Share the link to our Hurricane Recovery Fund with your friends & family!
Donate to FSI Hurricane Recovery Fund
Good morning Franklin families,
Looks like winter is not quite done with us! We’ll be watching the weather closely this week. Luckily, we have a teacher work day and a day off scheduled for this Thursday and Friday. Maybe we can avoid any further weather-related disruptions.
I have another call to action for our community this week. Last week I asked you all to spend time talking with your children about the culture we want for our school community, and specifically focusing on racism, bias, and the risks of social media use. These are important conversations and I hope they continue. This week I am asking you to expand your view and take action to ensure that all public schools – including our school – are supported and funded at a sustainable level in North Carolina.
Our elected leaders are meeting now to set priorities and funding for the next two years. Education is on the agenda. I believe that public education in North Carolina is at a tipping point. If we continue the trends of the past several years our public education system will dramatically decline. North Carolina’s investment in public education and teacher pay is at the bottom of all states. We are already seeing record levels of teachers and school leaders leaving the profession or leaving the state. Schools cannot fill essential positions. Funding for counselors, school nurses, and social workers is not adequate to meet the needs of students and families. Schools lack funding for critical infrastructure and technology demands. Yet we are asking schools to do more than ever. Schools serve as the front line and safety net for rising student mental health needs, healthy meals, and basic health care – not to mention filling the educational gaps that come on the heels of disruptions including Covid and Hurricane Helene.
Our students and our communities deserve better, especially here in North Carolina, where schools must serve as the foundation for a robust recovery.
Our elected leaders work for us. They need to hear from citizens and business leaders that we believe in public education, we understand that schools are the heart of thriving communities, and that our teachers and school staff deserve living wages.
It isn’t enough to sign petitions or copy and paste emails. We need to make phone calls. We need to flood their offices in a way they can’t ignore.
I’ve put together a contact list of key representatives and short talking points. Will you make it a goal to make at least one phone call every day? Let’s tell our elected officials that we won’t accept being last place for investment in our children’s future! For bonus points, call Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd and Representative Chuck Edwards and tell them to oppose cuts to the Federal Department of Education. Our school uses funds from the Federal Department of Education to provide trained teachers to support students with learning differences and learning gaps.
Take Action! Education Call List
On a fun note – I hope to see many of you for our annual Staff vs Students Basketball Games! These games are a great way to celebrate school spirit and just have fun together. Come on out Tuesday and support the Bolts!
Thank you all for choosing Franklin and for your support and patience through a challenging year. We are stronger together.
Upcoming Events
Tues, Feb 18
- 4:00 pm: MS Staff vs Students Basketball Game
- 5:15 pm: HS Staff vs Students Basketball Game
Thurs, Feb 20 – No School – Teacher Work Day
Fri, Feb 21 – No School
Calendar Change: Thursday, June 5 – Weather Make Up Day
Thursday, June 5 is a weather make up day. Wed, June 4 will be a full day (no early release) and June 5 will now be our last day of school and an early release day.
Keep up with our Community Calendar: FSI Community Calendar
Need to see the year at a glance? FSI 2024-25 Academic Calendar
Athletics Update
MS JV basketball defeated Francine Delany in their final game of the season, 31-23.
The Bolts were led by H. Harding and H. Ward.
Congrats to H. Ward, H. Harding, R. Martin and A. Clay for being selected to the Hospitality League All-Star Game and representing the Bolts with great sportsmanship, collaboration and competitive spirit. We were proud to host this fun event!
The HS basketball team wrapped up their season finishing 1-1 for the week. Dropped a game to ICI and rebounded by defeating Shining Rock 50-42 in the season finale. The Bolts were led in the win by T. Pruitt and G. Stone. Congratulations to the team and Coach Head for finishing with a 8-3 record; Well done, Bolts!
The annual Staff vs Students basketball game will take place on Tuesday. February 18th. MS game will tip at 4:00pm and HS will follow at approximately 5:15pm.
Come out and support the teams and teachers!
Parent Crew
Chipotle Dine Out Event: Monday, March 3 from 4 – 8 pm – pick up dinner or afterschool snacks from Chipotle Brevard Road! Make sure you mention the FSI fundraiser and we will receive 25% of sales. Parent Crew uses funds raised to support Staff Appreciation and Events.
Mark your calendars for upcoming Parent Crew meetings!
- Wednesday, Feb 19: 8:30 am school
- Monday, Mar 3: 4 – 7 pm: Chipotle Brevard Road Dine Out – mention FSI fundraiser!
- Thursday, Mar 20: 6 pm 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
Board of Directors Update: Policies to Protect Students
At last week’s meeting, the Board of Directors approved the following policies to affirm the right of all students to participate in our educational programs regardless of immigration status, and to ensure legal protections for students. These policies are designed to protect the safety and well-being of all our students, maintain a safe and secure learning environment, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. These policies have been distributed to all school staff.
- Response to Federal Immigration Enforcement
- Enrollment and Services for Students Regardless of Status
FSI Summer Quest Camp is coming back!
We’re planning several weeks of fun, adventurous activities – and we want to see who is interested in joining. Pricing and activity information will be coming out soon.
Some of the expected activities include hiking to viewpoints and swimming holes, recreational pool swimming, team building activities, basketball, volleyball, plant and mushroom identification and science projects, golf, skateboarding, and quite a bit more. Some activities may be separated by themed weeks.
Each week will have a different theme, to be announced, but we’re trying to get a sense of which dates might have the most attendance. All camps will be 9am-4pm, with drop-off beginning at 8:45am. These camps are available to any FSI student ages 10-16. Below are the date options, please mark if you are interested in one or more of them! Have a question? Reach out to Mr. Ron at rscott@thefsi.us
Summer Quest Camp Interest Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScG73qbWCvtkCbJ74ODDV6EZlxpwmSafcmfeCsJjktdOcgfgQ/viewform?usp=header
Re-Enrollment for 2025-2026 School Year
It’s time! Please complete the Intent to Return Survey if your student will be returning to FSI next year. Please note: If your current FSI student has a sibling that you would like to have join us next year, you will need to fill out an application in SchoolMint by March 31st. All siblings of current students receive priority in the enrollment lottery.
Donate Used, Broken, or Unwanted Electronics!
The Franklin School of Innovation Electronics Repair Club is accepting donations of used, broken, or unwanted electronics. Anything from small smart watches up to larger laptops (including PC, mac/apple and android devices). No printers, desktops, or monitors, please… we don’t have the space for them!
Please include the power supply(s), password(s) (if one or more things haven’t been reset) and what is believed to be wrong with the device via a bundled note. Label the donation “for ERC” and bring it to the front office. If we can’t find asecond life for your donated item we will make sure personal data is securely wiped and that it is brought to an upcoming local e-waste collection event.
We may be able to repair items! If you are interested in a quote for repair, please include that in your note along with your contact information.
Apply for Free/Reduced Lunch
It was a long journey but we’ve made it! Our school nutrition program has been approved for funding through the National School Lunch Program. While this is an important step to help us continue providing nutritious meals for our students – we need your help!
Families must complete the application for free/reduced lunch every year. We cannot provide fee or reduced price meals to students who have not yet been approved. We are reaching out to families we believe are eligible – but if you don’t let us know we can’t help you. 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.
MS Drama Club Performance – Feb 28 & March 1
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or unprepared? Or taken an exam you were doomed to fail? Come to the FSI middle school drama club’s presentation of This is a Test and laugh as we explore the nightmare experience of taking a test! The play will be performed in the FSI Community Room and tickets will be on sale soon. Performances are Friday, Feb 28, 6 pm and Saturday, March 1, 2 pm.
Questions? Contact Ms. Lexa, elexa@thefsi.us.
College & Career Corner: Virtual NACAC Fair is Today!
The Virtual NACAC (National Association of College Admissions Counseling) Hosted Fair is happening on Sunday, February 16. This virtual fair is a great opportunity for you to connect with college representatives from across the country, all from the comfort and convenience of their computers.
All high school students, transfer students, high school or college counselors, and families are welcome to register for this complimentary event.
Date and Time
Sunday, February 16th, 2025
1:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET
View the list of exhibiting colleges and universities.
While this is not as advantageous as an on-campus tour, visiting with college representatives is a great way to explore the academic majors, study abroad programs, campus life, and scholarship funding opportunities.
Reminders
Free Nicotine & Marijuana Reduction & Cessation Workshops
Carson Education Alliance is providing free virtual workshops for parents and teens. This is a great low-stakes way to learn more!
- For teens – Vaping Intervention: various upcoming dates (next date is either 1/30 or 2/8), teens review the impact of vaping on the developing teen brain, learn about addiction, recognize their ability to make healthy choices, and identify ways to make a change to their vaping or smoking habits. Teens can sign up themselves or be registered by an adult or other parent/caregiver.
- For adults – Prevention Resources: various upcoming dates (next date is 3/12), parents and caring adults learn about current teen drug trends, impact of today’s more potent drugs on teen brain development and risk for addiction, prevention strategies to reduce risk for addiction, and review local resources
Register HERE.
Open Enrollment for Next School Year
It’s time for Open Enrollment for the 2025-2026 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 will complete a separate re-enrollment process. Do not re-apply through Open Enrollment and the lottery.
- 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! The link to apply is right at the top of our website: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/
Yearbook Sales
Our yearbook class is busy capturing fantastic memories of this year! Get yours here.
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.
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 in session: 2024 FSI Clubs. Please remember that students need to sign in to Beyond the Bell for after school clubs.
