Dear Franklin families,

I am excited to provide an update on our school’s path to reopening. Earlier this week we set Oct 28 as the tentative reopening date. With non-potable water service restored at Franklin, we can now confirm that we will welcome students back to school on Monday, Oct 28. 

We have a lot to do between now and Oct 28!  We’ve had many technicians and inspectors on site making sure all our building systems are working. While the building came through the storm well there was damage to our heating and cooling system and some of our electrical panels. We’re finalizing meal plans with menus that can be safely prepared.  We’re redistributing all the supplies and donations from our Community Room. And we’re working closely as part of the collaborative effort to procure and distribute drinking water for every public school in Buncombe County. This is a HUGE undertaking and is the primary reason to open on a late start schedule. 

If you have connections for water donations please let us know! Buncombe County Schools has dedicated warehouse space, trucks, and drivers to help with storing and distributing water. We’re also looking for a motorized pallet jack to help the crew. I was here for our first delivery yesterday and I can tell you they are working hard! A single pallet weighs over 2000 pounds and our school alone needs two full pallets of drinking water for a full day of school. 

Our staff also need time to prepare. Teachers will return to school next Wednesday through Friday. Wednesday is dedicated to reconnecting and beginning the process of healing. We will have counseling on site through our Employee Assistance Program and Resources for Resilience is coming to work with us. 

Parent Crew is hosting lunch for staff on Wednesday.  If you are in a position to help please sign up here: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090848A5AA22ABFF2-52437147-october

Today was our last day to distribute supplies to the community. We still have some supplies left here at school – if you or a group you know has a need for anything please reach out! 

Return Schedule – Week of Oct 28

We will operate on a two-hour delay the week of October 28, with regular dismissal times. We will not have an early dismissal on Wednesday, Oct 30. The daily schedule will be as follows:

• 8 am: Staff report to work
• 9:15 am: Before the Bell early arrival – students check into the Community Room
• 10:10 am: Middle School classes begin
• 10:25 am: High School classes begin
• 3:15 pm: 5th and 6th grade dismissal
• 3:25 pm: 7th and 8th grade dismissal
• 3:40 pm: High School dismissal

We will not hold Beyond the Bell after school services the week of Oct 28. 

Week of November 4

We currently expect to resume a normal schedule beginning Monday, Nov 4. This will include resuming after school Beyond the Bell services and early dismissal on Wednesday. 

We will use the flexibility granted in the hurricane relief bill for 20 instructional days. This means that we will not make up the days lost due to Hurricane Helene. 

How to Help

We are launching the “Stronger Together Hurricane Recovery Fund”. We know that many in our immediate community do not have the capacity to financially support our school at this time and we hope that our extended community can help fill that gap. The Hurricane Relief Fund will help us provide healthy meals for our students, an emergency fund for students and staff, and funds for field trips and engaging educational experiences to help our students recover and thrive. If you have family or friends who want to help please share the link and ask them to show their love in the form of financial support! At this time we do not plan to run our Annual Fund campaign- the Hurricane Recovery fund will take its place. 

We are also seeking water donations. We’ll take drinking water in any form! If you have an extra case to share, you can bring it to school. If you have connections to multiple pallets or truckloads of water contact me at mvruwink@thefsi.us and I will connect you with the warehouse. 

Finally, if you haven’t done so please take a few minutes to complete our Needs Survey. This will help us in our planning. We look forward to seeing many of you on campus this week and we look forward to welcoming everyone back soon! 

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Volunteer Opportunities

Hands on Asheville/Buncombe maintains a daily list of volunteer opportunities. Many are open to students and you can register as a team or individual. https://www.handsonasheville.org/volunteer-helene/   Below are some additional volunteer opportunities. 

Hearts with Hands, Swannanoa: Sign Up Form

• Breakfast 5:30-9am everyday
• Warehouse Support 3-6pm Tues-Fri

Nanostead, downtown Marshall: Sign Up Form

• Kitchen Crew: making and serving meals
• Nanohub: Supplies & volunteer support

Be Well AVL: Volunteer Sign Up

• General labor / hands
• Current main need is for drivers with trucks 

Western North Carolina Rescue Mission, 225 Patton Ave:

• Serve lunch: 11am-1pm
• Serve dinner: 4pm-6pm
• Volunteer Coordinator Amanda Putman (828) 707-0173