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,
It’s a brand new year! I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season and is ready to step into the new year with intention and purpose. I’m not big on setting New Year resolutions but I am big on setting goals. This year our top goal as a school is to experience the EL Education credentialing process. Of course we want to receive the affirmation that comes with being credentialed, but our primary goal is to strengthen our implementation of the EL Education model and continue our work to make our school a welcoming learning community for students, staff, and families.
The credential process is a full year effort. Our application has been approved and in March we will host a team from EL Education for a 3 day site visit. The team will visit classrooms and Crews, observe all aspects of our school day, and conduct focus groups with students, teachers, and family members. From now through the visit, we’ll continue our focus on deeper learning in the classroom and a culture of Crew throughout the school. I’m excited to see what we learn and how we use this experience to keep improving.
This 3rd quarter of the year will be busy as we prepare for the credentialing site visit, but we’re easing back into things this week. Tomorrow is a teacher work day, a much-needed day for all of us to transition from the break back into the full-on press of a school day. Students return to school on Tuesday.
You can ease back into the week as well! Make Wednesday dinner a winner by pre-ordering pizza and picking it up in the car line. Support our Bolts athletics program and take the night off from kitchen duty! See the order form below under the Bolts Athletics section.
We are also looking ahead to the next school year! Open Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year began January 1 and runs through March 31. If you know students or families who would make great additions to our school community, please help us spread the word! We’re seeking students who are change-makers and innovators, even if they don’t yet recognize their full potential. More information about Open Enrollment and re-enrollment for existing students is below.
Thank you for choosing Franklin – let’s make 2026 a great year of learning!
Upcoming Events
Monday, Jan 5
- No School – Teacher Work Day
Tuesday, Jan 6
- 7:30 pm: HS Basketball @ Mt Pisgah Academy
Wednesday, Jan 7
- Pizza Fundraiser for Bolts Athletics!
Fri, Jan 9
- 4:30 pm: MS Basketball (V) vs ICI @ FSI
- 5:30 pm: HS Basketball vs ICI @ FSI
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
Support the Athletics Program- Soccer Pizza Fundraiser
Use this form preorder here to pre-order pizza (from Papa Johns) to pick-up after school on Wednesday, January 7th.
Pizzas will be available for pick-up in the courtyard at dismissal. This is a fundraiser coordinated by the HS soccer teams and proceeds benefit the Athletics Program.
Get your pizza to eat after school or take home on Wednesday. Pizza must be pre-ordered.
- $20 for a large pizza (Cheese or Pepperoni)
- $5 for two slices (Cheese or Pepperoni)
Please contact Coach Ryan with any questions: jryan@thefsi.us
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
Parent Crew is grateful to everyone who made cookies for staff and donated to the Staff Holiday Pool. We are so appreciative of all the effort families made to ensure that FSI staff know how valued they are during the Holiday Season.
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/
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.
Calling All Skiers and Snowboarders!
We are helping organize an informal “Ski Club”. If you are interested, please complete this Interest Form. The club is not officially a school club, but we can help organize a group for a good discounted price and some out-of-school community building! Questions? Contact Micah Usher (musher@thefsi.us). And if you contact him, be sure to say thank you for all the amazing photos and hard work he does to help build school spirit and community! Ski Club Interest Form
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 Middle School Student Council Executive Board (all officers and grade level representatives) will meet on this Wednesday, January 7, during lunch and recess. Executive Board members are required to attend all meetings – reach out to Ms. Vruwink if you are unable to attend (mvruwink@thefsi.us).
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
Rising 9th or above FSI Europe Adventure Registration Sale!
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!
- Limited time discount of $300 off if purchased between 11/28 and 12/07
- Includes entry into drawing for additional $250 scholarship!
- 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.
