Share the link to our Hurricane Recovery Fund with your friends & family!
Donate to FSI Hurricane Recovery Fund
“I want to tell you that the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason because what’s in front of you is so much more important than what’s behind you!”
Jelly Roll
Good morning Franklin families,
I came across this quote from Jelly Roll and it’s stuck in my head, partly because it’s just such a great line but mostly because it captures the feeling at this time of year. In the next few weeks we’ll see lots of “best of” lists – the best songs, the best movies, the best restaurants – remembering what was great in 2024. And we will be reflecting on our own best and likely “worst ofs” for 2024. It was a hard year! A big part of my job is to listen and hear what’s happened to people, both students and adults. Our histories are important. Yet at some point we need to shift our focus to what’s ahead. We can’t control what’s already done but we can claim control over the future.
Over these next few weeks it’s ok to sit with our memories and what’s behind us. Let’s honor our experiences. And then let’s put our focus on what’s ahead. We have work to do to recover and thrive as a school and as a community.
We have one week left in this semester! Take time today to sit down with your student and make sure they are up to date on all assignments. Model how to create lists, prioritize, and make time for the things that are important. These skills are so important for their future success.
As we look ahead to 2025, we need your input! We want to know how we can best support students, staff and families with mental well-being. Please take time today to complete this survey and help us plan for services and summer programming that will help your student and your family thrive. Please complete the survey by end of day this Wednesday, Dec 18.
Post-Hurricane Supports Survey (due Dec 18)
A few other reminders for this week:
- Early release on Wednesday and Friday this week – no afterschool BtB services either day. Wednesday is our staff holiday party and we want all staff to be able to come. Thank you for picking up your students promptly!
- Dec 18 – Last call for Lost & Found! Send your student or come on in and take a look through our Lost & Found box (in the front foyer). We will donate or throw away all remaining items.
Finally, it’s almost time for Open Enrollment for next school year! If you are new to FSI, or maybe just need a reminder, please review how this works. It can be confusing.
- All current FSI students have a guaranteed spot for next year. You do not need to re-apply through Open Enrollment and the lottery. There is a separate re-enrollment process for returning students. We’ll share that with you after the holidays.
- All new students – including siblings – must apply through Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment runs from January 1 – March 31, 2025. Applications are online. Just go to our website and click the link. If you plan to enroll a sibling for next year make sure to check the box. Siblings get priority for enrollment.
- Help us grow! If you have friends or family members with students in grades 5 – 12, make sure they know about Open Enrollment. We would love to fill every slot with great students and families!
We have another busy week ahead. It was wonderful to see everyone at the fantastic Holiday Concert on Friday night and we appreciated the support for our home basketball games. Come on out this week and cheer for the Bolts! Thank you for choosing Franklin and for working with us to create a great school community.
Upcoming Events
Mon, Dec 16
- 5:00 – 6:30 pm: HS Bball @ FernLeaf Charter School
Tues, Dec 17
- 4:15 – 5:15 pm: MS Bball (JV) vs New Classical @ FSI
Wed, Dec 18: Beyond the Bell is closed for Staff Holiday Party
Thurs, Dec 19
- 5:00 – 6:00 pm: HS Bball vs Shining Rock @ FSI
Fri, Dec 20 – Early Release!
- 12:45 pm: Middle School dismissal
- 1:00 pm: High School dismissal
Winter Break: Dec 23 through Jan 6; students return Jan 7
Keep up with our Community Calendar: FSI Community Calendar
Need to see the year at a glance? FSI 2024-25 Academic Calendar
Athletics News
MS Varsity basketball went 1-1 on the week defeating Shining Rock on the road and falling to IC Imagine at home. The team was led in scoring by C. Wells. C. Garcia and S. Bragdon. Great defensive play by C. Garcia and S. Clay and rebounding by J. Bethea amd A, Denision.
HS basketball team went 1-1 on the week dropping a game to IC Imagine and defeating Bethel Christian 61-56 at home. In the victory vs BCA, the Bolts jumped out to a big halftime lead with great offense from G. Stone, T. Pruitt and C, Bragdon. The second half would get tight and the game was even tied with under two minutes to play. The Bolts ended the game on a 5-0 run to secure the win.
Bolts basketball is back in action this week with the MS JV team playing in their first game on Tuesday at home vs New Classical at 4:15pm. The HS team has two games this week starting with a game at Fern Leaf on Monday at 5:00pm and hosting Shining Rock on Thursday at 5:00pm.
Go Bolts!
Parent Crew
Parent crew is organizing holiday cookies for staff to help show our appreciation on Wednesday December 18. Use the sign up link below if you are interested in participating and to see all the details.
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/5080B4FAAA629A02-53820508-holiday
Please help us celebrate and honor our wonderful teachers and school staff during this holiday season! If you are able to help, consider a donation to the Holiday Staff Giving Pool. Every contribution will be shared directly with our school staff!
Holiday Staff Giving Pool https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/projects/240091-2024-staff-holiday-giving-pool
Mark your calendars for upcoming Parent Crew meetings!
- Thursday, Jan 23: 6 pm Online-check the school calendar for Google Meet details
- Wednesday, Feb 19: 8:30 am school -,more details about place closer to date
- Thursday, Mar 20: 6 pm am at school-more details about place closer to date
- 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
Yearbook Sales & Senior Ads!
Our yearbook class is busy capturing fantastic memories of this year! Yearbooks are currently $55. Get yours here before the price increases in January!
Want to purchase an ad for your FSI senior? You have until February 7th to shout out your senior. You can purchase an ad by clicking here.
View Student Pictures
View your students portraits online at this link – https://legacyfindmycode.com/
You will need your student ID number to view portraits, which can be found in the parent portal, or ask your student!
Buncombe County Housing Assistance Program – Act Now!
Buncombe County has a new housing assistance program that provides up to three months of rent, mortgage, or utility payment assistance. Eligibility includes financial impact from Hurricane Helene and income within 80% of Area Median Income.
Applications close Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. Apply at buncombecounty.org.
To be eligible, residents must meet the following criteria:
- Live in Buncombe County before Sept. 26
- Had finances negatively impacted by Helene
- Income must be between 80% of Area Median Income
Applications are open now and close on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.
Housing Assistance Application Details Page:
Application for Housing Assistance:
Buncombe County Residential Support/ Apoyo residencial del condado de Buncombe
College Corner: FAFSA Update
FSI will be holding a FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) completion workshop on January 15 from 6 – 7 pm. Here is the latest update on the FAFSA which recently opened at the end of November.“The 2025-26 FAFSA is open. Here’s what you need to know.”
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 starting back up here: 2024 FSI Clubs. Please remember that students need to sign in to Beyond the Bell for after school clubs.
Reminders
Apply for Free/Reduced Lunch
We strongly encourage families to apply for free and reduced lunch. If your family is experiencing a loss of income due to the hurricane, you may qualify for free or reduced meals based on your current income. It is important to our school to collect this information for two reasons. First – it helps us support our families! We will use the free and reduced meal application for all school-based financial aid and scholarships, including meals as well as scholarships for field trips, Beyond the Bell services, and clubs.
Having accurate information about the number of families who qualify for free or reduced lunch also supports the school. Some sources of funding are based on this number.
You can apply for the free and reduced meal program at www.myschoolbucks.com or under the quick links through your My School Bucks app. If you have any issues, contact Tammey Harper at tharper@thefsi.us.
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.
