Share the link to our Hurricane Recovery Fund with your friends & family!
Donate to FSI Hurricane Recovery Fund
Good morning Franklin families,
It’s been a roller coaster of a week and I know that many in our community are experiencing fear and concern regarding a number of policies and executive orders that impact schools. At this time, the impact of many of these orders is uncertain. What remains unchanged is our school’s commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for everyone in our school community.
This past week we conducted focus groups with students across all grade levels. I am always inspired by the insight of our students and their ability to articulate our strengths and our areas for growth. Through our history as a school, students have lifted up that our school is a place where everyone belongs and where they feel safe and free to be themselves. This sense of belonging isn’t based on laws, regulations, or policies. It comes from our mission, vision, and deep-seated commitment to our students, staff, and community. This commitment will not change or waiver.
While the policy change allowing ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) on school campuses has generated fear, current law and regulations guarantee all students, regardless of immigration status, equal rights and privileges to participate fully in public school programs. We do not collect information regarding immigration status. Student and family information is protected under FERPA, the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. We have taken steps to ensure that school staff know the law and how to respond.
This has been a year filled with disruption and change for everyone. Many factors are out of our control. We remain focused on what we can control, which is working diligently every day to create a space where students and staff feel safe and valued.
On a more joyful note, this week is Middle School Spirit Week! The Middle School Student Council has lots of fun activities leading up to the dance. Join in the fun and show your school spirit!
- Monday will be CLASS COLOR DAY! 5th graders will wear orange, 6th graders blue, 7th grade black and 8th graders will wear white! Represent your class by decking out in your class color!
- Tuesday will be Throwback Tuesday! Dress in any attire from your favorite time frame! 70s? 90s? Colonial times? You pick your throwback attire!
- Wednesday will be Celebrity Day! Singer? Actor? Sports Star? Dress up like your favorite celebrity or any famous figure!
- Thursday will be BOLTS Day! Wear ALL your Bolts gear and colors! Don’t forget to come to the Tailgate that afternoon with all of your Bolts gear to cheer on our MS Varsity Basketball Team for their final game of the season!
- Friday will be LOVE Day! Wear your pink, red, hearts or anything that inspires love for you in the spirit of Valentine’s day next week!
Thank you for choosing Franklin and for your support and patience through a challenging year. We are stronger together.
Upcoming Events
Mon, Feb 3:
- 5:00 pm: HS Basketball @ Bethel Christian Academy
Tues, Feb 4
- 8:30 am: Parent Crew Meet Up @ the Dripolator
- 4:15 pm: MS (JV) Basketball vs Mountain Community @ FSI
Thurs, Feb 6
- 9:30 am – 2:30 pm: FSI Blood Drive – sign up to donate today! Walks are welcome but appointments are preferred: https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/248584
- 3:15 pm: MS Student Council Tailgate Party! Cost is $12 and includes pizza, party, and admission to the game. Tickets will be sold at lunch. Pick up is immediately after the basketball game (games are generally 45 – 60 minutes long)
- 5:00 pm: MS (V) Basketball vs Asheville Catholic @ FSI
- 5:00 pm: HS Basketball @ Shining Rock
Sat, Feb 8
- 6:30 – 8:30 pm: Franklin Flurries Middle School Dance
Keep up with our Community Calendar: FSI Community Calendar
Need to see the year at a glance? FSI 2024-25 Academic Calendar
Parent Crew
The Casual Parent Crew Meet-Up is rescheduled! Join us at the Dripolator 8:30 AM on Tuesday Feb. 4. This should be a great time for families to socialize with each other.
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!
- Tues, Feb 4, 8:30 am: Meet up at The Dripolator
- Wednesday, Feb 19: 8:30 am school -,more details about place closer to date
- Monday, Mar 3: 4 – 8 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
Blood Drive @ FSI, Thursday Feb 6
We have an upcoming blood drive on February 6th with the The Blood Connection! Sign up soon so we can plan expected participation at https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/…/drive…/248584
If your teenager would like to donate and is at least 16 years of age, please fill out this permission form for them – https://thebloodconnection.org/…/i011-NC_16-17Year_Old…
The Blood Drives are a win-win-win. We help provide much-needed blood supplies to save lives. The school receives a grant of $500 for every 30 donors. We donate these funds to the Habitat Student Home Build. Finally, donors receive an egift card for their donation. Help us meet at least 30 donors on Feb 6! The Drive is open to the public as well as members of the FSI community.
It’s time for Flurries! Saturday, Feb 8, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
The Franklin Flurries middle school dance (hosted by FSI prom committee) is Saturday, February 8th from 6:30-8:30pm. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Students can purchase tickets during lunch Feb 3-7 (cash or check made out to FSI). Drinks, snacks, and pizza will be available for purchase at the dance (cash only).
Fill out this Sign Up Genius if you would like to volunteer or help with donations. We really appreciate it!
Questions? Contact Gretchen Kehrberg, gkehrberg@thefsi.us
Last Chance for Senior Ads in the Yearbook – Feb 7
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.
Petals for Prom – Annual Valentine’s Day Rose Sale
The annual Valentine’s Day Rose Sale is here! Spread love by purchasing a rose for students, teachers, or staff. Roses (and accompanying note) are $5 each and will be delivered during
1st period on February 14th. Purchases can be made until February 12th using this google form. After completing the form you will receive an invoice via email. The invoice must be paid by February 12th for the recipient to receive their rose. Students will be able to purchase roses during lunch February 10-12. Your support for FSI prom goes beyond this year – it lays the groundwork for future proms, creating a legacy of memorable moments.
Questions? Contact Gretchen Kehrberg, gkehrberg@thefsi.us.
College & Career Corner: Free ACT Prep Materials
Students can take action now to increase their ACT scores! All students in 11th grade will take the ACT this spring. You can help your student improve their scores to reach their post-high school goals! Many resources are available online:
https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/free-act-prep-resources/
Reminders
Free Nicotine & Marijuana Reduction & Cessation Workshops
Carson Education Alliance is providing free virtual workshopsfor 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.
New Club! Science Olympiad Club Returns for Grades 6 – 12
Unlock your inner scientist & join Science Olympiad! Ready to explore the mysteries of the universe, design cutting-edge experiments, and compete with the brightest minds? Science Olympiad is your gateway to hands-on challenges, teamwork, and endless discovery. Whether you’re into biology, engineering, physics, or chemistry, there’s a spot for you in this exciting adventure. Meetings are held every Wednesday at 1 PM in room 232. Open to anyone in 6th-12th grade. For more information email Amy Burke, aburke@thefsi.us.
Experiential Workshops for Teens/Tweens
We’re passing along this opportunity from Whole Family Therapy. Middle school students (grades 6 – 8) are invited to join one or all group sessions exploring being a tween/teen. Workshops will be small group format with art, movement, music, writing and expression. If the fee is a problem for your family please reach out to our middle school counselor, Jennifer Rae Negron (jrnegron@thefsi.us) or to Michelle (mvruwink@thefsi.us). We may be able to help with financial assistance. All sessions are on Sundays from 1 – 3 pm. Cost is $20 per session or $75 for all sessions.
Session 1, Feb 2: Creating Community
Session 2, Feb 9: Exploring Identity
Session 3, Feb 16: The Mindful Connection
Session 4, Feb 23: Exploring Self Care
To learn more or sign up, please visit WWW.WHOLEFAMILYTHERAPY.CENTER/WORKSHOPS
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 & Senior Ads!
Our yearbook class is busy capturing fantastic memories of this year! Get yours here.
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.
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.
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.
