This is How We Crew It FSI Fundraising Campaign
Join the 6-7 Challenge! Make a recurring monthly donation of just $6.7 and help us reach our goal!
Good morning Franklin families,
I hope everyone made it through the return to school day routines and structures and is finding time to rest up this weekend! January is a time to re-set expectations and revisit our norms for how we collaborate with students to support their learning. It’s a great time for families and students to check in about long-term goals and daily habits as well. Spend some time with your kids talking about what they want their lives to look like. Not necessarily that big hard question – “what do you want to do”(career) – but what are your goals? Where do you want to live? What is the lifestyle you want or expect? What will it take to achieve these goals? With long-term goals in mind, it’s easier to focus on the necessary daily habits. If your child’s ideal lifestyle will require a college degree – are they building the necessary daily study habits? Do they have a quiet space and designated time to read, practice math, and complete homework? The difference between succeeding and failing with our big goals usually comes down to tiny daily decisions. Let’s help our kids learn to make positive daily decisions in order to become the leaders they can be!
January is also a time when we’re all facing lots of illnesses, and this year is a doozy. In addition to flu, RSV and COVID, there are outbreaks of measles, chicken pox (varicella) and whooping cough (pertussis). While we have not had any reported cases of these three illnesses in our school community, the County is tracking outbreaks in the area.
The County Health Department works closely with schools whenever there are outbreaks. If cases are identified in our school community, we will cooperate with the Department for contact tracing and exclusion of students or staff members who do not have proof of vaccination.
What can you do to stay healthy?
- Be up to date with all vaccines. Call the Buncombe County Immunizations Clinic (828-250-5096) to schedule appointments, or visit their website for more information: https://www.buncombenc.gov/434/Immunizations
- Monitor symptoms. Be familiar with the symptoms and watch for them.
- Wash hands thoroughly and often!
- If symptomatic (fever, rash, vomiting), stay home until symptoms ease and you are fever-free for 24 hours.
Looking for a little joy this morning? Check out these fun videos made during the MS Intensives! FSI Studios:
Thanks to everyone who purchased pizza for our Bolts fundraiser last Wednesday! It was a big success, and hopefully it helped brighten up our first week of 2026.
Thank you for choosing Franklin and all the things you do to support our shared goal of helping students be ready for the futures they create!
Upcoming Events
All week: Middle School Student Council Kindness Week! Look for our posters and bulletin board and spread small acts of kindness every day!
Monday, Jan 12
- 4:30 pm: MS Basketball (V) @ Carolina Day
Tuesday, Jan 13
- 6:30 pm: HS Basketball vs Mt Pisgah @ FSI
- 6:30 pm: Board of Directors Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, Jan 14
- 8:30 am: Parent Crew meeting in person (2nd floor). All are welcome!
- 12:45 – 2:00 pm: MS Student Council. All MS students are invited to join us for our Kindness Week activities. Parents -pick up is PROMPTLY at 2:00 pm.
- Bake Sale to support Brother Wolf
- Blanket Making – blankets will be donated to a local charity
- Trash Pick Up – make our own campus a little more beautiful!
Thursday, Jan 15
- 4:15 pm: MS Basketball (JV) @ The Learning Community (Fairview Comm Center)
- 4:30 pm: MS Basketball (V) @ Shining Rock
- 6:00 pm: HS Basketball @ Shining Rock
Monday, Jan 19: Martin Luther King Holiday – NO SCHOOL
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
Sponsorship Banners to Support Bolts Athletics
Do you have a business or know of a business that would be interested in purchasing a sponsorship package that supports the Athletics Program? It is great advertisement for a business as the business name and logo will be displayed on banners in the gym and/or field depending on what package is purchased.
Sponsorship Levels:
Thunder ($500)
1 Banner displayed in either the gym or field area (your choice)
Lightning ($800)
2 Banners. One banner displayed in the gym and one in the field area.
Bolt ($1,000)
Includes everything in the Lightning package plus logo displayed on printed materials (game programs and possibly team gear (practice and travel gear).
Banners are 72×24 inches and will be displayed for one full year with an opportunity to renew. Please contact Coach Burke (Athletic Director) for more information or questions. kburke@thefsi.us
Parent Crew
Our next meeting at the school is on 01/14/26 at 8:30 AM, where we will discuss our upcoming spring initiatives. We hope to see you then!
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
You can find our menus online: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/nutrition/
FSI Business Directory – submit your business to be included!
We are compiling a directory of our family owned businesses. If you would like to be included in the directory, submit your business information here. The directory will be available on our website and in the newsletter. Let’s keep it local!
Get Ready to Dance – it’s Flurries Time!
The Franklin Flurries middle school dance is Saturday, February 7th from 6:00-7:30pm. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Students can purchase tickets during lunches February 2nd – 6th (cash or check made out to FSI). Drinks, snacks, and pizza will be available for purchase at the dance (cash only). This event is hosted by the FSI Prom Committee and is our major fundraiser for Prom 2026. Buy your ticket and join us for a festive and flurry filled fun time!
We need donations and volunteers. Click here for the Sign Up Genius to help out. We really appreciate your support! Questions? Contact Gretchen Kehrberg, gkehrberg@thefsi.us.
Open Enrollment for Next School Year
It’s time for Open Enrollment for the 2026-2027 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. Do not re-apply through Open Enrollment and the lottery. You will complete a separate re-enrollment process – coming in February.
- 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/
NCSSM Summer Accelerator Camp – Apply Now!
Applications for North Carolina School of Science and Math Summer Accelerator are officially open.!! Camps are offered at both the Morganton and Durham campuses as well as online courses in June and July. Financial assistance is available if students register prior to the end of February.
NCSSM offers a residential program and an online program for rising 7th – 12th graders. The list of courses and registration link can be found at https://www.ncssm.edu/summer/summer-accelerator.
Girls Who Code Free Summer Learning Program
We’re passing along this opportunity from the nonprofit group Girls Who Code:
Pathways is a free, virtual program that empowers high school girls and non-binary students of all experience levels — including rising 9th graders, graduating seniors, and returning participants — to explore AI, Game Design, Cybersecurity, and more, while learning how to build tech for good. The program is entirely flexible in how participants choose to learn and requires no prior coding experience. Students complete courses at their own pace over seven weeks, from June 29 to August 14.
Beyond coding, students gain real-world insights through Partner Events with leading tech organizations, connect with peers through Girls Who Code’s private Discord community, and join optional Student Hours for live support. Participants earn a certificate for each completed course and join Girls Who Code’s lifelong alumni network, gaining access to mentorship, internships, and career opportunities in tech.
Students can apply by February 25th for priority consideration. The application closes on April 10th.
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 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
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!
- 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.
