Good morning Franklin families,
The time change caught me by surprise this weekend. Enjoy the extra hour today!
We are well into the 2nd quarter of our school year and it’s time to talk about attendance. Did you know that missing just two days of school per month is considered “chronic absenteeism”? Research shows that missing school has a strong negative impact on student success. Half of all students who miss 2 – 4 days of school in September go on to miss a full month of school within that year. As early as 6th grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of school.
Attendance in schools across the United States has dropped since COVID and has not recovered. In schools like ours, where we work to create opportunities for active and collaborative learning, missing school means missing learning. Students can’t just download a worksheet and make up what they missed.
Of course there are times when kids need to miss school! As you are planning all the things – do your best to minimize activities and appointments that take students out of school. A day here and a day there doesn’t feel like a lot, but it adds up. If you are dealing with school avoidance or other challenges, please reach out to a Crew leader or one of our counselors. We don’t have any magic but we will partner with you.
As we head into November I know many people in our community are facing extra challenges from the disruption of SNAP benefits and the uncertainty about Medicaid, health insurance, the government shutdown, and more. Whether you need help or are looking to lend a hand, I’ve included some information about local organizations rising to this challenge. We’re meeting this week to think about how our school can best help out and we’ll share more information in the coming weeks. Please reach out if there is anything we can do.
As a school we’re facing similar challenges. The state has not adopted a budget this year, the County cut school funding in its budget, and the government shutdown has put our school nutrition program and federal funding at risk. Our annual Giving Tuesday fundraiser is more important than ever, yet we also know that our community is struggling. We’ve started sharing newsletters that highlight special programs in our school. Our hope is that you’ll share these newsletters with family and friends to expand our network of support. Mark your calendars now for December 2! We’ll join the global Giving Tuesday movement to celebrate a spirit of abundance and generosity. We’ll be live on Facebook throughout the day, shining a spotlight on all the wonderful students and programs that make our school unique.
Thank you for choosing Franklin and working together to support students as they become people who will make the world a better place. It may be a cliche, but it’s true. We are stronger together!
Upcoming Events
Monday, Nov 3
- 3:45 pm: MS Basketball Tryouts – 5th and 6th grade only
Tuesday, Nov 4
- 3:30 – 4:30: MS Theatre Auditions in Ms. Lexa’s classroom
- 4:15 pm: MS Flag Football All-Star Game @ FSI
- 6:00 pm: Monthly Board of Directors meeting (at 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
Congratulations to seven of our high school soccer players that were selected to the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference (BRAC) 1st Team All-Conference Team: Aidan Bennett, Donovan Bennett, Juan Cortez, Andrew Gardella, Evan Larsen-Chaney, Gates Stone and Kevin Torres. Well deserved!
MS Basketball Try-Outs (Boys and Girls)
Monday, November 3 (5th & 6th grades)- 3:45-5:00pm
Wednesday, November 5 (7th & 8th grades)- 1:00-2:15pm
All required paperwork (sports physical, concussion & waiver form) must be submitted prior to try-outs. Cannot try-out without it. No exceptions.
Parent Crew
Parent Crew is your organization! It’s similar to a PTO or PTA, and it’s a great way to get involved, be engaged, and meet other FSI families. Fill out this form for more information and to get involved!
Join us at our upcoming meetings:
Parent Crew Meetings (open for everyone to join, we need your help!)
- Thursday November 20th at 8:30am In-Person Meeting
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):
- 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
Student Club News & Reminders
Middle School Drama Club Meeting
Auditions for The Post Office will take place on Tuesday November 4th from 3:30-4:30 in Ms. Lexa’s classroom, 178. Call backs are scheduled for Thursday November 6th. The class list will be posted on Friday November 7th. Further details about auditions and tech.
High School Theatre Club Interest Meeting
The high school theatre club will host an interest meeting on Wednesday, Nov 5, from 1 – 2 pm. Meeting will be held in Connor Dalton’s room.
Middle School Math Club! Volunteer Help Needed
Mr. Byan, one of our high school math teachers, has hosted a mixed grade math club for years. This year the high school math club is meeting during the new HS club period on Wednesdays. We want the middle school math club to continue! Mr. Byan is willing to help and has lots of resources, but he can’t host the club by himself this year. The club will meet on Tuesdays after school. We are looking for volunteers to help out. A solid foundation in math is helpful, but resources and support will be available! Please email Michelle Vruwink and Mr. Byan, mvruwink@thefsi.us and tbyan@thefsi.us for more information.
Middle School Student Council
Next Meeting: Wed, Nov 12. We are gearing up for elections! Information about elections will be shared with students this week and elections will be held Nov 18. We will elect 4 officers along with 2 representatives from each grade level. Guidelines for the elections can be found here: MS Student Council Election Guidelines
General Club Information
You can find more information about clubs on our website, or contact Ron Scott, rscott@thefsi.us.
Reminders
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.
TEDx Youth – You Can Do a TED Talk!
Would you like to do a TED talk? The theme for FSI’s TEDX Youth 2026 event is Time. This word can evoke many emotions through its association with both hope for the future and grief of the past. We invite speakers to explore the idea of change across time, and the lessons that come with those experiences. Similarly, they can look at the concept of time itself and how the ways that we use it have changed in recent years. If you’re interested, please contact tedxyouthfsi@gmail.com!
FSI is proud to sponsor the only student-led TEDX event in Asheville. Come see what student leadership looks like!
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. It may take longer right now or when the email load is especially heavy. 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. Our kitchen staff have been trying out some new recipes and treating us all this summer – we can vouch for the delicious meals! You can sign up here: Free and reduced lunch application
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.
