Good morning Franklin families,
It’s cold out there! We’re starting this week with some very chilly weather. Please remind your students to bundle up! It’s a quick blast of arctic air and then we should move back to more typical winter weather.
Thank you to everyone who attended our Winter Concert, and a special shout out to our Parent Crew for their hard work organizing a great concession stand and the raffle! I am so proud of the growth of our music program under Ms. Wilson’s direction. It’s fun to see so many music alumni returning as well! It is clear that students feel a true sense of connection to the community they built through modern orchestra and chorus. Bravo musicians – it was a joyful evening!
Now onto something not quite as joyful. We are seeing an increase in students attending school when they are sick with obvious symptoms. We have even had parents refuse to pick up students when they are contagious. While we want students to be at school every day they can be – students cannot be here when they are sick. Please keep your students home when they have the following symptoms. Students must not return to school until they are symptom-free without medication for 24 hours.
- Fever of 100 degrees or higher. If your student has a fever in the morning, do not give them aspirin or Tylenol and send them to school.
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Undiagnosed rash
- Other symptoms of contagious conditions
If your student comes to school with any of these symptoms, you will be called and you are required to pick your student up promptly.
This week is short and busy! I am both excited and a little nervous to be stepping into the classroom full-time Tuesday through Thursday, leading one of our Middle School Intensives. The Intensives are so cool, I almost want to be a middle school student again. It will be a joyful, challenging, messy, and exciting week in middle school.
Please remember that there is no Beyond the Bell afterschool coverage on Wednesday or Friday. Friday is an early release so be sure to get here on time. Our hard-working staff members will be ready to start their well-deserved winter breaks.
Finally, this little message will stay in our newsletter until we reach our fundraising goal! We understand that this is a hard time of the year and that every organization is asking for your support right now. We wouldn’t ask if we didn’t absolutely need your support! We want to continue to provide our students and our community with all the experiences and education they deserve. We can’t do it without your help.
Give today, or join the 6-7 Challenge and commit to a monthly gift of just $6.7! No matter how you Crew It – your support will help us fill our gaps and continue all the wonderful programs your students love.
This is How We Crew It FSI Fundraising Campaign
Thank you for choosing Franklin and showing up to help us provide a welcoming and engaging school where students can thrive.
Upcoming Events
Monday, Dec 15
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- School Picture Make Up Day – all grade levels.
- If you would like your student to have their picture taken or retaken, please complete the following FORM ASAP.
Tuesday, Dec 16
- 4:15 pm: MS Basketball (JV) at FernLeaf, 249 Old Hendersonville Road, Fletcher
- 5:00 pm: MS Basketball (V) at FernLeaf
- 5:00 pm: HS Basketball at Reynolds Mountain Christian Academy, 20 Reynolds Mountain Blvd, Asheville
Wed, Dec 17 – No Beyond the Bell Afterschool Services
- 2:00 – 4:00 pm: Holiday Staff Party – School Building Closed
Fri, Dec 19
- Early Release – 12:50/1:00
- No Beyond the Bell Afterschool Services
Mark your calendars
- Dec 22 – Jan 5: Winter Break. The school building will be closed during the break.
Keep up with all our school events!
FSI Community Calendar – add our events to your google calendar
2025-2026 Yearlong Calendar – year at a glance
Bolts Athletics
Team Shop is Open! The shop has been extended until Dec 18. Get your exclusive Bolts Basketball Gear and FSI Gear. Place your order and it ships directly to you! Emails have been sent to parents and staff. This is also a fundraiser for Bolts Athletics.
Shop now! Access code: YWojRWAwFt. How to order
Parent Crew
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time for our annual Holiday Giving Pool for our wonderful FSI staff! Each year we ask families who are able to contribute to a shared Giving Pool instead of buying individual gifts for teachers and staff. Our goal is to provide all staff members with a cash gift of $100 along with fun little cozy treats. The School hosts an annual catered holiday party. These acts of appreciation are especially important in a year where our state failed to give raises to our school staff!
Please give if you are able. All funds will be distributed to FSI staff members: https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/projects/263505-2025-staff-holiday-giving-pool
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
You can find our menus online: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/nutrition/
School Picture Make Ups – Monday, December 15
If you would like your student to have their picture taken or retaken, please complete the following FORM ASAP. This form is for all grade levels(5-12).
If you haven’t viewed your pictures online yet, you can do so HERE.
You will need to put in student name and student ID#. Your student should know their student ID#. If not, please log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal, to get their ID#.
We will call students to the community room throughout the day, to make sure that all students who have signed up have their picture taken. Students will only be called for photos if you have filled out the form.
Beyond the Bell Closures, Dec 17 and Dec 19
Beyond the Bell afterschool care will be closed on Wednesday, Dec 17 and Friday, Dec 19. We are hosting our annual holiday staff party for all our staff on Dec 17 and our BtB staff will be attending! December 19 is an early release Friday and BtB will be closed so everyone can begin a much-needed winter break.
Lost and Found!
Please check the Lost and Found this week! All items left in Lost and Found on Friday, Dec 19 will be donated.
Calling All Skiers and Snowboarders!
We are helping organize an informal “Ski Club”. If you are interested, please complete this Interest Form. The club is not officially a school club, but we can help organize a group for a good discounted price and some out-of-school community building! Questions? Contact Micah Usher (musher@thefsi.us). And if you contact him, be sure to say thank you for all the amazing photos and hard work he does to help build school spirit and community! Ski Club Interest Form
Student Club News
Middle School Math Club is Underway
Mr. Byan has launched the Middle School math club. The club meets in Mr. Byan’s classroom from dismissal until 4:30. If you have questions or if you would like to help volunteer to support this club, please reach out to Mr. Byan, tbyan@thefsi.us. We haven’t had any volunteers step up yet – if you are able to help please let us know!
Please pick students up promptly at 4:30. Students who are not picked up will be placed in Beyond the Bell and daily BtB fees will apply.
Middle School Student Council
The Middle School Student Council Executive Board (all officers and grade level representatives) will meet on Wednesday, January 7, during lunch and recess.
The Student Council is sponsoring Kindness Week January 12 – 16. All students are invited to participate in acts of kindness during the week (and always!).
- Kindness Board – grab a sticky note and add some words of kindness!
- Spread the Kindness – notes will be written in Crews and distributed around the building. When you find one – put it on the board!
- Bake Sale for Brother Wolf: Wednesday (Jan 14) immediately after school. All $$ will be donated to Brother Wolf
- Blanket Making: Wednesday (Jan 14) from 1:00 – 2:00 in the Community Room. Join us to make blankets to donate! Open to all students. This will be our January MS Council meeting
- Trash Pickup: Wednesday (Jan 14) from 1:00 – 2:00 – we will meet after school in the Community Room and pick up trash around campus
General Club Information
You can find more information about clubs on our website, or contact Ron Scott, rscott@thefsi.us.
Reminders
Music T-Shirts & Hoodies Now Available!
Our Modern Orchestra and Choir shirts are now available for purchase using the links below. This year we have three options of shirts, T-shirts, long sleeve shirts, and hoodies. There is also an option to get something printed on the back like a nickname, last name, etc. You can place orders up until 1/31/26. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
- Modern Orchestra- https://www.imagemarket.com/b34hdf8a
- Choir- https://www.imagemarket.com/bb8f7hc5
High School Europe Adventure
Rising 9th or above FSI Europe Adventure Registration Sale!
Calling all travelers! The high school Europe trip is currently being organized – Contact Deeana at dbennett@thefsi.us if you are a rising 9th or above (parent) and interested in your student joining the trip to Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain!
- Limited time discount of $300 off if purchased between 11/28 and 12/07
- Includes entry into drawing for additional $250 scholarship!
- 13 days traveling in Europe
- Travel from the Alps to the Mediterranean Coast!
- Zurich, Switzerland and from there travel to Lake Lucerne, Lake Cuomo, Cinque Terre, Monaco, Avignon, Provence, Barcelona, and finally Madrid.
Order Your Yearbooks & Ads
The 2025-2026 Yearbooks are on sale! They are currently $55 until November 15th. They will go up to $55 after Nov. 15th. Purchase via this link
Parents/Guardians of Seniors and 8th Grade Students can purchase ads to be featured in the back of the yearbook – just click this link to create your ad!
Food Banks & Supports
With the federal government shutdown, many families are facing an immediate need for nutrition support. The Asheville area is rising to the challenge! Whether you are in need of help or looking for a way to lend a hand, here are a few resources (thanks to Citizen Times for much of this list):
- MANNA Food Bank
- Bounty & Soul. Multiple markets, offering free produce and other whole foods, operate throughout the weekend in Asheville, Black Mountain, Fairview and Swannanoa. View the locations and schedule at bountyandsoul.org/community/market-schedule/.
- YMCA of Western North Carolina. The free mobile food markets travel across the region, including to parks, libraries, health system offices and neighborhood hubs across Asheville, Candler, Clyde, Hendersonville, Leicester, Marshall, Marion, Mills River and Old Fort. View the schedule and locations at ymcawnc.org/programs/community/food-programs. The YMCA is offering financial assistance for memberships and programs for those affected by the shutdown. Call (828) 251-5910 or email ybc@ymcawnc.org for details.
- Southside Community Farm. The Southside Free Grocery Program serves the Southside neighborhood by providing an outdoor pantry and refrigerator stocked with produce grown at the urban farm. Locations include the Edington Center, Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, and the South French Free Fridge and pantry.
- Food Connection. Fresh free meals are distributed from Food Connection “Beyond the Bus Line” distribution sites, including in Candler, Fairview, Leicester, Swannanoa and Weaverville. For the schedule and locations, visit food-connection.org.
- Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM). The Crisis Ministries offers food, clothing, utility and rental assistance. For more, visit abccm.org.
- BeLoved Asheville. The community outreach organization is distributing EAT cards, which are gift cards to local stores, to families at schools and senior residents. For more, visit facebook.com/BeLovedAsheville or belovedasheville.com.
- Community Food Pantry. Open 2-5:30 p.m. Thursday at 3685 Chimney Rock Road in Hendersonville, communityfoodpantrync.com.
- The Storehouse. Open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Friday at 1049 Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville. storehouseonline.org.
- Calvary Food Pantry. Open 8-11 a.m. Saturday at 2840 Hendersonville Road in Fletcher. calvaryfletcher.org.
- Eblen Charities Meal Giveaway, Nov 21, 9 am – 4 pm, Ingles, 780 Hendersonville Road, first come, first serve
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. We do our best to respond to questions within 24 hours. We do not expect school staff to respond outside of school hours. Click here to access the guide: Who do I go to when…
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. You can sign up here: Free and reduced lunch application. Families can sign up at any time during the school year.
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 afterschool clubs also run through Beyond the Bell.
