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,
The start of this year has been difficult and I’m sure I’m not alone in this feeling. So I enter into this week’s subject with both a reluctance to add more weight to a heavy year and an urgency to share information.
Over the past weeks I’ve been learning more about online groups targeting children. There are many groups that follow similar patterns. One group in particular, 764, has gained national attention for its nihilistic mission. I urge you to learn more about this group ASAP. These groups use similar methods to recruit vulnerable children and brainwash them into doing acts of unspeakable harm to themselves and others. Their access to children relies on one key thing – unrestricted and unmonitored access to the internet and social media.
Over the past 13 years I have been in many conversations with parents struggling with choices over their children’s access to and use of social media. It is hard. As a parent I know I made mistakes and decisions I would make differently today. This isn’t about judgement. We’re raising our children in a challenging and rapidly changing time. We all need help keeping up with the trends and threats.
You can do a simple google search (try this one: How to protect children from online groups like 764) and you’ll get remarkably good recommendations. Here’s a brief summary of key steps and some takeaways from the training I’ve received:
- Set Privacy Settings: Set all apps, games, and social media accounts to private. Disable location services.
- Monitor Direct Messages: Just like you would monitor your child’s access to strangers in “real life” – monitor their access to strangers online. Assume that online strangers are more dangerous.
- Keep Devices in Shared Spaces: This sounds easy yet it’s really hard. But it’s critical. Limit or eliminate use of devices (including phones) in private spaces, especially overnight. Cellphones don’t belong in the bedroom.
- Open Communication: This one is so important! Talk with your kids. Ask them what they are doing online. Talk about safe and unsafe activities. Help them feel safe coming to you if anything feels weird or uncomfortable.
- Block Access to Risky Platforms: Discord and RoBlox would be at the top of my list – and unfortunately, Instagram, SnapChat, TikTok, and MindCraft are right up there. If you wouldn’t send your child alone into Times Square – don’t send them alone online.
- Watch for Behavior Changes. This is part of open communication, but just stay in touch. Trust your gut – if something feels off, check in.
I encourage you to do your own research and learning. Read some of the tips and then make time to talk with your kids about how to stay safe online. It’s not about just saying no – kids will be online. Help them build the skills they need to stay safe. There are many resources out there. The FBI’s public service announcement is one starting point: https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2025/PSA250306
Also on my mind: Tomorrow we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s extraordinary life and accomplishments. We have all benefitted from his accomplishments and leadership for the expansion of civil rights. He was truly exceptional – graduating from college at age 19, earning a PhD by age 25, surviving an initial assassination attempt, enduring 29 arrests, and remaining committed to a vision of nonviolent civil action.
Here are a few local ways to celebrate and honor his legacy:
- Today (Sun, Jan 18), 5:30 pm: Candlelight service featuring gospel singer and educator Mary D. Williams, Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street
- Tomorrow, Mon, Jan 19, Peach March & Rally
- 11:30 am: Service at St James AME Church, 44 Hildebrand Street
- 12:30: Peach March to Pack Square
I want to end on a note of optimism. This past week our Middle School Student Council hosted a week of kindness. They posted hundreds of kindness notes around the school, made blankets to donate, organized a successful bake sale in support of Brother Wolf, and picked up trash on campus. As a co-sponsor for our student council, I can attest that they did this on their own. We provided some structure for them but they were 100% responsible for organizing and carrying out their ideas. On Wednesday I got to witness what I can only describe as pure exuberance as they recognized their success. It is an honor and a joy to be part of their journey. Thank you for sharing your children with us. Together – we can help them become the leaders of the future they create.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”
Dr Martin Luther King Jr
Upcoming Events
Monday, Jan 19: MLK Day – No School
Tuesday, Jan 20
- 4:15 pm: MS Basketball (JB) vs TLC @ Fairview Community Center
- 5:00 pm: HS Basketball @ Bethel Christian Academy
- 6:30 – 7:30 pm: Parent Crew Virtual Spring Event Planning Committee meeting
Wednesday, Jan 21
- 4:30 pm: MS Basketball (V) @ Shining Rock
- 5:45 pm: HS Basketball @ Shining Rock
Thursday, Jan 22
- 4:15 pm: MS Basketball (JV) vs Francine Delaney @ FSI
- 5:00 pm: MS Basketball (V) vs Francine Delayey @ FSI
Friday, Jan 23
- 5:00 – 6:30 pm: HS Basketball vs Reynolds Mt @ FSI
Sat, Jan 24
- 10:00 am: Info Session & Tour for Prospective Families (FSI Community Room)
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
Congratulations to MS basketball for defeating Carolina Day. A. Nowak, B. Goldman, J. Melton helped lead the Bolts to victory!
A new Team Store is now open featuring Franklin School of Innovation and Bolts gear! Place your order and it ships directly to you! Thanks for supporting Bolts Athletics!
Team store: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/JrpXhakCmL. Access code: JrpXhakCmL
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
Staff Soup, Chili and Stew Lunch
The Parent Crew is organizing a staff soup, chili, and stew lunch for February 18-Wednesday. This is part of a Staff Wellness Day – including onsite chair massages, the Parent Crew Lunch, and a free afternoon for staff to use as they need! We would love your help in showing the FSI staff just how much we appreciate them. Sign up and read all the details about when/where in the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090848A5AA22ABFF2-61658457-soup
Spring Fair Planning Committee
We are planning a Spring Fair, and need all the help we can get! Please join us for the Spring Fair planning committee this Tuesday, January 20, at 6:30 pm. Reach out to parentcrew@thefsi.us for zoom details to attend and let us know you are coming!
Silent Auction
We need volunteers to contact local businesses for the Spring Fair Silent Auction Items. If this is something you are interested in doing, please email parentcrew@thefsi.us. In addition, if you have a connection to a business and can donate an item, please reach out.
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
You can find our menus online: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/nutrition/
Open Enrollment – Help Us Serve Our Community!
This coming Saturday, Jan 24, 10 am we are hosting our first in-person Info Session and Tour for prospective families. Did you know that almost all our new students join FSI through an existing family or student connection to the school? Word of mouth is our most effective recruitment strategy. With North Carolina public schools facing real funding challenges (it’s not easy being DEAD LAST in public school funding) – full enrollment is essential to help our school thrive and grow.
You can help! Here are some simple steps you can take to help us fill every available seat:
- SHARE our social media posts. It’s great to like them – but sharing them really expands our reach! If you add a simple personal message (check out what my kid’s school is doing!) – it’s even more powerful
- Talk with friends, coworkers, colleagues about the positive experiences your student is having at FSI
- Invite people to attend our Info Sessions and Tours – information is available on our website
We have room to grow especially in 5th grade and our upper grades (11 – 12).
Open Enrollment Reminders
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/
A Little Bragging On Our High School AP Program!
We made the Honor Roll – again! We are proud to share that our High School Advanced Placement (AP) Program has yet again made the College Board AP Honor Roll at the GOLD Level. This is really an exceptional award! To earn a place on the Honor Roll, schools must demonstrate exceptional achievement in the following areas:
- College Culture: With 91% of our students completing at least 1 AP course – we crushed this category! The bar for Platinum (highest distinction) is just 80%.
- College Credit: We’re crushing this category as well! The bar for Platinum is 50% and 55% of our students earned college credit through their AP courses last year. Way to go students – starting college with credits already in hand!
- College Optimization: 12% of our students took 5 or more AP courses, with at least one course taken in 10th grade. We achieved Gold distinction in this category – just 3% short of Platinum.
We deeply believe that ALL students can learn and achieve at high levels. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves with honors and advanced courses. This recognition – earned year after year – affirms our belief and supports our model of excellence for all.
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.
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
This week: Executive Board (all officers and class representatives) will meet on Wednesday during Lunch and Recess.
Next Full Student Council Meeting is Wed, Jan 28, from 12:45 – 1:45 pm. We will meet in the MS Tech Room.
General Club Information
You can find more information about clubs on our website, or contact Ron Scott, rscott@thefsi.us.
Reminders
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.
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.
