Good morning Franklin families,
Thank you to everyone who joined us Wednesday for our Fall Student Listening Conferences! Showing up and being engaged is one of the most important things you can do to support your student’s academic success. We also had a great opportunity to help lots of people navigate all the system changes. We know there’s still some work to do but it was nice to have so many people stop by!
We know the system changes are confusing and often frustrating. Believe me, we agree! Here are a few questions I heard that may help everyone:
How do I see my student’s grades? We are still using Canvas – just like last year. And this is a great time to log in and check those grades – we are halfway through the 1st quarter! This is especially important for our 9th grade families as students adjust to the higher expectations of high school. Parents can download the Canvas app and pair their account with their student. Your student needs to log into their account and generate the pairing code. Follow these step-by-step instructions if you want to set up an account: You will find more information and other ways to use Canvas on our website: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/canvas/
If you have questions about your student’s grades, first ask your student. If you still have questions, reach out to the teacher.
If I can see grades in Canvas, why do I even need to log into Infinite Campus? Great question! Infinite Campus replaces PowerSchool. All student information is stored in Infinite Campus. This includes contact information for parents and family members. When the system is working and we feel confident that the data is correct – we will be using Infinite Campus for communication, including sending report cards, weekly messages, attendance, etc. All re-enrollment paperwork must be completed in Infinite Campus. If your contact information is wrong in Infinite Campus you will miss out on important information from school. If you are still having problems logging into the Parent Portal, complete this google form: GOOGLE FORM
My student has attended an after school club or Beyond the Bell. How do I pay? We began sending invoices late last week. This was delayed as we worked to get all the systems synced up. You can pay invoices through MySchoolBucks. Information on how to sign up for MySchoolBucks is also on our website: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/my-school-bucks/
How do I apply for Free or Reduced Lunch? Information is linked on our website under the MySchoolBucks page. Remember we will use this single application for all school-provided scholarships, not just for breakfast and lunch. If you qualify, we will apply this to meals from the beginning of the school year. https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/my-school-bucks/
I received an invoice for a $15 consumable fee. What is this for? The consumable fee helps us cover the cost of a portion of materials used by students, including individual books, subscription costs for a variety of educational programs, science and art materials, etc. This is often called a book fee at other schools.
Remember – today is Dine out at MOD Pizza day, 3 Merrimon Ave, Asheville.
20% of the day’s dining sales will be donated to the Parent Crew & our school support activities! Participate all day by ordering online using the code MODGIVES20, or by visiting the Merrimon Avenue location of MOD Pizza and mentioning this fundraiser at checkout. Funds collected by the Parent Crew goes toward staff appreciation and other community events!
You can dine out anytime during the day but we have scheduled some meet-ups if you are interested in seeing and socializing with other FSI families-9th/10th at 12 pm, 5th/6th 5:30pm, 7th/8th 6pm, 11/12th 6:30 pm.
This week our 9th grade students head off to Green River Preserve for three days of outdoor activities, team-building, and Crew! We’re excited for their trip – thank you to our 9th grade teachers and the parent chaperones who make this trip possible!
There is a LOT of news today! Hang in there….
Thanks for choosing The Franklin School of Innovation and being active and engaged families. Your involvement in our school not only makes our school a better place, it has a positive impact on your student’s academic success!
Upcoming Events
Sun, Sept 22: Mod Pizza Dine Out for FSI!
Mod Pizza will donate 20% of sales when the fundraising code is used! Participate all day by either ordering online using the code MODGIVES20, or by visiting the Merrimon Avenue location of MOD Pizza and mentioning this fundraiser at checkout. Funds collected by the Parent Crew goes toward staff appreciation and other community events! See the Parent Crew section of the newsletter for information about scheduled meet-ups for your student’s grade level.
Mon, Sept 23
- 5:00 pm: HS Volleyball vs Carolina Day @ FSI
Tues, Sept 23
- 4:15 pm: MS Flag Football vs New Classical @ FSI
- 5:00 pm: HS Soccer vs Trailblazers @ BCSP
Wed, Sept 24
- 10:30 – 11:30 am: Student Voter Registration in HS Collaboration Space
- 11:00 am: HS Habitat for Humanity Student Leadership Club interest meeting (meet in Collaboration Space)
- 12:45 – 2:00 pm: MS Student Council meeting & elections
Keep up with our Community Calendar: FSI Community Calendar
Need to see the year at a glance? FSI 2024-25 Academic Calendar
Parent Crew
Next Parent Crew Meeting: October 17, 8:30 am on campus
Special guest Michelle Vruwink will join us
Don’t miss our first fundraising dine out day TODAY!
Join us on 9/22 at MOD Pizza, 3 Merrimon Ave, Asheville.
20% of the day’s dining sales will be donated to the Parent Crew & our school support activities! Use code: Modgives20. You can dine out anytime during the day and Parent Crew receives 20%, but we have scheduled some meet-ups if you are interested in seeing and socializing with other FSI families-9th/10th at 12 pm, 5th/6th 5:30pm, 7th/8th 6pm, 11/12th 6:30 pm.
Parent Leadership Opportunities
We are seeking candidates for the Board of Directors and for the School Improvement Team. We are in particular need of a candidate for Board treasurer – finance background preferred! Candidates with legal experience (you do not need to provide legal advice but a lawyer’s view is always helpful!), fundraising, community building, and diverse perspectives are also welcome!
The School Improvement Team will meet from 3 – 4:30 pm on scheduled teacher work days and during a June half-day retreat. Please email mvruwink@thefsi.us for more information about Board or SIT leadership opportunities.
Athletics News
HS Volleyball went 0-2 with close matches versus ICI and Bethel Christian. Bolts fell 3-1 to ICI after dropping the first set and then battling back in the second set to force a third.
Bolts came out strong against Bethel winning the first set and then trading sets before falling in the 5th set. Consistent play in both games by A. Kabat, G. Newman, R. Stockwell and S. Hudgins.
HS soccer defeated ICI 1-0 in their second game of the season. It was a well played game with back and forth action and D. Bennett scored on a PK in the second half to help secure the victory! Solid play by J. Cortez, K. Garcia, S. Forbes and a defense anchored by G. Stone, J. Cook and E. Larsen-Chaney.
MS Volleyball took the court for the first time this season and had two matches vs ICI and Shining Rock. The Bolts battled but came up a little short in both matches.
Homecoming Week is October 14-18
HS Homecoming Dance Saturday, October 19th from 7-9pm.
There will also be a Spirit Week and Pep Rally.
Stay tuned for more information.
Fall Athletics Fundraisers:
Support MS Cross Country by going to the movies!
Support HS Cross Country by purchasing Krispy Kreme Donuts!
https://www.groupraise.com/offer-campaigns/47043-fsi-cross-country-krispy-kreme-digital-dozens
Student Council & Student Government Events
Middle School Student Council
Elections will be held at our next meeting, Wednesday, September 25 from 12:45-2pm. Come elect your middle school leaders for the year! Students who are not picked up at 2pm will be placed in BTB.
New! StudentAccess Partnership between FSI & Buncombe County Public Libraries
With a big thank you to 7th grade ELA teacher Ashley O’Dell, we are pleased to announce that FSI is partnering with the Buncombe County Public Libraries to expand access to library books and e-resources.
Beginning on or about October 28, 2024 all Franklin School of Innovation students will be able to use their Student ID number to access and borrow public library books and resources. This initiative is called StudentAccess. Students will be able to use their school ID number and PIN to borrow books or access the library’s services like e-books and online research. The student ID works just like a regular library card and allows students to borrow up to 10 print or audio books from the Buncombe County Public Library. Accounts are free and there are no overdue fines, but students are responsible for fees for lost or damaged books. You don’t need to do anything to sign up – we will register students in the program for you. Your student can have a school account and a regular library card.
If you do not want your student to have a library account you may opt out, using the opt out form linked below. Be aware that students who opt out of StudentAccess will not be able to participate in classroom use of library resources unless they have a Buncombe County Public Library card and know the full card number and PIN. Opt out form
Voter Registration @ FSI This Wednesday
We can pre-register anyone who is at least 16 years old! Anyone not turning 18 by November 5 would not be eligible to vote in this election, but they would be registered and become eligible to vote once they turn 18. They would not need to register again. A lot of students don’t understand that and walk right past cafeteria style registration without even glancing at signage.
Fall Community Meetup at Eliada Fall Festival and Corn Maze
Saturday, Oct 12th 1pm & 3pm
The weather is cooling, and Fall is on the horizon! That means beautiful leaf weather, pumpkin flavored things and corn mazes are all about to start. We’re excited to coordinate an FSI Fall Community Meet Up at the Eliada Corn Maze! Eliada is offering discounted tickets for $12 for FSI members. Tickets can be used any time but we encourage you to join us on Saturday, Oct 12 for the FSI Meet Up! Middle School Meetup at 1pm; High School Meetup at 3pm (are you ever too old for a corn maze?)
Get tickets at https://eliadacornmaze.mazeplay.com/ with the code “FSI” for $3 off each ticket. You can also get tickets on site with this same discount if you let them know you are with The Franklin School of Innovation!
Next Open Mic Night Mon, Sept 30, 6 – 8 pm at Doc Brown’s BBQ
Anyone is welcome to perform at this event, it is not limited to only music students. Come sing, perform, read a short, a poem, or dance. Express yourself at this fun community event on a beautiful fall evening! As well as hosting us at the restaurant for this event, Doc Brown’s is generously donating 10% of the restaurant’s sales earned during those hours to the music department, so come out and show your support!!
Since this space is outdoors and uncovered, we will take weather into account but hopefully that won’t be an issue for us. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Wilson at swilson@thefsi.us
We hope to see you there!
New: Choir & Orchestra Shirts!
We have designed our new choir and orchestra shirts for our Lightning Chorale, which can be purchased here using this link: https://www.imagemarket.com/bb8f7hc5 and for the Bolts Modern Orchestra, which can be purchased here using this link: https://www.imagemarket.com/b34hdf8a
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. Shirts can be purchased through the end of November and will be delivered to the school for distribution before our holiday break.
Health News – Final Immunization & Health Assessment Reminder
Those who are still outstanding for immunization and or the NC health Assessment, it is due by 9/25/24 or else your student will be excluded from school. You also may submit a religious exemption, but it must be in by 9/25/24. Any questions, please contact Nurse Courtney 828-579-3754
Substitute Teacher Opportunities
We are seeking strong candidates for substitute teachers. A teaching background or prior experience with middle and high school students preferred but not required. Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@thefsi.us.
SAFE Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention Education Workshop
Tues, Oct 15, 6 pm @ FSI
Our VOICE Inc. is a non-profit crisis intervention and prevention agency that has been serving survivors of sexual violence, ages 13 through adult, in Buncombe County for over 45 years. Our VOICE also works to provide primary prevention education to stop sexual violence before it occurs. In collaboration with Verbal Purple and Our VOICE, we will be facilitating SAFE, an Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention Education Workshop, informed by existing scientific evidence, that teaches sex trafficking risk factors, recruitment dynamics, warning signs, healthy and abusive relationships, and strategies for seeking and providing help for youth.
The SAFE Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention Education Workshop includes sensitive content related to human trafficking and we understand this material may be distressing for some individuals. We understand these conversations can bring up a wide variety of feelings and reactions, so reach out to Our VOICE if you need support or have concerns about the content. Our VOICE website: Home – Our VOICE (ourvoicenc.org)
Crisis line: CRISIS LINE: (828) 255-7576
Join us on Tuesday, October 15 at 6pm at the Franklin School of Innovation!
Nominate your teacher for a Golden Apple Award!
Do you have a teacher who stands out to you for exceptional teaching methods? Nominate them for a Golden Apple Award! Each week, Ingles and WYFF News 4 will select a teacher from the applications and profile that teacher on WYFF news 4 on Thursdays. The teacher of the year will receive a gift card from Ingles. To nominate, neatly write or type a one-page letter on the sheet provided (or a blank 8.5×11″ sheet of white paper) about the teacher you would like to nominate. Include their name, school name, school phone number & your name, address and phone as well.
Mail the entry to:
WYFF News 4
Golden Apple Award
505 Rutherford Street
Greenville SC 29609
Help recognize someone special in your life and write a nomination for them. There are pre printed applications at the front desk if you would like to pick one up!
After School Clubs
Information on After School Clubs is posted on our website and linked here. Check out all the club offerings and get involved! Most clubs have a $15 daily fee; students can stay in Beyond the Bell before and after the club for no additional charge. Some clubs are offered free – please see the club listing for more information.
Starting this week: High School Habitat for Humanity Leadership Club interest meeting at 11 am (during SMART period, following voter registration presentation). We will meet in the Collaboration Space (11th/12th grade hallway) and move to an available classroom.
Reminder: Chess Club has started! Open to all ages! See the club list for more information.
Reminders
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
We’ve had so many questions about Infinite Campus! If you have successfully joined the Parent Portal -you can just skim this section. Hopefully this FAQ will be helpful!
What is Infinite Campus?
Infinite Campus is the state’s new Student Information System for all NC schools. It replaces PowerSchool. All student and family information is stored in Infinite Campus, and is linked with all our other systems such as MySchoolBucks school online payment system and Canvas learning management system. We are in the first phase of the transition. All NC schools will transition to Infinite Campus by next year.
What is the Parent Portal?
The Parent Portal is how families access Infinite Campus. Families can update their contact information and student demographics, update all medical and annual forms, submit attendance notes, view student schedules, and receive messages from the school through the Parent Portal.
How do I get into the Parent Portal?
Parents received emails through Infinite Campus with a link to join the portal. You must use the link in the email – these were sent last week and sent again on Friday.
- Infinite Campus recommends that you join the portal from a computer or chromebook, not from your phone
- You must complete the setup at one time – so start the process when you have time to finish
- Do not try to sign up via the QR code included with the Welcome Packets. The QR code asks for an “activation code”. We do not have activation codes.
If you have followed the instructions and you are still unable to get into the Parent Portal, please complete the following GOOGLE FORM so we can help you. Do not email – we cannot respond to all the individual email requests.
I didn’t receive an email about the Parent Portal. What do I do?
We are finding that some data was either lost or did not come over correctly in the transfer from Powerschool to Infinite Campus. If you did not receive an email about the Parent Portal, it’s likely that your contact information wasn’t coded correctly in the transfer. We’ll help! Please complete the GOOGLE FORM and let us know you did not receive the Parent Portal information.
Where do I get the activation code?
We are not using the activation codes. Please look for the email with the link to join the Parent Portal and follow those instructions. We are sorry for the confusion!
We’re returning Franklin families. Why do we need to fill out this information again?
This is a two-part answer. We are required to collect some information every year, so the duplication is just part of the process. Also, some crucial information was lost in the transfer from Powerschool to Infinite Campus. We need families to complete this process so we have current information in our system.
When will students be able to join the Student Portals?
We hope students will be able to get into Infinite Campus within the next week. Students will sign into Infinite Campus through NCED Cloud – the same way they log into Powerschool and Canvas. As soon as the Student Portal is ready, we will help students get logged in.
MySchoolBucks Online Payment System & School Lunch
We use MySchoolBucks as our online payment system. You can pay for Beyond the Bell, athletic fees, and school lunch through MySchoolBucks.
Families apply for free and reduced lunch through MySchoolBucks. We will use the free and reduced lunch application for all needs-based scholarships and financial support – including school nutrition, Beyond the Bell and clubs, and field trips. This will provide an efficient and fair process for all families. Once a student is found eligible, you will not have to complete multiple applications.
Beyond the Bell
Beyond the Bell is our before and after school program. This year, all student clubs are part of Beyond the Bell. Students who are at school after dismissal will be placed in Beyond the Bell for supervision. The only exceptions are students in athletics practices or school theatre and music rehearsals. Students waiting for late athletic practices must either be under the direct supervision of their coaches or they will be placed in Beyond the Bell. Beyond the Bell is available from dismissal until 6 pm every day, including Wednesdays. Daily fees are $1 for morning care (7:15- 7:45 am), $15 for daily care, and $25 for the extended Wednesday. The daily fee helps cover the cost of staff and supplies for our afterschool programs. Limited scholarships are available up to the school’s capacity. We will use the free and reduced lunch application for all scholarship determinations.
Bus Rider & Carpool Information
No matter where you live, you’ll find FSI families nearby. You need to join the Franklin Carpool Facebook page. Find your carpool friends here: Franklin Carpool Facebook Page
All bus riders must be registered before riding the bus, even if they rode last year! Please click here to fill out the Bus Registration Form.
MANNA Packs for Kids
MANNA Packs for Kids is a take-home food program that provides a weekly bag of food to students. Bags will contain items such as proteins, fruits, vegetables, snacks and/or breakfast items.The “MANNA Packs for Kids” program’s mission is to serve those families with children who are experiencing economic difficulty and could use assistance in providing food when school meals are not an option. To join the program, please fill out the Manna Packs google form here.
