Share the link to our Hurricane Recovery Fund with your friends & family!
Donate to FSI Hurricane Recovery Fund
Good morning Franklin families,
Last week I asked our community to take action to ensure that all North Carolina public schools, including our school, are supported and funded at a sustainable level. I’d love to know – did you make calls? For all who did – thank you!
If you didn’t, I get it. It’s intimidating to call our elected officials, but I’m here to tell you that it isn’t hard! For the past week I’ve set aside about 10 minutes each day to make calls. Most of the time I’m talking to an answering machine. Even when I reach a live person, they just listen and tell me they will pass along my message. You can follow a very simple script – the example below is for teacher salaries but you can use a similar model for any issue.
“Hello, my name is _____________________ and I am a constituent from Asheville (or your home town). My address is __________________ and my phone number is _________. I am calling today to urge Senator/Representative __________ to increase teacher salaries for public schools In North Carolina. I am a parent of ____ children in public schools and I am shocked that North Carolina is at the bottom of state funding for public education. Our children and our communities deserve better.”
And that’s it! It takes less than a minute to make your voice heard.
Why is this so important? North Carolina school funding is 48th or 49th lowest in the country (depending on what source you use). North Carolina schools receive about $5,000 less per student than the national average. For our school that represents approximately $3.5 million in missing revenue, or 40% less funding than the national average. This lack of funding shows up in so many ways. Fewer people are becoming teachers. Teacher turnover increases as people seek higher paying jobs. As schools are forced to prioritize teaching positions, there’s limited funding left for critical supporting jobs like instructional coaches, assistant principals, nurses, counselors – all essential positions for great schools. Funds for extracurricular activities like sports, arts, afterschool clubs or summer programs are squeezed. This is the actual state of public education in North Carolina right now.
Our legislature has prioritized private school opportunity scholarships, or vouchers, over investing in our public schools, and are saying there may not be funds for teacher salary increases in the coming year. We can’t wait to see what happens. We must let our elected officials know that public school funding is a priority.
I’ll continue to advocate for more school funding and especially for better salaries for our teachers and school staff. I hope you will join me!
Take Action! Education Call List
This week students in grades 5 – 9 will participate in NWEA MAP testing in reading and math. MAP tests give us quick information on student academic growth, strengths, and any gaps. While these tests are not used as part of student grades, they are used to help us place students in classes. Encourage your student to take their time and do their best!
We are also very excited for this week’s Middle School Drama Club production of “This is a Test” – a timely comedy exploring the nightmare of test taking. I hope to see you there!
Thank you all for choosing Franklin and for your support and patience through a challenging year. We are stronger together.
Upcoming Events
Tues, Feb 25
- NWEA MAP testing, grades 5 – 9. Tests will begin in the morning
Wed, Feb 26
- NWEA MAP testing, grades 5 – 9. Tests will begin in the morning
Fri, Feb 28
- 6:00 pm: Middle School Drama Club presents “This is a Test”. Tickets $5, https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/events/83390-this-is-a-test-fsi-middle-school-drama-club-performance
Sat, Mar 1
- 2:00 pm: Middle School Drama Club presents “This is a Test”
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
The annual tradition continued as we hosted the staff vs students basketball teams featuring all of our basketball teams and MS & HS staff/teachers.
Congrats to our teams and staff for great showings in the MS and HS games. MS game came down to the end with the staff taking a 2 point victory!! The HS game was tight at the half, but the staff came out in the second half with some great display of team basketball. Old School beats New School by 11. Well done by everyone.
HS Girls Soccer starts tomorrow!! Monday, February 24th at 4:15pm-5:30pm at BCSP. Tomorrow and Wednesday, February 26th (1:30-3:30pm) at BCSP will serve as try-outs. If you are interested, the expectation is to be at both of these try-out dates. All required paperwork must be up to date and submitted.
Please email Coach Demko with any questions. mdemko@thefsi.us
Parent Crew
Chipotle Dine Out Event: Monday, March 3 from 4 – 7pm – 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.
Last week’s meeting was rescheduled for this Wednesday. Join us!
Mark your calendars for upcoming Parent Crew meetings!
- Wednesday, Feb 26: 8:30 am at 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
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 on Friday, Feb 28, 6 pm and Saturday, March 1, 2 pm. Tickets will be available at the door or purchase tickets online at, https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/events/83390-this-is-a-test-fsi-middle-school-drama-club-performance. Questions? Contact Ms. Lexa, elexa@thefsi.us.
Car Line Reminders
It seems that it is time for a reminder to be good citizens in the car line. No one loves the car line – we get it. But if we all follow the rules and work together, the line moves pretty quickly and we keep students and staff safe! Here are a few reminders:
- All traffic is one way during arrival and dismissal. There are NO exceptions. It simply isn’t safe.
- Students are to be picked up by the building – not in the driveway and especially not by the road.
- Turn right at Sardis Road.
- Watch your speed
Thank you to everyone who regularly follows these expectations!
Drivers Education – Summer Opportunity
Franklin will host a summer Driver’s Ed program July 14 – 18 from 9 am – 3 pm. Please note that we do not provide Driver’s Ed directly – all Driver’s Ed in WNC is provided by Mountain Pro. We are just the hosts. Registration is available at https://www.mtnpro.com/school-classes
Please see the attendance policy below. Again – this is not Franklin’s policy and we cannot intervene or advocate for any changes to the policy. You may want to wait until closer to the date of class to register to avoid any conflicts. Registrations are not transferable or refundable.
Attendance Policy: Students must pay a $65 fee for the classroom phase of Driver Education on or before the first day of their selected class. There will be no refunds if a student does not attend, drops out or fails The State mandates students attend 30 hours in entirety to receive credit. Voluntary medical or dental appointments and school-related activities such as tryouts, sports, field trips, concerts, etc. are not excused absences. Five Day Classes (Holiday Classes, etc.) and Summer classes: There are no makeup days for these classes. Students absent from one (1) of these classes will be listed as a Fail, and if allowed, will have to register and pay to attend another class in its entirety.
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 a second 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.
College & Career Corner: Summer Opportunities for HS Students
You are invited to the College Admission Workshop: Summer Opportunities on March 18 at 7 pm. This presentation will explore the summer opportunities that are available to high school students. Students should pursue summer activities that are based on their interests and values and that reflect their interests. You will learn why it is important to do something over the summer and where those summer activities show up in your college applications. Over the summer, a high school student may want to work, take classes, do research, volunteer, learn new skills, or perfect already acquired skills or talents. Do Something!
Presenter: Veena Rao, The Summit College Counseling, LLC
Share the details and the registration link with your students and families!
Click here to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hYlDMt1XQq2-_KJmDy7gaQ
Looking for more free or low cost summer opportunities for your high school student? Check out this link! https://www.appily.com/guidance/counselors/college-greenlight/free-pre-college-summer-programs
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 & Senior Ads!
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.
