Dear Franklin families,
I had the privilege Friday to be in the audience for our fall middle school theatre performance. Over the past weeks I’ve watched students, staff, and family members put in long hours after school preparing for all aspects of the performance – learning lines, creating sets, designing costumes, and more. The outcome was a truly high quality show performed to a full house, full of joy and creativity and pride. It was a great example of what students can do when we all come together to support them! Thank you to everyone who helped make this show a success! Mark your calendars for the upcoming high school performances November 18 and 19!
As we look forward to the fall and winter holiday seasons, we will be asking our school community for more support. From the Giving Tuesday Annual Fund campaign, requests for holiday gifts and expressions of thanks for our staff, and gifts to support our families, this is a time of year characterized by a culture of giving and generosity. As you receive the requests, please know that we recognize the many different ways families support our school. Whether your gift is a heartfelt thank you note to a hard-working staff member, modeling and reminding your student to be kind every day, or a financial donation, every gift contributes to a culture of abundance. We are grateful for all these gifts!
One way we are asking for support is the 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
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.
As a reminder, we provide cold breakfast and a hot lunch to all students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. We do not receive any state or federal financial support for our nutrition program. While we are happy to provide an occasional meal to students who forgot to bring lunch, we’re seeing an increase in students who aren’t eligible for the program. Please help us keep this program sustainable for those who need it.
Do you own or manage a local business? We are currently seeking Corporate Sponsors! There are many benefits for corporate sponsors – including the opportunity to be recognized during our Giving Tuesday Annual Fund Drive. If you or your business would like to sponsor an hour of programming, please contact me (mvruwink@thefsi.us) or Micah Usher (musher@thefsi.us) to discuss a contribution. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 29 for a day-long celebration of our school community and a culture of giving!
This Thursday, Nov 10, the 11th grade and HS Habitat Leadership Team are sponsoring a Fall Festival for middle school students. This was rescheduled from the Halloween Carnival – tickets are $1 at the door. All middle school students are invited!
Thank you to our 2022 Platinum Level Corporate Sponsors: Pinnacle Animal Hospital & Black Orthodontics!
What do Corporate Sponsors support?
- Our school nutrition program, serving nearly 200 free lunches daily
- Bus transportation program, transporting 250 students
- Scholarships for Beyond the Bell, field trips, and other programs
Become a 2023 Corporate Sponsor!
Upcoming Events
This Week’s Events
Tues, Nov 8
- 5:45 pm: FAFSA Completion Workshop, Big Ben room 212
- 6:00 pm: Board of Directors monthly meeting, Big Ben Music Room
Thurs, Nov 10, 3:15 pm: Middle School Fall Festival in the Community Room. Tickets will be available at the door for $1 each. The event is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity hosted by the 11th grade and Habitat Student Leadership Club.
Fri, Nov 11: Veterans Day – NO SCHOOL
Mark your Calendars!
- Nov 15: Virtual Info Session for Prospective Families
- Nov 18 – 19: HS Theatre Presents ‘Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm? – see more under Club News!
- Nov 23 – 25: Fall Break – no school
Keep up with all our events on our Community Calendar!
Lost & Found is Overflowing!
We have so many sweatshirts, water bottles, lunch boxes, and more! If you are missing any items, please have your student stop by the Lost & Found, or stop by yourself to take a quick look. All items in the Lost & Found will be donated at the end of the day Monday, November 14. Stop by this week!
We are Hiring!
We have a rare opportunity for a non-teaching administrative position! We are seeking an Executive Assistant to join our team. More information here: Careers @ FSI
TEDx Youth @ FSI Returns!
If you missed last year’s FSI TEDxYouth – you missed one of the best student-led productions ever. But don’t despair – it’s returning! TEDxYouth is looking for speakers for their 2023 conference! Fully organized by students, this year’s conference is focusing on the idea of “Disruption.” Have you or your child or someone you know experienced a disruption? Are you actively trying to disrupt something to challenge the status quo? We want to hear from you.
The conference will be held in late March or late April, and we will be having speaker auditions in the next few weeks, where we’ll ask speakers to pitch their ideas. More information to come, but in the meantime, if you have questions, please reach out to Dr. Hawkins at lhawkins@thefsi.us.
Host an Intern!
All FSI Seniors complete a Senior Project. The project requires 24 hours of career exploration, a journal of reflection, and a presentation to community members in the late spring. Please email JaneAnne Tager (jtager@thefsi.us) if you are interested in hosting a HS intern!
FSI Family & Business Directory
Do you want a way to connect with other FSI families? Want to support local businesses? Own or manage a business? We want to help! Please complete this short survey. We will share the directory with all FSI families. Please note that the directory will be shared for personal use only. The directory is not to be shared publicly or used for political or commercial purposes. FSI Family & Business Directory
College Corner
Tuesday, November 8th @ 5:30 on FSI campus
FAFSA info and completion session
The event will be facilitated by Devon McCarthy-James, our CFNC (College Foundation of North Carolina) representative who will explain how to complete the FAFSA senior families are encouraged to bring the documentation necessary to make progress on FAFSA completion. Seniors will review the list of what to bring. To learn more about the FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) visit:
https://studentaid.gov/help/fafsa
COVID & Flu Updates: PCR Testing on Monday
As of Friday, we had 0 reported active COVID cases in school. We are also tracking flu cases. Since Oct 24, 25 cases of confirmed or suspected flu have been reported to our school nurse. The flu cases have dropped and stabilized since the peak on October 28, but we continue monitoring attendance and cases.
PCR Covid Testing will be provided on Monday this week. Testing for high school students will be 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 are new to Franklin or did not provide consent last year, you can sign in to give consent below:
- 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 FRANKLINSI. You will need this to complete the consent form
- You only need to provide consent once
Connect with Canvas
As a school, we use Canvas as a system to help students and parents keep connected with assignments and grades. This is a schoolwide program, though of course high school students use Canvas differently and more than our youngest students. Parents and guardians can download the Canvas app and connect with their student’s account. Click here to learn how to do this – it only takes a few minutes but you do need your student’s help! Canvas Family App How To.
Middle School News Videos
8th 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–
Clubs & Athletics News
Fall Athletics
- MS Flag Football completed their undefeated season with a victory over The Mountain Community School 21-0! Congrats to the team and coaches on a successful season.
- HS basketball has started. If you are interested in playing, please email Coach Head, bhead@thefsi.us for more information. There will be practice on Monday, November 7 at Foster Church from 4:30-6:30pm. All required paperwork must be up to date and submitted.
- MS basketball: stay tuned for more information on the MS basketball start date. Coming soon!
Club News
New Club – Middle School Creative Writing!
This new club will be hosted by 6th grade ELA teacher Ashley O’Dell and is being started at the request of students. The club will meet 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. Club starts Friday, November 18, in Ms. O’Dell’s room.
Math Club Returns!
Math club is back! 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 will be meeting on Tuesdays right after school from 3:30-5:00 PM in the New Building room #224. Our first session will be on Tuesday, November 8. 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
Congratulations on a great show!
High School Drama Club
GET YOUR TICKETS to the FALL HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE PRODUCTION!
“It’s April 18th, 1943 and today in Wychbury Hill, England, my body is discovered inside the trunk of a large tree. Even in your time, it is possible that if you go to the Hagley Obelisk, you will see the words written on its stone sides, asking the question that people have been trying to answer since 1943: ‘Who put Bella in the Wych Elm?’ “
So begins this year’s fall high school theatre production, “Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm?’ by Katherine Vondy. Come see it at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts in dowtnown Asheville – November 18th at 7 pm, November 19th at 2 and 7 pm. Links to purchase tickets ($10) are below. The playwright will be at each performance to do a Q & A. Show is rated PG13.
Performance#2 – Nov. 19 at 2pm
Performance #3 – Nov. 19 at 7pm
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. starting September 27 and running through December 13. 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 meetings 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)
Starting 9/16! 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 will begin meeting this Thursday during HS lunch. This will be a kickoff/information gathering meeting. Date/time may be changed based on student schedules and input. For more information, 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 Club
Bent Creek Trail Work Day: Wednesday, Dec 14, from 2:00 – 5:00. After the dig, stick around for PIZZA as a reward for the hard work. This event is REQUIRED for any current and future TEAM riders. If you aren’t able to make this date, please be in touch and be prepared to find an alternate trailwork day you can attend. Sign Up Genius (click here!) to help with communication and to keep track of our number of participants. Please save this date and register ASAP.
Mountain Bike SWAG! FSI’s Mountain Bike Team would like to offer our community team apparel. That’s jerseys, hoodies, and new for 2023, GLOVES from Cognative MTB. Gloves will cost $25 to club members, T-shirt style jerseys are $50, 3 pocket full zip race jerseys are $70, and screen printed hoodies are $80. Gloves will be available in January and jerseys will arrive in February. Pre-order yours now to ensure your size is available! Email Ethan Burns, eburns@thefsi.us, to order.
Fall and winter events: Put these dates on your calendar, and then look for an email / Sign Up Genius with more details about each one in the weeks before. Dates are subject to change
- Wed, Nov 9 – Berm Park, 3:00 – 5:00: Please use the Sign Up Genius!
- Sat, Nov 19 – Dupont, 9:00 – 12:00
- Thurs, Dec 1 – NICA / MTB TEAM Info Session @ FSI, 6:00 – 7:00
- Wed, Dec 14 – Bent Creek Trail Work – 2:00 – 5:00
Enjoying MTB Club and want to get more serious about mountain biking? Please think about joining the MTB Team and racing NICA races in the spring! We will have an info session 6:00, Thursday, Dec 1 at FSI. Some quick facts: practices start in January, first race is 3/19, cost is $220 plus $25 dollars per race, and some financial aid is available. This will be FSI’s 4th season of racing! Contact Ethan Burns, eburns@thefsi.us, for more information.
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!
| Teaching Teams
5th Grade Brandie Dallara, ELA & Social Studies: bdallara@thefsi.us Jennifer Ryan, Science & Social Studies: jryan@thefsi.us Chris Pauley, Math & Social Studies: cpauley@thefsi.us 6th Grade Ashley O’Dell, ELA: aodell@thefsi.us Charlie Keller, Math: ckeller@thefsi.us Samuel “Latt” Berry Foster:, Science: sfoster@thefsi.us Evan Baptista, Social Studies: ebaptista@thefsi.us 7th Grade Jared Gallow, ELA: jgallow@thefsi.us Zoe Wallce, Math: zwallace@thefsi.us Nick Liu, Science: nliu@thefsi.us Grace Nyanga, Social Studies: gnyanga@thefsi.us 8th Grade Kyle Wilson, ELA: kwilson@thefsi.us AJ Jones, Math lead: ajones@thefsi.us Rhneea Riddle, Math Specialist: rriddle@thefsi.us Keith Knox, Social Studies: kknox@thefsi.us Carlos Edwards, Science: cedwards@thefsi.us
9th Grade Lora Hawkins, English I: lhawkins@thefsi.us Jerry Lubos, World History: jlubos@thefsi.us Liz Baron: Math 1 & 2: lbaron@thefsi.us Jessica Bragdon, Earth Science/ AP Earth: jbragdon@thefsi.us 10th Grade Matt Reynolds, Civics: mreynolds@thefsi.us Justina Powell, English 2: jpowell@thefsi.us Marcel Duhaime, Math 2: mduhaime@thefsi.us Niki Case: Biology: ncase@thefsi.us 11th Grade Bryan Head, English III/AP Lang: bhead@thefsi.us Tess Barnes Dunn, American History, AP Research: tbarnesdunn@thefsi.us Teshale Byan, Math 3 & AP Calculus: tbyan@thefsi.us Mary Smith, Chemistry, Forensics: msmith@thefsi.us 12th Grade Alex Humphrey, English IV & AP Lit:: ahumphreyr@thefsi.us Lexi Johnson, World History: ljohnson@thefsi.us Teshale Byan, AP Calculus: tbyan@thefsi.us Elizabeth Joslin, NC Wildlife (Science) & EcoWarriors: ejoslin@thefsi.us Jessica Fine: Pre Calc, Math 4: jfine@thefsi.us Elective Teachers: MS PE: Anne Gillis: agillis@thefsi.us HS PE & Athletic Director: Kimberly Burke, kburke@thefsi.us MS Art: Jennifer Lipsey Edwards: jlipsey-edwards@thefsi.us HS Art: Kati Robbins, krobbins@thefsi.us MS Tech & Computer Science: Adrienne Fortune, afortune@thefsi.us MS Counselor: Jennifer-Raé Negron, jnegron@thefsi.us HS Theatre, Art of Argument: Julia Wharton, jwharton@thefsi.us MS Theatre: Chris Martin, cmartin@thefsi.us MS/HS Music and Orchestra: Sandi Wilson, swilson@thefsi.us, French 1: Mackenzie Arnold: marnold@thefsi.us French2 & 3 and HS, PE: Chad Gerber, cgerber@thefsi.us HS Spanish: Hanna Walden, hwalden@thefsi.us MS & HS Spanish: Heather Kabat, hkabat@thefsi.us Adventure Ed: Jessica Potter-Bowers, jpotter-bowers@thefsi.us |
