Good morning Franklin families,
I hope everyone’s Thanksgiving was filled with friends, family, and abundance! As we return to school this week we enter one of the busiest periods in the school year. The next three weeks will be filled with the crush of end of semester projects and exams, events, and all the celebrations – big and small – that are squeezed into the holiday season. We’ll do our best to keep these weeks balanced between the hard work and the joy of learning, and we hope to see many of you at basketball games and our winter concert.
This time of year comes with many competing demands for money. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday are all about spending and buying. Giving Tuesday comes along at the tail end of this spending push. I’ll be straight with you – if you have the ability to donate this year, we need you more than ever.
Funding and support for public education is at an all-time low, yet schools serve an ever-increasing role in communities. We’re often the first responders in emergencies, whether that’s the shared crisis of a hurricane or the personal emergencies of students and families. Studies show that schools play an essential role in helping communities recover from disasters. We want to be a center for recovery but we can’t do it on our own. We are facing the biggest budget challenge of our 12 year history.
We’ve shown you how We Crew It. Last year we opened just days after the hurricane, providing a community space along with supplies, power, and wifi. When school re-opened we worked to make the year feel as normal as possible. We added a turf field and then immediately shared it out with the broader community. We expanded our school lunch program, partnered to provide mental health counseling for students and staff, and provided a summer program to help students fill in some of the learning gaps.
Please join us this Giving Tuesday and show us how you Crew It! Help us fund specific programs or just help us fill the gap between public funding and the actual cost of the programming we provide. Spread the word and invite your friends and families to tune in on Tuesday. We’ll livestream on Facebook and Instagram all day Tuesday, featuring FSI programs. Let’s keep our school community strong so our students can thrive!
Give if you can and spread the word to help us fill the gap.
This is How We Crew It FSI Fundraising Campaign
Please remember, tomorrow is school picture day for grades 9 – 11. It’d be easy to forget that after the break. The weather looks a little wintry all week, so we’ll be ready to pivot as needed.
Thank you for choosing Franklin and working together to create a community where students can thrive.
Upcoming Events
Monday, Dec 1
- School Pictures – Grades 9 – 11. Make up date for all students is Dec 15
Tuesday, Dec 2
- Giving Tuesday! Join us live on Facebook and show us how you Crew It! https://www.facebook.com/FranklinSchoolofInnovation
- 5:00 pm: HS Basketball vs Bethel @ FSI
Wed, Dec 3
- 12:50 – 1:50: Middle School Student Council
Mark your calendars:
- Tues, Dec 9 – Blood Drive @ FSI
- Fri, Dec 12: Holiday Concert
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
Both the MS and HS basketball teams dropped their games versus the Trailblazers last week. H. Harding led the MS team in points and M. Lamas-Soto did an amazing job on the boards. The HS game was highly competitive and came down to the very end, The Bolts came up short 47-52. C. Bragdon led with 13 points and O. Kaniewski-Clawson chipped in with 10 points.The team is back in action at home on Tuesday for a conference game vs Bethel Christian Academy at 5:00pm.
Team Shop is Open! Get your exclusive Bolts Basketball Gear and FSI Gear. Shop is open through December 3rd. Place your order and it ships directly to you! Emails have been sent to parents and staff. This is also a fundraiser for Bolts Athletics.
Shop now! Access code: YWojRWAwFt. How to order
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!
Blood Drive @ FSI: Dec 9, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Our next Blood Drive is coming up! The Blood Drives are a true win-win. We help fill a critical community need, donors earn a $30 eGift Card, and the school earns a $500 grant for every 30 donors. We use the grant funds for the Habitat Student Home Build, investing the grant right back into our community. That’s four wins for one small contribution! Appointments are not required but they make things easier for everyone.
Schedule your appointment now:
https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/295087
Students aged 16 and 17 must have a parent consent form. Digital Parental Consent Form https://epcf.thebloodconnection.org/
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 Registration Sale!
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!
- Limited time discount of $300 off if purchased between 11/28 and 12/07
- Includes entry into drawing for additional $250 scholarship!
- 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.
College & Career Corner
It is never too early to start planning for summer. Here are some options to consider:
NC State Pre-College Summer Programs
App State Pre-College Design Camp
CFNC Student Enrichment Programs Search tool
Student Club News
Middle School Math Club is Underway
Mr. Byan has launched the Middle School math club. The club meets in Mr. Byan’s classroom from dismissal until 4:30. 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 this 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.
Order Your Yearbooks & Ads
The 2025-2026 Yearbooks are on sale! They are currently $55 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!
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.
