In Memoriam: Pat Feehan, Founding Board Member & Board Chair This past week the Franklin community lost a beloved community member. Pat Feehan – the very first member of our Board of Directors and long-standing Board Chair – died unexpectedly and far too soon. He leaves behind his children, Will and Caroline, who attended Franklin in our first years. Pat had a part in nearly every aspect of our school’s development and growth. He is deeply missed.

 

Dear Franklin families,

Ask anyone in education and they are likely to tell you that last year was the hardest year they can remember. We returned this year with renewed optimism and commitment and trust that things would be better and easier. And overall, they are. But schools everywhere, and all of us working in them, continue to face fallout from the disruptive impact of the COVID pandemic. From the loss of experienced teachers and school leaders, deeper and more diverse learning needs of students, and changes in norms and behaviors – we need the support of our community more than ever. 

This week’s newsletter will focus on several of the challenges we are currently facing and offer ways for families to get involved. The focus on challenges doesn’t mean good things aren’t happening. As we end the 1st quarter and look forward to fall Student Led Conferences, there is much to celebrate. Beautiful and inspiring student-created artwork lines our hallways. Athletic teams are finding success, winning and demonstrating teamwork and great sportsmanship. Many students are earning their spots on the A/B Honor Roll. We recognize these strengths even as we talk about the areas for growth. 

We continue to deal with vaping and vandalism in our bathrooms. We are rolling out a more comprehensive response to vaping, joining the American Lung Association’s Vape Free Schools initiative. Did you know:

• Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death in the US, leading to 480,000 deaths per year
• The 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey found that 14.1% of high school students reported using a vape in the past 30 days, while the American Lung Association reports that 27.5% of high school students use vapes. Applying those numbers to our school population, we could expect that between 45 – 88 of our students use vapes regularly.
• According to the American Lung Association, 6,100 teens start vaping each day.

Our efforts to reduce vaping in school include education and consequences. Expanded tobacco prevention education will be incorporated in overall health education and we will establish a peer education program. Students who use or possess vapes at school will participate in tobacco education as an alternative to suspension. Repeat offenses will result in escalating discipline, including short and long term suspension. As family members you can help us address vaping and vandalism in our school. Have open conversations with your children about how these actions take away from learning opportunities. Attend parent education sessions when we offer them. 

Like schools all across the country we are working harder than ever to fill key positions. We are currently seeking two classroom positions – a lead teacher for Biology and a math specialist/assistant for 9th grade math. We are always seeking substitute teachers to give our hard-working staff the opportunity to take time off. Help us find great candidates by sharing these opportunities: Careers at Franklin. 

You can also support our school community by volunteering. We are seeking Classroom Parents for all grade levels – only two parents have stepped forward so far to help fill this need (grades 5 and 7). This is a key role that can be done entirely from home. Classroom Parents serve as the liaison for teachers, communicating with other grade level parents about specific needs such as classroom supplies, chaperones, etc. For those of you interested in fundraising and marketing – we have two meetings scheduled for this week and our Fall Community Work Day is coming up Oct 22. This week’s opportunities: 

• Wed, Oct 12, 1:30 pm: Marketing & Outreach Volunteers – meet at the main office
• Wed, Oct 12, 6:00 pm: Fundraising Committee – meet in Big Ben (main building) Community Room 

Let’s end with a big reason for celebration. Student attendance this year is dramatically better than last year – so much so that we thought the data was incorrect. Excused and unexcused absences represent a small fraction of the number from this time last year. Some of this is explained by lower rates of COVID and the changed protocols but COVID doesn’t explain all of the improvement. You are doing a great job getting to school! When students regularly attend and engage in school, they have nearly endless capacity for growth. 

---

Upcoming Events

This Week’s Events

Tues, Oct 11

• 4 pm: MS Flag Football vsRainbow @ FSI
• 4 pm: MS & HS Cross Country @ ICI
• 6 pm: Board of Directors Monthly Meeting, Big Ben Music Room

Wed, Oct 12

• 1:30 pm: Marketing & Outreach Volunteer Committee Meeting, Big Ben
• 6 pm: Fundraising Committee Meeting, Big Ben Community Room

Thurs, Oct 13, 4 pm: HS Cross Country @ Farm Invitational (Forest City, NC)

Fri, Oct 14

• Last day of Quarter 1 (regular school day)
• 5 pm: HS Soccer @ Hendersonville High School 

Mon, Oct 17: Teacher Work Day – NO SCHOOL for students

Mark your Calendars! 

• Thurs, Oct 20: First Info Session (virtual) for Prospective Families 
• Sat, Oct 22: Community Work Day (9 – 12) & HS Homecoming Dance
• Wed, Oct 26: Student Led Conference Day (students attend ONLY for their conference. No classes are held on this day)
• Fri, Oct 28, 3:15 – 5 pm: Middle School Halloween Carnival, hosted by HS Habitat Student Leadership Club

Keep up with all our events on our Community Calendar! 

---

Homecoming Help Needed! 

Families – we need your help for a fun Homecoming! Homecoming Spirit Week is open for all students and high school students are invited to the Homecoming Dance. Chaperones and donations for concessions are urgently needed.  Check out this SignUp Genius and let’s fill all the slots today: 

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 sent a link 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. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjTa2UB3VSy1KxenJwYTo0bl4ObjkdNgmxBmA0VfjIjGkBfg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0–

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

Community Work Day: Sat, Oct 22, 9 am – noon

Do you secretly love to pull weeds? Maybe you are cleaning up your own perennial garden and have some plants you can divide and share? Want to help us create some much-needed shade on the front field? Join us for our Fall Community Work Day. Bring wheelbarrows, hoes, rakes, gloves, and if you have them – tools we can use to dig posts. We want to install a shade tarp on the front field. We have posts and tarps but the holes will be hard to dig. Students are welcome and high school students can earn community service hours. 

Visitor Parking

Parking is limited this year! We know that construction has created a shortage of parking spaces for visitors. We have short-term visitor parking available on the exit road, on the right-hand side of the drive. We updated our Traffic Flow Map to show the visitor spaces. 

COVID Updates: PCR Testing on Tuesday this week

We will begin reporting weekly COVID case numbers in the newsletter. 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 Tuesday 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

Another great week in Bolts athletics!

• MS cross country competed in the Pink Run at ELS. Congrats to Rio Berry for finishing in 1st place!
• MS flag football defeated New Classical 28-14.  After being tied at halftime, the Bolts connected for 3 touchdowns in the 2nd half.
• HS volleyball played an exciting match at Mount Pisgah. After being down 2-0 the Bolts battled back to tie the game 2-2 but didn’t have enough in the 5th set. Congrats on an amazing season!
• HS cross country competed in a race at Pisgah HS. Congrats to Noah Judd for finishing 22nd out of 94 and to Freya McCormick for finishing 25th out of 71.
• HS Soccer lost to MPA 5-2. Goals scored by Brody Sandifer-Williams and Haydin Butz.
• HS Soccer defeated ICI 3-2 in a super exciting match after being tied 1-1 at the half. Goals scored by Haydin Butz, Brody Sandifer-Williams and Conor Cloud.

Lots of Bolts athletics action this week! Follow fsiboltsathletics on Instagram to keep up with all the athletic news. 

---

Club News

Chess – Started Sept 27: 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) is gearing up. This year we will host a middle school and a high school 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. Club sponsors will work with students to find the best time to meet. Sign up here if you are interested: BSU Sign Up and stay turned for meeting times. 

Film Club! This club is returning from last year and meets alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 – 4:45. They will meet this Thursday, Oct 13. 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, Oct 12 – Richmond Hill, 3:00 – 5:00:  Sign Up Genius here
• Sat, Oct 22 – Bent Creek, 9:00 – 12:00
• 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

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.

High School Drama Club

Rehearsals for the fall High School Theatre production of the new play, ‘Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm’ by Katherine Vondy continue apace! We are excited to announce that we will be performing this show in the Tina McGuire Theatre in Wortham Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Asheville. This is a terrific opportunity for our theatre kids and for our school to be more visible in the community! We will do 3 performances: November 18th and 19th at 7:00 pm and also on the 19th at 2:00 pm. Tickets sales will be through the Wortham box office and a link will be provided to the FSI community beginning October 17th. All tickets will be $10. The Tina McGuire is a small theatre (seats 70), so ticket availability will be limited. Once the ticket sales go live, don’t wait to get your tickets!

A couple of important details and 1 favor:

The show is rated PG13 because of some mature subject matter.

We are hoping the playwright will be coming to a show and we’ll update you on that. If she is able to make it from California, we will do a Q&A with her after one of the performances.

Please have a look at this list of props we need. If you can find, loan or donate any of these items, we’d be hugely grateful!

FSI High School Theatre Newsletter!

Middle School Drama Club

Updated Drama Club and Rehearsal Schedule- Click Here! 

Drama Club Needs- All items can be brought to the theatre room- O’Keeffe 22

– Parents needed for the production team. We meet once a month for 30 minutes after rehearsals.  Next meeting- Tuesday, October 4th at 5pm.

Parents needed to help with set crew and rehearsals weekly. We need help with set crew on Tuesdays and rehearsals on Thursdays! Email Chris Martin, cmartin@thefsi.us for info & to attend

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