Good morning Franklin families,
I hope everyone has an opportunity to get out in the woods to experience the beauty of fall in our forests. It feels like this might be our peak weekend for color – get outdoors if you can!
This week our 11th grade students are hosting a Halloween festival immediately after school on Thursday, October 30, from 3:30 – 5:00 pm. This student-led event is open to all middle school students and tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets are $1 each or 12 tickets for $10. Each activity will cost 3 tickets and concessions will be 1 – 3 tickets. The festival is a fundraiser for our Habitat for Humanity home build.
Friday is the day many people celebrate Halloween. I think Halloween Friday strikes a bit of fear into even the most seasoned teachers and administrators. It’s a big holiday for kids and they get pretty excited! Students are allowed to wear costumes to school as long as they follow some common-sense expectations:
Do wear costumes that:
- Celebrate your own culture.
- Commemorate historical characters who contributed to a better world – just make sure that your costume is a tribute to the character.
- Are creative, homemade, imaginative!
Don’t wear costumes that:
- Portray any group in a stereotypical way, such as headdresses or feathers to portray Indigenous People, or dirty/torn clothing to portray an unhoused person.
- Darken or change skin color to represent a character.
- Are related to racial, ethnic, religious, or gender-based slurs.
- Include any type of weapon, no exceptions. If your costume includes a weapon, leave it home and save it for trick-or-treating.
As a general rule of thumb: If you aren’t sure – don’t wear it. Take a few minutes to research and think about your choices so everyone can enjoy the fun.
Along the Halloween theme, TODAY is the last day to purchase a Frightful Flowers Halloween Gram. For $5 a black rose, ghostly tootsie pop, and note will be delivered to your person on Halloween during Crew. Purchases can be made online until October 26th using this form. Thanks for spreading Halloween joy and supporting the FSI Prom Committee! If you have any questions please contact Amy Burke, aburke@thefsi.us.
Thank you for choosing Franklin and working together to support students in their growth to becoming people who will make the world a better place.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, Oct 28
- 4:15 pm: MS Flag Football vs. PEAK Academy @ FSI
Wednesday, Oct 29
- 12:45 – 1:45 pm: MS Student Council in Tech Room – open to everyone. Help plan a week of kindness and prepare for student council elections.
Thursday, Oct 30
- 3:30 – 5:00 pm: Middle School Halloween Festival (hosted by 11th grade)
Saturday, Nov 1
- Dine Out at Panda Express. To participate, mention the fundraiser at checkout. If ordering online, use the code 3847643 in the fundraiser box. https://community.pandaexpress.com/fundraiser/events/promotions/a1bbc191-3f03-ef67-6bfa-7e9ff5b7e5cd/en/landing
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
MS flag football went 2-0 on the week defeating Francine Delany and Mountain Community School. The team is 5-1 on the season and will play their final regular season game on Tuesday at home vs PEAK Academy.
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
Upcoming Events
Dine Out @ Panda Express Tunnel Road, Sat, Nov 1: To participate, mention the fundraiser at checkout. If ordering online, use the code 3847643 in the fundraiser box. https://community.pandaexpress.com/fundraiser/events/promotions/a1bbc191-3f03-ef67-6bfa-7e9ff5b7e5cd/en/landing
MAHEC’s 25th Annual Health Education & Awareness Conference, Tues Oct 28
Students in grades 8 – 12 are invited to MAHEC’s Health Education & Awareness Conference this Tuesday, Oct 29. The conference will take place at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville. This is a FREE event for students in grades 8–12. This is a great opportunity to learn more about growing career opportunities:
- Explore a variety of exciting health professions
- Engage directly with colleges, universities, and healthcare professionals
- Discover hands-on pathways into healthcare careers available right here in Western North Carolina
Middle School Halloween Festival: Thurs, Oct 30, 3:30 – 5 pm
The 11th grade students are bringing back the Halloween Festival! Mark your calendars for an afternoon of spooky fun on Thursday, Oct 30, 3:30 – 5:00 pm in the Community Room. Open to all middle school students! This is a fundraiser for our Habitat for Humanity Home Build! Tickets are $1 each or 12 for $10. Most activities will cost 3 tickets and concessions will cost 1 – 3 tickets. Tickets will be sold at the door (cash or debit/credit).
Student Club News & Reminders
Middle School Drama Club Meeting
An informational meeting about the middle school drama club will be held Wednesday October 29th in Ms. Lexa’s room, 178. Students should come during their lunch period to pick up information about auditions and tech opportunities. All middle school students are welcomed to attend.
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 – Oct 29
We had a great kick off for Student Council! We will meet this Wednesday, Oct 29, from 12:45 – 1:45. Michelle Vruwink and Tammey Harper are hosting the Student Council this year. We will meet in the Technology Room to plan a Week of Kindness & Belonging and plan for Student Council officer elections. Student Council is free and open to any MS student. Students are not required to attend every meeting – come when you can! Students must be picked up promptly at 1:45 pm. Students who are still at school by 1:55 pm will be placed in Beyond the Bell and Wednesday fees will apply.
General Club Information
There are several different types of Student Clubs at FSI. It may be confusing but we’ll help you sort it all out. Some student clubs meet during the school day. We’re making a big push in high school this year with the goal that 100% of our students will participate in a student-led club of their choice! These clubs will meet during school. There is no cost. HS Clubs meet on Wednesdays.
Other clubs meet after school. Most of these clubs have a fee which helps us pay adults to coordinate the clubs and provide supplies. Students sign up for these clubs through Beyond the Bell. Some of our afterschool clubs – such as Drama Club and Student Council – are provided with no fee. Students are also invited to start clubs. Students must have an adult sponsor for the club. Most student-initiated clubs will have a fee to provide a stipend for the adult sponsor and cover other costs. 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.
