Good morning Franklin families,
What a week! We had so much fun on Giving Tuesday, traveling around school and shining the spotlight on all the ways our students and staff show up to Crew It everyday! I hope you had the chance to check out some of our livestreams and videos. If you didn’t, take some time today to watch and share! We moved on to Crew Olympics on Thursday with some great collaboration and competition despite the chilly weather. This week brings more community fun with basketball games and our winter holiday concert, and community action on Tuesday with our 2nd Blood Drive of the year. We look forward to seeing many of you at school this week!
We’re committed to continuing all these wonderful programs for our students and community even in the face of the most challenging budgets ever. At all levels – federal, state, and local – our elected leaders have dropped the ball and turned their backs on public schools, and North Carolina’s historically underfunded schools are facing the challenge. That’s the bad news. The good news is that from our scrappy start, our community has risen up to Crew It with us through all the challenges we’ve faced.
So we’re asking you today to….
Join the 6 7 Challenge!
It’s really easy! Just commit to giving $6.7 a month this year and you can help us reach our $60,000 fundraising goal and fill our budget gap. Just click the link below and make sure you choose a monthly donation. Just $6.7/month adds up to $80 a year – an amazing gift.
This is How We Crew It FSI Fundraising Campaign
Thank you to everyone who has donated already. We’ve over halfway to our goal! I know we’ll get there together. 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 8
- 5:30 pm: MS Basketball (V) vs Trailblazers @ FSI
- 6:30 pm: HS Basketball vs Trailblazers @ FSI
Tuesday, Dec 9
- 9:30 am – 2:30 pm: Blood Drive (see more info and sign up below)
- 6:00 pm: Board of Directors Monthly Meeting
Fri, Dec 12
- 6:00 – 6:30 pm: Winter Concert – 8th Grade & Beginning Orchestra
- 7:00 – 8:00 pm: Winter Concert – Advanced Orchestra & HS Chorus
Sat, Dec 13
- 4:00 pm: MS Basketball (V) @ IC Imagine
- 5:00 pm: HS Basketball @ IC Imagine
Mark your calendars
- Monday, Dec 15 – School Picture Makeup Day
- Friday, Dec 19: Early Release (12:50/1:00 dismissal)
- Dec 22 – Jan 5: Winter Break. School will be closed
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
HS Boys Basketball went 1-0 on the week with a big conference victory over Bethel Christian Academy, 61-56. The Bolts battled back from a double digit deficit to take the lead and hang on for the win! Bolts were led by C. Bragdon with 21 points and O. Klein with a double-double, 15 points and 15 rebounds! That takes the Bolts to 2-3 overall and 2-0 in BRAC conference play!
The team has two games this week vs Trailblazers on Monday and a conference showdown on Saturday at IC Imagine.
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
We are looking for a few volunteers for the upcoming December 12th Music performance at the school. Even if you don’t have anyone performing, this is a great way to help raise money for the music program and see all that it has to offer (it’s a great show!). Please reach out if you have any questions!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090848A5AA22ABFF2-60576106-winter
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
We are also thrilled to announce a raffle for four front row seats to the Winter Concert on December 12th! Winning means you won’t need to arrive early or search for a seat—you’ll be front and center! For just $5, your family can enter for a chance to win, and the more tickets you purchase, the greater your chances of winning. All proceeds will support the music department. Good Luck!
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
You can find our menus online: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/nutrition/
Blood Drive @ FSI: Dec 9, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Our next Blood Drive is coming up! The Blood Drives are a true win-win. We help fill a critical community need, donors earn a $30 eGift Card, and the school earns a $500 grant for every 30 donors. We use the grant funds for the Habitat Student Home Build, investing the grant right back into our community. That’s four wins for one small contribution! Appointments are not required but they make things easier for everyone.
Schedule your appointment now:
https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/295087
Students aged 16 and 17 must have a parent consent form. Digital Parental Consent Form https://epcf.thebloodconnection.org/
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.
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.
