Good morning Franklin families,
This week we are celebrating 7th grader Reagan Lance, who was appointed to EL Education’s National Student Advisory Council. You can read more about the six students appointed to the Council here: https://eleducation.org/news-and-events/blog/announcing-el-educations-2024-student-advisory-cohort/. According to EL Education, the Student Advisory Council “empowers students to influence EL Education events, programs, and operations. They’ll lend their talents to deepening EL Education’s impact on education nationwide, ensuring that the organization’s work is more inclusive of authentic and ingenious student perspectives.”
We’re proud of Reagan and proud to have a student representing our school on this national council! Our school was founded as an EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) school. Perhaps one of the most important ways that charter schools are different from district schools is that they are founded with a specific mission and model, which stays consistent over the years. And one of the most compelling parts of the EL Education model is its focus on empowering students to be leaders and to make the world a better place. So – congratulations Reagan! We are excited to see how you use your voice and your leadership to change the world!
A few other quick congratulations and reminders:
- Congratulations to Middle School Theatre and director Beth Lexo for a terrific, laugh out loud production of “Help Desk”. Bravo!
- Congratulations to our Middle School All Star basketball players Owen Klein, Kendall Dula, Gates Stone and Noam Sitton. Franklin hosted the All Star game and our players helped lead the West team to victory
- Reminder: Thursday is the final day of Quarter 3! Students should check in with teachers about final assignments and due dates. There is no school for students on Friday, March 15 and Monday, March 18.
- Parent Crew is organizing a staff breakfast for Friday, March 15. Please sign up and bring items to the school office on Thursday, March 14, or by Friday, March 15th at 8:30 am. Details are included in the sign-up genius below. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FAAA629A02-48108845-teacher
Hold the Date! Franklin is hosting a Building Bridges Movie & Talk Back, featuring the documentary 13th, on Thursday, April 25. We are collaborating with Black Wall Street for a few other community events as well – stay tuned for announcements. The Building Bridges Talk Back is open to the public – parents and students are encouraged to attend together.
Thank you for choosing Franklin, choosing EL Education, and working with us to empower students to make the world a better place!
Calendar Events
Mon, March 11
- 3:30 – 5:00 pm: MS Soccer Tryouts, front field. Must have paperwork!
Tues, March 12
- 3:30 – 5:00 pm: MS Soccer Tryouts
- 6:00 pm: Board of Directors meeting (in person)
Wed, March 13
- 4:30 pm: HS Girls Soccer @ Veritas
Thus, March 14
- 3:30 – 5:00 pm: MS Soccer Tryouts
- 3:45 – 5:00 pm: School Improvement Team meeting (in person)
- 4:30 pm: HS Girls Soccer vs ICI @ Buncombe County Sports Park
Fri, March 15: Teacher Work Day – No School for Students
Mon, March 18: No School
FSI Yearlong Academic Calendar
Parent Crew Updates
March 15 is a Teacher Workday, and the Parent Crew is organizing breakfast for the wonderful FSI staff. We would love to have your help and participation.
Please sign up and bring items to the school office on Thursday, March 14, or by Friday, March 15th at 8:30 am. Details are included in the sign-up genius below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FAAA629A02-48108845-teacher
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The next Parent Crew Meeting is March 21st from 8:30-9:30 am. We would love to see as many people as possible come and help plan and support our spring and summer events. Reach out to parentcrew@thefsi.com if you have questions.
Bolts Athletic News
The basketball season officially concluded with the MS Hospitality League All-Star Game that was hosted in our gym. Each team in the Hospitality League selected 3-4 players to represent their schools. The Bolts were represented by O. Klein, K. Dula, G. Stone and N. Sitton. Our players were on the West All-Stars and played very well. They helped the West squad bring home the victory! Well done, Bolts.
MS Soccer Information
MS soccer try-outs will take place this week on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-5:00 pm on the front field. Must have the required paperwork (sports physical and concussion form) submitted prior to participation. MS soccer is open to grades 5-8 and is mixed gender. Contact Coach Kyle Wilson with any questions.
kwilson@thefsi.us
HS Theatre Updates! First Ever HS Musical at FSI!
SAVE THE DATE!! In just under 6 weeks, FSI’s first high school musical production takes the stage in Kittredge Theatre at Warren Wilson College! You will NOT want to miss this fun show! Make it a family night out and support FSI high school theatre and music students.
When: April 19 and 20 at 7:00 PM
Where: Kittredge Theatre, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa
Tickets will be available for electronic purchase in advance – that link will go live at the end of March, so keep an eye out in future newsletters. Tickets will be $5 for students 18 and under, $10 for adults, and $20 for sponsors. Sponsors will be acknowledged and will have reserved seats.
REST IN PEACE, 3rd Quarter! BUY AN ADDAMS GRAM!! High School Theatre Council and the cast and Crew of The Addams Family are selling ‘Addams Grams’. Buy one and have it delivered to a friend or get one for yourself – either way it’s a fun way to celebrate ‘slaying’ the 3rd quarter. The gram costs $4 and includes a black artificial rose, a mini coffin, and a Rice Krispy Treat delivered by singing cast members. Sales will continue Monday – Wednesday 3/11 – 13 and will be delivered on March 14th.
Building Bridges Spring Workshop: Mondays, March 11 – May 6
Building Bridges is hosting their next 9-week course on how to intentionally engage in conversations about racism. Registration is now open! The workshops will be held at Evergreen Community Charter School, 50 Bell Road, Monday evenings from 6:30 – 9:00 pm, March 11 – May 6. Register here:
https://www.bbavl.org/register/
Summer Driver’s Education @ FSI
We are pleased to be able to host a Summer Driver’s Education class at FSI. The class will be held June 10-14. Students must be 14 ½ to attend. Registration and more information is available here: mtnpro.com/school-classes
Job Opportunities
We are beginning to recruit for the coming school year! Positions will be posted on our website: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/our-story/careers/
Reminders
Free YouTube Workshop on Teens & Vaping
Kriya Lendzion, who has led many workshops for FSI families on teens and substance use and abuse, has released a new video with SmartSocial on the risks of youth vaping nicotine and THC. Watch at your own time and interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QpCR-mtHrc
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.
Buy Your Yearbook Today!
Our Yearbook Class is hard at work designing our school yearbook! Order yours now for the Final Sale: $60 from Jan. 27-May 26th
And here is the link:
Club Updates
Middle School BIPOC Student Union (BSU) – First Fridays
We are excited to announce that the middle school BSU is returning beginning this Friday!
- Who: middle school BIPOC students, grades 5-8
- What: To build and celebrate community.
- Why: Our mission is to confront racism through education, celebration, and messaging to foster inclusive environments that allow all BIPOC students to participate. We charge all FSI community to become advocates of systemic change by promoting dialogue in word or deed, in and out of classrooms with their non-bipoc peers. We celebrate BIPOC culture while challenging systematic oppression. We are committed to accountability and creating a future where all individuals are valued and respected.
- When: the first Friday of each month. Next Meeting: March 1
- Where: room 172 (Mrs. Ryan’s room)
*Pizza lunch will be provided. Please reach out to JR Negron (jrjnegron@thefsi.us) or
Jenn Ryan (jryan@thefsi.us) if you are planning to attend (to make sure we have enough pizza) or with any questions.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL
The FSI High School Theatre Department in collaboration with the FSI Music Department is in rehearsal for our first high school musical production! Auditions were in December and rehearsals underway. SAVE THE DATE! Performances will be in Kittredge Theatre at Warren Wilson College on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 at 7:00 PM. Cast and crew members can access the rehearsal schedule here. Questions? Contact Julie Wharton at jwharton@thefsi.us or Sandi Wilson at swilson@thefsi.us.
Middle School Student Council Updates
The student council is excited about their new blog! Publicity coordinators Matilda Carter and Alex Pilcher helped create the idea to have a space to share the updates. You can check out the blog with all of our news (https://fsimsstudentcouncil.blogspot.com/). If you prefer to see our updates in person, check out our bulletin board in the 5th/6th grade hall! We will be updating both as new information, events, and news come in!
Find our list of clubs on our website: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/student-life/clubs/
Who do I go to when….
Whether you are new or returning to Franklin, we know you will have questions, and we want to help you find the best person to answer them, quickly and efficiently. We hope this little guide will help you navigate! Click here to access the guide: Who do I go to when…
Teaching Teams
Need to contact a teacher? Find them quickly with this link to our Teaching Teams for 2023-2024
