Good morning Franklin families,
Last week’s newsletter focused on attendance. As we dig into data from the first quarter of our school year, we’re seeing a high percentage of students who have missed four or more days of school already. Attendance is one of the biggest predictors of student success in school, so it makes sense to spend time talking about it. This week I want to talk about another indicator of student success – the ability to maintain focus during challenging tasks, also known as persistence, one of our Habits of Scholarship.
Recently my parents, both retired college professors, visited with a colleague who is still teaching. Their conversation included how students have changed in the 20+ years since my parents retired. He said the biggest change is the ability to persist through focused tasks. While writing ten page papers or completing 100+ pages of independent reading used to be common tasks, this professor said students today struggle to complete short papers or any independent reading.
The good news is that persistence is a skill that improves with practice. Short but consistent daily practice – just 20 minutes at a time – can significantly improve student outcomes. Parents can support student growth by helping organize 20 minutes a day for dedicated focus. This can be a range of activities. Choose a book and read for 20 minutes, or practice math skills, or even engage in 20 minutes of drawing without other distractions. Make it a family practice and join in!
Did you see our weekly newsletter focusing on our nutrition program? With the continued federal shutdown, cuts to SNAP benefits, and rising health care costs, our nutrition program is more important than ever! Last year the gap between funding for our nutrition program and our costs was nearly $100,000, a worthy but expensive investment. Funding for our program is currently at risk. Friends and families can help! A donation of $140 provides breakfast and lunch for a student for a whole month. Spread the word and 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
Remember – Monday (tomorrow) is Picture Day for middle school students and Tuesday, Nov 11 is Veteran’s Day Holiday. There is no school on Tuesday. Thank you to all our veterans who served!
Thank you for choosing Franklin and working together to help students become leaders ready for the futures they create.
Upcoming Events
Monday, Nov 10
- Middle School Student Picture Day
Tuesday, Nov 11- Veteran’s Day Holiday – NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, Nov 12
- 12:50 – 1:50: Middle School Student Council
Thursday, Nov 13
- 6:00 pm: HS Basketball vs Combine Academy @ 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
High School Basketball Home and Season Opener on Thursday, November 13th at 6:00pm vs Combine Academy! It’s a White Out!! Let’s pack the stands and wear white!
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!
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
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
Veterans’ Day Service Day!
Sign up for a service day at the creek on Tues, Nov 11. We’ll meet at 12pm by the creek entrance and be done by 4pm. JP will sign service logs. Please bring gloves and yard tools like rakes and shovels! No power tools. Thank you JP and thank you to all who help out!
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! 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! Students who want to run for leadership positions must complete the application (linked on the election guidelines) 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. Please note: Students must be logged into their FSI google accounts to complete the application. The form is only open to FSI email addresses.
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.
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. 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.
