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,
A huge shout out to our Parent Crew for their hard work and enthusiasm throughout Staff Appreciation Week last week! Thank you to everyone who participated in the efforts. Our faculty and staff all work hard to support our students every single day. We’re all aware that North Carolina does not recognize the value of this hard work. And while sustainable, livable wages are essential, working in a community that truly values and appreciates what you do makes a difference.
As we head into the final weeks of school, stress levels run high. Teachers feel the pressure to get through all the material. Students face deadlines and high stakes tests. None of us are at our best when we’re operating under high stress loads. So as we leave behind our official Staff Appreciation week, remember that the best way to show appreciation is by reminding your own kids of your expectations for their participation and behavior at school. While there’s reasonable room for compromise around specific grades or achievement levels, parents have a big role to play in defining what in school looks like. Our job at school becomes much easier when students come into school with the understanding that they are expected to work hard and be kind. All students will succeed when they focus on those two things every day.
We look forward to this week’s Spring Concert! Student musicians have been working hard to prepare, come celebrate their achievements this Wednesday evening. Then on Thursday we host our final Blood Drive of this year. Remember this is a great way to help fill a community need AND help us raise funds for our Habitat for Humanity Student Build! Please sign up to give if you are able.
Finally, Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! Parenting is a joy and privilege, and it is also hard work. I hope you take some time today to care for yourself.
As always, thank you for choosing Franklin and for partnering with us to prepare students for the futures they create. Our school is stronger with your participation.
Upcoming Events
Mon, May 11
- 8:00 – 11 am: AP Calculus @ WCU
- 12:00 – 3:00 pm: AP Seminar @ WCU
- 5:15 pm: HS Ultimate vs AC Reynolds @ FSI
Tues, May 12
- 8:00 – 11:00 am: AP PreCalc @ AB Tech
- 4:15 pm: MS Soccer vs PEAK @ FSI
- 5:00 pm: HS Ultimate vs FernLeaf @ FSI
- 5:00 pm: School Improvement Team
- 6:00 pm: Board of Directors Monthly Meeting
Wed, May 13
- 8:00 – 11:00 am: AP Lang @ WCU
- 12:50 – 1:45 pm: MS Student Council – All Students Welcome
- 5:30 – 6:30 pm: Spring Concert – 8th Grade & Modern Orchestra 1
- 6:30 – 7:30 pm: HS Spring Concert
Thurs, May 14
- 9:30 am – 2:30 pm: Blood Drive @ FSI. Sign up here: https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/295089
- 12:00 – 3:00 pm: AP Comp Sci @ WCU
- 4:15 pm: MS Soccer vs FernLeaf @ FSI
Fri, May 15
- 8:00 – 11:00 am: AP Environmental @ WCU
- 2:00 – 3:00 pm: Annual “Anything that Rolls” Parade
Keep up with all our school events!
FSI Community Calendar – add our events to your google calendar
2025-2026 Yearlong Calendar – updated
Bolts Athletics
A new Bolts Team Store is now open through May 13th. Lots of great options for Bolts gear and some soccer logo specific items. Place your order and it ships directly to you. Orders usually arrive within a week. It’s easy and fast!
Use this link to order: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/fe6UjqHUNZ
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
We greatly appreciate all the time, donations, and gifts that families contributed this week to make Staff Appreciation Week truly special for the remarkable FSI staff. Their dedication ensures that our students are treated like the individuals they are and challenged every day to do their best. Thank you FSI Staff!
We are excited for the Spring Music Performance and the Parent Crew will once again be selling snacks, drinks, and bouquets! The bouquets were such a hit last time, and we will be selling a limited number again. We need your help to make this all happen! Sign up to help out!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090848A5AA22ABFF2-63821387-spring
Additionally, we are raffling off front-row seats to the spring music performance for just $5. All proceeds will benefit the music department AND give you a chance to win! Use the link below: https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/events/100884-music-department-vip-spring-concert-seating
Lastly, we are also raffling off two pieces of art; all money raised will go towards staff appreciation. They are beautiful!
https://event.auctria.com/069c9e99-ea29-499e-8d91-3cfb88eb9a7d/180b5298a379499cbfbbaeede202003b
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
You can find our menus online: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/nutrition/
FSI Blood Drive – Thursday, May 14, 9:30 – 2:30 pm
With the urgent need for blood donations right now, The Blood Connection is offeingr extra incentives. All Donors will receive the standard $20 e-gift card, BUT ALSO a Bonus $10 e-gift card for this drive as well ($30 in rewards total), AND a grant for the school Donating blood saves up to three lives!), so this is really a win-win for the whole community!
Sign up to Donate here https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/295089
Parent Consent (donors age 16 and 17): https://epcf.thebloodconnection.org/
MS Student Council – Full Council meeting this Wed!
All MS students are invited to join our final full Student Council meeting this Wednesday, May 13, 12:50 – 1:50. We will plan our upcoming Student Council Lock In and participate in a campus clean up service activity. The Lock In is scheduled for Friday, May 29, from dismissal – 8:30 pm. Students must attend 3 Student Council meetings to be eligible to participate in the Lock In. This is the final chance to attend a meeting to be eligible for the Lock In Event!
We Have a Few Spots for 5th Grade!
Do you know a wonderful family with a rising 5th grader? We have a few spots available for the 2026-2027 school year. Filling these spots helps us offset the terrible state budget situation. We also love bringing students in for our 5th grade year – our team does a terrific job of onboarding students and helping them learn what it means to be an FSI Bolt. Help us serve as many students as we can! We can also accept a few more students for 11th and 12th grade. This can be a great opportunity for students who are looking for more support as they begin planning for college. With a full-time College & Career Counselor and support through Crew and our teachers, our students have access to strong post-secondary support. We are full with wait lists for all other grades at this time.
We are Hiring!
We are currently hiring Bus Drivers and a facility position. We are also hiring for the 2026-2027 school year. For the bus driver and facility position, contact Deeana Bennett via jobs@thefsi.us
Teaching opportunities are posted on our school website. If you know a fantastic teacher, please help us spread the word!
Reminders
Host an International Student
NC 4-H International Is seeking host families for summer month-long or year-long high school exchange students.
They have 16 youth delegates from Japan (and one from Taiwan), ages 12-17, who need host families for 3.5 weeks this summer! They are also seeking families for year-long high school exchange students! Find out more by joining an information session on Zoom:
Summer Inbound Month-Long Program Information Session – Thursday, April 30, 7:00pm (rescheduled from April 23)- Register here: https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/ZveOkEB_RCWGJ-o4LhUKEg
Academic Year-Long Program Information Session – Tuesday, April 28, 7:00pm – Register here: https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/9BD8-iJsSjG_5tlZfPLNug
Contact for questions: Caitlin Clineff, NC4-Hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu, or contact FSI parent and host Tara Shields, 615-500-3370,shields.tara@gmail.com
Bolts Summer Sports Camps
We are excited to announce our summer sports camps! Featuring multi-sports training with amazing facilities and coaches. Learn and experience a variety of sports and have fun! Directed by Coach Burke and Coach Ron Scott
5th-8th grades
- June 15-19 and/or June 22-26
- 9:00am-1:00pm
- $125 per week
Email for more information:
Register Here: Bolts Summer Sports Camps
Summer Driver Education Class
We are pleased to announce that we will host a summer driver education class at FSI. The class is provided by an instructor from Mountain Professionals Driving School. Our role is to provide the space and to share the information with our families.
The class is scheduled for the following days: July 9 and July 13-17, 9-3 pm The class is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The following are requirements and rules from Mountain Professionals. There are no exceptions:
- Students must attend all 5 days for the full time (9 – 3 pm)
- Students must be aged 14 1/2 (and under age 18) to attend
- There are no refunds once you have registered – no exceptions for vacations or illness or change of plans
- This is the education portion of the class. Students will schedule the driving portion with Mountain Professionals after they have passed this portion of the class
Register here: https://www.mtnpro.com/fsiform.
Substitute Teachers Needed!
As we enter Quarter 4, we have a true need for substitute teachers. Many of our teachers are entitled to days off but are reluctant to take them if they don’t have good coverage lined up! Substitute teachers are increasingly difficult to find. Across the state, schools are filling temporary positions or vacancies with people who used to serve as substitutes. You do not need a teaching certificate. You do need a love for students and a flexible open mindset! Cover letter and resume to jobs@thefsi.us
We are posting positions for the 2026-2027 school year on our website. If you know an excellent teacher who would be a good fit for our school, let us know! We will reach out and invite them to apply if we have a position available.
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!
Free Resources for Resilience Community Events
Passing this along from our friends at Resources for Resilience!
Resources For Resilience is an Asheville-based nonprofit sharing practical tools and educational trainings to help individuals and teams manage stress and prevent burnout in themselves and others. They are currently offering FREE programming for WNC residents and professionals, now through June. Many of our offerings also include CEU professional credit through Area L AHEC! Space is limited for these no-cost opportunities, so interested participants are encouraged to register early to secure their spot. Learn more here: https://conta.cc/3NBqYiU
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…
