Dear Franklin families,
This Wednesday is Student Led Conference (SLC) Day. We believe SLCs are important enough to dedicate an entire day to them. There are no classes Wednesday – students attend school only during their assigned SLC time. It is an expectation that parents join students for their SLC. Crew leaders organize the SLC schedule – please reach out to your Crew leader if you have any questions about your student’s SLC!
What makes SLCs so important? These conferences are one way students are put at the center of the learning experience at Franklin. Every student in school has been working to create an individual portfolio, setting goals and reflecting on their progress toward becoming great students and good people. They select work as evidence of their growth. On Wednesday, they will present the portfolio to a small but essential audience – their Crew leader and their guardians.
As Crew leaders and parents, our role in the SLC is to provide an engaged audience. Crew leaders have worked hard in the past weeks to help students prepare and now step back to let students take the lead. Parents and guardians listen thoughtfully and ask questions at the end of the presentation. This is just a small reminder of what school needs to be all the time. As adults our role is to provide opportunities for students, cheer them on when they are successful and redirect them when they move off-track. Ultimately, students need to own their learning and growth. We can’t do it for them but we must create the conditions and the opportunities that lead them to success. In my experience students often exceed our expectations and the SLC is a celebration. Sometimes, students are unprepared and the experience is uncomfortable. Both types of SLC provide real world learning opportunities as students learn and practice skills they will use throughout their lives.
If this is your first Student Led Conference at Franklin, I encourage you to watch the videos from EL Education to learn what SLCs look like and sound like in practice.
Halloween is rapidly approaching and I look forward to seeing all kinds of creative, silly, weird, and clever costumes. This holiday celebration should be fun for everyone. As students plan their costumes, parents/guardians share a responsibility to ensure that the costumes are thoughtful and do not cause harm or stress to others. While the following lists are not comprehensive, they are provided as guidance to ensure that all students enjoy Halloween and feel safe and supported in our school.
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 (e.g. no monkey or gorilla costumes, period).
- Include any type of realistic weapons (no guns, no matter what color or form).
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.
General rule of thumb: If you aren’t sure – don’t wear it. Take a few minutes to research and think about your choices and we can all enjoy the fun!
We are seeking Internship Opportunities! 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!
Special shout-out to MS Theatre and Director Chris Martin – check out the WLOS story about their upcoming play, Haphazardly Ever After! Join us Nov 4 & 5 to see the show!
Did you know…
We post the newsletter on our website each week. Just scroll down the front page to “What’s Happening”. The newsletter can be easily translated into several languages by clicking the “translate” button at the bottom right hand side of the screen. Check it out!
Thank you to our 2022 Platinum Level Corporate Sponsors!
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, Oct 25
- 4:00 pm: MS Flag Football vs. The Learning Community at TLC
- 5:30 pm: HS AB TEch Dual Enrollment Info Session – see Community Calendar for link to join
- 6:00 pm: Class Parent Kick-Off Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/2148949274?pwd=WWt2RThmZVE4a002MHNnZU00c2JEUT09 Passcode: 5v50BJ
Wed, Oct 26: SLC Day – NO CLASSES FOR STUDENTS. Students & parent/guardians attend during scheduled conference
Thurs, Oct 27
- 1:30 pm: Campus Tour for Prospective Families. Tell your friends to sign up online
Fri, Oct 28
- 3:30 – 5:00 pm: MS Halloween Carnival in the Community Room
Mark your Calendars!
- Mon, Oct 31: MS Halloween Costume
- Nov 4 – 5: MS Theatre Presents “Haphazardly Ever After” – see more under Club News!
- Nov 11: Veterans Day – No School
- Nov 18 – 19: HS Theatre Presents ‘Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm? – see more under Club News!
Keep up with all our events on our Community Calendar!
Volunteer Opportunities
A huge shout out to all the families who came out to help with our Community Work Day Saturday! A special thank you to Jody & Laura Laurence for bringing their tractor with the hole-digging auger! We were able to move a small mountain of mulch AND get the posts set to provide shade on the front field. The tractor was our all-star player on a fantastic team.
Community work day volunteer Crew!
Class Parents: Thank you to everyone who signed up to help! We will host a virtual kick-off meeting Tuesday, Oct 25, 6 pm.
FSI Family & Business Directory – Important!
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
Halloween Fun!
Friday, Oct 28, 3:15 – 5 pm: The 11th grade and Habitat Student Leadership Club are hosting A Halloween Carnival for middle school students. Tickets will be available at the door for $1 each. The event is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity.
Monday, October 31st. Middle School Halloween Costume Contest – Register from 7:45-8:15am in Zone 1 outside O’Keeffe. $1 to enter the contest. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for students and teachers. Sponsored by Community Council. All proceeds support middle school theatre! No masks worn during the day or weapons for costumes.
Pumpkins for Prom Fundraiser
Prom committee will be delivering anonymous mini pumpkin-grams to students on Halloween throughout the school day! Fill out the google form below to have a sparkly painted mini pumpkin delivered to your pumpkin. You will be invoiced for payment after completing the google form. You have the choice between a sparkly black, sparkly gold, or sparkly purple painted real-local farm grown-mini pumpkin. The price is $5.00. For an extra $1, we will personalize the pumpkin with the recipient’s name painted on it! All proceeds go towards our 2023 spring prom.All orders must be placed by October 29th. Pumpkins for Prom.
College Corner
Tuesday, October 25th @ 5:30 via Zoom
Info session on our dual enrollment program with AB Tech
Learn more about taking elective classes at AB Tech to earn college credits while in high school. This program will be via zoom and our facilitator will be Vicki Thompson, our AB Tech liaison. The link will be available on the FSI calendar.
(open to all high school students and their families)
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 Updates: PCR Testing on Monday this week
As of Friday, there were no current active COVID cases reported to the school and we have had zero cases identified through school-based testing (rapid and PCR).
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
Another great week in Bolts athletics!
- Flag Football defeated Francine Delaney 49-14. Come on out to support them Tuesday!
- Cross country finished their season at the conference championships hosted by ICI. Congrats to our boys HS team for finishing in 1st place and shout out to Rowan McMullan for finishing 1st and Noah Judd for finishing in 3rd place. Congrats on an amazing season!
- The HS Volleyball team was victorious – defeating the staff team 2 sets to 1. This is the first time that the staff team has been defeated. A great finale to a fantastic season!
Follow fsiboltsathletics on Instagram to keep up with all the athletic news.
Club News – Get Your Tickets for Theatre Performances!
Middle School Drama Club
The Middle School Drama Club Presents- 5th-8th Grade Play…Haphazardly Ever After!
Friday, November 4th at 6pm and
Saturday, November 5th at 2pm
The Community Room at FSI. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students! Concessions sold at the shows! Click Here for more info!
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
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
- 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 Gabrielle “Gabe” Isaac: Biology: gisaac@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 |
