisors: JP Bowers, Donnie Stahlke – jpotter-bowers@thefsi.us , Dstahlke@thefsi.us
Outdoor Club meets: Tuesdays from 3:45 – 4:45 PM, Adventure Ed – room 272 Started 8/29
Science Olympiad – Do you geek out on all things science? Are you a competitive person who wants a medal hanging around your neck to prove science prowess? This is a science competition against other area schools, with a potential to move on to state and national levels!
Faculty Advisor: Jessica Bragdon, jbragdon@thefsi.us if you have any questions.
Meeting Information: Room 272 from 3:30-4:15 every other Friday. Next meeting Fri, Sept 22 will meet MS at base of stairs to take them upstairs
Girls Who Code – Girls Who Code is on a mission to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. We work on personal coding projects and learn skills together.
Faculty Advisors: Jessica Fine and Brittany Davenport, jfine@thefsi.us, bdavenport@thefsi.us
Meeting Information: Every other Monday in room 163 3:15 – 4:15 pm Starts 9/11
Mountain Biking – Grades 6 -12 – Members learn mountain biking skills and gain community among others who also enjoy this sport! Contact the advisor for more information.
Advisor: Bevin McGahey, bevinmcgahey@gmail.com
Meeting Information: September 14th meet and greet at FSI, Practices start in November and compete mostly in the spring.
Chess Club – All levels and grades are welcome! Looking for a great way to strengthen your focus and elevate your creativity? Join the Chess Club! We meet once a week to learn the finer points of the game, and to practice strategy and concentration. Club members have the opportunity to participate in a variety of local tournaments. Cost for this club is $50 a semester.
Advisor: Bruce Roth, brucerothchess@gmail.com
Meeting Information: We meet Tuesdays 4:00- 5:00 pm Starts Sept 12th
Film Club – This allows students to grow confidence in their ideas while facing an audience, feeling comfortable in their own skin and to showcase art without fear of backlash or bigotry.
Student Advisor: Michaela Mamone-Peeples michaelamamone-peeples@thefsi.us
Meeting Information: Held in Ms. Julia Adam’s room every other Thursday 345 – 445 pm starting 8/31
Middle School Clubs
MS Creative Writing Club – Are you a fan of writing, reading and sharing books you love with others? Then the MS Creative Writing Club is the place for you! Students are challenged weekly with new ideas to help enhance and support their love of writing. Using prompts, journalling and group collaboration, students will have the opportunity to write for poetry and prose competitions, individual work or collaborative pieces for classes. Bring your journal and join the fun! KOTLC fans will find that there are often discussions about the awesomeness of Shannon Messenger’s book series during club time!
Faculty Advisor: Ashley O’Dell, aodell@thefsi.us
Meeting Information: Starts September 8th – Meets alternating Mondays and Fridays
MS Drama Club – Are you interested in theatre? Do you love to act? Do you want a way to get to know other students while having a lot of fun with drama? Well, Drama Club may be the club for you!
Faculty Advisor: Elizabeth Lexa, elexa@thefsi.us
Meeting Information: Starts Sept 19th – Oct. 24th Meets Tuesdays 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Middle School Gay-Straight Alliance (MS GSA) (gender and sexuality alliance) –
We welcome everyone and work to empower LGBTQ+ lives.
Faculty Advisors: Ms. Wallace and Riddle at zwallace@thefsi.us or rriddle@thefsi.us
Meeting Information: Middle School GSA begins meeting Wednesday 8/30 during lunch room 142 – Meets Wednesdays 11:15-11:55 room 142
World Dance Club – Learn a variety of dances from around the world! Hip hop, Kpop, Latin Dance, Jpop and more! Instructed by Ms Sheila Dillingham, a local dance teacher.
Cost is $10/class – paid monthly.
Faculty Advisor: Micah Usher, musher@thefsi.us
Instructor: Sheila Dillingham, lunafields@hotmail.com or 828 772 5937
Meeting Information: Wednesdays 1:15 – 3:30 pm Starts Wednesday 09/06
Robotics Team – The robotics team is for students in grades 5-8. Students will compete in a competition to showcase their robotics and problem solving skills.
Faculty Advisor: Brittany Davenport, bdavenport@thefsi.us
Meeting Information: Thursdays 3:20-4:30 in room 163 (Interest meeting Thursday, 8/31 at 3:25 – 4:15 pm)
High School Clubs
TEDxYouth @FSI – TEDxYouth is an opportunity for students to truly be leaders in their own learning. From selecting the theme to finding speakers and running the actual event, this is a youth-led event through and through.
Faculty Advisor: Lora Hawkins, lhawkins@thefsi.us
Meeting Information: Meets monthly until January, and then we meet weekly (or a bit more often) until the conference in March. Room 269. Starts end of Q1, auditions in November
High School Genders and Sexualities Alliances (HS GSA) – This student-run club, supported by faculty members, meets weekly. The club’s purpose is to provide a safe space for students to discuss LGBTQ+ issues, both personally and within the larger societal context. In addition, students will have a space to educate and advocate to their wider community.
Faculty Advisor: Mary Kinsey Hyche at mkhyche@thefsi.us
High School Drama Club (High Boltage Theatre) – In this club we work on a theatre production! You will either be either on stage or backstage, and it is such a unique opportunity to be creative, build strong friendships, and develop new skills all while having big fun. This year, we plan to perform our fall and spring plays in the theatre at Warren Wilson. We’ll get to be on a real stage and work with some college theatre tech students! In addition to the two full length productions, we are plotting a couple of other fun projects/activities. You don’t need experience to get involved!
Faculty Advisor: Julie Wharton, Jwharton@thefsi.us
HS Drama Club meets: meets two days a week during rehearsals – dates TBD by members – generally Mon, Tues, or Thurs from 3:45 – 6:45.
Habitat for Humanity Leadership – This club fundraises to support a Habitat for Humanity Student build. 5 area high schools sponsor and build a Habitat House every other year.
Faculty Advisor: Mary Smith, msmith@thefsi.us
Meeting Information: Likely Room 226, Tuesdays at lunch starting in September
Arts Quarterly – The Arts Quarterly is open to high school students wanting to make a zine style publication that is published quarterly, all grade level work is considered. The Zine will feature upcoming events throughout the quarter and exceptional student art and writing work.
Faculty Advisor: Micah Usher, musher@thefsi.us
Meeting Information: Once a week for a month before each quarter or as needed, room 144
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! Click here to access the guide: Who do I go to when…
Teaching Teams
Need to contact a teacher? Find them quickly with this link to our Teaching Teams for 2023-2024
