Dear Franklin families,
We are still in summer mode here on campus but the summer is flying by. Our new faculty will join us next week and all faculty return on August 18. We are fully staffed, ready to go, and looking forward to a productive and joyful school year.
This is a quick newsletter to be sure everyone has what they need for the start of the school year. Make sure to scroll down to the Parent Crew section of the newsletter and learn how you can get involved!
We are starting to receive questions about student schedules. Please be patient – schedules will be available in Infinite Campus. We expect schedules to be ready in the week prior to the start of school.
Virtual Family Orientation – Thursday, August 14, 6:30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92200465298?pwd=8R30NFIuaDezluXOqYFvzi3GFemRpn.1
Meeting ID: 922 0046 5298
Passcode: U2tpuM
Meet our administrative team and learn all the things you need to know! Drop-off & pick up procedures, communication, cell-phone policy, extracurricular activities, volunteer sign up, and more! Zoom link is above and can also be found on our Community Calendar
Meet the Teachers – Thursday, August 21, 5 – 7 pm
Come meet our wonderful FSI faculty and staff and pick up your welcome packets. We encourage middle school (grades 5 – 8) parents to come from 5 – 6 and high school parents from 6 – 7 to help with traffic and parking, but all teachers will be here from 5 – 7, so come when you can. We will end promptly at 7 pm. Parents – you can drop off medical plans, medication forms, and immunization records with our school nurse.
Monday, August 25 – First Day of School!
Did you know that student attendance during the first 4 weeks of school can predict their success? Half of all students who miss just 2 – 4 days of school during the first month go on to miss nearly a month of school. Getting here on time and ready to go is an important first step toward a great school year.
School Supplies
It’s time for back to school shopping! You will find school supply lists on our website: School Supply Lists
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. Please note that most faculty members are not yet back to work and many of our year-round employees are squeezing in last-minute vacations! Once school starts we do our best to respond to questions within 24 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…
Required Forms
Emergency Medical Authorization
All students are required to have a Student Health Form on file. These forms are extremely important; in the case of an emergency and treatment may be delayed if we do not have this form on hand. These forms were sent via email from Erinn Otten. Please complete the form and return it to school as soon as possible.
Medications at School
If your student will require medication of any type during the school day, please remember to complete and submit the appropriate medical forms. You will find forms for diabetes, asthma, allergies, medication, and self-medication on our website, or your doctor’s office should have school forms available. Under North Carolina regulations, students are not permitted to take any medications at school, including over-the-counter medications, unless the school has a current copy of a medication form on record. These forms require physician signature.
Immunizations
Students new to public school must provide proof of immunizations. You can read more about required immunizations here: http://www.immunize.nc.gov/schools/k-12.htm
Students entering 7th grade have new immunization requirements:
- Tdap – Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough)
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
You (or your doctor) can fax proof of immunizations to us at 828-318-8125, email to EOtten@thefsi.us, or mail or drop off to the office.
Sports Physicals, Concussion Form, and Medical Waivers
If your student will participate in our athletics program, all three forms must be completed and returned prior to participation. The physical must have a doctor’s signature. Forms are available on our website: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/forms/
Upcoming Events
Thurs, Aug 14, 6:30 pm Virtual Family Orientation (see link above)
Thurs, Aug 21, 5 – 7 pm: Meet the Teachers
Mon, August 25: First Day of School!
Note that Wednesday, August 27 IS an early release day
Mon,Sept 1: Labor Day Holiday – No School
Wed, Sept 17: 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
We’re getting close to the start of the year and the Parent Crew is getting a jump on fundraising to fund the annual welcome back to school lunch for the staff during the first week of orientation. They do so much for our kids and we’d like to give them a great meal before the year begins! The way a 50/50 drawing works is that donations are pooled, and when the drawing is pooled 50% goes to a winner of the drawing and the other 50% goes towards the fund for the annual welcome back staff appreciation meal! Entries to the donation drawing are $10 a piece and you can enter as many times as you would like. This drawing is not limited to just our immediate community, so share it with your friends and family! https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/events/89223-welcome-back-staff-luncheon-fundraiser
The drawing will take place the afternoon of 8/18 and the winner will be privately contacted.
Weekly information from Parent Crew will be included in the Sunday newsletters under this section.
Reminders
Bus Rider & Carpool Information
It’s great to see action happening on the carpool page! 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 the bus sign up information from Deeana Bennett, Director of Operations. 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.
Free & Reduced Lunch
Did you know that Franklin participates in the federal school lunch program? We are so pleased to provide this service for our families. Our kitchen staff have been trying out some new recipes and treating us all this summer – we can vouch for the delicious meals! You can sign up here: Free and reduced lunch application
Beyond the Bell (BTB) Before & After School Program
Before School: 7:15 am-7:45 am: Mon-Fri
After School: 3:15 pm-6:00 pm: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, and 1:00-6:00 pm Wednesdays
This is a fee-based program. Financial aid is available for qualifying households, upon completion of application. More information is available on our website. https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/beyond-the-bell-btb/ Contact Ron Scott, rscott@thefsi.us, for more information.
Please note that all afterschool clubs also run through Beyond the Bell. More information about afterschool clubs will be available soon. Most clubs start mid to late September.
With appreciation,
Michelle Vruwink
School Director
