Dear Franklin families,
Thank you to everyone who attended Meet the Teachers Thursday evening! It was so good to see so many familiar and new faces. And I hope everyone is enjoying this last weekend of summer. Try to squeeze in a little time outdoors if you can.
We’re excited to welcome everyone to the 2025-2026 school year. As a public charter school, we have the privilege of creating a vision and mission and keeping it centered in our hearts and minds. Our mission is strongest when we all – school, parents, and students – work together.
The Franklin School of Innovation is preparing the next generation of leaders, capable of solving problems and participating effectively and ethically as local and global citizens.
Through challenging academics, real-world learning, and community engagement, our students discover their potential, develop persistence, and recognize the value of others. Our graduates are ready for the future they will create.
Our mission inspires us to keep our students at the center, supporting and challenging them to be their best selves. Whether it’s enforcing the cell phone policy (phones need to be silent and unseen at all times), pushing students to be in school every day they are able, or investing in time for faculty professional learning, our decisions and actions are grounded in our mission and always will be.
Tomorrow, August 25, is the first day of school. It is very important that students attend on the first day! The first week of school sets students up for success for the year. It also has an impact on our school funding. Students are not considered enrolled with Franklin until they attend.
Here’s a quick review of our school start and end times:
- 5th & 6th Grade: 8:10 – 3:15; 8:10 – 12:45 Wednesday
- 7th & 8th Grade: 8:10 – 3:20; 8:10 – 12:45 Wednesday
- High School: 8:20 – 3:40; 8:20 – 1:00 Wednesday
Students may arrive as early as 7:15 am. From 7:15 – 7:45 students will be placed in Before the Bell (daily fee $1). Regular arrival begins at 7:45. Middle school students should be here by 8:00 and high school students should arrive by 8:10 to be on time for classes.
Traffic Reminders
All traffic on campus is one-way. Form two lines when you enter campus and stay in two lines to the school entrance. We’ll help you merge into one line to exit. Turn right at Sardis Road for safety and to keep the line moving. More information is available in our Family Orientation presentation – please be sure every driver in your family has reviewed our drop-off and pick-up procedures! It takes a week or so for everyone to learn the car line procedures. We will have many staff members out helping. I promise you, exactly no one got into education because car line duty is so much fun. So, be patient, be kind, follow the expectations, and help us keep our car line moving and everyone safe.
Cellphone and Wireless Device Policy
Cellphones, smart watches, earbuds and more, wireless devices have a time and place in our lives. And there’s a time and place for them to be off and away. For all students, cellphones and all other devices must be away and silent during all instructional time. For middle school this means from 8 am until dismissal. High school students may have devices out during transitions and during lunch, but phones must be stored in the classroom phone pouches during the entire instructional period.
There is a lot of good research that shows that phones are a distraction from learning and create social challenges in schools. Plus – it’s the law! Parents, you can help. Review the policy and expectations with your students. Don’t call or text your student during school hours. If you need to get a message to them during the school day, call us at 828-318-8140. If students need to contact you, they can ask permission to come to the front desk or call from a classroom phone.
Be Good Neighbors
I’ve already heard from our neighborhood businesses, asking me for help as the school year begins. We contribute to a busy road and we appreciate their support. Let’s treat our local businesses kindly!
- Do not park in AAA Storage, Galactic Pizza or the gym parking lots for drop off or pick up.
- Students may not park at neighborhood businesses. Apply for parking registration at school or arrange transportation.
- If you give written permission for your students to walk to Galactic Pizza or the gas station at dismissal, make sure they are good citizens. If students go to Galactic, they should stay outdoors unless they are purchasing food. Once students leave school, we cannot supervise them. Be sure your student knows your expectations for their behavior in the community. Students are not allowed to leave campus during school hours.
Infinite Campus and Student Schedules
We know there are still problems with Infinite Campus and student schedules. We’re probably just as frustrated as you are with the challenges of the state’s transition to Infinite Campus. Our team is working round the clock to help parents get into the portal and to correct schedule issues.
If you need help getting into the Parent Portal or other Infinite Campus problems, please complete this FORM to request support. We will get to you as quickly as possible. Do not email individual staff members – you will get help more quickly by using the form.
If your high school student needs a schedule change, please use the schedule change request form, linked below. Note that schedule changes may not be possible. Students must attend their assigned classes until changes are approved and completed. If your student has gaps in their schedule, we will work with them tomorrow and this week to get them into classes. Schedule changes will be allowed for scheduling errors (student has previously earned credit in a course or has not fulfilled a prerequisite) and for missing courses (student has a gap in their schedule or is missing a credit required for graduation).
- MK Hyche – 9th and 10th grade
- JaneAnne Tager – 11th and 12th grade
Upcoming Events
Mon, August 25: First Day of School!
Wed, Aug 27: First Early Release
- Middle School 12:45
- High School 1:00
Mon,Sept 1: Labor Day Holiday – No School
Wed, Sept 17: Fall Student Led Listening Conferences – students will not attend school this day. They will come ONLY for their conference time. Times will be scheduled with Crew leaders
Bolts Athletics
Fall Sports Information
MS Cross Country (boys and girls)
- Interest meeting during lunches on Monday, August 25
- First practice on Tuesday, August 26 (3:30-4:40pm) on campus
MS Volleyball (girls)
- Interest meeting during lunches on Monday, August 25
- First practice TBD
MS Flag Football (boys and girls)
- Interest meeting during lunches on Wednesday, August 27
- First practice on Tuesday, September 2 (3:30-4:45pm) on new field
HS Cross Country (boys and girls)
- First practice on Tuesday, August 26 (4:00-5:30pm)
- Meet in room #214
HS Soccer (boys)
- Try-outs will be held on Monday, August 25 and Tuesday, August 26 (4:00-5:30pm) and Wednesday, August 27 (1:20-3:00pm) on the new field
HS Volleyball (girls)
- Interest meeting on Tuesday, August 26 at 8:00am in Coach Bragdon’s room
- Try-outs will be held on Thursday, August 26 and Friday, August 29 (4:00-5:30pm) in the gym
Physicals, concussion forms, and waivers must be turned in before practice or tryouts.
Parent Crew
Parent Crew is your organization! It’s similar to a PTO or PTA, and it’s a great way to get involved, be engaged, and meet other FSI families. Weekly information from Parent Crew will be included in the Sunday newsletters under this section.
Our first official event will be a parent coffee on August 18, 8:30 am. Watch for details about location.
Fill out this form for more information and to get involved!
Reminders
Who Do I Go To When….
Whether you are new to FSI or returning, we know you have questions and want to help you find the best answers! This handy guide can help you connect. We do our best to respond to questions within 24 hours. We do not expect school staff to respond outside of school hours. It may take longer right now or when the email load is especially heavy. Click here to access the guide: Who do I go to when…
Required Forms
Emergency Medical Authorization
All students are required to have a Student Health Form on file. These forms are extremely important; in the case of an emergency and treatment may be delayed if we do not have this form on hand. These forms were sent via email from Erinn Otten. Please complete the form and return it to school as soon as possible.
Medications at School
If your student will require medication of any type during the school day, please remember to complete and submit the appropriate medical forms. You will find forms for diabetes, asthma, allergies, medication, and self-medication on our website, or your doctor’s office should have school forms available. Under North Carolina regulations, students are not permitted to take any medications at school, including over-the-counter medications, unless the school has a current copy of a medication form on record. These forms require physician signature.
Immunizations
Students new to public school must provide proof of immunizations. You can read more about required immunizations here: http://www.immunize.nc.gov/schools/k-12.htm
Students entering 7th grade have new immunization requirements:
- Tdap – Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough)
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
You (or your doctor) can fax proof of immunizations to us at 828-318-8125, email to EOtten@thefsi.us, or mail or drop off to the office.
Sports Physicals, Concussion Form, and Medical Waivers
If your student will participate in our athletics program, all three forms must be completed and returned prior to participation. The physical must have a doctor’s signature. Forms are available on our website: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/forms/
Bus Rider & Carpool Information
It’s great to see action happening on the carpool page! No matter where you live, you’ll find FSI families nearby. You need to join the Franklin Carpool Facebook page. Find your carpool friends here: Franklin Carpool Facebook Page
You should have received the bus sign up information from Deeana Bennett, Director of Operations. Please note that last year there was a waiting list for the buses. After a couple of weeks we were able to accommodate all riders – but it takes a little while to work through the individual student schedules.
Free & Reduced Lunch
Did you know that Franklin participates in the federal school lunch program? We are so pleased to provide this service for our families. Our kitchen staff have been trying out some new recipes and treating us all this summer – we can vouch for the delicious meals! You can sign up here: Free and reduced lunch application
Beyond the Bell (BTB) Before & After School Program
Before School: 7:15 am-7:45 am: Mon-Fri
After School: 3:15 pm-6:00 pm: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, and 1:00-6:00 pm Wednesdays
This is a fee-based program. Financial aid is available for qualifying households, upon completion of application. More information is available on our website. https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/beyond-the-bell-btb/ Contact Ron Scott, rscott@thefsi.us, for more information.
Please note that all afterschool clubs also run through Beyond the Bell. More information about afterschool clubs will be available soon. Most clubs start mid to late September.
Thank you for choosing Franklin and being an engaged member of our community! Let’s make this the best year yet.
Michelle Vruwink
School Director
