Good morning Franklin families,

I hope you are finding some way to enjoy the beautiful fall weather, even as we collectively mourn the devastation in our beautiful mountains. I will be visiting a favorite trail in the Pisgah Ranger District today as a way to center and ground myself for the week ahead. Many of our local trails are closed but the opening of the Ranger District is a little bit of good news. 

As we move toward reopening for students I hope to get back to a more regular schedule of communication. Things are still in flux, especially around the restoration of water, so a mid-week update may be needed! I am hopeful that things will begin to stabilize so we all can make and keep plans. 

Today’s newsletter includes a reminder of our reopening schedule, some important resources for the community, and athletic news about the upcoming basketball season. Please take a look at the Resources section! The D-SNAP deadline is this week, Oct 24! 

I am also sharing a link for families for an online training on how to help children and families impacted by recent hurricanes. The training is this Tuesday, Oct 22, 11:30 am – 1 pm and is led by Dr. Robin Gurwitch, is a professor at Duke University Medical Center and member of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. The training is organized by Asheville City Association of Educators.

For families to register, go to https://ow.ly/iZi750TMsRG

Our fall athletic season was sadly disrupted by the hurricane and we’re working on plans to allow student athletes to get together for some fun and closure to the season. Stay tuned as we explore what is possible. We are gearing up for basketball season and information is provided below. 

Thank you to everyone reaching out with offers of water donations! For now we will accept small donations – cases or up to a single pallet – at school.Please call ahead if you are dropping off more than one or two cases. For larger donations email me and we will coordinate with the Buncombe County warehouse. Larger donations will be contributed to the supply for all the local public schools. We want to have enough water for all the schools but not end up with more than they can store. We are not currently accepting other items such as clothing or food. If you have a need for clothing or food please let us know! We need to move all remaining supplies out of our Community Room before our staff return this Wednesday.

Parent Crew is hosting lunch for staff this Wednesday, Oct 23.  If you are in a position to help please sign up here: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090848A5AA22ABFF2-52437147-october

Return Schedule – Week of Oct 28

We will operate on a two-hour delay the week of October 28, with regular dismissal times. We will not have an early dismissal on Wednesday, Oct 30. The daily schedule will be as follows:

• 8 am: Staff report to work
• 9:15 am: Before the Bell early arrival – students check into the Community Room
• 10:10 am: Middle School classes begin
• 10:25 am: High School classes begin
• 3:15 pm: 5th and 6th grade dismissal
• 3:25 pm: 7th and 8th grade dismissal
• 3:40 pm: High School dismissal

We will not hold Beyond the Bell after school services the week of Oct 28. Buses will run on a two-hour delay schedule in the morning and the regular schedule in the afternoon. We will provide breakfast and lunch daily. 

Note: If your family is experiencing a loss of income due to the hurricane, you may qualify for free or reduced meals. We want to be sure all students have access to healthy meals!  You can apply for the free and reduced meal program at www.myschoolbucks.com or under the quick links through your My School Bucks app. If you have any issues, contact Tammey Harper at tharper@thefsi.us. 

If your family has relocated and you are unable to return to your home at this time, or if you are unable to get to school due to damage from the hurricane – please reach out to us. We will work with you to find the best solution for your student and your family.  Contact middle school counselor Jennifer-Rae Negron at jrnegron@thefsi.us or high school counselor Mary Kinsey Hyche at mkhyche@thefsi.us. 

 

Week of November 4

We expect to resume a normal schedule no later than Monday, Nov 4. This will include resuming after school Beyond the Bell services and early dismissal on Wednesday. We will use the flexibility granted in the hurricane relief bill for 20 instructional days. This means that we will not make up the days lost due to Hurricane Helene. 

Athletics Update

Middle and High School Basketball is getting underway! 

High School Open Gym

• Saturday, 10/26:  HS Open Gym  10:00am-12:00pm. For HS student-athletes interested in trying out for basketball this season. (HS ONLY)

High School Try-Out Information

• Wednesday, 10/30:  HS Try-Out #1  3:50-5:30pm
• Thursday, 10/31:  HS Try- Out #2  3:50-5:30pm

Middle School Try-Out Information

• Wednesday, 11/6-  MS Try-Outs (5th & 6th grade)  1:00-2:30pm
• Thursday, 11/7-  MS Try-Outs (7th & 8th grade)  3:45-5:15pm

                  

Reminder: All student-athletes must have the required paperwork submitted to try-out. (Sports physical and concussion form)

Important Resources

We’ve shared a lot of resources over the past few weeks. There are a few I want to highlight again. I encourage you to apply for all the help that is available. This will be a long and slow recovery process, so let’s accept the help offered to us today. We can then give help to others in the future. 

• D-SNAP: There is a very short window to apply for nutrition assistance! Applications must be submitted by Thursday, Oct 24. You may qualify if you suffered loss or damages such as damage to property or loss of income.. Learn more here: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/child-and-family-well-being/food-and-nutrition-services-food-stamps/hurricane-helene-food-and-nutrition-services-fns-flexibilities/hurricane-helene-disaster-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-d-snap
• FEMA: Apply online or at any of the local Comfort Care stations: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene. 
• Buncombe County Disaster Assistance and Resources Page has more information about FEMA applications and other resources: https://www.buncombecounty.org/default-assistance.aspx#:~:text=FEMA%20DISASTER%20RECOVERY%20CENTER%20(DRC,and%20the%20Small%20Business%20Administration.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available for those affected by federally declared disasters, including job loss, injury, or inability to reach work due to the disaster. DUA is currently open for residents in multiple North Carolina counties affected by Hurricane Helene, with deadlines to apply by December 9, 2024. To apply, create an account online or call the DUA hotline. Weekly certifications are required to maintain eligibility. Applicants must verify their identity and provide proof of employment if self-employed. Learn more and apply DES also has a dedicated hotline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance in both English and Spanish. 
  • English 919-629-3857
  • Spanish 919-276-5698 

How to Help

We are launching the “Stronger Together Hurricane Recovery Fund”. We know that many in our immediate community do not have the capacity to financially support our school at this time and we hope that our extended community can help fill that gap. The Hurricane Relief Fund will help us provide healthy meals for our students, an emergency fund for students and staff, and funds for field trips and engaging educational experiences to help our students recover and thrive. If you have family or friends who want to help please share the link and ask them to show their love in the form of financial support! At this time we do not plan to run our Annual Fund campaign- the Hurricane Recovery fund will take its place. 

Finally, if you haven’t done so please take a few minutes to complete our Needs Survey. This will help us in our planning. We look forward to seeing many of you on campus this week and we look forward to welcoming everyone back soon! 

Be kind to yourself and others. We are stronger together.