Good morning Franklin families,

We’re heading into February, the shortest longest month of the year! When we create our calendar, we build in a couple of “weather make up” days. These days are designed to make up time if we miss days due to snow or ice, but they are also there to offer the prospect of a little break in the long slog from Martin Luther King Day till spring break. Next Friday, Feb 10, is the first of our make up days. As long as we hold school (in person or virtually) until then, Friday will be a day off for students and school staff. 

We’re also approaching the middle of 3rd semester. This is an important time to check in with your student and see how they are doing. Schedule time this week to sit down and look at Canvas with your student together. Ask some guiding questions and do your best to listen. I’m often guilty of finding solutions when what is really needed is just a space to talk and reflect – try to let your student lead the conversation.  

• What are your goals for this semester? 
• What steps are you taking to meet these goals? 
• How is it going so far? What is working and what isn’t?
• Is there anything you need from me or from other adults to help you reach your goals in school? 

The past several newsletters have highlighted ways parents and community members can support the school. We’re not putting these things out and asking you to work all alone! Community engagement has been hard during Covid it’s going to take time to rebuild. Behind the scenes, we’re working on several fronts to provide more opportunities for our families to connect, engage, and support our school community. Here are a few things we’re working on:

Family Engagement: We are re-launching and updating our Parent Crew, our version of PTO/PTA. We recognize that it will take some time and effort to establish a high-functioning parent organization. We are planning several events to move us toward that goal:

• Tues, Feb 21, 6:30 pm: Gala/Auction Planning Crew: Sign up here  Every other year, we host a spring Gala/Silent Auction as a fun and fund-raising event. Our Auction Crew is “graduating” from Franklin and it is time to pass the knowledge along to the next generation of FSI parents. This meeting will focus specifically on beginning the planning process for the 2024 Spring Gala. We are in high need of a small group of energetic, fun, and enthusiastic people to take on this event! 
• Parent Crew Social: Date TBD: We are working on a social get-together, hopefully in March. This will be an informal opportunity to meet other FSI families and to learn more about our Parent Crew. We’ll share date and location as soon as they are finalized. 

Equity & Inclusion: Our DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Committee is planning two events for this spring. Students in our BIPOC Student Union have named education as one of their top requests from the rest of the school community – education for themselves, other students, staff, and the broader FSI community, about racism. Our first event will be a training session in February. This will be a virtual session with a qualified facilitator, open to any member of our community. Details TBD, but work is underway! This training will be followed by an in-person Listening Session/Community Meeting in March. The Committee is also creating a portfolio of resources to share with the community. With this goal in mind, we’re sharing a great learning opportunity:

• Feb 3 & 4:  Racial Equity Institute Phase 1 Workshop:  Register Here  Equity seats are available for People of Color. Learn more about the Racial Equity Institute here: Movement Minded | Racial Equity Institute | Developing Tools. We understand this is short notice – we just learned about this training and want to pass it along. The training is from 9 am – 5 pm Friday and Saturday, $300 standard registration fee. 

School Funding: Now that the General Assembly is in session, committees have been formed and budget work is underway. Watch for calls to action (templates for emails, phone scripts, and contact info) in the next few weeks. We cannot allow our State to be at the very bottom of state investment in education! If you are interested in taking more direct action to organize community action, let me know!

Re-Enrollment & Recruitment! 

Re-enrollment for all FSI students begins February 1! Erinn Otten, Director of Student Services, coordinates our re-enrollment process. If you have a student enrolled in FSI this year and you plan to return next year – you must complete re-enrollment. 

A quick reminder about re-enrollment and applications:

• Returning students: Complete Re-Enrollment Forms – coming February 1. Students are guaranteed a slot for next year.
• Siblings not yet at FSI: Submit an application for enrollment. Siblings receive priority for enrollment – so be sure to check the box to let us know! 
• Friends, Neighbors, Acquaintances: Spread the word! Word of mouth has always been our most effective form of marketing. Many families are looking for the best fit school for their children. If your student is thriving and growing at FSI – help people find their way to us! Open Enrollment ends March 31. It’s easy to apply – just click the link on our website: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/

This Week’s Reason for Optimism

Tenth Grade kicked off their Expedition last Monday morning. Students listened to immigration stories from members of our community and tasted foods from their home countries. First, we had a guest speaker who spoke of emigrating from Poland before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Then, the students had a citizenship test to see if they would qualify to immigrate. One of our very own also shared his experiences emigrating from Uganda and the vastly different experiences of some his family had who emigrated to other countries. Lastly, the students plotted the history of their families onto a map to help give perspective of the wide number of heritages in our community. Their expedition will continue for the next ~8 weeks or so and is called “E. Pluribus Unum – Out of Many One”. This humanities-based expedition focuses on different issues surrounding immigration in the United States.  Students will delve into the issue from multiple perspectives as it relates to the US, immigration throughout history, in their own families, and worldwide trends. Partnering with a local organization, Vecinos, students will discover how this issue is affecting their own community and ways that they can get involved. Learning Expeditions give students and teachers the opportunity to dig deep into big ideas and issues. They engage students in work that matters and are one of the things that make the Franklin experience different from other schools. I’ve seen Expeditions literally change lives, as students find a passion and set their course for their future. Kudos to the 10th grade teaching team for bringing this great learning experience to life! 

Student Fundraisers

• Starting this week, snacks will be sold during lunch every Tuesday. All profits will go to middle school STEM clubs
• Valentine Grams: Spoil your favorite person on Valentine’s Day this year; for a good cause! Prom Committee is selling single stem roses to be delivered to your recipient on Valentine’s Day during school hours. Delivery includes candy, and festive valentine music. All money raised from this fundraiser will go towards throwing our juniors and seniors a fun and memorable prom. The online payment form will be available February 1st, so be on the lookout! Cost is $6.

Upcoming Events

Tues, Jan 31, 6:30 pm: Info Session for Prospective Families. Invite a friend to sign up! 

Wed, Feb 1, 6:00 pm: HS Basketball @ Shining Rock Classical Academy, 2150 Russ Ave, Waynesville

Thurs, Feb 2, 4:15 pm: MS Basketball @ Fairview Community Center, 1357 Charlotte Hwy, Fairview

Fri, Feb 3, 5:30 pm: HS Basketball@ Bethel Christian Academy, 12021 US-19E, Spruce Pine

Sat, Feb 4, 5:30 – 7:00 pm: Franklin Flurries Middle School Dance

Keep up with all our events on our Community Calendar! 

Need to see the 2022-2023 School Calendar in one place? It’s on our website – click here

It’s Open Enrollment! Help us recruit amazing families & students!

Open Enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year runs January 1 – March 31. Did you know that most families choose FSI through word of mouth? You can help us fill every open seat!  Follow us on Facebook or Instagram, share our posts, and invite your friends and colleagues to learn more about our school! We offer virtual Info Sessions and in-person tours weekly from now through the end of March.

Open Enrollment is ONLY for students new to FSI. Returning students will fill out re-enrollment in February. Follow these guidelines to be sure you secure a spot for your student:

• Current FSI students (grades 5 – 11): No action needed right now. You will fill out re-enrollment paperwork in February. 
• FSI Siblings (new to FSI): If you are applying for a sibling who is not currently enrolled at FSI – you must apply during Open Enrollment. Make sure you let us know that your child is eligible for the sibling priority enrollment. 
• Friends, cousins, acquaintances: Remind your friends and acquaintances to apply during Open Enrollment! It’s very easy – just go to our website and click the “Apply Now” button on the orange banner. Applications must be submitted prior to March 31 to be entered in our enrollment lottery. 

Dental Clinic: March 14

We are pleased to host a free dental clinic again this year on March 14. Permission slips will be coming home soon, or you can sign up online www.MySchoolDentist.com. Enter the zipcode and select our school! 

Blood Drives @ FSI

We will host two Blood Drives this spring – mark the dates! 

• Friday, 2/17, 9:30-2:30
• Friday, 4/14, 9:30-2:30

ACT Workshops

FSI will be administering the ACT to all 11th graders on March 7th as part of North Carolina’s required testing program. In February we will be offering an ACT Prep workshop which will be offered on two consecutive Wednesday afternoons. The cost to attend the ACT workshop (both sessions) is $60. If the cost to attend will prevent your student from attending, please reach out to Ms. Tager (jtager@thefsi.us). You can sign up your student to attend here. The dates and times for the workshop are:

February 8th:

1:30 – 3:30 English

3:45 – 5:15 Math

February 15th:

1:30 -3:30 Science

Volunteer Opportunity: Build a Low Ropes Course

We would love to build a low ropes course! Our Adventure Education class is eager to help with the labor but we need some skills and adult support! Students have selected two elements and we are looking for adults with experience. Contact Jessica Potter-Bowers, jpotter-bowers@thefsi.us for more information or to offer your assistance. .

Franklin Flurries Dance Feb 4, 5:30 – 7 pm

The Community Council is sponsoring the Franklin Flurries school dance, Sat, Feb 4, in the Community Room. Tickets are $8 in advance, sold at lunch Jan 31 – Feb 3 or $10 at the door. DJ, music, photo booth, and concessions. This dance is open to FSI students only. Please note this event is now Middle School Only! Community Council is exploring other high school events. 

Parents – Check out the sign up genius link for Franklin Flurries donations. We need concessions, table cloths, and adult chaperones. Thanks! Link- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040E49ADA62AA13-bolts

Save Hamlet! 

What do you get when you bundle physical and verbal folly, poetry and philosophy, disguises and spies, romance and murder? Shakespeare, of course! Or a parody of Shakespeare! FSI’s spring High School Theatre production, ‘Save Hamlet!’, is a fast paced comedy filled with lots of action and many surprises. It’s Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’, just shorter, sillier and less murder-y. While the fall show was a mature-themed drama, this spring show will be fun for all.

‘Save Hamlet!’ will be on stage before you know it. Save the date so you don’t miss the fun.

‘Save Hamlet!’ by Mark Harvey Levine – March 10th and 11th at 7:00 PM. General Admission tickets will be $10 and will go on sale online through FSI in mid-February. Stay tuned for details on the venue. Questions? Email Julie Wharton, FSI High Theatre Director – jwharton@thefsi.us

FSI School Store is Open! 

Get your FSI & Bolts gear and represent your school in style! 

Tees, hoodies, scarves and more – check it out! FSI School Apparel Store

FSI Food Pantry 

The FSI food pantry will provide supplemental nutrition to families experiencing short or long term financial difficulty and food insecurity. Food bags containing non-perishable items will be distributed Friday afternoons. To request supplemental food assistance, please contact your child’s school counselor. Want to help out? Bring donations of food items to the main office – there’s a bin in the entryway! 

High school: Mary Kinsey Hyche at mkhyche@thefsi.us

Middle school: Jennifer Negron at jnegron@thefsi.us

You can also complete this google form: Food Pantry Form

Responses to the form are sent to the counselors and all information will be kept confidential. 

If you would like to contribute to the food pantry, please contact Matt Speed, Nutrition Coordinator at mspeed@thefsi.us. 

COVID & Flu Updates: Masks Encouraged

Buncombe County is back to low risk for Covid, but we are still seeing cases. We encourage students and staff to wear masks, especially if you are at higher risk, are recovering from being ill, or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID, flu, or other illnesses. Masks protect the wearer and those around them. We are also continuing to offer PCR testing free of charge weekly on Mondays. Testing for high school students is available from 11:30 – 1 pm in the collaboration space on the first floor of Big Ben. High school students can come on their own during lunch. Testing will then be available in Einstein, Parks, and Johnson for students in grades 5 – 8; nurses will let students know when they are available in each building. If you want your student to participate in testing – please remind them! 

If you are new to Franklin or have not yet provided consent for testing, it’s not too late: 

• Parental consent for students under age 18: Click here: https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/minor-consent
• Student consent – age 18 and up: Click here: https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/invite-by-code
• Our school access code is FRANKLINS1. You will need this to complete the consent form
• You only need to provide consent once

    Middle School News Videos 

7th Grade Theatre students are writing, filming, producing, and directing the news Monday and Friday each week. Click on the folder below to see the news each week! 

Morning News Videos- 2022-2023–

Athletic News

Club News

Habitat for Humanity Student Group

The Habitat for Humanity Student meets on Tuesdays during lunch in room #226.

Middle School Creative Writing

The club meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month from 3:30 – 4:30 pm, and 2nd and 4th Fridays each month from 3:30 – 4:30 in Ms. O’Dell’s room.  Contact Ms. O’Dell for more information (aodell@thefsi.us) 

Math Club

Math club is open for all our students – ALL GRADES – and it is a great opportunity for students to explore the beauty and application of Math outside their classrooms. Math is a subject full of creativity and opportunity that many students enjoy. Besides the academic benefits, math club is also a great way to meet new people and develop teamwork skills. In the past, our students have had a unique opportunity to compete at regional and national levels.  This year, we are planning to participate in some of these competitions. Math club meets on Tuesdays right after school from 3:30-5:00 PM in the New Building room #224.  If your child is interested in participating, please fill out this form.  If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Byan at tbyan@thefsi.us. 

Middle School Drama Club

MS Drama Club Newsletter –  Click Here! Questions about MS Drama club, contact Chris Martin, cmartin@thefsi.us

High School Drama Club

Use this QR code to stay clued in on FSI HS Theatre news with our monthly

FSI High School Theatre Newsletter! 

Chess: Do you like to play Chess or do you want to learn?! Join FSI’s Chess Club and learn from our expert instructor, Mr. Bruce Roth. Chess Club meets every Tuesday from 4-5 p.m. The winter semester will begin January 10, 2023, and end April 25, 2023. Students will meet in the Community Room with Beyond the Bell from dismissal until the class begins! All grades and levels are welcome!! The fee is $50/per semester or $100/per year. All checks must be payable to Bruce Roth. For more information, contact Bruce Roth at 828 230 5139 or by email at brucerothchess@gmail.com

BIPOC Student Union (BSU):The BSU offers a safe space for students to share their experiences and to identify ways our school can address specific and systemic racism. Community mentor Bruce Waller is returning to support our BSUs, joining faculty sponsor Keith Knox. BSU is open to all students who identify as People of Color. HS BSU currently meets Fridays at lunch in Dr. Hawkins classroom. MS BSU starting soon. 

Film Club! This club is returning from last year and meets alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 – 4:45.  Email Michaela Mamone-Peeples for more information. 

Girls who Code will meet every other Monday after school from 3:15 – 4:30 in Edison 19. Email bdavenport@thefsi.us with any questions. 

MS GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance)

MS GSA (gender and sexuality alliance): Middle School GSA meets every Friday 3:15-4:30pm. We welcome everyone and work to empower LGBTQ+ lives. Contact afortune@thefsi.us to join.

HS GSA

HS GSA  – contact MK Hyche, mkhyche@thefsi.us, or Justina Powell, jpowell@thefsi.us 

High School Studio Art Club

Mondays, Starting September 19, 2022

3:45 – 5:00, Big Ben, first floor Art Room #133

Hosted by Ms. Jen jlipsey-edwards@thefsi.us

HS Studio Art Club is a place to gather with other creative teens who have a genuine interest in the visual arts. Folks will have a place to chill, work on art, listen to music, have tea, and to inspire and be inspired. The Studio is where friendship, collaboration, feedback, sharing, and support come together to make magic! You do not need to commit to showing up every week. However, advance registration is required to attend as you’re able to. Register here: https://forms.gle/czLbV186Ep7K31gb9

Mountain Bike Team Registration Closes Jan 22

This is a LAST CALL for anyone who would like to join FSI’s Mountain Bike TEAM for 2023. Email Ethan Burns (eburns@thefsi.us) for more information.  Registration closes Jan 22.

There will be no more MTB Club events in 2023

Science Olympiad Club

Do you geek out on all things science?  Are you a competitive person who needs a medal hanging around your neck to prove your science prowess? This is a science competition against other schools in our area with a potential to move on to state and national levels.  Science Olympiad will meet in Room 141 from 3:30-4:15 every Friday.  Open to MS and HS students! Contact jbragdon@thefsi.us if you have any questions.

Middle School Robotics

Middle School Robotics team meets Thursdays,  3:15pm to 4:00 pm in the Middle School Tech room (Edison 19). 

Who do I go to when….

Whether you are new or returning to Franklin, we know you will have questions, and we want to help you find the best person to answer them, quickly and efficiently. We hope this little guide will help you navigate! 

I have a question about my child’s grade, an assignment, or something specific to one class: Start with your child – what do they know? Then, the classroom teacher 

I’m worried about my child’s overall progress, or progress in multiple classes: Your child’s Crew advisor can help coordinate a team response or meeting

My child seems anxious, sad, or unhappy: Jennifer Negron  is our middle school counselor, and Mary Kinsey Hyche is our high school counselor

I think my child is being bullied, or other behavior/discipline concerns: Tony Freeman, Middle School Principal or Peter Tromba  High School Principal

My child will miss school: For short-term absences (illness, doctor’s appointments, etc), send an email to attendance@thefsi.us, or bring a written note to the front office. Notes must be received within 48 hours of student’s return to school. Longer-term or frequent absences (5 days/quarter) require documentation from a medical care provider. 

I’ve contacted a teacher, but the problem isn’t resolved: Your child’s Principal

I think my child may need special education services or accommodations: Paula Dowd, Director of Exceptional Services

My child requires medication during the school day, has a special health need, or has tested positive for COVID: Contact our school nurse, Jessica Perraud

I think we need some support for my child’s challenging behaviors: Jessica Potter-Bowers (JP) or Kara Lacey, Behavior Specialists

I have a question about enrollment, student records or I need a copy of my student’s report card or transcript:  Erinn Otten, Director of Student Services

My student needs a chromebook, hotspot, or help with technology: Matt Mikulski, Technology Director

My child has an IEP, and I have questions about the services provided: Your child’s Exceptional Children teacher is your first contact: 

• Grade 5: Brittany Davenport
• Grade 6: Tammy Leahy
• Grade 7: Meagan Barnhard
• Grade 8: Donnie Stahlke
• MS Resource Room: Meaghann Denkenberger
• Grade 9: Lindsey Wehrli
• Grade 10: Greg Wingard
• Grade 11: Paul Szumski
• Grade 12: Gretchen Kehrberg
• HS Occupational Course of Study: Kelsey Reid

I have questions about sports: Kim Burke, Athletic Director

I want to know more about after or before-school services:  Martha Rutherford, Beyond the Bell Coordinator

I want to know more about your music program: Sandi Wilson, Director of Instrumental and Vocal Ensembles

I am interested in your theatre programs! Chris Martin, MS Theatre teacher/director and Julia Wharton, HS Theatre teacher/director

I have questions about your school bus or student parking: Deeana Bennett, Director of Operations

I am interested in carpooling/ride-sharing: Check out our carpool facebook group (you need to request to join):  

I want to know more about college planning, including advanced courses like AP and Dual Enrollment, financial aid, or the college application process: JaneAnne Tager, College & Career Counselor

I have high level concerns or questions about the school, such as a problem that hasn’t been resolved through my principal, an immediate school safety concern, or more general questions about the school’s philosophy, approach, or plans for the future: Michelle Vruwink, Executive Director

Our Teaching Teams for 2022-2023!