Students will not be called out of class for dismissal after 1:35 p.m. If your child needs to leave after 1:35, we must have written permission turned into the front office by 12:00 p.m. the same day (see page 16 of the FHS Student Handbook).
Please also remember that all students must sign out in the main office before leaving campus for any dismissal during the school day.
This policy helps us minimize classroom disruptions and ensure student safety. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Franklin High School Parents and Guardians,
At Monday night’s Board of Education meeting, the School Board voted on Board Policy 4318 – Use of Wireless Communication Devices to adopt Option B (bell to bell), with smart watch restrictions included. This new policy will take effect on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
What this means for students:
All personal electronic devices (cell phones, earbuds/AirPods, smartwatches, etc.) are prohibited anywhere on campus from 8:05 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.
Devices must be turned off and put away at the start of first period. We strongly encourage students to leave them at home or in their vehicle. Franklin High School will not be responsible for lost or damaged items.
Consequences for violations:
First offense: Device confiscated, returned at the end of the day.
Second offense: In-School Suspension (ISS) for the rest of that period (or the next day if it occurs at the end of class).
Third offense: Full day of ISS. Additional consequences may be assigned if violations continue.
Refusal to comply: If a teacher asks a student to turn in a device and the student refuses, the behavior will escalate and the student will be referred directly to the office.
Restrooms/Locker Rooms: Cell phone use in restrooms and locker rooms is strictly prohibited and will result in much stricter consequences.
We understand this change may not be popular, but as a Macon County Board of Education policy, it is one that we are required to enforce—in class, at lunch, and during all breaks.
We appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations at home.
If you have any questions, I encourage you to respond to this email.
We’re making great progress with lunch applications—thank you for your help! However, we still have quite a few outstanding. Our goal is to ensure every student who qualifies receives benefits.
⛔ Important: Once a balance has accrued, School Nutrition cannot retroactively apply free or reduced status.
✅ If a student qualifies for reduced lunch, it will be free this year.
🍎 Without a completed application, the cost of lunch is $4.00 per day.
We strongly encourage every family to complete the application—even if you think you may not qualify. Each year we find multiple families mid-year who would have qualified all along but assumed they did not.
🔗 Apply here: https://linqconnect.com/main
Please help us spread the word by sharing this post!
Currently, we have close to 560 students who have not completed a lunch application. Of those, nearly 250 qualified last year but have not renewed their application for this year.
Please remember: without a completed application, the cost of lunch is $4.00 per day.
If a student qualifies for reduced lunch, it will be free this year.
We strongly encourage every family to complete the application—even if you believe you may not qualify. Completing the form can benefit both your family and our school.
https://linqconnect.com/main
She shares:
"Hi! My name is Paige Robinson. I am pleased to join the Franklin High School faculty this Fall. I am a native of Macon County and a graduate of Southwestern Community College and Western Carolina University. I enjoy hiking to waterfalls, working out and spending time with my family, friends and Aussiedoodle, Flossy Mae. My most recent work experiences include directing a regional Diabetes Prevention Program for the seven westernmost counties of NC and teaching Health and Physical Education at Waynesville Middle School. I look forward to getting started in the EC program and getting to know everyone at Franklin High School. I had a wonderful experience as a student here at FHS and cannot wait to begin as a teacher! If we haven't met yet, please drop by and say hello!"
Welcome home, Ms. Robinson — we are thrilled to have you back at FHS!
Help Us Welcome Ms. Ploch!
After longtime French teacher Ms. Welch began a new journey at East Franklin, FHS found itself in need of a second foreign language teacher. Word quickly spread that our very own Ms. Ploch, an ESL Assistant was a certified Spanish teacher. After a great conversation, she enthusiastically agreed to step into the classroom and join Mr. Jay in our Foreign Language Department.
From Ms. Ploch:
"Culture has always been vital to who I am. My parents instilled in me a love of art and the experience of other cultures, which ignited my passion to teach and share knowledge with others. I moved to America from Colombia, South America, to continue my education. Over the past 20 years, I have dedicated myself to educating both others and myself. During that time, I married the love of my life and we were blessed with two wonderful children. For the past 13 years, Franklin has been my home, where I have served the community through the Health Department by teaching diabetes prevention. My name is Maria Ploch, though everyone knows me as Ms. Maria."
We are excited to welcome Ms. Ploch into this new role and know she will make a tremendous impact on our students and school community!