Good morning Franklin families,
We have some exciting news to share today! On Friday we learned that our application to be considered for credentialing through EL Education was accepted. This is the first step in a process of earning recognition for the kind of deeper learning, character-building, and community that set EL Education schools apart. Our next step is a site visit from an EL team, where they will visit classrooms and Crews, and talk with students, teachers, and families. The site visit will take place sometime in March or April. Seeking credentialing is just another part of our commitment to ongoing improvement and dedication to the EL Education school model. It’s a chance to dig in and go deeper. Every member of our community is part of this. You should feel this work in the projects and schoolwork your student does each day, in Expeditions, and in Crew. We have work to do to earn this credential, but the work is exciting and rewarding.
This is the 3rd time our school has planned to seek credentialing. The first time was the year COVID hit, throwing everything we do upside down. Last year we felt ready to give it a go but Hurricane Helene changed our plans. This year (knock on wood) we’re not facing an international pandemic or a local natural disaster. But we are facing the biggest funding challenge of our 12 year history. Did you know:
- Last year, following Helene, Buncombe County cut education funding by 10%. This equals the loss of over $250,000 out of our school budget this year.
- Our State elected officials have not passed a budget for this year. This means that funding for public education is actually lower than last year, even as costs for staff salaries, health insurance, and overall inflation have gone up. This is a CUT of over $150,000 from our budget last year, not even considering our increased expenses.
- Federal funds are at risk. While we receive significantly less federal funding than most public schools, we rely on Title I and IDEA funds to support our students with the greatest needs. We also joined the Federal school lunch program to help ensure that all students have access to healthy meals. Federal funding is about 5% below last year’s level and there is a lot of uncertainty around future funding.
With all of these challenges, we’re still trying to do more. We’ve expanded our transportation program every year. We built an athletic field and joined a conference. Our school nutrition program is truly exceptional. We provide safe, affordable after school care every day. Our arts programs are thriving and growing. And our school improvement work plan prioritizes high quality projects and opportunities for the kind of learning that matters.
This week we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, officially kicking off a season of giving, reflection, and gratitude. We need the support of our community today more than ever. We know that it is a challenging time for many of our families. If you are in a position to give, I ask you to consider digging deeper this year. I promise – your gift will be put to good use. This is How We Crew It FSI Fundraising Campaign
Mark your calendars and join us on Facebook and Instagram for Giving Tuesday! On Dec 2 we’ll go live every hour, showcasing our students and staff and highlighting all the ways your gifts support our school. Show us how You Crew It! And just for fun, check out this little video from our students: https://youtu.be/6l4MmxQbUko. There’s more good stuff to come.
Thank you for choosing Franklin and working together to help students become leaders ready for the futures they create.
Upcoming Events
Monday, Nov 24
- 5:30 pm: MS Basketball (V) vs Trailblazers @ FSI
- 6:30 pm: HS Basketball vs Trailblazers @ FSI
Wednesday, Nov 26 – Friday, Nov 28: Fall Break – no school
Happy Thanksgiving!
Join us! Tuesday, Dec 2 is Giving Tuesday! We’ll be live on Facebook and Instagram throughout the day with lots of fun spotlights on our school community
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 middle school varsity basketball game had their season opener this week vs Shining Rock. The game was tight throughout but the Bolts fell just short 10-15. Some solid hustle plays by A. Green, H. Harding and H. Ward.
The high school basketball team went 1-1 for the week defeating Shining Rock 54-28 and falling to Veritas. In the victory, the Bolts rallied from a halftime deficit and out scored the Falcons 38-7 in the second half. Bolts were led by C. Bragdon with 14pts and B. Westmoreland with 13pts.
The basketball program will host a doubleheader on Monday vs the Trailblazers. MS Varsity will tip at 5:30pm and the high school game will follow.
Parent Crew
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!
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
You can find our menus online: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/nutrition/
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 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!
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
Middle School Math Club is Underway! No meeting this week
Mr. Byan has launched the Middle School math club. The club will meet in Mr. Byan’s classroom from dismissal until 4:30. The club 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
Congratulations to our MS Student Council leaders! They will help lead our Student Council meeting next Wednesday, Dec 3. All middle school students are invited to stay for Student Council meetings.
General Club Information
You can find more information about clubs on our website, or contact Ron Scott, rscott@thefsi.us.
Reminders
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.
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.
