Good morning Franklin families,
It’s the last Sunday of summer break – I hope everyone is ready for school tomorrow! We had a terrific turnout for Meet the Teachers on Thursday and it was so fun to see returning families and meet new ones. This newsletter is packed with information and reminders about all the back-to-school basics, plus some frequently asked questions about Infinite Campus. Note that just for some extra fun – Infinite Campus has been up and down this morning. This is a statewide issue, not something we control. If you can’t get in, take a break and come back to it later.
Before all the basics, let’s start with our mission. Our school was founded with the goal of providing a free public education option that is different from our local districts. As a public charter school we have the privilege of creating our own mission and vision and sticking with it.
The Franklin School of Innovation is preparing the next generation of leaders, capable of solving problems and participating effectively and ethically as local and global citizens.
Through challenging academics, real-world learning, and community engagement, our students discover their potential, develop persistence, and recognize the value of others. Our graduates are ready for the future they will create.
Eleven years in and our mission is still our guiding star – inspiring us to keep our students at the center, supporting and challenging them to be their best selves. Whether it’s our stronger enforcement of cell phone policy (phones need to be silent and unseen at all times), our push to have students in school every day they are able, or our investment of time for professional learning of our faculty – our decisions and actions are grounded in our mission and always will be.
Now, on to the news! Tomorrow, August 26, is the first day of school. It is very important that students attend on the first day! The first week of school sets students up for success for the year. It also has an impact on our school funding. Students are not considered enrolled with Franklin until they attend.
Please note that our school start and end times have shifted slightly from last year.
- 5th & 6th Grade: 8:10 – 3:15; 8:10 – 12:45 Wednesday
- 7th & 8th Grade: 8:10 – 3:20; 8:10 – 12:45 Wednesday
- High School: 8:20 – 3:40; 8:20 – 1:00 Wednesday
Students may arrive as early as 7:15 am. From 7:15 – 7:45 students will be placed in Before the Bell (daily fee $1). Regular arrival begins at 7:45. Middle school students should be here by 8:00 and high school students should arrive by 8:10 to be on time for classes.
All traffic on campus is one-way. Form two lines when you enter campus and stay in two lines to the school entrance. We’ll help you merge into one line to exit. Turn right at Sardis Road for safety and to keep the line moving. More information is available in our Orientation – please be sure every driver in your family has reviewed our drop-off and pick-up procedures!
Sneakers Needed!
Sneakers are required to participate in all PE classes! We are looking for any used or new sneakers that you would be willing to donate to the PE program. Youth sizes are in high demand, especially for grades 5 & 6. We will accept any size that you are willing to donate and our PE students will greatly appreciate the donation. The sneakers can be dropped off at the front office labeled for Coach Burke.or brought to the gym once school begins.
Parent Crew is Franklin’s parent organization – a great way to meet other FSI families and be engaged with our school! Join them this Friday morning, 8:30 am at Dripolator Coffee Shop. Did you know we have an International group in Parent Crew? Come Friday and learn more!
Read on for more important information and reminders and we’ll see you tomorrow morning to kick off a terrific school year!
Upcoming Events
Mon, August 26: First Day of School!
Note that Wednesday, August 28 IS an early release day
Fri, Aug 30, 8:30 am: Parent Crew Get-Together at Dripolator Coffee Shop
Mon,Sept 2: Labor Day Holiday – No School
Wed, Sept 18: Fall Student Led Listening Conferences – students will not attend school this day. They will come ONLY for their conference time. Times will be scheduled with Crew leaders
Parent Crew
It’s a whole new year, and the perfect time to get involved! The Parent Crew is having a beginning of year meetup and hang out at the Dripolator in Candler 8/30 at 8:30am, which is actually right down the street from FSI (less than ten minutes). So, drop the kids off at school, come have coffee with the Parent Crew, make some new friends and get involved! Join the event on Facebook here Email parentcrew@thefsi.us with any questions
We need some grade-level coordinator volunteers.
These volunteers act as liaisons between grade-level staff, parents, and parent crew and conduct news sharing over email only. It’s fun and small commitment. Email jbyrd080908@gmail.com if interested.
First official meeting of Parent Crew is on 9/19 at 6pm–virtual only at: meet.google.com/xxg-ruhh-obs
Thank you for joining us!
Athletics News
Middle School Sports
- Girls Volleyball- please contact Matt Mikulski mmikulski@thefsi.us or Devan Dixon ddixon@thefsi.us
Start Date: Interest Meeting August 28th and practice begins September 3
- Boys & Girls Cross Country- please contact Joanna Agnew jagnew@thefsi.us
- Flag Football (co-ed)- please contact Tony Freeman tfreeman@thefsi.us or Anne Gillis agillis@thefsi.us
Start Date: After Labor Day
High School Sports
- Boys Soccer- please contact Teshale Byan tbyan@thefsi.us
Start Date: August 26
- Girls Volleyball- please contact Heather Kabat hkabat@thefsi.us
Start Date: August 19-23 (pre-season try-outs) 9:00am-12:00pm
Try-Outs- August 27-30 3:45-5:00pm
- Boys & Girls Cross Country- please contact Mackenzie Arnold marnold@thefsi.us
Start Date: August 19-23 on campus 7:45-8:30am
Practices starting August 26th will be on M. T. Th, F 4:15-5:30pm
All required paperwork(sports physical completed by a physician and concussion form) must be submitted prior to participation. These forms can be found on the school website.
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
We’ve had so many questions about Infinite Campus! If you have successfully joined the Parent Portal -you can just skim this section. Hopefully this FAQ will be helpful!
What is Infinite Campus?
Infinite Campus is the state’s new Student Information System for all NC schools. It replaces PowerSchool. All student and family information is stored in Infinite Campus, and is linked with all our other systems such as MySchoolBucks school online payment system and Canvas learning management system. We are in the first phase of the transition. All NC schools will transition to Infinite Campus by next year.
What is the Parent Portal?
The Parent Portal is how families access Infinite Campus. Families can update their contact information and student demographics, update all medical and annual forms, submit attendance notes, view student schedules, and receive messages from the school through the Parent Portal.
How do I get into the Parent Portal?
Parents received emails through Infinite Campus with a link to join the portal. You must use the link in the email – these were sent last week and sent again on Friday.
- Infinite Campus recommends that you join the portal from a computer or chromebook, not from your phone
- You must complete the setup at one time – so start the process when you have time to finish
- Do not try to sign up via the QR code included with the Welcome Packets. The QR code asks for an “activation code”. We do not have activation codes.
If you have followed the instructions and you are still unable to get into the Parent Portal, please complete the following GOOGLE FORM so we can help you. Do not email – we cannot respond to all the individual email requests.
I didn’t receive an email about the Parent Portal. What do I do?
We are finding that some data was either lost or did not come over correctly in the transfer from Powerschool to Infinite Campus. If you did not receive an email about the Parent Portal, it’s likely that your contact information wasn’t coded correctly in the transfer. We’ll help! Please complete the GOOGLE FORM and let us know you did not receive the Parent Portal information.
Where do I get the activation code?
We are not using the activation codes. Please look for the email with the link to join the Parent Portal and follow those instructions. We are sorry for the confusion!
We’re returning Franklin families. Why do we need to fill out this information again?
This is a two-part answer. We are required to collect some information every year, so the duplication is just part of the process. Also, some crucial information was lost in the transfer from Powerschool to Infinite Campus. We need families to complete this process so we have current information in our system.
When will students be able to join the Student Portals?
We hope students will be able to get into Infinite Campus within the next week. Students will sign into Infinite Campus through NCED Cloud – the same way they log into Powerschool and Canvas. As soon as the Student Portal is ready, we will help students get logged in.
MySchoolBucks Online Payment System & School Lunch
We use MySchoolBucks as our online payment system. You can pay for Beyond the Bell, athletic fees, and school lunch through MySchoolBucks.
Unfortunately the link between Infinite Campus and MySchoolBucks is not working yet. We hope it will be working this week. As soon as the link is working we will send information so families can register!
Families apply for free and reduced lunch through MySchoolBucks. We will use the free and reduced lunch application for all needs-based scholarships and financial support – including school nutrition, Beyond the Bell and clubs, and field trips. This will provide an efficient and fair process for all families. Once a student is found eligible, you will not have to complete multiple applications.
We will be serving breakfast and lunch this week! Students can pay with cash or with credit or debit cards, or on their school accounts. We will feed students even if they don’t have an account yet. Students are always welcome to bring bagged lunches from home – but we’ll be ready to feed everyone who needs a school lunch.
Beyond the Bell
Beyond the Bell is our before and after school program. This year, all student clubs are part of Beyond the Bell. Students who are at school after dismissal will be placed in Beyond the Bell for supervision. The only exceptions are students in athletics practices or school theatre and music rehearsals. Students waiting for late athletic practices must either be under the direct supervision of their coaches or they will be placed in Beyond the Bell. Beyond the Bell is available from dismissal until 6 pm every day, including Wednesdays. Daily fees are $1 for morning care (7:15- 7:45 am), $15 for daily care, and $25 for the extended Wednesday. The daily fee helps cover the cost of staff and supplies for our afterschool programs. Limited scholarships are available up to the school’s capacity. We will use the free and reduced lunch application for all scholarship determinations.
Bus Rider & Carpool Information
No matter where you live, you’ll find FSI families nearby. You need to join the Franklin Carpool Facebook page. Find your carpool friends here: Franklin Carpool Facebook Page
You should have received bus sign up information from Deeana Bennett, Director of Operations. You must complete the Bus Rider Form if you want your student on the bus – even if they rode the bus last year! Please click here to fill out the Bus Registration Form. We will review registrations and do our best to accommodate all requests. All students must be registered before riding the bus. Priority will be given to students who live in lower wealth households and under-represented demographic groups. We will also consider family hardship in determining placements. Please note that last year there was a waiting list for the buses. After a couple of weeks we were able to accommodate all riders – but it takes a little while to work through the individual student schedules.
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.
School Supplies
I hope you’ve already done your back to school shopping! I was in Target yesterday and the shelves were bare – yikes! But if you need to do some last-minute shopping, here are the supply lists: Supply Lists & Summer Reading
With appreciation,
Michelle Vruwink, director
