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Donate to FSI Hurricane Recovery Fund
Good morning Franklin families,
I hope everyone has enjoyed a lovely spring break! And Happy Easter to all who celebrate today. We have a busy and fun return to school this week, getting started with Spirit Week and winding up to our first ever Pickleball Tournament and Spring Fair on Saturday, April 26, from 11 am – 1 pm. . We hope you will join us! There are middle, high school, adult, and staff divisions. Registration is $20 per team. Find a partner and register your team today! Registrations must be received by Friday, April 25
We’ll also have some local vendors, music, food, and more.
Spring Basket tickets for drawing (04/28) are available for a $5 donation or 5 for $20. The money raised will fund the upcoming Staff Appreciation week, as well as Parent Crew-sponsored events. After clicking on the link to get your ticket (s), you can scroll down to see the items included in each basket. Baskets are worth $300 to $600 and include amazing items!
https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/events/85814-fsi-spring-basket-drawing
Our Spirit Week Theme Days this week:
- Mon, April 21: Crazy Hat/Hair Day
- Tues, April 22: Fancy Day
- Wed, April 23: Bolts Day (wear school colors/Bolts gear)
- Thus, April 24: Anything but a Backpack Day
- Fri, April 25: Tacky Tourist/Tropical Day
This last part of the year always feels like a sprint to the finish line. This year, it’s an especially important learning time. With any luck we’re finished with all weather-related delays and disruptions and we have just over 5 solid weeks for learning before our end of year exams. This year we will hold our end of year exams in a very short window – starting Wednesday, May 28 and ending on Monday, June 2. We’re pushing the tests as late as possible to really make the most of our remaining learning time. Please be sure that students are at school on the exam days! Here is our schedule:
- May 28: Middle School Math EOGs and Math 1 EOC
- May 29: Math 3 EOC
- May 30: Middle School Reading EOG and English 2 EOC
- June 2: 5th and 8th Grade Science EOG and Biology EOC
- June 3 and 4: Make Up Test Dates
- June 5: Last Day for Students – early release
Thursday, June 5 is a weather make up day. Wed, June 4 will be a full day (no early release) and June 5 will now be our last day of school and an early release day.
Thank you for choosing Franklin! Let’s finish this year stronger than ever and stronger together.
Upcoming Events
Mon, April 21
- 4:30 pm: HS Ultimate vs Asheville HS at MLK Jr Park, 50 MLK Jr Dr
Thurs, April 24
- 4:00 pm: HS Girls Soccer vs Tri-Cities @ BCSP
- 6:00 pm: Verbal Purple/Our Voice present SAFE, Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention Education Workshop
Sat, April 27
- 11 am – 1 pm: FSI Pickleball Tournament & Spring Fair! Join us for some great competition (MS, HS, staff and adult divisions for pickleball), great music, and a fun fair! Pickleball registration is here: https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/events/84576-fsi-pickleball-tournament-spring-fair
Calendar Changes:
- Wednesday May 21 will be a half day (regular Wednesday schedule)
- Wednesday, June 4: Full day (3:15/3:35 dismissal)
- Thursday, June 5 – Last day for students – early release (1:00 pm)
Keep up with our Community Calendar: FSI Community Calendar
Need to see the year at a glance? FSI 2024-25 Academic Calendar
Bolts Athletics
Register today for the first annual Pickleball Tournament Saturday, April 26th from 11am ~ 1pm! There will be middle school, high school, adult and staff divisions, and we’ll try to match teams up by skill level, so everyone can play! Teams are made up of two people and registration is $20/team – so get out of the “kitchen”, grab your partner and register your team today!
HS Basketball Interest meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd during Smart Period in the Focus Room. The meeting will start at the beginning of Smart Period (10:30am), so please be prompt. This is for returning players, rising 9th graders and anyone interested in playing next season.
HS Cross Country will have 4 off season workout dates coming up. These will take place after school from 4:00-5:00pm. Please meet in Coach Mack’s room (214).
- Tuesday, April 22
- Tuesday, April 29
- Tuesday, May 6
- Tuesday, May 13
There will also be a Fall 2025 XC Interest Meeting at the beginning of SMART Period (10:30am) on Wednesday, May 7 in Coach Mack’s room.
Rising 9th graders that are interested in participating in Cross Country next season are encouraged to attend.
Go Bolts!
Parent Crew
The Parent Crew needs volunteers for the upcoming Spring Fair (Saturday 04/26)! Please use the SignUp Genius below to help make a great day for our students.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090848A5AA22ABFF2-56092973-spring
We’re getting ready for Staff Appreciation Week! Click the link to see how you can help!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090848A5AA22ABFF2-55845268-staff
Mark your calendars for upcoming Parent Crew meetings!
- Thursday, Apr 24: 8:30 am school-more details about place closer to date
- Thursday, May 29: 6 pm online- check the school calendar for Google Meet details
FSI Music Dept will be hosting another Open Mic Night Wednesday 4/30 at Doc Brown’s BBQ 4-6pm!
Anyone is welcome to perform at this event, it is not limited to only music students. Come sing, perform, read a short, a poem, or dance. Express yourself at this fun community event on a beautiful fall evening! As well as hosting us at the restaurant for this event, Doc Brown’s is generously donating 10% of the restaurant’s sales earned during those hours to the music department, so come out and show your support!!
Since this space is outdoors and uncovered, we will take weather into account but hopefully that won’t be an issue for us. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Wilson at swilson@thefsi.us We hope to see you there!
Mark Your Calendars for Night of the Arts, Thurs, May 1
Student artists are getting ready for our annual Week and Night of the Arts! The Visual Art Show will be on display in our Community Room April 29 – May 2nd
Night of the Arts will be held Thursday, May 1st, from 5 – 7 pm in the Community Room. In addition to the Visual Art Show, we will enjoy performance excerpts from
- The HS Musical ‘The Prom’
- The MS Play ‘This is a Test’
- The Spring Concert
We will also present this year’s Fine Arts Awards. Don’t miss this great event!
Join us for 3 weeks of fun at our FSI Summer Quest Camp
Camp this year is only available to rising 5th graders through rising 8th graders. We are planning three great weeks of arts, crafts, games, science, learning, swimming and adventuring! Each week of Summer Quest Camp is a mix of outdoor activities, arts, swimming, cooking, social skill building, field trips and sports!
Choose which week, or all the weeks:
- Week 1: June 23rd – 27th
- Week 2: July 7th-11th
- Week 3: July 14th-18th
Register for summer camp here – https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/events/84532-fsi-summer-camp
Who to contact and how: Mr. Ron Scott, 828 335 1053, rscott@thefsi.us
Please note that we will provide more information on our Summer Learning Recovery Programs soon. We are still waiting on some details from the State but we are forging ahead with our plans. Registration for the Summer Learning Recovery Program will take place in May. Summer Learning Recovery program is recommended for students who are not at grade level in reading or math. This will be a targeted program designed to help students gain skills and confidence in math and reading. We’ll also include some enrichment activities and fun! The Summer Learning Recovery program is free.
Reminders
Career Opportunities! Earn While You Learn!
A representative from the Electrical Training Alliance will be at FSI on April 23 @ 10:30 (during smart period) for students who would like additional information on the electrical apprenticeship program. This is a great opportunity for students who aren’t sure what they want to do after high school. Free education and the chance to earn while you learn the skills for a high-demand career!
FSI Junior/Senior Prom 2025 – Old Hollywood
Step into the glamour and elegance of the golden age of cinema at this year’s prom! Join us for a night of red carpet moments, dazzling lights, and timeless Hollywood charm. Get ready for an unforgettable evening of music, dancing, and star-studded memories! Prom is Saturday, May 3 from 7-10pm at The Venue. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online starting March 31. Use this link to purchase tickets online. Tickets are also available for purchase in person at school. After April 25 tickets are $45 and available only in person. Tickets will be available at the door on prom night for $45. If you would like to invite a non-FSI student please complete this form and return to Ms Gretchen before April 28. Questions? Contact gkehrberg@thefsi.us.
Student Written & Published Poetry
Julia Wharton’s high school poetry class has begun work on a student-made poetry book, in which all high school students are invited to submit their poems for publication. Students may submit up to two poems via the Google Form. They are also looking for students to submit their original artwork to be featured in the book alongside the poetry, which can be given directly to Julia Wharton. Submission for both is completely free. The deadline to submit all poems and art is April 10, and only grades 9-12 may submit. Also, Julia Wharton’s poetry class has begun fundraising for their book. Until May 2, students can pre-order a copy for a 10% discount at $4.50. Students can also donate directly to the book’s publication. All pre-orders and donations must be given to Mrs. Wharton. All copies will be available on May 21st.
Public School Advocacy – Keep Calling!
It is budget season in North Carolina. We must let our elected leaders know that public school funding matters! Over 80% of all students in North Carolina and 85% of students with learning differences attend public schools. This isn’t a partisan issue – public schools have an impact on everyone. What does North Carolina’s terrible public school funding (seriously – 48 out of 50 is embarrassing!) mean for parents and students? Here are just a few ways that inadequate funding impacts parents and students:
- Higher teacher turnover as teachers leave the profession or the state for financial stability
- Less experienced teachers in classrooms
- Fewer school staff overall, so no one has time to do their job well
- Teachers and other school staff with second and third jobs, leaving them with less time and energy for their chosen profession
What can you do? Contact our elected officials! Call, email, write letters, drive to Raleigh if you are able! And get everyone you know to do the same. Let’s make our voices heard! Here’s the link again to the Education Call List.
DV Awareness Workshop: April 24 @ FSI
We are excited to host an important workshop in collaboration with Our VOICE and Verbal Purple! Our VOICE Inc. is a non-profit crisis intervention and prevention agency that has been serving survivors of sexual violence, ages 13 through adult, in Buncombe County for over 45 years. Our VOICE also works to provide primary prevention education to stop sexual violence before it occurs.
In collaboration with Verbal Purple and Our VOICE, we will be facilitating SAFE, an Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention Education Workshop, informed by existing scientific evidence, that teaches on sex trafficking risk factors, recruitment dynamics, warning signs, healthy and abusive relationships, and strategies for seeking and providing help for youth.
The SAFE Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention Education Workshop includes sensitive content related to human trafficking and we understand this material may be distressing for some individuals. We also understand these conversations can bring up a wide variety of feelings and reactions, so reach out to Our VOICE if you need support or have concerns about the content.
Our VOICE website: Home – Our VOICE (ourvoicenc.org)
Crisis line: CRISIS LINE: (828) 255-7576
This workshop is intended for anyone in 6th grade through 12th grade and their parents. It is also available to the wider community, if you have friends that would like to join.
Join us on Thursday, April 24th at 6pm at the Franklin School of Innovation!
Please help us estimate attendance by filling out this short form
This form is optional but helps us prepare for how many people to expect!
Author Robert Beatty (Serafina & the Black Cloak) Coming to Pack Square
Robert Beatty, the author of Serafina and the Black Cloak, is coming to Pack Memorial Library on Saturday, May 10 at 2pm. He plans to share about his latest book, Sylvia Doe and the 100 Year Flood, and talk about the filming of his book trailer. Malaprops will have books for folks to purchase at the event and there will be a signing afterward. This program is targeted toward tweens and their families, but of course all ages are welcome. What a fun opportunity to meet an author of a book many of our students have read! And if your student hasn’t read it – maybe this is a fun way to encourage them to read.
Apply for Free/Reduced Lunch
FSI is now participating in the Federal School Lunch Program. Families must apply for the program every year. We will help you with your applications! Click to APPLY HERE!
If you need help, call the school office (318-8140), stop by the front desk for paper applications, or email Tammey Harper, tharper@thefsi.us for help.
Did you know: Now that our school is part of the National School Lunch Program, students with approved applications for free or reduced lunch may also be eligible for summer “Sun Bucks” program, offering $120 per student for summer food purchases? You can learn more here: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks
Car Line Reminders
It seems that it is time for a reminder to be good citizens in the car line. No one loves the car line – we get it. But if we all follow the rules and work together, the line moves pretty quickly and we keep students and staff safe! Here are a few reminders:
- All traffic is one way during arrival and dismissal. There are NO exceptions. It simply isn’t safe.
- Students are to be picked up by the building – not in the driveway and especially not by the road.
- Turn right at Sardis Road.
- Watch your speed
Thank you to everyone who regularly follows these expectations!
Drivers Education – Summer Opportunity
Franklin will host a summer Driver’s Ed program July 14 – 18 from 9 am – 3 pm. Please note that we do not provide Driver’s Ed directly – all Driver’s Ed in WNC is provided by Mountain Pro. We are just the hosts. Registration is available at https://www.mtnpro.com/school-classes
Please see the attendance policy below. Again – this is not Franklin’s policy and we cannot intervene or advocate for any changes to the policy. You may want to wait until closer to the date of class to register to avoid any conflicts. Registrations are not transferable or refundable.
Attendance Policy: Students must pay a $65 fee for the classroom phase of Driver Education on or before the first day of their selected class. There will be no refunds if a student does not attend, drops out or fails The State mandates students attend 30 hours in entirety to receive credit. Voluntary medical or dental appointments and school-related activities such as tryouts, sports, field trips, concerts, etc. are not excused absences. Five Day Classes (Holiday Classes, etc.) and Summer classes: There are no makeup days for these classes. Students absent from one (1) of these classes will be listed as a Fail, and if allowed, will have to register and pay to attend another class in its entirety.
Donate Used, Broken, or Unwanted Electronics!
The Franklin School of Innovation Electronics Repair Club is accepting donations of used, broken, or unwanted electronics. Anything from small smart watches up to larger laptops (including PC, mac/apple and android devices). No printers, desktops, or monitors, please… we don’t have the space for them!
Please include the power supply(s), password(s) (if one or more things haven’t been reset) and what is believed to be wrong with the device via a bundled note. Label the donation “for ERC” and bring it to the front office. If we can’t find a second life for your donated item we will make sure personal data is securely wiped and that it is brought to an upcoming local e-waste collection event.
We may be able to repair items! If you are interested in a quote for repair, please include that in your note along with your contact information.
Yearbook Sales
Our yearbook class is busy capturing fantastic memories of this year! Get yours here.
MANNA Packs for Kids
MANNA Packs for Kids is a take-home food program that provides a weekly bag of food to students. Bags will contain items such as proteins, fruits, vegetables, snacks and/or breakfast items.The “MANNA Packs for Kids” program’s mission is to serve those families with children who are experiencing economic difficulty and could use assistance in providing food when school meals are not an option. To join the program, please fill out the Manna Packs google form here.
After School Clubs
We have updated our Club listing, which is also posted on our website. Many clubs are starting or resuming this week! You can check the listing and see which clubs are in session: 2024 FSI Clubs. Please remember that students need to sign in to Beyond the Bell for after school clubs.
