Good morning Franklin families,
We’ve jumped from almost summer right back to fickle spring, and lost an hour of sleep for added fun. I’m running behind already and the week has barely begun! Thankfully, we have a short week of school ahead. There is no school for students on Thursday or Friday. Thursday is a teacher work day and Friday was scheduled as a weather makeup day. Enjoy the long weekend!
I received a record number of responses to last week’s emails. Thank you to all who reached out in support. The newsletter is shared with over 2000 individuals. I do my best to reply to individual responses but I’m not always able to do so. Clearly the newsletter touched on issues of concern to everyone. My goal in addressing the issues in our school is to be honest while also providing the context that this is not unique to our school. The COVID pandemic created a mass disruption in education, one that will require sustained community-wide response and support. The support we consistently receive from our school community will play a huge role in helping us recover. We feel and appreciate your support!
We are very excited about our next community workshop, coming up on Tuesday, March 28, 6:30 pm. I urge all FSI parents to join us for this learning opportunity! Danae Aicher will lead a virtual Anti-Racism 101 workshop. This is the 1st of several workshops we will host with Danae and other experts. Danae is an experienced Equity and Inclusion consultant and facilitator with a gift for creating brave spaces for people to address difficult topics around race within their organizations. We are so excited to have her guidance in this work! On April 25, FSI families are invited to join Evergreen Community Charter School for a Building Bridges “Talk Back” event. We are working with Evergreen and Building Bridges to schedule a Talk Back at both schools. Families are invited to attend either session. Hold the date now and watch for further details as we schedule our spring anti-racism events.
We Need to Talk: Community Conversations about Race & Inequality
Tuesday, March 28, 6:30 pm via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87070123154?pwd=N2UrRytBQ2RNcEhIckgwNXMxMjFKdz09
Meeting ID: 870 7012 3154
Passcode: 356127
On April 26, students in grades 8 and 10 will present their Passage Portfolios. Passages are an important part of our EL Education school model. These formal presentations are an opportunity and an expectation for students to reflect and demonstrate their readiness to move on to the next level of their education. Passages are so important that we disrupt our normal school schedule to make them possible. Students in all other grades will have a remote learning day on April 26 to allow the space and time for Passages to take place.
We are looking for volunteers to serve as Passage panelists! Each student presents their portfolio to an audience that includes their Crew leader, a school representative, and a community panelist. Panelists will provide feedback to students. As a panelist, you will have a rubric to guide you and you will be working collaboratively with other members of the panel. It’s an amazing birds-eye view into the achievements and growth of our students. We need many volunteers to support this undertaking! Please sign up here if you are interested and able to help: April 26 Passage Panelist Volunteer Sign Up
We are also seeking panelists for Senior Passages. Seniors will present Senior Passages on the evening of Thursday, April 27th from 6-8 PM. Seniors will present their culminating Passage Portfolios to a panel of faculty, staff, families, and community members. If you are interested in being a panelist for this event, please complete this Google form. We are looking for 30-40 volunteers. Please reach out to Alex Humphrey (ahumphrey@thefsi.us) with questions or concerns. Senior Passages is a graduation requirement for all seniors.
This Week’s Reason for Optimism
On Friday and Saturday nights our high school theatre department presented “Save Hamlet” in the beautiful and historic Masonic Temple downtown. I had the privilege of attending Friday evening. The performance was professional, with high quality acting and beautiful costumes and an expert set crew who kept things moving. But what struck me most was the community and collaboration evident among the cast and crew- a community that included students from different grade levels and different social groups who came together around an age-old tradition of storytelling and entertaining. Congratulations to all who made this production possible: the cast and crew, student director Sam Feinberg, FSI alumnae who returned to help with the production, and HS theatre teacher/director Julie Wharton for her hard work behind the scenes! If you missed the show, check out this great coverage from WLOS.
Burger King Sandwiches for sale on Tuesdays
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Upcoming Events
Tues, Mar 14, 6:00 pm: Monthly Board of Directors meeting, room 106 of Big Ben (new building)
Wed, Mar 15: Last day of Quarter 3 – regular Wednesday schedule
Thurs, Mar 16: Teacher Work Day – no school for students
Fri, Mar 17: No School! We won’t need this weather makeup day – enjoy!
Plan ahead: March 29 and April 26
Student Led Conferences for grades 5, 6, 7, 9, and 11 will be held on March 29. Students will attend school only for their assigned time slot. Students in grades 8 and 10 will have a Virtual Learning Day
8th and 10th grade passages will be held on April 26. This will be a Virtual Learning Day for all other grades! Students in 8th and 10th grade will attend during their presentation slot.
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
NEW! Approved 2023-2024 School Calendar
The Arts are Blooming at FSI!
March is Theatre in our Schools Month, and FSI theatre is celebrating! With the just-completed high school performance and the upcoming middle school musical, Honk Jr, taking place March 24 and 25, theatre is alive and thriving at FSI. But there is still more to celebrate this spring! Our Annual Spring Arts Showcase is coming up April 20th, 5 – 8 pm. Middle and high school SWAPS (Student Written and Produced Showcase) performances are coming up in May. Middle school students – SWAPS auditions will be held March 30th, from 3:15 – 5 pm. Students can learn more and indicate what they are interested in on the google form. SWAPS and Arts Showcase Interest Form- Click Here!
We are Hiring
We are hiring! We are beginning to recruit for the 2023-2024 school year. To support our continued growth, we are adding a Dean of Students position. We anticipate a few openings for teachers. If you know an extraordinary teacher or candidate for our new Dean position, please send us their contact information and we will reach out. Email jobs@thefsi.us. Thank you!
Feed our Staff
Wednesday, March 22, we are hosting lunch for all staff as a way to lift spirits and say thank you. Help us buy lunch for all FSI employees! FSI Staff Lunch
College Corner
Wed, March 15, 1:30 – 3:30 pm: ASVAB Career Inventory
We will be offering the ASVAB Career Inventory for interested students on Wednesday afternoon, March 15th. The test will begin at 1:30 and parents can pick up students around 3:30. What is the ASVAB? A 3-part online aptitude and interest inventory that helps students figure out their strengths and interests for jobs and careers. While it was developed to predict success in the military, it is a useful tool for all students to explore career paths. To learn more or register, email College & Career Counselor JaneAnne Tager, jtager@thefsi.us.
Thurs, Mar 23, 6 – 7 pm: CFNC Financial Aid advice for college
Presenter: Devon McCarthy-James, regional representative for CFNC(College Foundation for North Carolina)
FSI campus, Community Room
Tues, Mar 28, 6 – 7 pm: FSI Dual Enrollment Information Session for Parents and Students
Presenter: Vicki Thompson, our AB Tech liaison
This meeting will be virtual.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://abtech.zoom.us/j/97170084123?pwd=UXA4V2hESDk5SkdnYWhsVWprR3dldz09
Save the Date: Prom is April 15
Prom takes place April 15th at Taylor Ranch in Fletcher. Taylor Ranch is a gorgeous venue situated on 500 acres, complete with horses and long-horn cattle. Ticket includes hor d’oeuvres (also a gourmet smores bar!) and access to a variety of outside games. DJ and dancing as well, of course. Tickets are $50. Prom committee would greatly appreciate tickets being purchased as early as possible, as that will give us a greater ability to add additional elements to the event, to make it a truly memorable experience for our students. Prom is for junior and senior students; sophomores and freshmen can only attend if invited as a date. Purchase tickets with the below link!
https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/events/52936-yee-haw-fsi-prom-2023
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
PCR testing is available 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
Bolts Mountain Bike Team competed in their first race of the season at Brown’s Creek last weekend. Against over 500 other athletes competing in a range of categories, the Bolts battled through crashes, mechanical failures, and tight single track to improve their standings in the six race series. Big shout out to all the first timers on completing their first mountain bike race, and more shout outs to the veteran racers for sharing their insights with the younger riders. The next race is the Salisbury Scramble in just over a week. GO BOLTS!
MS and HS soccer and HS Ultimate will begin games the week of March 20th.
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. Math club meets on Tuesdays right after school from 3:30-5:00 PM in the New Building room #224. .
Middle School Drama Club
High School Drama Club
Congratulations on a fantastic production!
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 meets Tuesdays and Fridays from noon – 1 pm.
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
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 Makesha Gordon, Science: mgordon@thefsi.us 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 Julia Adams, Biology: jadams@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 |
