Good morning Franklin families,
One of the benefits of being an EL Education school is the support and focus on ongoing improvement. Every year we work with our school coach and our leadership teams to review a range of data about how students are doing. We create goals and track our progress through a wide lens of information – attendance data, behavior reports, academic progress in classes, NWEA MAP scores and standardized tests. We set goals in each of the EL Education focus areas for students achievement, academic skills, character, and high quality work. Our overall focus this year is deeper learning, which is education-speak for getting kids beyond memorization and into the kind of learning that happens when they are actually interested and engaged. It’s easy to say and hard to do.
This Wednesday we will use our afternoon professional learning time to do what is called a “Quality Work Protocol”. Every teacher will bring samples of student projects. We’ll use a rubric and a structured process to evaluate what high quality looks like across our school. It’s always eye-opening and often inspiring. One of the things I love the most about this process is watching how creative teaching travels across departments as teachers adapt great ideas to their own classrooms and subjects.
Teachers face a lot of challenges in inspiring students to engage in deeper learning. Disruptive behavior is one of them. We’ve been dealing with some increased vandalism in bathrooms (especially the boys bathrooms) and silly but disruptive behaviors in classrooms. Our school team is working hard to address these issues. You can help! Take time to have conversations with your students about your expectations for their learning and behavior. Model the behaviors you expect from them. Even simple things like regularly arriving to school a few minutes late or giving into that temptation to turn the wrong direction onto Sardis Road, send a message to your child that school expectations are not that important. When you talk with your child about teachers and school, listen for the other side of their story. It may feel like your teenagers aren’t paying attention, but your values and expectations matter.
We are entering the season of giving! Our spotlight this week is on the funding gaps we face this year. It’s a uniquely challenging time for public schools in North Carolina. We face a funding shortfall every year and the failure to pass a state budget means the gaps are even bigger this year. We know that it is a challenging time for many of our families. As we send out requests for financial support, you can help us spread the word to a broader audience. If you aren’t able to give this year, it’s ok. If you are able, we hope you’ll dig a little deeper. Invite your friends and family members to help us fill the gaps and keep our programs strong! This is How We Crew It FSI Fundraising Campaign
On Friday we will practice a lockdown drill. We practice lockdowns to help students and staff feel confident that they know how to respond if there is ever a real threat on our campus. Students will review and prepare for the lockdown drill in Crew lessons on Thursday, participate in the drill on Friday morning, and have the opportunity to debrief after the drill in Crew on Friday before leaving school. We understand that lockdown drills can create stress and fear. We do our best to help students prepare and address these honest and understandable feelings while also providing the practice to help us all be prepared.
Thank you for choosing Franklin and working together to help students become leaders ready for the futures they create.
Upcoming Events
Monday, Nov 17
- 10th Grade Students – PreACT testing
- 11th Grade Students – Remote Learning Day
Tuesday, Nov 18
- 3:15 – 4:30: Middle School Math Club (read on for more info)
- 4:30 pm: MS Basketball (V) vs Shining Rock @ FSI
- 6:00 pm: HS Basketball vs Shining Rock @ FSI
Thursday, Nov 20
- Senior Picture Day
- 5:00 pm: HS Basketball @ FernLeaf Community Charter
Friday, Nov 21: Lockdown drill
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
The high school basketball season tipped off last week as we hosted Combine Academy. In a highly competitive game that was back and forth and super exciting the Bolts lost by 2 with a score of 54-56. The Bolts led by two at the half and then rallied from being down by 11 to have a chance to win or tie at the end.
Shout out to the pep band for bringing the hype and to B. Westmoreland for leading the way with 14 points and O. Kaniewski-Clawson with 13 points and J. Raines grabbed 9 rebounds.
Parent Crew
Join us at our upcoming meetings:
Parent Crew Meetings (open for everyone to join, we need your help!)
Parent Crew Meeting [In-person] Thursday Nov, 20th @ 8:30am
Meet in room 261, next to the high school art room upstairs. If you can’t make it in person but would like to join virtually:
Time: Nov 20, 2025 08:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://zoom.us/j/92998989885?pwd=CSjh7pGpePuSuhXXc3VS6GjsPaDQ9a.1
Meeting ID: 929 9898 9885
Passcode: FSIPARENT
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time for our annual Holiday Giving Pool for our wonderful FSI staff! Each year we ask families who are able to contribute to a shared Giving Pool instead of buying individual gifts for teachers and staff. Our goal is to provide all staff members with a cash gift of $100 along with fun little cozy treats. The School hosts an annual catered holiday party. These acts of appreciation are especially important in a year where our state failed to give raises to our school staff!
Please give if you are able. All funds will be distributed to FSI staff members: https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/projects/263505-2025-staff-holiday-giving-pool
We are also thrilled to announce a raffle for four front row seats to the Winter Concert on December 12th! Winning means you won’t need to arrive early or search for a seat—you’ll be front and center! For just $5, your family can enter for a chance to win, and the more tickets you purchase, the greater your chances of winning. All proceeds will support the music department. Good Luck!
High School Europe Adventure
Rising 9th or above FSI Europe Adventure signups now open!
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 $50 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!
From Our Friends at Sand Hill Kitchen
Former FSI parent and long-time friend Jamie Wade and Sand Hill Kitchen are offering FREE school lunches. Just stop by Sand Hill Kitchen and grab a bagged lunch. Want to help support this act of kindness? Send donations to Venmo SHK-AVL.
FSI Holiday Giving & Food Assistance Program
It is that time of year when we ask for donations to support our families that may need a little extra help with meals and gifts during the upcoming holidays. Our Holiday Assistance Program is intended to support families at our school who may need help purchasing gifts for their children for the holidays and who have not accessed other local Holiday Assistance Programs (Eblen, Salvation Army, St. Nicholas Project, etc.).
Our Food Assistance Program is intended to support families that may need supplemental food due to the loss of SNAP benefits. If you only have the capacity to provide support in one of these areas that is fine! You will just need to respond NA to the area you are not providing assistance in.
Whether you are giving or receiving, just fill out this form. Information will go directly to Jennifer Negron (Middle School Counselor) or Mary Kinsey Hyche (High School Counselor) and will be kept confidential. Please complete the form by Monday, November 17th.
Student Club News & Reminders
Middle School Math Club Starts this Tuesday!
Starting this Tuesday, Mr. Byan is launching the Middle School math club. The club will meet in Mr. Byan’s classroom from dismissal until 4:30. The club will start this Tuesday, Nov 18 – they will not meet next Tuesday but will resume in December. 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 we will hold elections for Middle School Student Council. Good luck to our candidates! I am finding joy in working with these developing leaders. Please remember that all middle school students are part of the Student Council and are welcome to attend our general meetings. Our next full Student Council meeting will be Wednesday, Dec 3.
General Club Information
You can find more information about clubs on our website, or contact Ron Scott, rscott@thefsi.us.
Reminders
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
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
This year all parents must be in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. With the State’s shift to this new student information system, there is action required by parents. The Parent Portal is where you can find information on student grades. Take time today to check it out!
If you have an Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Step 1:
- Open your internet browser and go to https://11d.ncsis.gov/parent
- Or download the Campus Parent app from the App store/google play.
Step 2:
- Enter your username and password
- Forgot login or username? Please copy and paste this link https://forms.gle/Ug3ZRcmktEH9Zfwk7 into your browser and complete the form in order to receive your username and a new temporary password. This is a NEW form. If you submitted a help request and have not received a response, please use this new form. Previous forms have been discontinued and are no longer being monitored.
If you do NOT have an Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Please copy and paste this link https://forms.gle/KKtMHfwEVMsQczzU6 and complete this form, so that we can create a portal for you. If you try to use the app, the link above, or if you click “new user”, you will be required to input an activation key, which we do not use when setting up accounts.
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.
